Centennial Hills - Las Vegas, NV

Centennial Hills, one of the newest residential neighborhoods of North Las Vegas, was spotted during the big Las Vegas outward expansion of the 40's and 50's, but wasn't developed until decades later. A fairly new neighborhood, no museums exist within the direct vicinity of Centennial Hills; however, you'll discover plenty near the Las Vegas Strip. The Las Vegas Natural History Museum features natural world artifacts, interactive exhibits, extensive dioramas and fascinating group classes. For those who would like to learn about the more dangerous side of Las Vegas' history, stop by The Mob Museum to participate in interactive exhibits in a historic courthouse that tell stories of the Mob's rise and the law enforcement's response. For the kids, head over to Discovery Children's Museum, which features interactive exhibits, exploratory art, science, food and more. The Centennial Hills Park also hosts the Centennial Hills Children’s Arts Festival.

For a wide variety of chain restaurants, head to Norman Rockwell Lane to find establishments such as Streets of New York, which features delicious pizza with light and airy crust reminiscent of garlic bread, flavorful buffalo wings, rich desserts, and a lunch menu. Savor the Passion Cookie with vanilla bean ice cream and whipped cream or the extra creamy cheesecake with cherry topping. This establishment also features a create-your-own-pasta entree option in addition to Broaster Chicken Baskets and family meals.

For tasty, yet healthy, American cuisine at affordable prices, try Rachel's Kitchen. Its signature gluten-free pastas and fruit smoothies leave little to be desired, and its catering service serves up breakfast, lunch, dinner, and beverages for those interested in a healthy alternative for large meetings or parties.

The nightlife in Centennial Hills, primarily off North Durango Drive, comes in the form of mostly bar and gambling environments. For those who wish to participate in a livelier scene, the Las Vegas Strip sits a 30-minute drive to the southeast. Fremont Street, or Old Las Vegas, is a 25-minute drive in the same direction. If you prefer to stay local, Shucks Tavern III Gaming and Oyster Bar makes a fantastic option for those who love to eat seafood while watching sports on a big screen TV.

Buses run all throughout the neighborhood, and you can arrange taxi services by phone though Uber doesn't operate in the area as of yet. The most common form of transportation used by residents is driving due to the relatively secluded location of the area. You'll find free public parking in Centennial Hills as well as easy access to highways. Highway 95 and the 215 Bruce Woodbury Beltway cross through the town, and the latter leads you to Interstate 15 in 10 minutes. This family-friendly area provides ample sidewalk space for pedestrians and bike lanes for cycling enthusiasts.

The 2003 award-winning Centennial Hills Park remains the neighborhood favorite as it features beautiful landscaping, fun playgrounds, toadstool picnic tables, two dog parks, 10 lighted volleyball courts, two lighted soccer fields and an interactive water-play area for the kids.

The 32-acre Mountain Ridge Park on Durango Drive and Elkhorn Road also provides a multitude of amenities, including ball fields, tennis courts, a skate park, roller-hockey rink and a snack bar. For those who prefer a lighter game, a variety of golf courses in the area, including Painted Desert and Silverstone Ranch, give you wide-open spaces to test your skills. Paiute Indian Reservation features three stunning world-class PGA-caliber courses for those who wish to enjoy a professional course.

The cost of living in Centennial Hills runs just under 8 percent greater than the Las Vegas average. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs about $756 per month. Because these developments are young, residents enjoy living in a pristine neighborhood with no terribly bad areas to watch out for. Since the neighborhood sits distanced from the strip, alcohol is considerably cheaper here. Expect to pay about $6.00 for a pint of beer. Gas in this area costs only 4.4 percent higher than the national average.

Las Vegas provides a variety of shops, from major malls to trendy boutiques. No matter what you're searching for, you'll find it nearby, from decorating finds to evening dresses.

If you find a pet-friendly apartment in Centennial Hills and decide a dog is the ideal roommate, head to the Puppy Boutique! This pet store considers itself a "simple, dog-centric pet store" that sells healthy puppies with the assurance they don't come from mills. It also features a variety of pet supplies, toys, food, and other specialty products.

For a variety of stores that range from upscale establishments to high-value shopping, travel the extra half hour to Fashion Show mall. There, you can revel in high-end shopping at stores such as Neiman Marcus, BCBG, and Guess in addition to Forever 21 and Abercrombie & Fitch.

When stocking up on groceries, residents turn to the many Albertson's, Smith's, and Fresh & Easy markets that sprinkle the town. The Las Vegas Farmers' Market has a location in Centennial located at 9200 Tule Springs Road, which is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market allows local farmers and growers to apply for a spot that lasts a minimum of four weeks.