Southwest

The rapidly-growing southwestern area of Las Vegas features some of the most unique neighborhoods to be found anywhere in the valley.

Coming in at just under 7.5 square miles in size with an overall population of approximately 300 people, sits the quiet village of Blue Diamond. Located near the south end of Red Rock Canyon, this small community was established as a company town back in the 1940's. The company, which mines Gypsum, is still active today and remains the villages principal employer for most of its working population. If it’s a less crowded atmosphere you’re looking for, Blue Diamond might be the perfect fit for you. The narrow winding streets are pocked with lots of old trees that provide plenty of shade, a welcomed amenity that gives a touch of relief from the desert that surrounds it.    

Canyon Gate and Spanish Trail, both golfing communities, are two of the most exclusive areas of the Valley, yet their homes and rentals are well within reach of many buyers. Spring Valley, in the shadow of Spanish Trail, has many great resale homes and a great location. And new areas such as Rhodes Ranch and Monaco offer an upscale lifestyle at affordable prices.

Things To Consider – The southwestern part of the city’s got just the right amount of ‘buffer zone’ between itself and the non-stop flurry of Las Vegas 10-14 miles away. Situated just southwest of Las Vegas, highway 159 or 160 is easily accessible and will take you straight into the center of the city via interstate 15 in either direction. If dealing with the Vegas crowds doesn’t sound too appealing, there’s always the slightly smaller town of Spring Valley which is only 9.7 miles away to the northeast of Blue Diamond.

Schools – Just around the corner from Blue Diamond Park is Blue Diamond Elementary School. With a small enrollment of just 24 students, this K-5 school offers a high student teacher ratio of 14:1. For Junior High and High Schools, residents will have to travel to nearby communities. Desert Oasis High School (newly opened in 2008/2009), Sierra Vista High School, and Southwest Career and Technical Academy serve the Enterprise residents. In Spring Valley, there’s Spring Valley High School, Durango High, Kenny C. Guinn Middle School, Frank Kim Elementary, Pat A. Diskin Elementary, Spring Valley Christian Academy, and La Petite Academy.

Attractions – Located beneath the rugged Wilson cliffs and within the Red Rock Natural Conservation Area, is Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. In the mid-nineteenth century, the area's numerous natural springs made it an oasis destination for Native Americans, westward travelers, and outlaws looking for a place to keep a low profile. It was turned into a cattle ranch by the 1870s, a purpose it served until the 1960s, when it was transformed yet again into the state run park. Hiking trails, cabins, bunkhouses, and picnic areas abound for all visitors to enjoy.

Another nearby attraction is Bonnie Springs Ranch and Horse Stables. Built as an old western replica town and located in the heart of Red Rock Canyon, Bonnie Springs Ranch features its world famous BBQ, live country western music, saloon girls, horseback riding, shopping, and even a petting zoo.

Grand Canyon Travel and Grand Canyon Tours both operate offices out of Spring Valley, along with other local activities like the Spanish Trail Country Club’s golf course for the serious competitor, while only a few blocks to the southwest there’s the Putt Mark Miniature Golf Course for matches of a ‘less strenuous’ nature . . . or so we’d like to assume.

Businesses – With more than 1/3 of the population of Blue Diamond having commute times of between 30 and 40 minutes, this most likely means that these individuals work in Las Vegas. As mentioned above, the Blue Diamond Gypsum Plant is also a major employer for the town. The plant primarily makes drywall, a major component of modern commercial and residential construction. Other employment opportunities in Blue Diamond include retail, food service and local public administration.        

The Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center, a three-story facility with more than 57,000 square feet of space and several hundred on staff is a major employer in the southwestern area of the city. Some of the more popular companies to work for in southwestern part of the valley are: Bank of America, HCA, MGM Resorts International, Valley Health System, and Schneider National.