About the Las Vegas, Nevada Area 

• About Las Vegas
• Las Vegas Geography
• Education in Las Vegas
• Business Development
• Las Vegas Restaurants

• History of Las Vegas
• Las Vegas Climate
• Las Vegas Economy
• Las Vegas Transportation
• Shopping in Las Vegas

• Law and Government of Las Vegas
• Las Vegas Demographics
• Redevelopment of Las Vegas
• Las Vegas Attractions
• Neighborhoods and Real Estate

Las Vegas Strip at night

Las Vegas (often informally abbreviated to "Vegas") is the most populous city in the state of Nevada, United States, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally known vacation, shopping, entertainment, and gambling destination. It was established in 1905 and officially became a city in 1911. It is the largest U.S. city founded in the 20th century.

Founding

Las Vegas (English: "The Meadows" or "The Grasslands") was given its name by Spaniards in the Antonio Armijo party, who used the water in the area while heading north and west along the Old Spanish Trail from Texas. In the 1800s, areas of the Las Vegas Valley contained artesian wells that supported extensive green areas or Meadows (Vega in Spanish), hence the name Las Vegas. John C. Frémont traveled into the Las Vegas Valley on May 3, 1844, while it was still part of Mexico. He was a leader of a group of scientists, scouts and observers for the United States Army Corps of Engineers. On May 10, 1855, following annexation by the United States, Brigham Young assigned 30 Mormon missionaries led by William Bringhurst to the area to convert the Paiute Indian population.

A fort was built near the current downtown area, serving as a stopover for travelers along the "Mormon Corridor" between Salt Lake and the briefly thriving Mormon colony at San Bernardino, California. Las Vegas was established as a railroad town on May 15, 1905, when 110 acres (44.5 ha) owned by Montana Senator William A. Clark's San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City Railroad, was auctioned off in what is now downtown Las Vegas. Las Vegas was part of Lincoln County until 1909 when it became part of the newly established Clark County. Las Vegas became an incorporated city on March 16, 1911.

Major events

Las Vegas is one of the most dynamic cities in the world, "reinventing" itself as a gambling mecca, family destination, capital of hedonism ("What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"), or hotspot for dining and shopping over the years. Several events stand out as turning points:

• The floods of 1955, 1984, 1999, and 2003.
• Establishment of Las Vegas as a railroad town (May 15, 1905).
• Legalization of gambling (March 19, 1931).
• Completion of Hoover Dam (October 9, 1936).
• Opening of Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo Hotel on what would become the Las Vegas Strip (December 26, 1946).
• Atmospheric nuclear testing (1951 to 1962).
• The first Strip property "The El Rancho" was consumed by fire on July 17, 1960.
• Elvis Presley returns to live performances in August 31, 1969 by opening the International Hotel
• MGM Grand Hotel fire the worst disaster in Nevada history on (November 21, 1980).
• A series of explosions destroys the PEPCON rocket fuel plant and nearby Kidd and Co. marshmallow factory (May 4, 1988)
• Opening of The Mirage which began the era of megaresort casinos on (November 22, 1989).
• The Dunes became the first Strip property to be imploded on October 27, 1993.
• 100th birthday, or Centennial, of Las Vegas (May 15, 2005).
  

Economic history

Treasure Island Pirate and Fireworks Show

Las Vegas started as a stopover on the pioneer trails to the west and became a popular railroad town in the early 1900s. It was a staging point for all the mines in the surrounding area, especially those around the town of Bullfrog, that shipped their goods out to the rest of the country. With the growth of the railroads, Las Vegas became less important, but the completion of the nearby Hoover Dam resulted in substantial growth in tourism, which, along with the legalization of gambling, led to the advent of the casino-hotels for which Las Vegas is famous.

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The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department provides most law enforcement services in the city and surrounding county. Exceptions include cities with their own law enforcement agency; including North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City.

Most of the people and businesses who live in what they call "Las Vegas" are actually residents of neighboring unincorporated communities or incorporated cities. In fact, of the over 1.8 million people who live in the Las Vegas Valley, only 591,536 live inside Las Vegas city limits. The largest suburbs are Paradise (190,129) between Las Vegas and Henderson (256,390), Sunrise Manor (195,727) east of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas (202,520), and Spring Valley (175,581) southwest of Las Vegas. Paradise, Sunrise Manor, and Spring Valley are unincorporated townships, while Henderson and North Las Vegas are incorporated. The earliest, Paradise, formed during a 1940s water dispute between the City of Las Vegas and early homeowners south of San Francisco Street, now Sahara Avenue.

The City of Las Vegas government operates as a council-manager government. The Mayor sits as a Council member-At-Large and presides over all of the City Council meetings. In the event that the Mayor cannot preside over a City Council meeting, the Mayor Pro-Tem is the presiding officer of the meeting until such time as the Mayor returns to his seat. The City Manager is responsible for the administration and the day-to-day operation of all of the municipal services and city departments. The City Manager also maintains intergovernmental relationships with federal, state, county and other local governments.

A Paiute Indian reservation occupies about 1 acre (4000 m²) in the downtown area of Las Vegas.

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View of Las Vegas as it sits in its protective basin

Las Vegas is located at 36°11'39?N, 115°13'19?W (36.194168, 115.222060)GR1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 340.0 km² (131.3 mi²). 339.8 km² (131.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.16 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.04%) is water.

The city is located in an arid basin surrounded by mountains varying in color from pink to rust to gray. The Spring Mountains lie to the west. As befits a desert, much of the landscape is rocky and dusty. Within the city, however, there are a great deal of lawns, trees, and other greenery. Due to water resource issues, there is now a movement to encourage xeriscaping instead of lawns. Another part of the water conservation efforts include scheduled watering groups for watering residential landscaping.

