I used to like visiting and gambling there. You see every imaginable human situation. It's all lights, plastic, steel and glass. Everything is an illusion. I actually like driving down the strip. There are places to avoid and places you need to visit. On one visit right at the height of the economic crises I drove through No. Vegas. Houses, new construction and businesses were boarded up. My only hope was NOT to break down, chain link fences put up to keep vandals out and blowing garbage in, it was a depressing sight.
You could buy a 1 bdrm condo for under $8000 but no one in their right mind wanted to share it with the multitude of homeless squatters. Crime was and is everywhere. The parking garages downtown have razor wire on top of the chain link fences. Wandering off Fremont street is akin to a suicide mission. Prostitutes, beggars and pick pockets were more plentiful than tourists. Their personal belongings were carried in a plastic Walmart bag. I never visit that area anymore. During those times I would visit and a month later I would get an offer from a major casino/hotel for 2 free nights plus $50 credit towards meals, that has changed.
Time marches on, Las Vegas changes daily. A new building going up and one coming down, the skyline is scattered with cranes. Entering the valley from the north or south at night is an awesome sight, it's like they covered the valley with a blanket of lights. I'm good for 2 days, 3 nights only. I had thoughts of making it my winter quarters after retirement, then realization set in and I knew my money couldn't last the month out. It's like a carnival and after getting away your only thought is to get a hot shower and get back to reality.
More pictures here: http://www.amusingplanet.com/2015/02/las-vegas-at-night-from-8799-feet.html
