[skidamarink]

Hi,

I've never posted here before so sorry if this has been brought up before.

I am a Korean-American college student originally from St. Louis, and I am considering UNLV law school. I was just curious about what the area surrounding UNLV is like, and if there is an Asian-American presence anywhere in the city. In general, would you say there is a lot of racism and discrimination exhibited toward Asians? Obviously, there is racism everywhere, but I am wondering if there is a lot of racial interaction in Las Vegas in general. I've never been there and I know very little about the city and residents. I'd appreciate any information.

Thanks

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by skidamarink

Hi,

I've never posted here before so sorry if this has been brought up before.

I am a Korean-American college student originally from St. Louis, and I am considering UNLV law school. I was just curious about what the area surrounding UNLV is like, and if there is an Asian-American presence anywhere in the city. In general, would you say there is a lot of racism and discrimination exhibited toward Asians? Obviously, there is racism everywhere, but I am wondering if there is a lot of racial interaction in Las Vegas in general. I've never been there and I know very little about the city and residents. I'd appreciate any information.

Thanks

There are enough Asians that we have our very own Chinatown, which is really a mixture of all Asian countries, and it is growing all the time. Besides that there are Asian businesses all over town. Many local businesses are owned by Koreans. Of the international tourists that flock here by the millions, I'd guess the largest percentage are from Asian countries. I've never seen any discrimination toward Asians. I know of at least one Korean church...I think it is Baptist. I only know of one Buddhist Temple, but there are probably more.

[las vegas drunk]

You will find a few ignorant racists no matter what city you go into. However, you will be fine here. Vegas has a large population of Asians, and you will not be discriminated against whatsover. Vegas as a whole is pretty diverse.

[lvvr]

There are people from all over the world in almost every corner of Las Vegas due to the transient nature of the city. In some ways it's a racist's worst nightmare. Still, there are those who will cause problems. And its not like we are all one big happy commune happily embracing everyone. Most folks keep to themselves; live and let live.

UNLV has a large asian population. You'll do fine here.

[lvkewlkid]

Near UNLV is quite a few Asian Markets, Bakeries, and stores...Seafood City is a Filipino supermarket with many Filipino chains inside...East Charleston near Maryland Parkway and East Sahara both have little Asian Markets, stores, and restaurants as well...

Of course there's always Chinatown on Spring Mtn and 2 Koreatowns are on their way to construction if they are still being built due to the economy...One located at Rainbow/Spring Mtn and the other at Jones/Warm Springs...

[SoHoVe]

Be aware what Las Vegas calls "Chinatown" is basically a strip mall. Its something that did not evolve naturally thru the settlement of Asians.

It doesn't compare with cities like NYC or Houston were you have areas of Asian immigrants living within a relatively defined area.

With that said there are qiute a few Asians living here and I don't know that they experience many problems. Vegas seems to be a fairly accepting place of all people.

Personally if I were going to attend LAW school UNLV would be near the bottom of my list. Many better funded places of higher education out there.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by SoHoVe

Be aware what Las Vegas calls "Chinatown" is basically a strip mall. Its something that did not evolve naturally thru the settlement of Asians.

It doesn't compare with cities like NYC or Houston were you have areas of Asian immigrants living within a relatively defined area.

With that said there are qiute a few Asians living here and I don't know that they experience many problems. Vegas seems to be a fairly accepting place of all people.

Personally if I were going to attend LAW school UNLV would be near the bottom of my list. Many better funded places of higher education out there.

While Chinatown was just a medium sized Chinese style mall in the beginning owned and operated by Asians, Chinatown has grown to include most of Spring Mountain Road running from I-15 to at least two or three miles west. It is now three or four large malls, and some smaller ones, as well as other businesses. Koreatown is also under construction on Spring Mountain Rd. I do believe many Asians live in the area, but it's not a good area to live in, so they, like the rest of us, are scattered all over town. It's not San Francisco or New York, but it's not 150 years old either like they are. But there must be enough Asians in that area to warrant expensive billboard advertising geared towards the Asian population, and quite a few Asian tour busses stop there daily.

[Tiger Beer]

Personally the Asian population of Las Vegas seems much higher than the stats for it - which I think is around 4-6%? Unsure exactly.

But many casinos, you will see a very representable asian population visibly working throughout most of the casinos. Then there are pockets, like the Chinatown area of Spring Valley.

I've been living in Asia for over ten years...(I'm white)...and visited a number of times, and it seems to be having a larger and large presense of Asians beyond the seemingly low statistics.

However, since the OP is living in St. Louis, I think the Asian presense would seem quite high comparitively - but not as high as say California or Washington States.

[inveritatemonstra]

What are you thinking? Las Vegas has legalized gambling... there are Asians Everywhere! LOL!!

Between Chicago, Atlanta and Las Vegas... Vegas has the least amount of racism and the best Korean Food. And... the world famous UNLV Hotel Program attracts lots of Asians. (Well... it did when I went to school there 17 years ago.)

And... regarding that comment about the UNLV Law school being underfunded... well... considering it's age and the age of UNLV... it's not doing too bad.

[skidamarink]

Thanks for all the replies.

And yes, I am aware that UNLV Law School isn't the highest ranked in the US. It is simply an option I'm considering, amongst many others. The location in a warm area is nice (without being quite as expensive as CA, I think) and the proximity in an urban area would provide great resources for a law student. Anyway, I'll keep it on my list and thanks once again.