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Las Vegas' climate is typical of the Mojave Desert, in which it is located, marked with hot summers, mild winters, abundant sunshine year-round, and very little rainfall. High temperatures in the 90s °F are common in the months of May, June, and September and temperatures normally exceed 100 °F (38 °C) most days in the months of July and August, with very low humidity, frequently under 10%. The hottest temperature ever recorded is 117 °F (47 °C) set twice, on July 19, 2005, at McCarran International Airport and July 24, 1942, at present-day Nellis Air Force Base. Winters are cool and windy, with the majority of Las Vegas' annual 4.49 in (114 mm) of rainfall coming from January to March.[2]

Beautiful Las Vegas Scenery - Red Hills

Winter daytime highs are normally around 60 °F (16 °C) and winter nighttime lows are usually around 40 °F (4 °C). The coldest temperature ever recorded is 8 °F (-13 °C) set on January 25, 1937, at present-day Nellis Air Force Base. Showers occur less frequently in the Spring or Autumn. July through September, the Mexican Monsoon often brings enough moisture from the Gulf of California across Mexico and into the southwest to cause afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Although winter snow is usually visible from December to May on the mountains surrounding Las Vegas, it rarely snows in the city itself.

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Las Vegas has been the county seat of Clark County since the formation of the county in 1909. The Census Bureau's official population estimate as of 2005 was 545,147. The city’s Planning and Development Department reported an increase of 41,126 in 2005, for a total population of 575,973. [3]. Recent figures place the population for the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which includes all of Clark County, at over 1.6 million people (2004 [4]), and the region is one of the fastest growing in the United States. Las Vegas was ranked as the 29th largest city in the United States in 2000, but recent estimates suggest that the city's population has since surpassed that of Atlanta, Nashville, Washington, D.C., Louisville, Denver and Boston to place it 22nd in rank. It is likely to surpass Milwaukee and possibly a few other cities to reach the top 20 by the time of the 2010 Census.

As of the census of 2000, there were 478,434 people, 176,750 households, and 117,538 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,630.3/km² (4,222.5/mi²). There are 190,724 housing units at an average density of 649.9/km² (1,683.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.86% White, 10.36% African American, 0.75% Native American, 4.78% Asian, 0.45% Pacific Islander, 9.75% from other races, and 4.05% from two or more races. 23.61% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 176,750 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 103.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,069, and the median income for a family was $50,465. Males had a median income of $35,511 versus $27,554 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,060. About 8.6% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2004 census estimate, the Las Vegas metropolitan area contained over 1.6 million residents, and contains the largest ethnic Hawaiian community outside of Hawaii.

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Primary public education is provided by the Clark County School District (CCSD), which is the fifth largest school district in the nation.

Las Vegas does not have any independent four-year university within its city limits. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is located in Paradise, three miles south of the city limits. The University of Nevada Medical School has a campus near downtown Las Vegas. Several national colleges, including the University of Phoenix, have campuses in the Las Vegas area. Nevada State College and Touro University Nevada are both located in nearby Henderson. The Community College of Southern Nevada has campuses in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson

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The primary drivers of the Las Vegas economy have been the confluence of tourism, gaming, and conventions which in turn feed the retail and dining industries. Several companies involved in the manufacture of electronic gaming machines, such as slot machines, are located in the Las Vegas area. In the 2000s retail and dining have become attractions of their own.

Tourism marketing and promotion are handled by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, a county wide agency. Its annual Visitors Survey provides detailed information on visitor numbers, spending patterns and resulting revenues.

Las Vegas as the county seat and home to the Lloyd D. George Federal District Courthouse, draws numerous legal service industries providing bail, marriage, divorce, tax, incorporation and other legal services.

Many technology companies have either relocated to Las Vegas or were created there. For various reasons, Las Vegas has had a high concentration of technology companies in electronic gaming and telecommunications industries. Some current technology companies in southern Nevada include Bigelow Aerospace, CommPartners, Datanamics, eVital Communications, NAHETS, Petroglyph, SkywireMedia, Switch Communications, WorldDoc, and Zappos. Companies that originally were formed in Las Vegas, but have since sold or relocated include Westwood Studios (sold to Electronic Arts), Systems Research & Development (Sold to IBM), Yellowpages.com (Sold to Bellsouth and SBC), and MPower Communications.

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When The Mirage, the first Megaresort, opened in 1989, it started a movement of people and construction away from downtown Las Vegas to the Las Vegas Strip. This resulted in a drop in tourism from which the downtown area is still trying to recover.

A concerted effort has been made by city officials to diversify the Las Vegas economy from tourism by attracting light manufacturing, banking, and other commercial interests. The lack of any state individual or corporate income tax and very simple incorporation requirements have fostered the success of this effort.

Having been late to develop an urban core of any substantial size, Las Vegas has retained very affordable real estate prices in comparison to nearby urban centers. Consequently, the city has recently enjoyed an enormous boom both in population and in tourism. However, as a New York Times series on the city reported in 2004, the median price of housing in the Las Vegas Valley is now at or above the nationwide median. The urban area has grown outward so quickly that it is beginning to run into Bureau of Land Management holdings along its edges, increasing land values enough that medium- and high-density development is beginning to occur closer to the core.

As a reflection of the city's rapid growing population, the new Chinatown of Las Vegas was constructed in the early 1990s on Spring Mountain Road. Chinatown initially consisted of only one large shopping center complex, but the area was recently expanded for new shopping centers that contain various Asian businesses.

With the Strip expansion in the 1990s, downtown Las Vegas began to suffer. The Fremont Street Experience (FSE) was built in an effort to draw tourists downtown. While greatly slowing the decline, it did not stop the decline in tourism and revenue. The multi-level Neonopolis, complete with 11 theaters (managed by Galaxy Theaters, Inc.), was built to offer more retail and services downtown. While there have been changes in ownership and management, Neonopolis has not been able to lease all the space available. As of May 2006, the property has been sold and is under new management. Renovations are under-way to revitalize Neonopolis. Look for new restaurants to open in the late summer to early fall of 2006.

