Rhodes Ranch - Las Vegas, NV

Rhodes Ranch was originally developed by Dunhill Homes in 1997 to surround the Rhodes Ranch Golf Club and course, designed by master architect Ted Robinson. Since its development, Rhodes Ranch has become a haven for individuals and families of varying incomes, and has been listed as a "Best Place to Live" on Sperling's Best Places. The community hosts a variety of annual holiday events, including the Women's Club Holiday Party and the Hop Into Spring Easter celebration.

The Rhodes Ranch Town Shopping Center on Durango Drive was developed in 2004 to accommodate the community's residential growth, followed by the Arroyo Shopping Center in 2008. While no museums reside in the immediate community, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum on Las Vegas Boulevard awaits just outside of the neighborhood.

Rhodes Ranch residents don't have to go far to enjoy a nice meal or happy hour with friends. A favorite place among locals stands out as Rhodes Ranch Golf Club restaurant, conveniently located off of East Rhodes Ranch Parkway, directly adjacent to the gated community. Patrons have the option of patio dining with a view over the 9th and 18th holes, or they can choose to dine inside the restaurant's spacious indoor dining area.

Whether in the mood for a hearty breakfast before a day on the course, or looking for the perfect spot to watch the big game over beers and signature appetizers, such as striped black-and-tan beer-battered onion rings, Rhodes Ranch Golf Club has it all.

If you happen to hit the club during lunchtime, make sure to try one of their specialty wraps or sandwiches. The "Keno" crispy chicken wrap and "Pit-Boss" chipotle steak wraps are both aptly-named local favorites. If burgers suit your taste, the "Black Jack" burger with blue cheese, honey mustard, crisp onions and blackening spice ranks as a definite winner.

When the mood strikes Rhodes Ranch locals for authentic Japanese food, they head to Geisha Steakhouse on West Flamingo. In addition to serving delicious sushi, Geisha Steakhouse provides a unique tapas selection. The Japanese "Hot Rocks" tapas plate ranks as a must-have menu item, as each medallion of strip loin comes marinated with sea salt, toasted sesame EVOO and cooked to perfection over hot rocks. If you're in the mood for a bit of kick, the Jalapeño Cracker, a deep-fried jalapeño stuffed with spicy tuna and eel sauce definitely raises your spice-o-meter.

When it comes to live entertainment and night life, local residents and visitors highly recommend Brooklyn Bowl on Las Vegas Boulevard. With 32 Brunswick bowling lanes that allow up to eight players per game, live concerts by performers such as The Roots and The Mighty Diamonds, one-of-a-kind appetizers such as egg shooters with pickled peppers, as well as a full bar, this place truly has it all. Best of all, Brooklyn Bowl also hosts Rock Star Live Karaoke shows where patrons jam out to their favorite tunes with a live rock band on select Friday nights.

The fact that Rhodes Ranch provides a gated, secure community makes it extremely safe for walkers and bikers. Residents who don't drive have the option of riding the RTC bus, with stops located on Durango Drive and Warm Springs Drive. Residents and visitors cannot park on the streets inside the community gates between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m., however visitors can request passes from the gate guards that allow for overnight parking. Multiple bike and walking paths await residents inside the gated community, and all drivers must keep to the 25-miles-per-hour speed limit, or slower, allowing for optimal residential safety.

Residents do not hail cabs within the community, and state regulations do not allow for cab hailing on the Las Vegas Strip. However, Rhodes Ranch residents can easily reserve a taxi with one of the many services in the area, as well as reserve alternative transportation online with services such as Uber and Lyft. Drivers can also easily access the 215 Beltway, as it is just minutes away off of Durango Drive.

Members of the exclusive Rhodes Ranch community have access to the R-Club, the community's very own parks and recreation facility. Outdoor amenities include four tennis courts, two beach volleyball courts, a designated "kids area" with an impressive playground, two swimming pools and an out-of-this-world water park called the Fun Zone.

Indoor amenities include basketball courts, handball courts, billiard tables, group kickboxing classes, yoga classes and much more. The Rhodes Ranch community remains dog-friendly, however leash laws apply in certain areas. The R-Club holds many annual events, with a favorite being the annual Halloween event. Adults and children alike enjoy delicious food at the R-Club's "Full Moon Cafe" and participate in fun activities, such as hayrides, face painting and pumpkin carving.

The cost of living in Rhodes Ranch hits approximately 1.1 percent higher than the Nevada average and 4.3 percent higher than the national average, with a median rental rate of $904 for a one-bedroom residence.

Bus fares into the city range from $1 and $2, with discounted and monthly rates available to seniors, students and disabled individuals. Taxi start rates range between $3 and $3.30. The cost of a beer at a local Las Vegas pub ranges between $3 and $4.25, however certain establishments are known to charge significantly higher prices.

The average cost for gas in Las Vegas ranges between $2.28 and $2.75 per gallon.

Rhodes Ranch residents enjoy being just moments away from their very own Rhodes Ranch Town Center, home to Von's grocery market, Great Clips hair salon and Starbucks. Just a few miles down on South Maryland Parkway sits the Boulevard Mall, a popular shopping area lined with retail shops, specialty shops and multiple eateries.

In addition to well-known retail stores, such as JC Penney and Lane Bryant for plus-size women, the Boulevard Mall houses unique specialty shops, such as Patel's Threading and Henna Art, a full-service threading salon and boutique. Patel's is known for their unique bangles and bindis imported directly from India, as well as their eyebrow threading and henna tattoo services. The practitioners at Patel's use 100 percent cotton thread to shape eyebrows to perfection, as well as hypo-allergenic henna ink when applying tattoos.

When Rhodes Ranch locals are looking for high-end merchandise, they often travel to the Forum Shops at Cesar's Palace on the Strip. From Fendi to Armani Exchange, this mall is a true fashion lover's dream. In-between browsing the abundance of beautiful couture, shoppers often stop into Inglot Cosmetics, a unique specialty cosmetics retailer known for top-quality makeup and skin care products sold at extremely affordable prices. Whether you're in the market for an all-natural skin toner or sparkling silver nail enamel, you'll find it at Inglot without breaking the bank.