Getting acclimated to a new state is always a task, and some states are easier to get used to than others. Whether it's a change in population size, weather, types of people, or whatever, there is always a learning curve. So, what do new Nevadans quickly learn when moving to the Silver State?
1. You will realize a whole new meaning to the word hot.
Unless one moves from an equally toasty climate such as Phoenix, Arizona, he or she has no clue what hot really is. With summer temperatures in the southern part of the state regularly above 100 degrees (and sometimes as high as 120 degrees), hot gets an entirely new meaning. And never mind that it's a "dry heat." Heat is heat, period.
2. You will become a crazy Nevada driver.
Even though residents and visitors complain about Nevada drivers, anyone who has lived in the state has picked up some local bad habits. From speeding to poor bad-weather driving to racing a yellow light, a change in driving habits is inevitable. Just accept it.
3. You will start giving directions based on casinos.
Instead of using other businesses like McDonalds or Walmart as direction landmarks (or street names, for that matter), Nevadans use casinos as reference points. For example, take Tropicana to the Excalibur, and then turn left until you see Mandalay Bay.
4. You will become accustomed to seeing strange folks everywhere.
From Elvis to cross dressers to people dressed like superheros and everything in between, residents eventually get used to seeing everything. Really, everything.
5. You will get used to seeing slot machines everywhere.
From the grocery store to the airport to gas stations to convenience stores to restaurants, slot machines are everywhere.
6. You may forget what rain looks like.
This is rain. Take a long, hard look because after moving to southern Nevada, it's scarcely seen again.
7. You will have to deal with winter snow.
Northern Nevada does get its fair share of winter weather. Being in close proximity to Lake Tahoe and other popular ski resorts allows residents to take advantage of all of the winter sports the Silver State offers.
8. You will eventually avoid tourists at all costs.
Las Vegas Blvd. (the "Strip") and North Virginia Street (the "Reno Strip") quickly go from must-see attractions to annoying traffic obstacles with far too many people.
9. You will adjust to streets that make no sense and think them normal after a while.
Take Las Vegas, for example. N. Durango Road becomes Rampart Road and then Fort Apache, and Durango reappears from out of nowhere. Perhaps the streets were named while someone was enjoying Nevada's open liquor laws. Who knows? Just be thankful for GPS.
10. If you are a golfer, you will enjoy the numerous golf courses across the state.
Nevada is a golfer's paradise with more than 133 golf courses statewide.
11. You can find any type of food here.
Whether you are in the mood for Mexican, Indian, Greek, Thai, Mediterranean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Polish, or whatever, Nevada has it all. Oh, and don't forget those all-you-can-eat buffets, many of which have international selections.
As mentioned, getting used to a new environment is always a challenge at first. Hopefully, however, one acclimates easily and discovers his or her new location is just as great—if not better—than the previous one. Are you a new Nevada resident? If so, what have you quickly learned upon moving here? Please share your comments below.
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