In the early 2000s, some promising signs emerged for downtown Las Vegas. The city successfully lured the Internal Revenue Service to move operations from the far west of the city to a new building downtown that opened in April 2005. The IRS is expected to create a demand for additional businesses in the area, epecially in the daytime hours.

The city purchased 61 acres (247,000 m²) of property from Union Pacific Railroad in 1995 with the goal of creating something that would draw tourists and locals to the downtown area. In 2004 Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman announced plans for the Union Park Development which will include residential and office high-rises, The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, an academic medical center, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, and a new City Hall. After failed negotiations with The Related Co. on the development of Union Park in October of 2005, San Diego-based Newland Communities was chosen by the city as the new development firm. The Newland contract calls for Dan Van Epp, Newland's regional vice president and former president of the Howard Hughes Corp., to oversee his company's work on Union Park. The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute is expected to be completed in 2007.

Along with the Union Park Development, other promising residential and office developments have begun construction around downtown Las Vegas. New condominium and hotel high rise projects have changed the entire Las Vegas skyline dramatically in recent years. Many large high-rise projects are planned for downtown Las Vegas as well as the Las Vegas Strip.

The city council of Las Vegas has agreed on zoning changes on Fremont Street, which allows bars to be closer together duplicating efforts of similar cities, like the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego. It is expected that this change will bring more tourism and business to the downtown area.

In 2004, the city partnered with Cheetah Wireless Technologies and MeshNetwork to pilot a wide area mobile broadband system. The pilot system is installed downtown, around the Fremont Street Experience.

On October 23, 2006, plans were unveiled to build a World Jewelry Center in Downtown's Union Park. Similar to the World Market Center, the WJC will be a one stop shop for jewelry trade shows from around the world. The project proposes a 57-story, 815-foot office tower.

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Although there are large hospitality and gaming industries in Las Vegas, many technology companies are either being relocated to Las Vegas or are created there. For various reasons, Las Vegas has had a high concentration of technology companies in electronic gaming and telecommunications industries.

Some companies started in Las Vegas but since sold or relocated are:

• Westwood Studios (sold to Electronic Arts)
• Systems Research & Development (Sold to IBM)
• Yellowpages.com (Sold to Bellsouth and SBC)
• MPower Communications

Some current technology companies in southern Nevada are:

• Bigelow Aerospace
• CommPartners
• Datanamics
• eVital Communications
• Petroglyph
• SkywireMedia
• Switch Communications
• WorldDoc
• Zappos

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The CAT Bus is a popular means of public transportation among locals and tourists with various bus routes covering a large portion of the valley. The CAT system carries approximately 175,000 people per weekday, or about 10 percent of the valley's population. The Las Vegas Monorail runs from the MGM Grand Hotel at the south end of the Strip to the Sahara Hotel at the north end of the Strip.

The street numbering system is divided by the following streets:

• Westcliff Drive, US-95 Expressway, Fremont Street and Charleston Boulevard divides the north-south block numbers from west to east.
  
• Las Vegas Boulevard divides the east-west streets from the Las Vegas Strip to near the Stratosphere, then Main Street becomes the dividing line from the Stratosphere to the North Las Vegas border, after which the Goldfield Street alignment officially divides east and west.
  
• The McCarran International Airport provides commercial flights into the Las Vegas valley. The airport also serves private aircraft, domestic and international passenger flights, and freight/cargo flights. Although general aviation traffic flies into McCarran International, other airstrips are available.

Intercity bus service to Las Vegas is provided by traditional intercity bus carriers, including Greyhound; many charter services, including Green Tortoise; and several Chinatown bus lines.

Primary roadways into and out of Las Vegas include I-15 (north towards Salt Lake City, Utah, and south towards San Diego, California and Los Angeles), US 93 (north towards Ely, Nevada and Jackpot, Nevada, and south towards Kingman, Arizona) and US 95 (north towards Reno and south towards Searchlight, Nevada), providing access to Interstates I-80 and I-40.

Until 1997, the Amtrak Desert Wind train service ran through Las Vegas using the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) rails that run through the city; Amtrak service to Las Vegas has since been replaced by Amtrak's Thruway Motorcoach bus service. Plans to restore Los Angeles to Las Vegas Amtrak service using a Talgo train have been discussed since the Desert Wind was discontinued. As of 2006, however, no such service has been established.

Union Pacific Railroad (UP) is the only class one railroad to provide rail freight service to the city. Some groups have proposed the California-Nevada Interstate Maglev line from Las Vegas to Los Angeles in order to ease the incoming and outgoing traffic congestion on I-15.

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The major attractions in Vegas are the casinos. The most famous casinos line Las Vegas Boulevard South, also known as the Las Vegas Strip. There are many casinos in the city's downtown area as well, which was the original focal point of the city's gaming industry in its early days. Several large casinos are also located in the county around the city.

• Golden Nugget
• Four Queens
• Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel
• Fremont Casino
• Plaza Hotel & Casino
• Las Vegas Club
• Fitzgeralds Las Vegas
• Golden Gate Hotel and Casino

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Top 10 Las Vegas Restaurants - Places to Eat Well
From Zeke Quezada @ about.com

Many of the great chefs have decided to set up shop in Las Vegas Restaurants. What does that mean to you? Now there is no need to go to New York, San Francisco or Los Angeles to experience culinary ecstasy. This list is very subjective and can be fluid, but, every time I have visited these ten places I have been rewarded with consistently good food. Las Vegas Restaurants will surprise you if you are accustomed to greasy buffets and cheap shrimp cocktails.

1) Las Vegas Restaurants - Chinois
Honestly, I cannot live without it. I don't know how. If you have visited Chinois in Santa Monica you will notice the absence of pretentiousness, what is not missing is the incredible food. When I think of a Las Vegas Restaurant to send my friends to, I almost always list Chinois. It has been remodeled,there is a new head chef and things are still incredible.

2) Las Vegas Restaurant - Emeril's New Orleans Fish House
This is the Las Vegas Restaurant that you are dreaming about. If you make it past the oyster bar, good luck. Emeril Lagasse has brought his neo Cajun style to the MGM Grand and it is intoxicating. I can live on the gumbo and peel and eat shrimp. It's addicting so be cautious of this place.

