The Las Vegas Valley is brimming with exhilarating natural beauty, a small-town sense of community, and all of the cultural opportunities of a big city.

Las Vegas Valley

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The fact that the Las Vegas Valley is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the nation surprises everyone but the people who live there. New arrivals can choose to live in suburban or urban communities. This creates a unique blend of Southwestern culture and big city life and gives residents the best of both worlds.

Quick Stats
Site Since: 2004
Corps Size: 94
Average yearly temperature: 67.1
Car: Access to car is essential
Salary: See cost of living

Only a 30-minute drive out of the city, you can find majestic Red Rock Canyon, with its stunning formations of ancient red sandstone. Once past the borders of the Mojave Desert, the climate changes dramatically, yielding rivers, lakes, mountains, and forests. Hiking, fishing, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and skiing, are all only 45 minutes outside the city. With 320 sunny days per year and winter temperatures averaging about 67 degrees, many residents take full advantage of these outdoor adventures.

Life

Those looking for cultural opportunities within the city limits can visit warehouse galleries in the up-and-coming Gateway Arts District. Las Vegas is home to the Nevada Symphony Orchestra, the Nevada Picnic Pops, and the Nevada Dance Theater. With some of the greatest shopping in the nation, you will also find an array of shops, boutiques, and outlet malls, along with restaurants of every type and price range. The Strip's eclectic combination of clubs, theaters, hotels, and music venues is unrivaled. While Las Vegas has all the advantages of a major city, it is more affordable than most, and residents enjoy the benefits of having no personal state income tax.

With its recent increase in the number of new residents, the Las Vegas Valley is booming with new housing developments, transportation networks, shopping malls, and schools. Corps members will find a variety of housing options in communities throughout the metropolitan area. Many affordable apartments include amenities such as new appliances, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, fitness centers, and barbeques. Alternatively, you could live in a new house between the swimming pools and tennis courts of an inexpensive master-planned community. Many corps members choose to live in Henderson and Summerlin, which offer community events such as farmers' markets, Greek and Italian festivals, and hula lessons.

Corps Culture

2009 is our sixth year of operation for Teach For America • Las Vegas Valley. Those who teach here will play a significant role in the development of regional programming and corps culture. As part of the regional support network, Las Vegas Valley corps members attend all-corps meetings and workshops where corps members work collaboratively to plan for their classrooms. Corps members enjoy exploring the Las Vegas Valley and its surroundings during cultural and social outings. This is an incredibly tight-knit corps that has come together to build a powerful and supportive new Teach For America region. Many Las Vegas Valley corps members live in the same buildings and neighborhoods, helping to build a cohesive corps support structure. There will be numerous opportunities for 2009 corps members to assume leadership positions in the corps in the coming year. With 73% of Teach For America • Las Vegas Valley alumni remaining in the region beyond their two-year commitment, the support structures in the region are significantly expanded.