The Lakes Las Vegas, NV

The Lakes/Country Club community began in 1984, when the Lake Sahara Basin was first excavated. The community's ground-breaking celebration took place on November 8, 1984. Developers Al Collins, Marty Collins, Russ Dorn and Ken Sullivan originally envisioned two lakes in the area, but the original design plans went through a series of changes.

By 1986, Lake Sahara had been filled and construction of Lakeview, the community's apartment complex had begun. Since then, 300 homes and condominiums have been constructed, as well as an exclusive shopping complex and a performing arts center. The Lakes Association hosts a variety of annual events, such as The Lakes Festival of Lights and a Memorial Day ceremony.

Residents of the exclusive Lakes community don't have to venture too far when it comes to tasty food. Hop in your boat and travel across Lake Sahara, or walk a few blocks to find three eateries within easy reach.

Head over to The Lakes Lounge, the community's own restaurant and gaming bar on Lake East Drive. This family owned and operated establishment serves everything from bacon and eggs to prime rib in a friendly, relaxing environment with a beautiful lakeside view. Order some comfort food, and try the Lounge's signature Lakes chicken pot pie. Filled with white-meat chicken, fresh veggies and a rich cream sauce, this baked-to-order classic warms your insides. Locals rave about the Lakes cordon bleu, a chicken tender sandwich drizzled with buffalo sauce and topped with mounds of ham and Swiss cheese. Save a little room for dessert, because you can't miss out on The Really Big Ice Cream Fudge Brownie Thing, a hot brownie fudge sundae that's big enough for two.

When you finish your meal, hop on over to the Lakes Lounge Gaming Bar for some drinks, music and gambling. The biggest gambler's bonus four-of-a-kind bingo jackpot in history was won in this very spot, and the Lounge also hosts a player's club where members receive up to $150 a week in bonuses. Known for having the best service in town, the Gaming Bar is a favorite among locals and visitors. If you want healthier food, head to Go Raw Cafe for vegetarian and vegan fare. Go Raw Cafe serves everything from wraps to pizza and sushi. This restaurants serves organic grains, nuts and seeds that complement the oils used to make hearty meals. Several toasts serve as appetizers, including Mexi-Cali, avocado, hummus and tropical varieties. Huge salads arrive at your table filled with living greens, such as kale, spring greens and cucumbers.

King & I Thai Cuisine looks like a hole in the wall, but don't let the simple decor fool you. Locals love the spicy foods, varied flavors and fast, friendly service. More than 10 lunch specials include traditional Thai recipes made with pork, chicken, beef, tofu or shrimp. Order your food for takeout, delivery or dine-in. The place serves beer if you want to sit down and have a meal.

The Lakes community is unique in the fact that residents often travel through their neighborhood by boat. Locals can hop in their boats and travel to the north end of Lake Sahara and dock at the community shopping plaza or navigate the waters to visit with neighbors. Safe walking trails and bike paths are located throughout the community as well. When residents want to travel into the city, they can easily catch the Sahara Express bus on Sahara Avenue, provided by the RTC.

The I-215 Beltway and the Summerlin Parkway are in close proximity to the neighborhood, allowing for easy freeway access and commuting into the city. Residents don't hail cabs within the gates of The Lakes, however, the Western Cab Company provides 24-hour service throughout the Las Vegas Valley. In addition to bike paths inside the gates, over 100 miles of bike lanes can be found throughout the valley. Within the gated community, residents must park vehicles in their own driveways or garages; however temporary street parking may be granted for the purposes of loading or unloading.

The Lakes community has two dog-friendly parks on opposite ends of the property that provide multiple amenities such as 15 miles of biking paths, walking paths, jogging paths and exercise stations. The South park has a covered picnic area that makes an ideal spot for kid's birthday parties and family gatherings. The Lakes Association holds multiple annual events, a favorite being the yearly community yard sale that takes place in the South park.

The cost of living in The Lakes/Country Club community of Las Vegas exceeds the Las Vegas average by approximately 28 percent. Rental costs for a one-bedroom residence are approximately $794 per month. Expect to pay anywhere between $1.50 and $4.25 for a beer at a local pub in the area; however, Las Vegas bar prices can vary significantly. Las Vegas gas prices are approximately 7 percent higher than the national average.

The Lakes/Country Club residents have access to their own shopping center, Town Square Las Vegas, at the north end of Lake Sahara, where they can drop off dry cleaning and pick up sundries at the local mini-market. For larger grocery shopping trips, local residents head to Smith's Grocery on West Sahara. The Las Vegas Farmers Market on Rampart, in the Summerlin area, takes place every Wednesday afternoon.

Downtown Summerlin, on Sahara and the 215 Beltway, is the place to go to find high-end merchandise and specialty items. Popular retailers in downtown Summerlin include Macy's, BCBG Max Azria, which specializes in modern couture, and Ethan Allen, known for its high-quality home furnishings.

If you're looking for specialty leather goods, Brighton has a wide selection of custom-made bags, belts and unique accessories. The leather makers adorn all of Brighton's merchandise with signature sterling silver ornaments such as clasps, buttons and buckles. When you want to celebrate a special occasion, head to Thimbleberry House for personally arranged flowers that incorporate seasonal varieties. The owners always pay attention to your budget when creating a bouquet.