3) Las Vegas Restaurant - Aureole
The first time I ate at Aureole I wasn't impressed, however, my wife fell in love. Since then I too have begun my love affair with this place. Aureole boasts about its four story, bungee jumping wine cellar. This place does not need a diversion. This is the flash that you are looking for in a Las Vegas Restaurant.

4) Las Vegas Restaurant - Le Cirque
Like its New York counterpart Le Cirque is incredible in its delivering a culinary work of art. Albeit at a price, but after a good day on the tables it's worth it. Enjoy the view of the lake as you cradle your fine red from their immense wine list.

5) Las Vegas Restaurant - Spago
Spago is what launched the Wolfgang Puck empire, today it still offers up great food on a daily basis. Not that I would know personally, I am so enamored with the meatloaf that I rarely will diversify my experience. My wife on the other hand never repeats her order and is always delighted. Wolfgang Puck has several Las Vegas Restaurants but this is still the best.

6) Las Vegas Restaurant - Commander's Palace
This New Orleans favorite has been reproduced in Las Vegas and clearly is among one of the best in the city. It can be pricey but it is entirely worth the price. Don't forget the crab cakes.

7) Las Vegas Restaurant - Michael Mina
Born in San Francisco this place has a way with elegant seafood. I personally enjoy the tasting menu as it allows you an opportunity to sample a few choice selections. Try for a table overlooking the gardens.

8) Las Vegas Restaurant - Bradley Ogden
The food is good but I might be more impressed with the way the place feels. They have done a great job with the bar and it is as comfortable a place to eat as you'll find in Las Vegas.

9) Las Vegas Restaurant - China Grill
Asian food with a fusion twist. This place will change the way you feel about Chinese take out. You might never be able to handle that Kung pao from your local eatery.

10) Rio Seafood Buffet
I know, it's a buffet, but I have to be honest I love the place. It is out of this world, just imagine all you can eat lobster tails, crab legs, shrimp, salmon, Mahi-Mahi. You can never go wrong if you are a seafood lover. Never.

To read more please visit the Las Vegas Dining Guide article.

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Recommended top 10 shopping locations in Las Vegas

Boulevard Mall
528 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89109 · 702-732-8949

EAST OF THE STRIP. A few miles east of the Strip, this large mall offers more than a million square feet of walkable terrain, giving shoppers the chance to browse and comparison-shop to their hearts' content. Palm trees add character to wide aisleways, and plenty of space means that folks don't feel crowded when they're making their way around. Along with anchors like Sears, Dillard's, Macy's, and JCPenney, Boulevard offers Gap, Victoria's Secret, The Disney Store and other retail favorites. Food options are available.
Hours - Mon-Fri 10am-9pm; Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 11am-6pm

Chinatown Plaza
4255 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102 · 702-221-8448

WEST OF THE STRIP. Far from the typical sort of Chinatown found in many American cities, this version is set up as a display, housing busy stores while also serving as an attraction. Traditionally-styled buildings are capped with shiny roofs and ever-popular golden dragons. The entire area also serves as a small cultural exhibit, and signs scattered throughout contain factual information about Chinese art and history. Establishments carry apparel, foodstuffs, jewelry, jade, plants, furniture, CDs, accessories and more.
Hours - Individual store and restaurant hours vary

Desert Passage
3663 Las Vegas Blvd S, Aladdin Resort, Las Vegas, NV 89109 · 702-866-0703

THE STRIP. Designed to evoke stops along the ancient spice route, this shopping complex is rife with exoticism. Street performers and acrobats enliven the walkways, and architecture recalls Moorish lands. Best of all, a harbor, complete with a full-sized ship, features lifelike rainstorms – a marvel of special effects. Representative retailers include BCBG Max Azria, Hugo Boss, Swarovski, The Sharper Image, Sur la Table and Tommy Bahama. Restaurant options include Crustacean Las Vegas (French-Vietnamese cuisine), and nightlife possibilities include V Theater's celebrated assortment of live shows.
Hours - Sun-Thu 10am-11pm; Fri-Sat 10am-Midnight

Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas
32100 Las Vegas Blvd S, Primm, NV 89019 · 702-874-1400

PRIMM. If you think shopping ends in Vegas proper, think again! Travel south just over a half-hour, and you'll come across this enviable mall and its selection of 100 outlet stores. The enclosed center is easy to negotiate, and you'll find everything from Banana Republic and Polo Ralph Lauren to Jones New York and Burberry. Cole Haan, Coach, Williams-Sonoma, Skechers USA and Neiman Marcus are also present, as is a food court. Shuttles from the Strip leave from MGM Grand and the Aladdin daily for about $15 roundtrip.
Hours -Daily 10am-8pm

Fashion Show Mall
3200 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 · 702-369-0704

EAST OF THE STRIP. 2 million square feet of shopping. $1 billion in renovations. 7 anchor stores. 250 other retailers. 11,000 square feet of dining options. Fashion Show is truly Las Vegas' largest, most prominent shopping destination. And with a retractable runway for actual fashion shows and an exterior architectural feature called the Cloud that's both a shelter and a projection screen for interior goings-on, it's an attraction as well. Set along the Strip, the mall offers Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillard's, Macy's, Robinsons-May, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's Home. Other possibilities include Talulah G, Z Gallerie, Coach, Gap, Louis Vuitton, Swarovski, Betsey Johnson, and Tommy Bahama.
Hours - Mon-Fri 10am-9pm; Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 10am-6pm

Forum Shops at Caesars Palace
3570 Las Vegas Blvd S, Caesars Palace Resort, Las Vegas, NV 89109 · 702-893-4800

