Many neighborhoods in Las Vegas are master-planned communities, often featuring architecturally similar houses made of stucco and Spanish tile.

Surrounded by mountains and accentuated by the skyline of the Strip, it's easy to find your way around Las Vegas, thanks to the landmarks. Finding your way around certain neighborhoods, on the other hand, can be a challenge. Because of the influx of stucco and Spanish tile in the 1980s, and later, the popularity of "master-planned communities," many houses here are identical. Expect to find most of the neighborhoods behind gates and ruled by homeowners associations (HOAs). Exceptions to that rule lie in older areas located in central Las Vegas and in outlying communities where large custom homes are the rule.

Green Valley

In 2006, Money magazine recognized Henderson, Nev., as one of the best places in America to live. Green Valley is a subsection of Henderson and was the first master-planned community in southern Nevada. It's known for its parks, walking trails and tree-lined streets. Green Valley encompasses more than 8,400 acres on the southeast side of town and is home to nearly 75,000 residents, ranging from students and young families to retirees. View Henderson Real Estate

Flagship Neighborhood: Anthem

You can't miss the elaborate waterfall as you approach this Del Webb community, located south on Eastern Avenue, at Anthem Parkway. Nestled in the foothills of the Black Mountains, Anthem is made up of a variety of communities, including Anthem Country Club and Sun City Anthem. Building began in the late '90s. The serene, upscale environment has multiple golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools and great views of the Las Vegas lights.

The Neighbors: Age varies according to neighborhoods, but all cater to the affluent crowd. Sun City Anthem and Solera at Anthem are age-restricted (55 and up) while Anthem Country Club caters to more well-to-do families.

Also Consider: Seven Hills and Green Valley Ranch

Located in fast-growing Henderson, both communities are close to many shops and restaurants and are known for their green space and parks. Green Valley Ranch has a broad range of price points from condos to large homes, while Seven Hills tends toward the higher end, with a variety of custom and semicustom projects. View Green Valley Real Estate

The Neighbors: Both areas are family-friendly and have a diverse mix of white and blue collars (service industry employees and construction workers have salaries in Las Vegas that potentially rival those in suits). The Seven Hills demographic is skewed more toward the doctor/lawyer set while Green Valley runs the gamut of teachers, cocktail servers and middle managers.

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