Southern Highlands: a natural beauty

On inbound flights to Las Vegas, locals often get the question "what's it like to live here?" Well, for those lucky enough to call this valley home, many work in the heart of town and want a good neighborhood for their family, with a short commute. One such master-planned-community is found on the south side of town —Southern Highlands — west of Interstate 15 between Cactus Avenue and St. Rose Parkway.

Upon arriving, you are greeted with greenery and seasonal flowers, which make for an oasis in this desert landscape. Here, residents enjoy the half-dozen spacious parks, tree-lined bike and walking paths and retail centers featuring favorite neighborhood restaurants.

The scenery is a draw for many. "We were attracted to the natural beauty," says resident Sue Natole, who moved here some 10 years ago. "But what we didn't realize we would love so much about living here was the easy accessibility to the things we need on a regular basis."

Southern Highlands is situated in a "sweet spot," close to quality schools, supermarkets, theaters, banks and community centers. It's eight miles from the Strip. As an added benefit for Natole, who sometimes travels for work, residing here meant a quick 10-minute commute to one of the busiest airports in the country.

Southern Highlands prides itself on being a tight-knit, family-friendly community where neighbors often become lifelong friends.

"We feel a strong sense of connectedness with our neighbors," Natole says about the bond shared by fellow residents. "Community runs deep here. It's nice to know there are people watching out for each other."

Residents come together for community events such as the largest annual Memorial Day celebration in Southern Nevada, which takes place in Stonewater Park, one of a handful of the green spaces throughout Southern Highlands. The fun and festivities draw eyes to the sky to take in jet fly-overs from Nellis Air Force Base and fireworks after sundown.

The visionaries who created Southern Highlands recognized the importance of its youngest residents. As an expression of this vision, they dedicated community space to the state-of-the-art Boys and Girls Club of Southern Nevada/Southern Highlands Clubhouse at 10900 Southern Highlands Parkway. This valued member of the community has partnered with Andson, a nonprofit serving the educational needs of Southern Nevada youth. In concert, they provide programs to enable area children to reach their full potential. This includes much-needed tutoring — delivered by Clark County School District-licensed school teachers — to any child participating in the after-school programs.

The community continues to grow, with four builders: Lennar, Pulte, William Lyon Homes and Woodside Homes, each developing new neighborhoods for buyers in the $300,000 to more than $1 million bracket.

For more information, go to www.southernhighlands.com.