THE STRIP. Classical architecture and statuary impart a refined ambience to this incredibly popular shopping center. Fountains and a glass dome further showcase the place's beauty, and a pedestrian plaza along the Strip provides a gracious welcome. Upscale shops include Lalique, Gianni Versace, DKNY, Fendi, Kenneth Cole, David Yurman, Roberto Cavalli and Estee Lauder. Resident restaurants include Spago, Planet Hollywood, The Palm and the Cheesecake Factory. The Appian Way Shops, also on the premises, offer even more options, especially in the way of apparel and jewelry.
Hours - Sun-Thu 10am-11pm; Fri-Sat 10am-Midnight

Galleria at Sunset
1300 W Sunset Rd, Henderson, NV 89014 · 702-434-0202

HENDERSON. East of town about twelve miles, the Galleria gathers approximately 120 retailers for shopping convenience. Anchors include Dillard's, Macy's, and JCPenney, along with other large venues like Mervyn's and Dick's Sporting Goods. They all join a number of smaller specialty stores, including Gap, Sam Goody, Eddie Bauer, B. Dalton Bookseller, Caché, Kirkland's, Bath & Body Works and Foot Locker. A variety of fast-food options and kiosks helps suppress hunger pangs when they arise.
Hours - Mon-Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 11am-7pm

Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian
3355 Las Vegas Blvd S, The Venetian Resort, Las Vegas, NV 89109 · 702-414-4500

THE STRIP. Italian architecture, atmosphere and entertainment regularly seduce patrons at this lovely shopping venue. In keeping with the Venetian theme, a canal runs through the area, and gondola rides are a fan favorite. Living statues, opera singers and commedia actors regale shoppers with their talents, and more than eighty shops provide plenty of temptation. Among the tenants are Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Ann Taylor, Sephora, Lladró and Mikimoto. A food court and a handful of great restaurants are available as well.
Hours - Sun-Thu 10am-11pm; Fri-Sat 10am-Midnight

Las Vegas Outlet Center
7400 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89123 · 702-896-5559

SOUTH LAS VEGAS. If you love brand names at bargain prices, make a beeline to this outlet center, which delivers deep discounts on great merchandise. Some items may be past-season or slightly irregular, but often, the goods are visually comparable to what's carried in full-price venues. Take advantage of the inconsistencies at places like Nine West, Levi's, Liz Claiborne, Jockey, Tommy Hilfiger, Carter's, Bose and Royal Doulton. Two food courts, two ATMs, and seven sets of restrooms handle necessities.
Hours - Mon-Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 10am-8pm

Las Vegas Premium Outlets
875 S Grand Central Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89106 · 702-474-7500

DOWNTOWN. West of downtown Las Vegas, Premium Outlets lets shoppers wander through an open-air village of discounted retailers. The selection ranges from high-end to mid-range, so folks of all price points can be readily accommodated. Shops you're likely to encounter on your quest for great deals include Dolce & Gabbana, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Geoffrey Beene, Lacoste, Quiksilver, The Children's Place, Zales and Yves Delorme. Fast-food options, ATMs, and restrooms are available.
Hours - Mon-Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 10am-8pm

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Las Vegas natives and long-term residents will often start stories with the phrase, "I remember when this was just a dirt road into the desert..." It's true that Las Vegas' burgeoning growth and expansion has rapidly turned bare desert earth into flourishing neighborhoods.

While many Las Vegas newcomers are awed by our nightlife, exciting entertainment options and breathtaking vistas, they're even more delighted by the myriad of housing options available valley-wide. Whether you're looking for rural seclusion, a lush, private master-planned community or a high-rise overlooking the Strip, you'll find your options are endless!

"I relocated from Southern California to Las Vegas two years ago, mainly to take advantage of the thriving business opportunities that Las Vegas provides and to purchase a home at an affordable price. Two years later, I would not hesitate to make the same move again."

—Schaeon Warren Vice-President WizardPro, Inc.

Master-planned communities have become increasingly popular during the past several years. Master plans are typically comprised of a wide variety of housing options, including everything from apartments and condos to multimillion dollar custom mansions. This mix of housing options is paired with carefully planned retail and entertainment amenities, parks and trail systems and public and private schools.

In addition to its master plans, Southern Nevada is also home to rural and established neighborhoods that vary in size, price and amenities. Many older homes are situated on large lots and have mature trees and landscaping. Rural communities offer more personal freedoms, including specially-zoned areas that allow people to board horses and raise animals. Las Vegas is also home to a number of age-restricted neighborhoods designed with the wants and needs of Las Vegas' healthy retiree in mind. And last, but not least, there are a myriad of options for corporate and temporary housing, high-rise living and apartments, condos and town homes.

So where to start your search for a new home? This section of our guide is designed to give you a snapshot of each area of the valley and its major developments. Listed on the following pages, this overview will provide you'll get an overview of the Valley's three largest cities as well as a look at the individual regions within the three-city boundaries. Regions are broken down into major neighborhood developments to help you decide what area of the valley best suits your personal needs.

Clark County
Southern Nevada's three largest cities are located in Clark County: Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas. While within close proximity to one another, each city is fully independent. The most recent U.S. Census figures put Clark County's population at more than 1.8 million residents.

Las Vegas
Continually garnering accolades for its fast-growing population, entrepreneurial atmosphere and vast housing, entertainment and employment options, Las Vegas remains a city on the move. People relocate to Las Vegas for its strong economy and vibrant lifestyle. They stay for its climate and its opportunity for personal and professional growth and a flourishing entertainment industry second to none in the world.

While Las Vegas has always been revered for its exciting nightlife, upscale dining, retail and entertainment offerings have taken to the city to a new level. Las Vegas is also coming into its own with the expansion of non-gaming industries, bringing high-tech companies, notable educational and medical research facilities and cultural arts offerings to the table.

Henderson
The "little sister" of Las Vegas has done some significant growing up during the past several years. With a population estimated at more than 250,000, Henderson has evolved from a small suburb of Las Vegas into a flourishing community. Created for Basic Magnesium, Inc.'s defense plants during World War II, Henderson is now home to award-winning master planned communities, a revitalized downtown business hub and a vast array of parks, recreational facilities and dining and retail options.

