Las Vegas Overview

The city of Las Vegas is an icon. Besides being the largest city founded in the 20th century, it is the most popular vacation destination in the United States and the center of American gaming. More than 35 million visitors flock to this oasis in the desert every year and stay in some of the world's most incredible casino hotels while experiencing the entertainment that only Las Vegas has to offer.

There's a reason why Las Vegas is known as the Entertainment Capital of the World. From gaming to shows, nightclubs, spas, restaurants, shopping and more, there really is something for everyone in Sin City.

Las Vegas is the fastest growing city in the country. A near-perfect climate, favorable cost of living, healthy job market and business-friendly environment make Las Vegas the ideal place to live for young families, empty-nesters, and seniors alike. New homes in Las Vegas are very affordable throughout the entire Las Vegas area. Property taxes are very low and there is no state income tax.

Other areas in which new homes are being built are North Las Vegas and Henderson. These areas are off the strip and have great community designs. New homes in North Las Vegas are very affordable as are the new homes in Henderson. Las Vegas has a hot new home market to go along with the weather.

In 1931, the state once again legalized gamingand the city began to flourish. The 1940s saw the beginning of the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip and the next few decades saw exponential growth and visitors.

The suburban areas surrounding Las Vegas are booming into some very safe neighborhoods close to everything. These homes are perfect for the young couple seeking their first home or for you to retire in.

In recent years, the Downtown area has seen revival attempts by targeting a more upscale clientele and the construction of an exclusive shopping mall and the Freemont Street Experience. The Strip has also seen an influx of chic, select hotels like the Wynn and Paris Las Vegas opening in the last few years.

As in Los Angeles, where 690 people died in gang conflicts last year, the police say gang battles in Las Vegas are generally over drugs, territory and old vendettas. They see poor youths, raised in troubled homes and largely unschooled, increasingly drawn to gangs because of the status that comes with membership.

From shows designed completely for Las Vegas to Broadway and Cirque du Soleil's smash hits, there are shows for all tastes in the city that hails itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World. Visitors can watch world-class acts like Cirque du Soleil's O.

The initial growth of Las Vegas can be traced to the legalization of gaming by the Nevada Legislature in 1931, and many of the 1.5 million residents are still connected in one form or another to the casino and hospitality industries - from waiting tables and bartending (these opportunities are plentiful) to working as an accountant, publicist, or manager for one of the more than 60 hotels and casinos. Russell, for example, is indirectly linked to casinos as a statistical programmer for a company that researches sports statistics.

Main Street is different from the mall; for one thing, it has sky above it. Also, its unique old buildings lend character and atmosphere. Developers of Lifestyle Centers seem to realize that Main Street has something. They are a good model for study in the same way the Strip was in 1968. Like the Strip, they are different from the typical in the scale and speed of their growth and in the fact that they are not usually overlaid on historical patterns. And Lifestyle Centers in the Las Vegas region are also affected by the style of Las Vegas.

Las Vegas has a booming new home market. In fact, new homes sales were up 21 percent between January and June 2005 from the new home sale figures from the same period just one year before.

Government Type: The city of Las Vegas is divided into six wards. The Mayor is elected from the city at large, and councilmen are elected from each ward. The Mayor and the six councilmen constitute the City Council. The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the city. The City Council exercises legislative power. A City Manager is accountable for the effective administration and operation of all municipal services for the city of Las Vegas.

Two of the biggest Las Vegas tour destinations are the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam/Lake Mead. So if you are wanting to see these, it's a good idea to check out the possibility of taking just one tour to see both destinations. For many, this is the best way to go about taking in the Las Vegas sights in a short vacation.

The city is bursting with a lively, action-packed nightclubbing scene. Light up the night at the dozens of clubs, bars, and lounges. Almost all of the Las Vegas Casino mega-resorts come complete with bars and night lounges, while many also include clubs, as well.