[tijlover]

There's also neighborhoods farther east in Winchester, or Paradise Valley or Ridgecrest/Oakcrest near Flamingo/Sandhill. In Ridgecrest you would think they're still filming Leave It To Beaver there. And short north of downtown as well.

[kimba01]

Originally Posted by Lovetheoutdoors

That is what drives me nuts about this city - no real neighborhoods. Every place looks the same whether you're in Green Valley, Summerlin or wherever. And tijlover, you are absolutely right. When you fly over the city to land at McCarran, all you see are house designs that look the same especially with that obtrusive concrete fence. The city - from above - looks like one giant maze of "Leave me alone". I was born and raised in Las Vegas and I have never been to a block party.

I don't know how old you are, but as far as block partys go, have you ever tried to initate one? Maybe everyone is thinking like you and they are all just afraid to make the first move.

OTOH, I have lived in a neighborhood where everyone knew everyone else's business, not always great either. People were always sitting on their porches watching and listening to your biz. A happy medium would be great!

[nwlv]

Originally Posted by tijlover

It's truly a criminal shame that we had all these Latin Americans up here building all these characterless stick houses, with talent to build the kind of housing they build in their own countries, and we didn't take advantage of it.

I've walked many a neighborhood in Mexico, Central and South America where you won't even FIND a stick house, all are built out of concrete which enables you all to have a nice concrete rooftop deck, big spacious patios and balconies. And I have found, through my many walks, there's barely a house that resembles its neighbor anywhere. All so individualistic, each with a nice different twist. An utter joy, to walk the neighborhoods down there and marvel at all the different designs. Even the wrought iron balcony railings, I've walked in neighborhoods where the each railing on each house had a different design to it, not like the mass-manufactured railings in this country.

It speaks well of their people, their culture. And please don't anyone tell me it's cheaper to build with wood! We're one of the last of the mohicans--we're still building with wood and go to sleep every night worrying about a fire destroying your house!

Always a lot of earthquake fatalities down there. It is amazing what kind of house you can get for the money in other countries. I sold one for 30K last summer, that had redwood parquet floors, and granite flooring on the front porch. Nine foot ceilings, too. One of my favorite restaurants is a roof top place on the third floor of a concrete row house.

[dr.gomonas]

Originally Posted by guinnessjim

and, correct me if i am wrong, doc, but your neighborhood does have block parties.

yeah, Marycrest did have a christmas/holiday party. I didn't go though since i was having a party that night too. I haven't been to any of the neighborhood functions yet.

[stormy42]

I moved to the Las Vegas area 3 months ago and in that time not one of my neighbors has made any effort to introduce themselves. I've had to take that first step every time.

I've lived in Alaska most of my adult life (and am seriously considering returning). Your neighbors there will come say hello when you move in, and at every chance they get. I've traveled extensively throughout the US as well and have found the friendliest areas to be Alaska and the southern states.

That being said, one of the first things I noticed in Las Vegas was how much more polite and on-the-ball all the people working in stores, gas stations, etc. are than anyplace else I've been. When I mentioned this to the bank customer service specialist while opening my local account, he remarked that since Las Vegas is such a service-oriented city, would you expect any less? Combine that with the unemployment rate (people desperate to keep their job) and you get excellent customer service.

A couple days ago, while leaving a "locals" casino, there was a man in the parking lot with the hood up on his car. I watched at least a dozen people walk past him and no one asked if he needed some help. I get being safe and all that, but if you're worried it might be a scam to get you in close, you can still ask if he's ok safely from a distance.

In Alaska, people will quite easily strike up a conversation with you waiting in line at a store, in a parking lot, just about anywhere. And when you see them again (which is pretty likely), they act as though you are one of their best friends. Waving at a neighbor here gets you a strange look.

So, after 3 months, I'm really not so sure Las Vegas residents are really all that friendly.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by stormy42

A couple days ago, while leaving a "locals" casino, there was a man in the parking lot with the hood up on his car. I watched at least a dozen people walk past him and no one asked if he needed some help. I get being safe and all that, but if you're worried it might be a scam to get you in close, you can still ask if he's ok safely from a distance.

In Alaska, people will quite easily strike up a conversation with you waiting in line at a store, in a parking lot, just about anywhere. And when you see them again (which is pretty likely), they act as though you are one of their best friends. Waving at a neighbor here gets you a strange look.

So, after 3 months, I'm really not so sure Las Vegas residents are really all that friendly.

Just different in different places. I am more use to the 'Nevada' style, in that I am unsure I really want to get involved with other people's issues. For example, if a person is trying to put up his hood, will he perceive me as 'trying to find an angle' to get at his keys and have a 'joy ride'. Who knows. Unless I had a purpose to go up to him, I probably wouldn't...probably not....unless he seemed to give some indication that he wouldn't mind someone inviting himself into the situation.

