I've wondered this as well. It's true that you can party anywhere but Las Vegas is set up to be a party city. It seems like it would be similar to the difference between going to a party school, a regular college, a "serious" college (not just in terms of academics but in terms of atmosphere, e.g., MIT is known for being very depressing and high pressure, whether that's true or not), or a religious college (e.g., BYU). You can party at any school but at some of them it's hard to miss and there is at least some pressure to party, for social reasons if nothing else (though you can avoid it if you want); at some you need to go out of your way, at least a little bit; at some it's definitely possible to party/drink/do drugs but frowned on (at least beyond a minimal amount).
I've heard that many locals aren't into the party scene beyond possibly working in the entertainment industry (e.g., casinos, hotels) but that might not apply so much to young NHLers. Any comments from ppl who live in Las Vegas?
Lived there for a while, worked for a company that had accounts for the casino's.
The biggest problem most players will find is the 24 hour schedule. The city is always open for whatever you want. Doesn't have to be imported, it's already there.
Also means that your neighbors might have a different awake time then you. Actually, most likely.
1. High cost of living(everything, mostly, is shipped in)
2. Dangerous; plenty of people trying to rip you off
3. Travel; withing the city, from the west to east can be horrible.
4. Keeping up with the people as a wealthy person; if you think making 2 million a year in LV makes you someone, you're very wrong.
5. The water; not only is it going away, but most good water is shipped in, and the tap water is horrible.