[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?

[Buzz123]

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?

Yes, sort of, to the first question; it's the nature of western cities to be spread out. We do have parks and plenty of open space too.

No to the second; there are no areas like that, except for a couple of shopping centers that are trying to look that way. Again, it's the nature of western cities. We aren't walking cities, but we do have certain venues that are scattered around rather than all together in one neighborhood, and you have to do a lot more driving here in the west. In fact we don't have the kind of neighborhoods that you find in crowded eastern cities where everybody knows your name. Then again we aren't cramped, congested, crowded, and/or dangerous.

[jfkIII]

You got it. 1st...The Strip; 2nd...Sprawl; 3rd...nature; 4th...LA (or Phoenix, depending on which way you travel).

[teach1234]

I don't know if this is a serious thread or not, but my own experiences reveal a lot more subtleties. I drive around all areas of town, and yes there is a lot of sprawl, but there are also some areas that I stumble across and go, wow, this is really cool. Those areas are pretty narrow but they do exist. Strip, sprawl, nature and LA don't mirror my experience.

[olecapt]

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?

Stop...just silliness. The west mostly grew after the automobile. If you wish to walk to wherever move to the older east coast or better Europe.

In the roughly 25 square miles which is my neighborhood there is no commercial. You can however ride your horse (or your dirt bike if you are not into horses) anywhere you want. If you want to get a coffee you will likely have to walk a couple of miles to the nearest Starbucks. Or you can take the car and drink the coffee on your own patio or while walking your dog around the neighborhood. The neighbors will talk to you even the rough lookingh dude who walks his work horse in the morning. Uses the horse to control the weeds around the edge of his property.

Dog likes it. Easy to raise a rabbit to chase. Or even better an antelope squirrel which he can actually catch if he gets it into the open.

Only effete eastern snobs and really fit people believe you should be able to walk to all services. And the really fit people are OK here. Just need a little time set aside for the trip. .

We also wake to crow of the rooster...which is hard in many urban environs.

And our dogs defecate along the roads. When you got horses who worries about dogs?

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by olecapt

Stop...just silliness. The west mostly grew after the automobile. If you wish to walk to wherever move to the older east coast or better Europe....

If you want to get a coffee you will likely have to walk a couple of miles to the nearest Starbucks...

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.

[olecapt]

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.

Ahhh but I got 5000 ground squirrels, 500 rabbits, 150 dogs, 10 roosters, at least 200 cats, 25 horses all within 1000 yards. And half of that is vacant. And I live 15 miles from the strip and am in fact closer to the strip than most of the NW Vegas you hear about.

Depends on what makes your ticker tick.

[Buzz123]

I came from the east and walked most everywhere; at least until I became old enough to own a car. One of the things we former easterners took a little time getting used to was the fact that now we had room to move around in, and are able to do the things we've seen in the movies. You've heard the song, "Don't Fence Me In". We have lots of wide open spaces...We even have antelopes playing a little further north. Unfortunately people want to come here and fill it all in. But because of the greater distances between things you need a car here...or a horse. Believe me, once you start to feel the freedom you wouldn't want it any other way. BUT!!! If you just want to knock our way of life, and IF you don't like it here, DON'T come...WE WON"T miss you.

[StereoDevil]

The preceeding post x 2.

Originally Posted by Buzz123

I came from the east and walked most everywhere; at least until I became old enough to own a car. One of the things we former easterners took a little time getting used to was the fact that now we had room to move around in, and are able to do the things we've seen in the movies. You've heard the song, "Don't Fence Me In". We have lots of wide open spaces...We even have antelopes playing a little further north. Unfortunately people want to come here and fill it all in. But because of the greater distances between things you need a car here...or a horse. Believe me, once you start to feel the freedom you wouldn't want it any other way. BUT!!! If you just want to knock our way of life, and IF you don't like it here, DON'T come...WE WON"T miss you.

[PinkString]

Now where I live in Aliante, I am close enough to walk or bike to a few grocery stores, banks, restaurants, coffee places,etc. Even the local Aliante station casino. The neighborhood is set up with trails all over the place to connect to other neighborhoods, cut down on walking time to the stores,etc.
But we are on the edge of town, some say way way out, but for me it works. I hate living in the muck of it all, but some like it. To each their own.