- Brian Norris
When first moving to Washington, D.C., I didn't know many people outside of the office. InterNations has changed that with some exciting events.
Life in Las Vegas
It’s estimated that the population of the metropolitan area grew by around 700,000 people in the past decade, and the city continues to attract professionals to its tourism and convention industry, as well as its expanding high technology and manufacturing industries. There are also a lot of retirees heading to the city for its relaxed, open suburbs and its dry and mild climate.
Culture and Leisure
Las Vegas is a great city for expats that want to live somewhere with a wide variety of attractions. The most famous forms of entertainment are the attractions of the Vegas Boulevard, also known as the Strip, where you’ll find casinos, shows and fantastic eating establishments just waiting to be enjoyed. Not all of Las Vegas is about gambling and shows though. There are over fifty parks in the city area, with plenty of fantastic golf courses to try out your swing on, too. Heading a little further afield brings you to tourist attractions such as the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, which happens to be one of the largest man-made lakes in the US.
Other outdoors attractions include the Mount Charleston Recreation Area, the Death Valley National Monument, and Red Rock Canyon. Exclusive resorts and living communities can also help you to enjoy some peace and quiet in the suburbs, offering shopping malls, schools, and wide open spaces to residents. Of course if you do want to try your hand at some gambling, you’re probably in the best location in the world. High rollers can enjoy resorts such as Bellagio and Aria where dealers host games right in your accommodation, while sites such as Caesars and Luxor bring spectacle and fun to your penny slot machine experience or blackjack game, and offer access to outdoors areas where you can gamble from the poolside in summer months. All in all, you have as much thrills and excitement as you could ask for in Las Vegas.
Transportation in Las Vegas
There are lots of options for getting around the 352 square kilometers that make up the Las Vegas area. It’s a good idea to get familiar with the options before you head out to live in Las Vegas, especially the routes from the airport. The airport shuttle is a great way of getting to the city center for around 10 USD. Many people use their own cars once they’ve settled in the city, and you’ll find that the streets are quite as subject to congestion as other major cities in the US.
Initially you can rent a car for as little as 25 USD per day, and you’ll also find busses that run 24/7 around the city at very cheap rates. Taxis are also a popular option for professionals getting around during the day, and you’ll find you’re well catered to in terms of choice. You’ll be expected to pay a standard fare on top of the cost of your journey. The Las Vegas monorail also serves locations between Sahara Avenue and MGM grand, seven days a week, from 7am to midnight on most days, and a little later at weekends. This is a great, fast option for getting around some of the key sites in the city.
Education in Las Vegas
Education is a top priority in the Las Vegas area, with the Clark County School District serving as the state of Nevada’s top employer, and making up one of the largest education district in the whole of the USA. There are over 300,000 students enrolled under the Clark County School District’s public education system, and there are many private schools available too, such as the Challenger School and the Meadows School.
In addition to this you’ll also find many top university level education centers nearby, such as the University of Nevada, the Nevada State College, and the College of Southern Nevada – known as the CSN. All of these offer top quality courses and host interesting sporting attractions, too.