Regarding the South. I always remember my flat tires I had in both Mississippi and in Montana when I was younger. In Mississippi, I had about a half dozen people pulling over to 'help me out', comment about my 'yankee' license plate - i.e. Michigan...and couldn't have been friendlier. I appreciated it, even though I didn't really need the help, it was quite pleasant.

In Montana, I didn't have a car jack with me to hike up the car, so I really needed some assistance. I spent about 40 minutes trying to waive someone down. Eventually one person gave me a lot of distance, and slowly approached me. They drove me to the next exit station, but quickly told me that they were very cautious of strangers 'around these parts', and weren't so sure what they were up to.

I think, in general, throughout the West, you have a lot of rift-raft, etc. and everything else out and about.

On the other hand, your points about the friendliness within businesses. In that situation, people DO want to help each other out, but it is just a matter of the appropriate place.

Maybe Alaska is just a lot more like the South, where not a lot of people are constantly passing through, and the chances of knowing that person from some connection anyways, is quite a bit higher.

[Spraynard Kruger]

Originally Posted by stormy42

I moved to the Las Vegas area 3 months ago and in that time not one of my neighbors has made any effort to introduce themselves. I've had to take that first step every time.

I've lived in Alaska most of my adult life (and am seriously considering returning). Your neighbors there will come say hello when you move in, and at every chance they get. I've traveled extensively throughout the US as well and have found the friendliest areas to be Alaska and the southern states.

That being said, one of the first things I noticed in Las Vegas was how much more polite and on-the-ball all the people working in stores, gas stations, etc. are than anyplace else I've been. When I mentioned this to the bank customer service specialist while opening my local account, he remarked that since Las Vegas is such a service-oriented city, would you expect any less? Combine that with the unemployment rate (people desperate to keep their job) and you get excellent customer service.

A couple days ago, while leaving a "locals" casino, there was a man in the parking lot with the hood up on his car. I watched at least a dozen people walk past him and no one asked if he needed some help. I get being safe and all that, but if you're worried it might be a scam to get you in close, you can still ask if he's ok safely from a distance.

In Alaska, people will quite easily strike up a conversation with you waiting in line at a store, in a parking lot, just about anywhere. And when you see them again (which is pretty likely), they act as though you are one of their best friends. Waving at a neighbor here gets you a strange look.

So, after 3 months, I'm really not so sure Las Vegas residents are really all that friendly.

After taking the first step with your neighbors, have you hade any more contact with them?

Maybe it's my nature or dumb luck, but everywhere I have lived in LV, I have had at least some positive relationship with my neighbors. At a minimum, I just want to know who I can possibly count on if something happened. If they don't seem cordial, I just let em' be.

I also want to be able to have a big backyard BBQ and instead of the neighbors calling the cops or security, they come over with a six pack instead! (or maybe send me a text to keep the noise down, if anything.) It's about keeping good graces.

I think there is a balance between being nosy and just letting people know that you are looking out for one another. Maybe you notice your neighbors sod dying due to a broken sprinkler and you fix it for them. Or, maybe you leave your garage door open and a neighbor lets you know, things like that are great. I think its fine to introduce yourself and just let people know who you are. Its also a good way to find out who's sketchy, who might need a hand or two on occasion (elderly), etc.

I couldn't ask for better neighbors than where I live now, it took years to build some of those relationships to the level they are now (I consider them close friends). If you make a point to be friendly, most people reciprocate. On the other hand, I know a some people who would rather keep to themselves, but they know who I am. They wave and smile. Thats about all the contact I want with those people anyway.

You gotta give people their space.

[vegasfamily]

i lived in vegas for 4 years....sadly we had to move back to ohio. i also thought everyone was sooo friendly. from vons to smith's to walgreens and target the most friendly workers. my daughter met her best friend in vegas and you couldn't ask for a better friend and she had the nicest parents. we really miss vegas alot.....

[bledsoe3]

My wife works around people all the time. If she's not dealing with them face to face, she's on the phone with them. When she gets home from work, she just wants to be left alone (except the family). Could it be that service workers just need to have time alone after a day at work?

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by bledsoe3

My wife works around people all the time. If she's not dealing with them face to face, she's on the phone with them. When she gets home from work, she just wants to be left alone (except the family). Could it be that service workers just need to have time alone after a day at work?

Probably

As a person who has taught English abroad for many years...when work hours are finished, the last thing I want to do is socialize in ANY setting where I feel I have to 'teach english' to who I'm hanging out with!