Call it the sleeping giant of the Las Vegas Valley — but this area is now on the rise

You might be surprised to learn that North Las Vegas is the second-fastest-growing city in Nevada. That North Las Vegas? Indeed, it’s fair to say the city has struggled over the years to overcome negative perceptions (not to mention that pesky foreclosure crisis). But that reputation has changed — and it continues to change — thanks to a number of factors: With the success of the Aliante master-planned community, Cannery Casino and Aliante Station, North Las Vegas has become an affordable and desirable place to purchase a home. The city offers a wide variety of homes, from starter houses for first-time homebuyers to high-end residences with an $800,000-plus price tag. And while they aren’t dancing in circles around a shiny new IKEA, residents have easy access to plenty of respectable big-box retailers along the 215 Beltway corridor. Those who live in Aliante are close to a large shopping center, and Aliante Station is within walking distance for many of the homeowners in the area. And let’s not forget the renewed buzz about economic revival, with North Las Vegas successfully landing the Faraday Future electric car plant and the Hyperloop test track.

East Las Vegas, commonly referred to as Whitney, includes an unincorporated town that abuts Frenchman and Sunrise mountains. Although this part of the valley isn’t accessible from the 215 Beltway, it’s not a bad drive. It’s possible to find a relatively inexpensive home here, too, that also has superb views of the Strip. Sam Boyd Stadium, home of the UNLV football team and the annual Las Vegas Bowl, is located in Whitney, providing opportunities to attend sports events and other happenings.

Support comes from

With housing choices to accommodate just about every taste and budget, ample opportunities for recreation, and a mix of entertainment and dining options, North Las Vegas and East Las Vegas have a great deal to offer.

Homes for every lifestyle

From upscale starter homes to luxe custom pads

Linked lifestyle

Opened in 2005 in East Las Vegas, Solera at Stallion Mountain is an age-restricted community that caters to adults 55 and over — but be prepared to get active. One-story, single-family ranch-style homes are available in five different floor plans. The fully landscaped homes in this guard-gated community range from 1,155 to 1,716 square feet with a choice of two or three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an attached two-car garage. Some homes feature a covered patio and views of the adjacent Stallion Mountain Golf Course, an 18-hole, 7,351-yard course designed by Jim Colbert and Jeff Brauer. The course also features a 38,000 square-foot clubhouse. Along with the clubhouse and golf course, a fitness center, outdoor pool, multipurpose rooms and walking and biking trails offer plenty of ways to break a sweat. A 1,157-square-foot single-family home with two bedrooms and two baths in Solera was recently listed on Zillow for $179,000.

Supersize me

Home buyers looking for a picturesque setting will want to consider Eldorado in North Las Vegas. This master-planned community north of Ann Road has two parks and four gated neighborhoods to choose from, each with schools, retail, dining, entertainment and other amenities nearby. Eldorado Ridge was the first neighborhood to be built, and its homes are the most affordable. North Peak’s one- and two-story homes include up to five bedrooms and three baths. Designs feature open floor plans, ranging from 1,888 to 2,948 square feet, covered patios, and lofts. Homes in Eldorado Heights have extra-large kitchen islands, game rooms and even four-bay garages. Homebuyers in Castle Rock can choose from four to five bedrooms and three to four-and-a-half baths in living space ranging from 2,942 to 4,044 square feet. A 2,942-square-foot, single-story Castle Rock home with four bedrooms and three baths was recently listed on Zillow for $346,990.

Nice manors

At the base of Frenchman Mountain, on the east side of Las Vegas, Sunrise Manor is one of seven unincorporated townships in the Las Vegas Valley. Sunrise Manor is bounded by Sam’s Town in the south, Nellis Air Force Base in the north, Fremont Street to the west and Frenchman Mountain to the east. Condos, mobile homes and detached single-family homes mix with rural areas and large lots perfect for animals. Most of the homes are affordable, with some higher-end properties available. The area draws artists and other creative types who show their work at the Sunrise Library. A 1,835-square-foot single-family home with four bedrooms and three bathrooms was recently listed on Zillow for $145,000.

Hello, neighbor!

Gina Gavan helped take Downtown Vegas from, as she says, “blighted to bling.” Now she’s part of a team intent on doing the same thing for North Las Vegas. As the director of economic development for the City of North Las Vegas, Gavan is using her knack for handling competing priorities and people to take North Las Vegas to the next level.

By rebuilding its economy around technology companies and green businesses, Gavan says the city is creating momentum on a city-wide scale. “The types of companies that are choosing to move to the city are game-changers,” she says. “These are strategic growth opportunities that will result in more jobs, new housing, financial stability, a more connected infrastructure and more amenities for businesses and residents.” (She definitely knows how to bring people together to invest in something; her previous gig was putting on the popular Project Dinner Table, a gourmet charity dinner series that took place at various Vegas locations, from orchards to baseball fields to high-rise office complexes.)

