Great essay on "staying put." To me you hit on two very valuable chords. One was the point you made about becoming a part of the community, which is imperative to any community's socio-economic health. I agree whole-heartedly, in Biblical terms, one reaps whatever they've sown. Las Vegas can be a very rich experience if it is treated as delicately as one would treat any other destination, and it takes a while to get beneath the surface here just like any place else.
Its soul (because of the way gaming is marketed) allows one to dive in with virtually no strings attached; but, to really get to know how it all works and what it has to offer, it takes a commitment. Further, on your second point, which is treating one's home like a commodity ... Well, all I can say to that is I am glad someone spoke up. Houses aren't a stock or bond and these little neighborhoods were designed to be homes for people, not get-rich-quick schemes. So, you're right, the housing slowdown will naturally cause people to slow down and get to know their neighbors, whether they like it or not. Which is pretty much how the real world works, anyway.
Finally, though, I often hear people comment on how Las Vegans don't get to know their neighbors. I do have to disagree on that point. I have never lived in a city whereby I have had more interaction with neighbors. I have bought and sold a few times in 10 years out here, working my way up the housing chain, but I have always gotten to know my neighbors and, in fact, have found Las Vegas to be almost Rockwell-esque at times.
Haven't always loved what I was dealt, as I had one neighbor who constantly wanted to borrow a tool or some type of sundry. I even lent him some money on occasion, which I never saw again. But, as a whole compared to many places, I find the neighborhoods I've lived in quite active and affable. And I am not exactly the Welcome Wagon type. At any rate, enjoyed the article and look forward to other writings by you in the future.
-- Michael G. Hutchings Las Vegas
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