Gibson Springs - Henderson, NV

For centuries, Gibson Springs was nothing more than an open stretch of desert. During the late 1900s, it held a gravel pit, a marshmallow factory and a PEPCON plant that made ammonium perchlorate. In 1988, massive explosions at the PEPCON facility leveled all of the industrial buildings in the area. The bulk of residential development took place in 2000 and later.

As a still young neighborhood, Gibson Springs does not have an established cultural scene. The Clark County Museum and Theatre in the Valley in Henderson keep residents educated and entertained. Although Gibson Springs does not host annual events, nearby Henderson draws residents with the Henderson Heritage Festival and the St. Patrick's Day Festival.

Chain restaurants dominate the dining landscape in Gibson Springs, serving a mix of American, Mexican and Asian cuisines. Most of the neighborhood's eateries lining Warm Springs Road and Stephanie Street fall into the low- or mid-price category. While getting your car repaired in the Valley Auto Mall, stop by the 50s-themed Mustang Sally's Diner at the Ford dealership. In the mornings, fill up with the All-American F-150 breakfast, which comes with eggs, hash browns, toast and your choice of breakfast meat. Each menu item comes in at less than $10, so meals don't break the bank. Don't worry if you have a long wait for your repairs — the diner's free Wi-Fi can keep you entertained.

Enjoy a bowl of hot egg drop soup while you peruse the large menu at Cook on Wok, a classic Chinese restaurant on Stephanie Street. Locals love the kung pao chicken and the cheap lunch specials. When in a hurry, order online for takeout or delivery.

For a Middle Eastern meal, Gibson Springs residents head right to Flame Kabob on Warm Springs Road. Cool down with a glass of Persian rose water iced tea, and dig into a lamb Kubideh kabob, which comes wrapped in a made-to-order taftoon bread.

Nightlife options in Gibson Springs remain few and far between, but a few bar/restaurant combos sit near the edges of the neighborhood. Locals gather at Chilly Palmers for great service and a stocked bar. Sports fans head to Sierra Gold on game days. Don't worry about missing important plays — even the bathrooms feature large-screen TVs. For live music, head into downtown Henderson or Las Vegas.

Given its large size and the high Nevada temperatures, Gibson Springs requires a car for almost all errands. Residential areas feature sidewalks for safe recreational walking. Some streets feature bike lanes, and a small network of trails in the southwestern corner of the neighborhood enables convenient bike-commuter connections to the Union Pacific Railroad Trail. The neighborhood does not provide public transportation, but bus routes HDX and 217 run along Interstate 215 to the south.

Cabs can be difficult to hail on the street in most areas of Gibson Springs, so you should call ahead or schedule a ride with Uber. If you own a car, you'll find a wealth of free street parking throughout the area. Interstate 215 and Highway 95 run along the south and east edges of the neighborhood, enabling residents to get into Henderson or Las Vegas with ease.

Though Gibson Springs features just three parks, residents enjoy ample outdoor space. At the compact Trail Canyon Park, join a pickup game of basketball, or work on your aim at the horseshoe pits. Local families take advantage of the park's playground and lighted tennis courts. Fitness buffs in Gibson Springs make use of the Arroyo Grande Sports Complex, which covers 56 acres and includes ball fields, a disc golf course, running paths and bike trails. Bring your dog to the on-site dog park, or reserve the picnic shelters for special events.

Just to the south, the man-made lake at Cornerstone Park provides a welcome break from the Nevada desert views. Enjoy a long run on the park's extensive trail network, or get a tough workout on the exercise stairs. Local groups host events in the park throughout the year. All parks in Gibson Springs provide free entrance.

The cost of living in Gibson Springs sits higher than the citywide average for Henderson and Las Vegas, but not by much. You'll find plenty of affordable housing options, particularly in comparison to Henderson. If you're looking to rent rather than buy, expect an average rental rate of $841.62.

Other than housing, costs in Gibson Springs tend to stay even with the rest of the Las Vegas metro area. A beer at a local bar generally goes for $5 or less, and an express bus ride into downtown Las Vegas costs $6. When you pull up to the gas pump, be prepared to pay about 10 percent more than the national gas average.

You won't find many shopping options in Gibson Springs itself; the neighborhood houses little more than a few scattered chain stores. Fortunately for retail addicts, a few shopping centers sit just north of Gibson Springs. For clothing and high-end shopping, make the short drive to the Galleria Commons, Whitney Ranch Shopping Center and the Galleria at Sunset.

Closer to home, local educators and parents love the Lakeshore Learning Store, which sells everything from school supplies to craft project kits. Whether you want a geography workbook or an educational toy, the store carries a product to suit. Don't hesitate to ask the knowledgeable staff for recommendations.

If you're in the market for soccer supplies, Soccer Zone on Warm Springs Road should be your first stop. Buy a Real Madrid or a New Zealand All Blacks jersey, or special-order equipment for your child's soccer team.

Multiple national grocery stores line the outer edge of Gibson Springs, including Wal-Mart, Smith's and WinCo Foods. Restock your wine cooler at Total Wine & More on Stephanie Street. Browse through the enormous beer selection to find a new craft brew, or participate in one of the store's education sessions. Pick up locally grown produce, fresh flowers and homemade bread at the Country Fresh Farmers Market in Henderson to the southeast.