Paradise Valley East - Las Vegas, NV

Discovered thousands of years ago by Paleo-Indians, the area became known as a trading ground by 1829. Officially established on June 1, 1911, the area held more than 22 percent of Nevada's population by 1960. Over recent years, the area has exploded economically, providing over 13,000 new jobs, and it serves as one of the biggest entertainment hubs in the world. Rated one of the coolest museums by locals, the Pinball Hall of Fame allows visitors to play pinball the old-fashioned way with a variety of vintage machines. The museum even hosts a world championship.

For classic yet hearty meals, locals frequent Blueberry Hill Family Restaurant on East Flamingo Road. Known for plentiful breakfast plates, this restaurant leaves visitors raving about the homemade pancakes and apple chicken sausage omelette. If you go for lunch or dinner, try the honey coconut chicken salad or the Mexican pepper steak. An ethnic Cantonese restaurant known for its egg rolls and barbecue pork, East Ocean Dim Sum houses a cozy dining experience. The cha siu bao, flat noodles with beef, also comes highly recommended. Located on South Eastern Avenue, the restaurant does provide carryout and delivery services. For those who enjoy food on the spicier side, the cook can add chili or soy sauce and white pepper. This restaurant even runs a stellar happy hour on food items. A dive bar with top-notch music and lively nightlife, Double Down Saloon on Paradise Road exudes a raw, punk-rock vibe. With a "shut up and drink" slogan, the bar has killer specials and stays open 24 hours a day. The establishment houses live music, pinball, pool tables and a unique crowd. Providing a live broadcast every Friday night from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., all live shows remain free.

Many people who live the Paradise Valley East neighborhood have their own means of transportation. However, the public transportation system gets utilized quite often. RTC, the area's public transportation service, transports riders via the Silver State Mainline or Mega Bus. The system does also provide park and ride locations, as well as special routes for seniors. Residential routes cost $2 for individuals, $5 for a 24-hour pass and $65 for a 30-day pass. Children under 5 ride free, and seniors receive a discount. Traditional cab services, plus Lyft and Uber, do accommodate residents. For those driving their own cars, public parking structures can be found along South Maryland and South Casino Center. Most establishments allow free parking for customers. Parking meters stand along Clark Avenue and South 4th Street. Depending on your destination, walking suffices and meets safety standards. The area also has a number of bike trails and encourages residents to go green. With accessible biking lanes, many cycle when the weather permits. Major highways, including I-15 and I-215, are easily accessible for residents.

Located on McLeod Drive, Paradise Park consists of abundant picnic areas, a recreation center, a playground, and a pool with water slides. Also known for its lush greenery and beautiful sunsets, the park hosts baseball tournaments. Visitors take advantage of the barbecue pits and basketball courts, too. Both kid- and pet-friendly, Wetlands Park does not require an admission fee and stays open seven days a week. The park houses a nature and exhibit hall that provides a habitat for over 300 species of animals and plants. An interactive program with set hours, this park is popular among teachers and students as well as families. On top of that, the park has numerous walking and biking trails. Every year, Clark County holds the Children's Festival, which includes musical performances, dancing, art and crafts, carnival games, and more. It draws in hundreds of families each year and remains free of cost. This event creatively brings the community together.

Living in Paradise Valley East costs slightly less than the Las Vegas average and 1.4 percent more than the national average. Traveling to the city center via public transportation costs around $2. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Paradise Valley runs about $678 per month. Gas prices run 0.5 percent higher than the national average. A beer at a local pub costs between $2 and $4. Most local bars and restaurants host great happy hour specials, with discounts on beer, wine, liquor, and food. For example, Kona Grill hosts Wine-Down Wednesdays, where customers receive half off bottles of wine.

Locals adore Boulevard Mall on South Maryland Parkway. Filled with multiple clothing, shoe, accessory, and electronic stores, shoppers can purchase lower-end and designer label items. To make the shopping experience even richer, the mall houses delicious dining and unique entertainment. The mall even has live music daily. Bad Attitude Boutique sells all types of costume pieces, punk-rock apparel, jewelry, shoes and more. The team of designers at this boutique even partakes in the Las Vegas International Lingerie Convention. Residents love grocery shopping at Cardenas Market, a store with fresh meats, produce, baked goods and more. Mariana's Supermarket, part of a small Mexican grocery chain, sells authentic Mexican foods and spices to shoppers. Las Vegas Farmers Market, located on Rampart Boulevard, sells local goods and produce every Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.