North Las Vegas, NV

North Las Vegas was incorporated shortly after World War II in 1946. As nearby Las Vegas grew during the ensuing decades to become a world-class city for the casino industry, vacationers, and retirees, North Las Vegas flourished as one of the principal city's many suburbs, housing workers and their families.

Growth was slow and steady until the 1990s, when a renewed economic and housing boom in the region exploded its population and resulted in development and construction all over the metro area. The population of North Las Vegas ballooned from under 50,000 in 1990 to over 200,000 in 2010.

The city's growth precipitated many amenities, such as a thriving arts scene including the Left of Center Gallery and museums such as the Shelby American Museum, popular among car lovers. Residents gather each Fourth of July for North Las Vegas's annual Independence Day Jubilee.

Located in the Cannery Hotel and Casino on East Craig Road, Waverly's Steak House features an upscale ambiance and high-end steak and seafood offerings. Almost tender enough to cut with a fork, the filet ranks as a favorite among locals. The prime rib and lobster tail also come highly recommended. Waverly's provides drink and dessert menus filled with can't-lose selections such as the creme brulée and strawberry cheesecake.

Viva Zapatas Mexican Restaurant and Cantina, also on East Craig Road, attracts locals, newcomers and vacationers alike with its authentic Mexican cuisine, locally-renowned margaritas and live guitar music. Also known for its lively ambiance and gregarious wait staff, this Mexican haunt features a menu divided into traditional Mexican fare, seafood specialties and chicken specialties. Locals favor the New York steak Mexicano, while vegetarians go for the veggie burritos.

Serving fare straight from our island state in the Pacific, 808 Hawaii Mixed Plate ranks as an area favorite for unique dishes such as the loco moco: a bed of rice topped with a hamburger patty which is surmounted by a fried egg. Some regulars get so hooked on certain entrées, such as the garlic chicken, that they openly lament their inability to branch out and try something different. The restaurant runs different seafood and chicken specials each day.

North Las Vegas features an assortment of bars and clubs, while the lights of the Vegas strip and its world-class nightlife sit a few minutes down the highway. Club Tequila, located at the Fiesta Rancho Hotel in North Las Vegas, provides live music from local bands, plenty of comfortable booth seating and a spacious dance floor.

North Las Vegas has taken steps to make its roads more pedestrian-friendly, including improving lighting and adding bike lanes. Still, residents primarily drive to their destinations. The city provides an abundance of free parking, and its access to Interstate 15, the Bruce Woodbury Beltway and Summerlin Parkway make for easy travel within the region and into Las Vegas.

Numerous taxi companies operate in the area. While hailing a cab is easy on the Las Vegas strip, a call for pickup must be arranged in suburban areas such as North Las Vegas. Uber maintains a presence, but due to its persistent legal entanglement with Nevada's highly-regulated taxi industry, one cannot predict from one week to the next whether its operations in the area will be up and running or suspended.

The Regional Transportation Commission in Las Vegas provides public bus service in the North Las Vegas area.

An impressive park system characterizes North Las Vegas, beginning with James K. Seastrand Park which offers exercise stations, playgrounds, baseball and soccer fields, and lighted tennis courts. The park also provides free admission, off-street parking and public restrooms.

For skateboarding enthusiasts, Sandstone Ridge Park supplies a skateboard park along with walking and jogging trails, picnic areas, and a lighted playground. Shaded gazebos allow visitors a respite from the omnipresent Las Vegas sun.

Both parks are dog-friendly and kid-friendly. For additional family fun, another local park, Craig Ranch Regional Park, hosts an elaborate Christmas lights display each December.

North Las Vegas features a cost of living that sits lower than average for the Las Vegas metro area. The average monthly rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment in the area runs $1,132. A beer in a local bar costs an average of $3.25 and a bus ticket to downtown runs 50 cents. Gas prices in the area hover right around the national average.

North Las Vegas houses multiple strip malls, discount shopping centers, boutiques and specialty stores. A few miles south on the Las Vegas Freeway sits the Las Vegas North Premium Outlets, an outlet mall featuring dozens of big-box retailers and high-end stores.

Belle Handbags and Shoes on West Craig Road carries an impressive array of inventory for such a small store, including designer purses an multiple styles of footwear, such as pumps and stilettos. Locals scavenge for great buys at Epic Thrift, a thrift and consignment shop also located on West Craig Road. Carrying both men's and women's clothing, along with home goods, appliances, electronics and more, Epic Thrift offers low prices and friendly service.

Numerous Albertsons locations serve North Las Vegas residents for large grocery shopping trips. For picking up a few items after work, Quick Grocery Mart on West Alexander Road is fast and convenient. The closest farmers market to North Las Vegas, Downtown 3rd Farmers Market, lies just a short drive away in downtown Las Vegas.