I moved to Las Vegas when I was 9 years old, before that we lived in a little bitty southern town and had never been further west than Texas. I had never seen a real palm tree, I didn’t understand what desert heat meant and I didn’t know that lights could light up the sky like stars. Like most people I had no idea what to expect from Vegas, the reality of living there is totally different than what everyone assumes to be true. After living there for over ten years, I moved to Shreveport for school. However as soon people learned where I was from, I would be asked some ridiculous questions about living in Vegas. All of them were just common misconceptions though.
- Do you live in a casino/hotel?
No, I lived a two story house on a cul-de-sac. Just like many others town in America, there are houses and neighborhoods in Las Vegas too. I had a park down the street and a pool in the backyard. You know normal childhood stuff!
2. Do you party all the time?
When I moved I was 20, I was not old enough to do much. Las Vegas follows the 21 and over for everything rule VERY SERIOUSLY. That being said, even friends and family who were over 21 still did normal things too, like go to the movies. Our movie theatres just happen to be inside casinos. Which makes more sense than putting it in a mall if you ask me!
3. Did/does your parents work in a strip club or casino?
Nope, my mother has never worked at either of these, she has a normal job just like any other parent. My aunt and uncle worked in a casino before as a server and receptionists when they were going through college. Though I think anyone could argue that server and receptionist are jobs EVERYONE has in college.
4. Have you ever seen a prostitute?
No, actually I haven’t. Or maybe I have? How does one know these things? Have YOU ever seen a prostitute? But Prostitution is illegal in Las Vegas and surrounding cities, for anyone who was wondering.
5. Is it really that hot?
YES.
6. How many times a week do you gamble/go to a casino?
Again, I was under 21, so literally never.
7. How close do you live to the strip?
Good traffic? 30 min. OK traffic (aka normally)? An hour. Bad traffic? Close to 2 hours sometimes.
8. “You must be on vacation all the time, and never go to school!”
Wow! Rude! I know Nevada schools are often bad but I graduated top of my class thank you very much!
9. Is it hot year around?
No, there’s about 10 minutes in January that are ok.
10. All there is to Las Vegas is the strip
I hate this! This is SO FAR from the truth! Hoover Dam, The Smith Center, Springs Preserve are just a few of the awesome attractions that are off the strip. About 2 MILLION people live in the Las Vegas valley. Trust me there is more to the city than the strip! It’s actually an arts hub, and boosts a great university as well. There is a thriving community service culture, thanks largely in part to the multitude of religions in the community. Oh yeah, did I mention SIN CITY isn’t too big on actual sin? Because it’s not.
Las Vegas is a diverse community the likes of which most people will never see in their lifetime. So stop asking ridiculous questions, and the next time you go, drive 10 min in any direction OFF the strip. You might just find something new!