North Las Vegas
While some confuse North Las Vegas with the "northern part" of Las Vegas, this burgeoning area is an independent city unto itself. North Las Vegas was recently named the third fastest-growing large city in America with a population of more than 179,000. Several successful master planned communities have fueled economic development by attracting new business and retail amenities to the area. A proactive city government has led the way in creating a technology hub in the area. The city is home to the bulk of Southern Nevada's manufacturing, technology, distribution and industrial facilities. More companies are emerging, particularly in the older areas of the city, where an effort is underway to attract new business with an expanded redevelopment zone and public beautification efforts.

South/Southeast Valley
The city of Henderson is located in the southeastern part of the valley. This sprawling area is home to both established neighborhoods and some of the area's most popular master-planned and retirement communities. In recent years, this area of the valley has undergone dramatic transformation and brought a number of amenities to the area: St. Rose Hospital & Medical Center's Siena campus, The District at Green Valley Ranch, the Henderson Parks and Recreation Department's Multigenerational Center and Outdoor Amphitheater, to name a few.

Southeast Las Vegas is home to several new elementary, middle and high schools and has easy access to other areas of the valley through convenient access to both I-215 and US 95. Significant redevelopment is taking place in the downtown area of Henderson with construction of new city government facilities. The area is within close proximity to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the historic Boulder City and Hoover Dam.

Listed below are descriptions of some of the southeast valley's major community developments.

-Anthem

An upscale master planned community developed by Del Webb, Anthem is home to the Anthem Country Club, Anthem Golf Club, the Revere at Anthem and the Anthem Center, a 75,000-square-foot recreation facility that boasts an indoor/outdoor swimming pool and spa, fitness/exercise/wellness center and sports courts. The center also houses a restaurant, computer lab and resource library. Located high in the hills of the McCullough mountains and providing spectacular views of the Las Vegas Valley, Anthem boasts custom homes sites, gated communities and upscale tract housing. The lushly landscaped area includes an impressive waterfall entry and meticulously landscaped drives, walkways and common areas, including community parks and an amphitheater. Developments within the Anthem master plan include Anthem Highlands, Anthem Country Club and Coventry at Anthem.

–Green Valley Ranch

Green Valley Ranch was one of the first master planned communities in the southeastern part of the valley. This award-winning plan includes a variety of family-friendly neighborhoods, with housing options ranging from apartment homes to upscale gated neighborhoods. Green Valley Ranch is connected by a number of walking paths and is home to numerous parks and recreational facilities. The area is within easy access of I-215 and is in close proximity to The District at Green Valley Ranch and the Henderson Multigenerational Center.

–Lake Las Vegas

This $3.8 million Mediterranean-themed residential/resort community boasts some of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Southern Nevada. The property features upscale custom home sites, gated neighborhoods and four golf courses, two of which are designed by Jack Nicklaus. Lake Las Vegas is also home to the MonteLago Village shopping district, Casino MonteLago, a man-made lake and the MonteLago Village Marina, where residents can enjoy gondola, sailboat and yacht cruises. Other features include Spa Moulay at the Hyatt Regency, Spa Vita di Lago at The Ritz Carlton and numerous dining options.

–MacDonald Highlands

MacDonald Highlands is a guard-gated golf course community of 10 custom home neighborhoods. This beautifully-designed terraced community offers housing options that range from stunning town houses to multimillion dollar custom homes. Residents enjoy panoramic views of the Las Vegas Valley. Neighborhoods within MacDonald Highlands include The Reserve, The Retreat and Stonehaven. Exclusive amenities of this community include The Dragonridge Golf Course, designed by Jay Morrish and Dave Druzisky, and The Dragonridge Country Club, which features a pro shop, exercise facilities, tennis courts and a restaurant.

–Seven Hills

Seven Hills boasts 10 communities and four custom home neighborhoods, including Creschendo, Encore at Palatine Hill, The Estates at Seven Hills and Village Villagio. Seven Hills is also home to the Rio Secco Golf Club, Designed by Rees Jones, it features a full-service clubhouse and the Butch Harmon School of Golf. Residents enjoy beautifully landscaped drives and common areas, as well as access to a collection of community parks, sports parks and neighborhood retail amenities.

–Silverado Ranch

One of the more established master plans in the southeast valley, Silverado Ranch is a collection of executive and luxury homes. A variety of home styles and floor plans by several different builders are available. Silverado Ranch is within close proximity to numerous neighborhood amenities, including movie theaters, restaurants, parks, recreation facilities and retail and dining venues.

Sun City MacDonald Ranch & Sun City Anthem: learn more about these age-restricted communities in our "Senior and Retirement Living" section.

–Tuscany

This new master-planned, gated development by Rhodes Homes is currently under construction, though select neighborhoods are currently available for occupancy. Located in close proximity to the elite Lake Las Vegas Resort and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, this Tuscan-themed development boasts the private Tuscany Recreation Center and the Tuscany Golf Course, designed by Ted Robinson. At completion the development will be home to seven individual villages liked by a parks and trails system.

Boulder City
Located in the southeastern part of the valley 25 miles southeast of downtown Las Vegas and 10 miles southeast of Henderson, Boulder City is the home of the Hoover Dam and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. City officials work to maintain strict regulations regarding growth and development, preserving a small town atmosphere that is free of gaming. Housing options include everything from quaint established homes to lake-front condos and gated custom home sites. The city boasts a number of golf courses and a wide array of outdoor recreational amenities, including mountain bike and hiking trails and sports facilities and water sports, including boating, skiing and fishing. The city itself is home to antique shops, restaurants and southwestern-themed "trading posts."

South/Southwest Valley
Once considered the "rural outskirts" of the valley, Southwest Las Vegas is emerging as the next hotspot for residential development. Now home to several major master-planned communities, as well as established neighborhoods, the southwest valley is currently constructing a host of amenities to serve residents, including a hospital, recreational facilities and retail and dining offerings.

