Nevada is a state hugely popular with tourists, but what about the locals? There are some things that make Nevada such an amazing place to live, and here are a few things I realized I would miss if I ever left.
1. Everything is open 24 hours, seven days a week.
The first time I went out of town, I found out the cruel reality that food isn't 24 hours everywhere you go. I mean, what do people do if they are craving taco bell at 2 in the morning? Not only that, but some grocery stores are even closed entire days during certain days of the week if you aren't in Nevada. If you don't find yourself in Nevada, things could be closed on Sunday or by 10 p.m. every other day. That's the prime time you have to go buy more mixers for your new apartment party, looks like your out of luck and have to man-up and take that shot without any orange juice. Even though I've traveled out of state many times, I still find myself in shock every time my midnight munchies come on and I can't run out for anything. I've now learned the process of storing food, just in case.
2. Nevada is always a stop for concerts and performances.
Yeah, I never knew this one was actually a thing until I realized how all my family would schedule trips around when the performer was stopping in Las Vegas. I wondered why they would come all the way across the country just to see someone in the nosebleeds, but then it hit me that nosebleeds were better than never seeing that person. I guess it's true that some performers don't stop everywhere and being that Nevada holds some pretty big cities, we're lucky enough to always have a stop on tour. Even if it's too hot in Vegas, they'll make their way up to Reno/Tahoe -- sometimes they'll even hit both (two concerts, one state -- heck, yeah)!
3. Gambling machines are everywhere, from the airports to the gas stations.
You know the sounds of cha-ching and the familiar "Wheel of Fortune" jingle that greets you every time you land in a Nevada airport -- that doesn't happen everywhere. Most airports don't even have gambling machines in them. Yeah, weird, I know. Gambling is a huge profit to the Nevada community and it seems strange to not have machines everywhere.
4. The variety of different activities is endless.
Whether you want to go bar hoping, or enjoy a nice hike in the mountain -- maybe even both -- Nevada can offer you both and everything in between. Nevada shares home to great nightlife as well as some of the great beauties of Tahoe and Red Rock. Tell me anything you enjoy doing and I'm sure Nevada has something for you. It's crazy to think that I couldn't go boating and gambling in the same town.
5. We don't need a major team to have the pride and glory.
For not having any professional athletic teams in Nevada, the pride still runs deeper than most. Sports are still huge and the fans' support is even more massive. Whether it be to support one of the two college teams; the Nevada Wolf Pack or the Running Rebels or watching a team at the sports book -- pride runs fluidly through Nevada fans' blood.
