Paradise Palms - Las Vegas, NV

The Paradise Palm neighborhood was developed in the early 1960's by Irwin Molasky, who also designed the Boulevard Mall, the first indoor mall in Las Vegas. Molasky's need for foot traffic in his mall is how Paradise Palms was born. Molasky contracted the Palmer and Krisel architectural firm to build a development that consisted of tract houses with similar floor plans and unique exteriors. The neighborhood gained instant fame for its unique homes and proximity to the Star Dust Golf Course. Many celebrities of the day purchased homes in the area, as it was close to their performance venues on the Strip. While there are no museums in the neighborhood, the homes are considered a part of history and have been used as backdrops in a number of period movies. The residents of Paradise Palms also hold annual parties in the neighborhood club house, adjacent to the golf course.

Paradise Palms residents are never short of exciting nightlife and eateries, as the Vegas Strip is just two miles away. However, the locals don't frequent the Strip as much as the tourists and often prefer off-the-Strip restaurants and bars with laid-back atmospheres. Battista's Hole in the Wall on Linq Lane transports guests back to the early days of Vegas, complete with red leather booths and authentic Italian food.

Battista's has been providing patrons with tasty food and excellent service since the 1970's and is well-loved by locals. Menus items range from classic Italian pasta dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs to 12-ounce New York strip steaks with all the fixings. Battista's has an extensive wine list, but don't leave without sampling their authentic Italian sangria.

If you're in the mood for seafood, Big Al's Oyster Bar on West Tropicana is another local favorite. Located in the Orleans Casino, Big Al's serves fresh shucked clams and oysters that come with just the right amount of Cajun Spice. Local residents and visitors love to head to Big Al's for happy hour specials such as a baker's dozen of half-shell oysters for just 18 bucks, as well as half-price drinks, "mock-tails" and oyster shooters.

Paradise Palms residents are within walking distance of several shops and restaurants along the Strip, and there are multiple RTC bus stops throughout the city. The Strip and Downtown Express bus provides Northbound and Southbound service every day from 9 a.m. to midnight, while the Deuce on the Strip provides 24/7 service. Bus fares range from $1 to $2.

In the neighborhood itself, residents aren't likely to hail a cab, and Las Vegas safety laws do not allow anyone to hail taxis on the Strip. However, there are multiple taxi stands throughout the city, so reserving a cab is easy. Taxi rates are approximately $2.64 per mile throughout the city. Taxi rates from the Vegas hotels to McCarran National Airport range from $16.70 to $26.40, but rates can fluctuate depending on traffic. Standard metered parking is available throughout the city as well as paid and free parking garages.

Alternative transportation services such as Uber are also readily available to pick up residents and visitors from any location in the city. Desert Inn Road extends directly from the Strip to the Boulder highway, allowing for easy access to I-515, U.S. 93 and U.S. 95, often referred to as the Boulder Strip. The streets surrounding the Paradise Palms neighborhood are safe for cyclists who follow the basic rules of the road and remain to the right of traffic. Throughout the Las Vegas Valley, there are also 180 miles of bicycle lanes and 100 bike paths.

Desert Breeze Park, located on Spring Mountain Road, is the second-largest park in all of Las Vegas and offers a variety of amenities, such as picnic areas, child-friendly playgrounds, indoor and outdoor basketball courts and an aquatic center. Desert Breeze also hosts the annual Extreme Thing Sports and Music Festival each spring. Entrance to the park is free; however, parties wishing to reserve picnic areas are required to pay a deposit and rental fees.

Many Paradise Palm residents frequent the Desert Inn Park on Vista Del Monte, due to its many amenities. Sports enthusiasts enjoy the park's jogging paths, swimming pool and walking paths, while dog owners can run with their pets down the custom-made dog track.

The cost of living in the Paradise Palms neighborhood in Las Vegas is approximately 1.1 percent higher than the Las Vegas average and 4.3 percent higher than the national average. Bus fares throughout the city range from $1 to $2. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom residence is $586.70, and the cost of a beer in a pub ranges from $3 to $5. The average cost for gas is marginally higher than the national average.

Paradise Palms is located within two miles of some of the best shops in Las Vegas. Local residents and visitors often frequent the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, located on South Las Vegas Boulevard. Miracle Mile is home to 170 specialty stores and a bevy of popular retailers, such as Aldo Footwear and Loft, a women's fashion store specializing in jewelry, clothing and Italian footwear.

If you're looking for high-end apparel, make sure to check out the Giorgio Armani Boutique located in the Bellagio Hotel, where you can find beautiful couture fashions and accessories straight out of the fashion magazines.

Paradise Palms residents often head to Albertson's Market for groceries. The Las Vegas Farmers Market is held every Wednesday and Thursday as well as the first and third Saturday of each month. Located on North Rampart Boulevard, the market sells a variety of in-season fruits and vegetables as well as unique arts and crafts.