Listed below are descriptions of some of the southwest valley's major community developments.

–Mountain's Edge

Developed by Focus Property Group, this 3,000-acre community will eventually have 12,500 homes and 30,000 residents. Mountain's Edge will also be home to four elementary schools, two middle schools, a high school, fire station and a host of neighborhood retail amenities. More than 500 acres are designated for parks and trails, including a 280-acre regional park. Developers have taken great care to incorporate natural elements into the design of this community, maintaining as much of the surrounding landscape of the area as possible. At completion, this community will include an extensive parks and trails system featuring a 320-acre regional park and the Exploration Peak Park, which will have a simulated archaeological site.

–Rhodes Ranch

A master-planned development of Rhodes Homes, Rhodes Ranch is a 15,000-acre guard-gated golf course community that includes eight individual neighborhoods. Known for its exceptional golf course, mountain and city views, the community features walking paths, parks and lush landscaping. Special amenities include Rhodes Ranch Golf Course, designed by architect Ted Robinson, and Rhodes Ranch Recreation Center, a 34,000-square foot facility that boasts a water park, playground, exercise facilities and sports courts.

–Southern Highlands

The 2,300-acre Southern Highlands is one of Southern Nevada's newest master-planned developments, boasting exceptional city and mountain views, golf course custom home lots and a wide array of housing options. The community has its own private school, an elaborate parks and trails system and beautifully landscaped common areas. Amenities include access to the Southern Highlands Golf and Country Club, which features golf and tennis pro shops, a full fitness facility with sports courts and restaurant. The adjacent "Village Center" includes an additional fitness center, childcare facilities, shopping and dining options as well as access to a man-made lake.

North/Northwest Valley
Most locals refer to the entire northwestern portion of Las Vegas as "Summerlin," the award-winning Howard Hughes master-planned community that established this region of the valley. Summerlin offers residents a variety of housing options and amenities, including an extensive parks and trails system, sports parks and golf courses. Summerlin is home to the Summerlin Library and Performing Arts Center and the Donald W. Reynolds Cultural Center, home of the Nevada Ballet Theatre.

The valley's largest assemblage of golf courses in the northwest includes the Badlands, Painted Desert, Los Prados and Angel Park. Shopping options include Meadows Mall, Boca Park and the Sahara Pavilion Oasis, as well as a number of trendy strip centers. Several neighborhood casinos, such as Santa Fe Station, Sun Coast, Fiesta, Texas Station and Red Rock Station offer fine dining and gaming. The area has an abundance of residential amenities, including upscale dining, shopping and recreational opportunities. Housing options range from condominiums and age-restricted communities to elite guard-gated custom homes.

Select neighborhoods in the northwest valley include:

–Centennial Village

Centennial Village is close to new shopping centers, entertainment, Floyd Lamb State Park, Mount Charleston and the Lee Canyon Ski Resort, as well as several public parks. Park features include trails, picnic pavilions, volleyball courts and lighted soccer fields. Other features include dog parks, barbecue and picnic areas, open grass areas, play equipment and water-play features. The flagship development in Centennial Village is Centennial Hills, which offers a variety of housing options ranging from affordable single family residences to custom estates.

–Desert Shores

This established waterfront community offers a wide range of housing options including age-restricted communities and lake-front home lots. The community's amenities include man-made lakes, sandy beaches, water sports and extensive walking and biking trails. Residents also have access to the Desert Shores Community Center, a recreation facility that features swimming beaches, volleyball courts and BBQ/picnicking areas.

–Queensridge

This guard-gated luxury community offers a variety of housing options, ranging from town houses and single family homes to multimillion dollar custom estates in gated enclaves. The community features European-style architecture, greenbelts, neighborhood parks and beautifully landscaped drives and common areas. Community amenities include the 18-hole championship Badlands Golf Course and the Queensridge Clubhouse, which features fitness facilities, sports courts and swimming pools.

–Silverstone Ranch

A moderately-priced master-planned golf course developed around the Silverstone Golf Club, residents enjoy a variety of home designs and floor plans. Silverstone Ranch offers six distinct neighborhoods, golf course frontage and amenities including parks and sports courts.

–The Canyons at Summerlin

This upscale golf course village provides housing ranging from multifamily luxury apartments and single family homes to executive estates and custom mansions. Designed around the championship Tournament Players Club (TPC), residents enjoy spectacular views of the golf course and the adjacent Red Rock Conservation Area. Neighborhoods located within The Canyons include Canyon Crest, Canyon Gate and Canyon Fairways

–The Lakes

This 1,100-acre master-planned waterfront community was designed around a private man-made lake which is available exclusively to residents. Housing options include everything from condos and town houses to single family residences, semicustom and custom estates. Walkways and greenbelts are found throughout the community.

–Tournament Players Club (TPC) at Summerlin

This guard-gated golf course community includes over-sized home lots, golf course frontage and a variety of upscale housing options, ranging from luxury town homes to multimillion dollar custom estates. Residents enjoy access to The TPC at Summerlin Golf Course, which was designed with the input of golf legend Fuzzy Zoeller, and the TPC Clubhouse, a private facility with a restaurant, lounge, swimming pools and sports courts.

North/Northeast Las Vegas
Northeast Las Vegas is seeing increased residential development in recent years with the introduction of several significant master planned communities. As residential growth spurs retail development, the area is enjoying an influx of amenities including new schools, medical facilities, retail and dining options and entertainment venues.

Notable neighborhoods in the northeast valley include:

–Aliante

Developed by Del Webb Corp. and America Nevada Corp., Aliante is the flagship master-planned development of North Las Vegas. The community has 1,165 acres dedicated to residential development and 100 acres set aside for commercial development to provide shopping, dining and entertainment venues. Approximately 22 percent of the development's acreage is dedicated to recreational and public use, providing opportunities for an active lifestyle.

