[MomMom]

Originally Posted by destroycreate

Just curious, I've gone to LV countless times, but I've never really explored the city outside the strip.

My question is, is Vegas just chains, strip malls, and suburban tract housing developments? Because from what I've seen it seems to be that way. Or are there urban neighborhoods with lots of pedestrian activity, funky cafes and boutique shops - basically areas that are not inundated with corporate chains, etc?

If you're thinking along the lines like life in Manhattan or Chicago the answer is NO.

Only one neighborhood comes to mind, built during the boom to resemble city life. It's the District in Green Valley (with loft homes atop retail) and it being so near to Green Valley Ranch Hotel and the large shopping center there (walking distance,) other than areas close to Fremont Street (which are typically very old and sometimes, not so nice or safe) I should think that there is nothing really that resembles those urban neighborhoods you're talking about. Several of those type urban developments were planned, Manhattan, Sullivan Square, etc. but never materialized/finished due to the economy going bust.

Las Vegas is a typical Southwestern city, built for autos with wide, smooth roads, stores all over (which by the way, includes the corporate chains and the Mom and Pop places.) The Southwest is just not built or developed the same as the major cities in the midwest or on the East Coast.

Unless you want to live on a main drag where there is plenty of everything you need, with most of our typical neighborhoods, you're going to have to drive a bit to get to some decent retail/restaurants.

Or if you're lucky and you have a bus route nearby and the bus services where you're going to, then you have that option as well. But our bus system is quite lacking, so keep that in mind.

[Golfinnova]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

I know that that is one of the things that I am going to have to get used to when I move away from the East Coast. I have 4 different Starbucks each within 1/2 mile radius of my house. There are two other coffee shops as well. In fact, there are over 200 shops/bars/restaurants within two miles of my house. Not to mention several hotels and two subway stops that can take me to downtown D.C. in 10 minutes and to Virginia in about 30.

Madman,

The biggest difference you will notice right away is how easy the commute is here. Granted the highways are not as well planned as the beltway, Rte. 50, 66, 395, etc.; however, you will be able to get from one end of the city to the other relatively fast. That's why I always get a kick out when some people say how terrible the traffic is here.

From my house in Ashburn, I could drive 1/4 mile and get to my shopping center that had one Starbucks in the strip mall then 5 doors down was the Safeway (they are Vons out here) with a full service Starbucks, then another 1/2 mile on the other side of the Dulles Toll Road was Giant with it's own Starbucks and 5 doors from it was a separate Starbucks. You will find that they aren't as plentiful out here but still within close proximity.

The thing that I miss the most is the ability to jump in the car and take the Metro down to Verizon Center to see a Caps game or a Nationals game when they were still at RFK. If you are a sports fan, that is the biggest adjustment to get over besides getting quality news out here. I also miss Channel 4.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by Golfinnova

Madman,

The thing that I miss the most is the ability to jump in the car and take the Metro down to Verizon Center to see a Caps game or a Nationals game when they were still at RFK. If you are a sports fan, that is the biggest adjustment to get over besides getting quality news out here. I also miss Channel 4.

I am quite a sports fan and have been looking forward to being able to spend weekends watching games in sports books, especially since I don't follow the local teams here in D.C. I usually fly down to Miami a couple times a season to catch the Canes & the Fins, and drive to other ACC venues when the U is in the house. Attending those games will be more difficult from LV, but it will be a lot easier to catch their games on TV. And I won't have to pays $100s and $100s of dollars in extra fees for NFL Sunday Ticket and ESPN Gameplan to do so!