Gavan wants people to know that North Las Vegas is a safe, exciting and unique place to live and do business. “It’s a city with prideful roots and a bright future growing into its true potential,” she says. “North Las Vegas is rising and ready to spread its wings.”

In the neighborhood

Developed by American Nevada in 2003 — the name behind well-known residential developments such as Green Valley and Seven Hills — Aliante is North Las Vegas’ first master-planned community. It’s little wonder that, with its integration of homes, parks, retail and public areas, Aliante quickly became one of the fastest-selling communities in the valley. The area’s amenities include an amphitheater, a 20-acre nature discovery park, an 18-hole municipal golf course, two traditional parks, linear parks, soccer and ball fields, picnic areas, and an arroyo and trail system.

The Aliante area comprises a cluster of subdivisions, each with its own features and attractions. The Fields at Aliante offers four- and five-bedroom designs that range from 2,228 to 3,374 square feet. The homes feature two-and-a-half to three baths, two- to three-car garages, lofts, bonus rooms and owner retreats, and many come with welcoming courtyard entrances. Need a bit more elbow room? Prominence at Aliante is a private, gated neighborhood of two-story homes ranging from 2,830 to 4,449 square feet. Many of these homes feature family rooms, three-car garages, bonus rooms, courtyards, and flex space, which many turn into family dens or entertainment areas for the TV and game systems. Autumn Ridge, meanwhile, is a gated neighborhood that offers a selection of one- and two-story homes ranging from 2,695 to 4,245 square feet.

Developed by Del Webb, Sun City Aliante is an age-restricted, 55-plus community with its own set of amenities, including a clubhouse with conference rooms, indoor swimming pool, game and hobby areas, billiard tables, fitness center, computer lab, tennis courts and bocce courts. If there weren’t so much else to do in the area, you might never want to leave.

Street smarts: Losee Road

Dillen’s Family Ice Cream (5960 Losee Road # 121) is a family-owned and operated ice cream parlor with a ’50s vibe. The black-and-white checked floor, red-framed chalkboard menu and turquoise seat coverings set the mood before you even step up to the counter. Choose from classics like French Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry, or get adventurous with Bubblegum, Circus Animal Cookie or Sea Salt Caramel. Discover something new like a waffle ice cream sandwich. Can’t decide? There are two mini ice-cream samplers so you can easily find your favorite “premium hard scoop” flavor.

Assuage your guilt afterward at Spartan Sports Nutrition (6462 Losee Road # 120), which offers well-known sports-nutrition brands, vitamins and bodybuilding supplements at wholesale prices. The family business prides itself on doing everything in-house — from taking your order to packing it to shipping it — and making the process as pleasant as possible. It seems to be working. Spartan consistently receives positive reviews for both its range of products and its customer service.

The first thing you’ll notice when you walk into Blue Reef Aquatics (5960 Losee Road) is the impressive 450-gallon mixed-reef display aquarium. Opened in 2010 by Greg and Donna Harris, Blue Reef is the largest independent tropical fish and reef store in the area, offering an extensive selection of coral, saltwater and freshwater fish. They stock everything fish enthusiasts need for their aquariums: protein skimmers, air pumps, water pumps and power heads, aquarium lighting, fish food, refugiums, aquarium filters, aquarium heaters, and more. They’ll even help you install and set up your aquarium.

Major Lazers Just off Losee Road are the Lazer Ladies — sisters Cindy and Marylou Soto. Their business Lazer Ladies Gifts & Awards (2543 E. Washburn Road, lazerladies.com) offers custom engraving, embroidery, printing, you name it. They especially like crafting plaques and trophies that celebrate the accomplishments of veterans and those currently serving in the military. No wonder: Marylou herself proudly served in the Air Force.

Crown jewels

Gorge, swap, guzzle

• Ravenous? Head to Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop (in Jerry’s Nugget Casino, 1821 Las Vegas Blvd. N.). This iconic midcentury-modern diner is open 24 hours a day and is known for its reasonable prices and big portions. Try Jerry’s Famous Prime Rib, which is treated to a special rub and roasted for 10 hours. The dessert menu features cakes, pies, cheesecakes and shakes; everything is made from scratch. The éclairs come highly recommended.

• If you like your deals with a side of people-watching and live music, Broad-acres Marketplace (2930 Las Vegas Blvd. N.) on the weekend is for you. This indoor and outdoor swap meet has more than 1,000 vendors in a family-friendly atmosphere. Buy deeply discounted cookware, give the kids a pony ride and dance to a norteña band. Refuel with pizza, grilled corn or culichi sushi, a Mexican twist on the Asian favorite. For an adult beverage, we recommend a spicy michelada for a blend of tang and heat. Friday, 4-11p; Saturday & Sunday, 6a-5p, $1.50-$2 entry

• Aces & Ales (3740 S. Nellis Blvd., acesandales.com) appeals to the casual craft beer connoisseur who wants a meal with his suds. Twenty-two beers are on tap, and the selection changes regularly. A locals bar that draws tourists, Aces & Ales has an $8 lunch-box special during the week, “Hoppy” Hour Monday-Friday nights, Sinner Sundays and 25 percent off all craft beer bottles every Wednesday.

