As a born and raised Nevadan, I'm used to non-natives presuming there are only two sanctioned options for family-friendly cities: Reno and Las Vegas. North and South...or the desolate, oven cooking desert in between? Truth be told, there are actually over 100 consolidated pockets of life within the Battle Born state that fill the neglected void between these two hotshot cities. And yes, these pockets of life actually consist of more than bristlecone and sagebrush.

It's not news that Nevada gets shortlisted. In fact, it's widespread comedic rerun that Nevada has the worst education in the nation and that we're home to legal transgressions such as prostitution and gambling. Nevada, it seems, has truly capitalized on "The Wild West" moniker.

Because of this, for most of my life I have grimly accepted the fate of my native Nevadan heritage with detached sentimentality. I spent my time wishing I was anywhere green, anywhere but here. Ironically, I only ended up trading South for North as I packed myself for a college lifestyle in another part of Battle Born Nevada. I had moved, but I hadn't moved out of the state I grew up in and I was beginning to realize that Nevada has more to offer than blustery hot days and endless parched earth.

1. Diverse Landscapes

The state offers a hotbed of various scenic drives that stretch from snow-capped mountains (direct translation of the name Nevada) to the beautiful and rugged desert.

2. Interesting History

Rich with a lush Western history of Manifest Destiny, Nevada truly bloomed with the rush of men looking for silver and gold. Museums throughout offer great background on the state's unique qualities, but Nevada's many ghost towns can actually offer a hands on look into the boomtowns of the past.

3. Halloween As A Holiday

Nevadans can thank President Lincoln for this holiday since he signed us into statehood on October 31, 1864. It was then that Nevada Day was born. However, it's a shame that the state doesn't give us the day after off too.

4. Hoover Dam

Complete with a long and deathly history, the Hoover Dam is a feat of largesse. Built with the sweat and blood of men, it was created to harness and control the power of the Colorado River.

5. Lake Tahoe

Because yes, this beautiful body of water also crosses into the state of Nevada. Offering respite from the heat, travelers can take a dip in the lake's ice cold waters or traverse through numerous hiking trails.

6. Gambling

True, it's a vice, but gambling is one of the greatest sources of revenue for the state of Nevada. Tourists from all over the world choose to share a taste of the luxury that Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin shared during their heyday.

7. No State Income Tax

Thanks to the lucrative gambling business, Nevada is able to be one of seven states that do not tax individual's income. Allowing small businesses to get better footing, this law also gives Nevadans a real reason to thank tourists for their destination choice.

8. Job Opportunities

Always expanding and always looking for hires, Nevada is constantly on the lookout for construction workers and teachers. Even those in the medical profession and police force are given extra incentives to work in the state's small towns.

9. Diverse Lifestyles

Thanks to the varied lay of the land, the Battle Born state actually provides options for how you want to live. Whether it's farming or shopping for name brands, Nevada offers small town exclusion or the flashy big city lifestyle.

10. Ruby Mountains

Nestled just outside of Elko, these mountains are Nevada's best kept secret. What is found within the Lamoille Canyon is a beauty that is worth traveling across the country for.

Just to name a few, these distinct Nevada characteristics offer a unique personality that no other state has to offer. By taking a look past the austere nature of our national rankings and questionable moral boundaries, the Silver State offers a type of nonconformity that makes it beautiful and makes it my home.