BetterTrades in Henderson

One of the many cities served by BetterTrades is Henderson, Nevada, the state's second largest city. It is one of the 100-plus municipalities throughout North America that BetterTrades visits over the course of the average year in an attempt to spread the message of financial independence.

While Henderson is the next-door neighbor to Las Vegas, it has a different vibe than its glitzy counterpart. It has fostered a reputation as one of the most livable cities in the country; it's a place where people can establish homes and develop roots in the community. Las Vegas has the casinos and shows, while Henderson has walking trails and a fine school system. The city's slogan is, "A Place to Call Home" and reflects the small-town values that have been embraced. Because of its reputation for forward-thinking people, the city has produced many successful stock market traders who got their start by enrolling in the BetterTrades system.

Henderson is located in the southeast end of the Las Vegas Valley. The city has a total area of almost 78 square miles and is surrounded by mountains. The McCullough Range is closest to the city and is covered by black rocks from an ancient volcanic explosion. The mountains aren't very tall (they average about 3,800 feet) and are mostly gentle in slope.

There are many planned residential communities in the area, including Anthem Country Club, Black Mountain Vista, Calico Ridge, Champion Village, Green Valley, Green Valley Ranch, Inspirada, Lake Las Vegas, MacDonald Highlands, MacDonald Ranch, Madeira Canyon, Seven Hills, Sun City Anthem, Sun City MacDonald Ranch, Tuscany Residential Village, Summerlin (which hosts an annual PGA Tour golf tournament), and Whitney Ranch. Among the celebrities who have a residence in the area are Tony Curtis, Janet Jackson, Gladys Knight, Toni Braxton, Flavor Flav, Marie Osmond, Celine Dion, Smokey Robison and Sheena Easton. It's a very popular place, as BetterTrades has discovered.

Many residents of those areas attend the Financial Freedom Expo offered by BetterTrades when it comes to town on a quarterly basis. Visitors who want to visit the area, but who aren't specifically interested in seeing "Sin City," may choose the Henderson option, where they can play golf and visit places like the Bluestone Gallery, a hub for local artists and art dealers. There are plenty of leisure activities, from arts ("Shakespeare in the Park" is quite popular) to other cultural events, many of which take place in the city's outdoor amphitheater, the largest in Nevada. There are casinos and resorts in the area, but less emphasis is placed on that aspect of commerce.

The area is easily accessible for BetterTrades student from McCarran International Airport, the main hub for Las Vegas. Henderson Executive Airport was recently purchased by the county, which has plans to develop the air strip as an alternative.