Get out (or play in)

Dinos, parks and a summit

Wonder why Nature Discovery Park in Aliante (2627 Nature Park Drive) is called Dinosaur Park by the locals? It might have something to do with the giant triceratops skull in the dino-themed play area. If that weren’t enough, the 20-acre park also features a waterfall, an amphitheater, soccer fields, tennis courts, gazebos and picnic spots, and walking trails. It’s a must-do for kids and kids-at-heart.

If your kids have ever dreamed of playing in the big leagues, Gary Reese Freedom Park (850 N. Mojave Road) is the place to go. This 68-acre sports park houses the Big League Dreams Sports Complex. Along with a kid-friendly family pool, there are baseball and softball fields, a skate park, bocce and horseshoe courts, a jogging path, picnic areas and a fitness course.

Sunrise Mountain, part of the mountain range that forms the eastern border of Las Vegas, is often confused with Frenchman Mountain, even though it’s the smaller of the two peaks. Still, the short hike to the summit is surprisingly challenging, with varied terrain that requires scrambling in some spots. The views at the top are worth the effort. Pro Tip: At the base of the mountain, keep an eye out for Vishnu Schist, which are some of the oldest rocks in North America, dating back two billion years. As with most outdoor activities in the Vegas Valley, Sunrise Mountain is best climbed from October to May to avoid the heat of summer.

Located at the northeast corner of Craig Road and Commerce Street in North Las Vegas, on the site of the former Craig Ranch Golf Course, is Craig Ranch Regional Park (628 W. Craig Road). The 170-acre piece of park nirvana features a sprawling 65,000-square-foot skate park, four civic plazas, three dog parks, two lighted competition baseball fields, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, eight reservable ramadas and plenty of open spaces. A community garden offers 62 5-feet-by-13-feet personal gardening plots that are available for reservations on an annual basis. The newest addition to the park is an amphitheater that comfortably accommodates 3,500 people for musical and cultural events.

Amenities and attractions

Operated by the YMCA, the SkyView Multi-Generational Center (3050 E. Centennial Parkway) offers recreational activities and programs for all ages. Accessible from the 215 Beltway, this state-of-the-art community center is nearly 40,000 square feet. A Kids Gym makes it easy for parents to take advantage of yoga and aerobics classes. Lounging areas come with free wi-fi and mountain views. With Xbox, Kinect, air hockey, billiards and foosball, the family can play together.

Clark County Wetlands Park (7050 Wetlands Park Lane) is a great family destination on the east side. Through engaging, interactive programs, kids and adults learn about the wildlife and ecology of the Las Vegas Wash, gaining a deeper understanding of nature. With family programs, guided discovery walks, art and recreation programs, a day here is an opportunity to for the whole family to escape to nature and learn something new.

Downtown may get a lot of spotlight time for its arts and culture offerings, but The West Las Vegas Arts Center (947 W. Lake Mead Blvd.) holds its own as a social hub and community center where children and adults alike can enjoy poetry, art exhibits, dance events and more; its monthly open-mic reading, The Poet’s Corner, is practically an institution. The venue also offers classes on everything from creative writing to choir.

Making the grade

Area schools of note

Jo Mackey Elementary (2726 Englestad Street) is a public magnet school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students in North Las Vegas. Students learn in a rigorous academic environment, which includes instruction in the arts, foreign language and technology.

Student/teacher ratio: 18.6

Average daily attendance: 96%

Students participate in community projects

benefiting local and global organizations.

Awarded a 5-star school rating.

Brian & Teri Cram Middle School (1900 W. Deer Springs Way) is a public school in North Las Vegas, serving grades 6-8. Students in each grade must take core classes in English, mathematics and science. Computer literacy is also emphasized. The school is known for its music program. Each year, students put on a concert at UNLV.

Average class size: 25

Average daily attendance: 95.1%

Conducts a two-week Summer Bridge Camp for math students.

Teachers conduct biweekly mathematics

classes for parents on Saturday mornings.

Eldorado High School (1139 Linn Lane) is located in the unincorporated town of Sunrise Manor, south of Nellis Air Force Base. In 2015, Eldorado launched its first magnet program. The program centers on video game technology and web design. Advanced Placement classes include music theory and human geography.

Graduation rate: 98.2%

Average class size: 26

Two students won medals at the CCSD

Science fair.

One student represented JAG in Washington, D.C.