Aliante is home to two "villages," which include single family housing and an age-restricted community (See Sun City Aliante in our Senior and Retirement Living section). Community amenities include an 18-hole championship municipal golf course, city parks, a natural arroyo and an extensive 24-mile trail system that allows residents to reach key destinations within the community without crossing major streets. Nature Discovery Park features a man-made lake with waterfalls, an interactive dinosaur discovery area and a water-play area. The park also features an outdoor stage and ramada, soccer fields, tennis courts and volleyball stadium.

–Eldorado

Constructed by Pardee Homes, Eldorado was the first major master-planned development in North Las Vegas credited with setting the stage for development of this area into a major residential hub. Residents of this community enjoy easy access to local attractions including the Vegas Motor Speedway and Floyd Lamb State Park. This area of the valley is also home to a number of golf courses and community parks. One of the more notable neighborhoods in Eldorado is Eldorado Highlands.

–Iron Mountain Ranch

At full build-out, Iron Mountain Ranch will be home to 1,700 homes, a European-style spa and a major resort/casino. The community is being designed with wooded parks, water features and walking/biking trails. Neighborhoods within Iron Mountain Ranch include The Mesa, The Prairie, Frontier and Sierra. Both single and two-story designs are available. Residents are within close proximity to the Red Rock National Conservation Area, Silverstone Golf Club and Aliante Golf Club.

Adjacent Communities

–Laughlin

Located 90 miles south of Las Vegas, unincorporated Laughlin is situated on the banks of the Colorado River at the three-corner region joining Nevada, California and Arizona. Laughlin is home to approximately 8,000 people and its market area includes a population of 70,000. This resort destination boasts a number of attractions and golf courses. Housing options in Laughlin include single-family homes, condos and townhouses, apartments and mobile homes. There are 10 resorts and more than 11,000 hotel rooms in Laughlin. The Mohave Generations Station is another major contributor to growth in the Laughlin area. The 1.5 million-watt steam-generation plants provide electricity to more than 1 million customers in Nevada, Arizona and California.

–Mesquite

Mesquite is quickly growing in popularity as a favorite "get-away" destination for many Las Vegans. Seven thousand acres of federal land, released to Mesquite in 1999, will soon be used for a regional park, a Community College of Southern Nevada campus, fairgrounds, an industrial park and private residential communities. Mesquite boasts a municipal airport, a fine arts center, recreation and senior centers, a museum, an arboretum, rodeo grounds and a city parks and trails system. In addition, there are several nearby national and state parks, as well as a number of golf courses, spas and resorts.

–Moapa Valley

Located about 59 miles northeast of Las Vegas off I-15, Moapa Valley consists of the cities of Overton, Logandale, Warm Springs and Glendale as well as the town of Moapa. Moapa is its own census-designated region and has more than 900 residents in addition to the more than 5,700 attributed to Moapa Valley. The Clark County Fairgrounds are located in Logandale. Moapa Valley is home to the Valley of Fire State Park and the Moapa River Indian Reservation.

–Mount Charleston

Located about 35 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Mount Charleston (sometimes called Charleston Peak) is located in the Spring Mountains in the Toiyabe National Forest. A 45-minute drive north of Las Vegas, Mount Charleston offers residents the opportunity to snow ski from November through April at Lee Canyon. The mountain community includes custom homes with scenic views surrounded by lush greenery. A trail system provides opportunities for hiking, camping and other activities that can be enjoyed year-round.

–Pahrump

The Southern Paiutes occupied the Pahrump Valley centuries ago. "Pah" means water and "Rimpi" means stone or rock. Pah Rimpi became Pahrump, the Paiute description for springs or flowing waters emerging from rock. Today, the town of Pahrump is growing by 4 percent each year and has a population of 33,000. Located 50 miles west of the south end of Las Vegas and 60 miles east of Death Valley, it is one of the fastest-growing communities in Nevada. Several major housing developments are currently under construction and will eventually provide over 10,000 new homes in the valley. To serve the growing population, there are several chain retail outlets, five full-service casinos and a wide variety of retail shops and commercial enterprises. Telecommunications in the valley is state of the art with a fiber optic installation coming this year. The town's proximity to Las Vegas offers residents easy access to world-class rail and air service.

Renting in Las Vegas
Renting is an option many newcomers opt for, whether on a short or long-term basis. Renting affords residents the chance to live in and get a feel for a particular community prior to purchasing a home. It also serves as a viable option for those waiting for a new home to be constructed, or for those in the city on a short-term or semipermanent basis.

Residents can rent a variety of properties in Southern Nevada, from short-term hotel-style properties to upscale mansions and corporate retreats. Of course, apartments remain the most popular type of rental property. With numerous apartment communities in Southern Nevada, residents can select the location, the amenities and the price that suits their needs.

Rental prices vary according to size, location and amenities. Studio apartments range from $500 and up and one-bedroom units start around $600. Two bedrooms are in the $700 and up range and three bedrooms are generally $800 and more. Centrally-located apartments will be more affordable than those located in or around master-planned communities and new home developments. Other things to know before you sign a rental agreement:

• Furnished apartments are found mostly in central areas close to hotels and gaming. Furniture can also be rented for a reasonable price.
  
• The renter almost always pays utility costs, though this can be negotiated, particularly when dealing with an individual landlord or property management company.
  
• Pets are accepted at many properties but a pet deposit is usually required in addition to other standard deposits.
  Move-in deposits will average around $250 for a one bedroom and $300 to $500 for two or more bedrooms. The standard lease is six months; however, three-month leases are available at some properties.

Apartment finding services and free apartment/rental publications (available at grocery stores, gas stations and convenience stores) can be beneficial in helping renters find the right accommodations. Renters needing assistance can contact the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce for additional resources.

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Often the first offer to come in is the best one. When a house is fresh on the market, there is usually a rush of activity and the buyers who see it during the first thirty days are likely to be the most interested. While your home is new on the market, it will receive the most exposure, so the chances of finding a serious buyer are greater during this period of time. If you are fortunate enough to receive an offer right away, you will probably be better off if you accept it and work on resolving any issues that arise relative to price and terms.

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