Las Vegas Proud To Not Make List Of Rattiest Cities

Want to avoid the huge rat population? No, I don't mean politicians, I mean actual RATS. Then you might want to avoid this city. Nope, not Las Vegas - didn't even make the list!

Orkin put out its annual list of the most rat-infested cities in America, and Chicago has claimed the number one spot for the ninth year in a row. Not a great list to top, but hey - they do have great pizza!

Where did the rest of your favorite cities end up on the rat list? The rest of the top five are Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco. Seems it is always larger cities battling the rats. But - no Las Vegas, baby!

Orkin puts the list out every year. They do it by looking at how many people have needed an exterminator over the last year. It includes both residential and commercial properties.

L.A. actually moved up to second place in the rodent department. Can't be surprised about New York City in the third spot, since it is home of the pizza rat. As I mentioned earlier - politicians. Washington D.C. is full of rats in so many ways. San Francisco remained at number five from last year.

Rounding out the top ten: 6. Philadelphia, 7. Baltimore, 8. Denver,9. Detroit, and 10. Cleveland.

The annual list notes that the places with the biggest jumps in rat infestations over the past year, are in the Carolinas. There were surges in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Greenville, and Spartanburg. Yikes!

Yes, there are cities in the US that have fallen on the list, and have far less rats than before.

The biggest drops in rat population were in: Milwaukee, San Diego, Nashville, Syracuse, New York, and Champaign, Illinois. Why any rat would leave the beautiful city of San Diego is beyond me. But, a big win for San Diego!

You can see the full list here.

Was your New Year's resolution the same as it is every year - to be more active, to exercise, to lose weight? Well let's make it happen this year!

According to a study by WalletHub, it shouldn't be that hard, since Las Vegas ranked among the best cities for an active lifestyle. We're lucky to have the great weather we have, and the open spaces we have.

Actually achieving a healthy lifestyle is more difficult than we'd like it to be, and it requires a consistently active routine. Sometimes there are obstacles, because where you live may not promote a healthy way of life. Some cities lack sidewalks, and neighborhood parks. Weather also plays a big part in how active you are - or can be.

WalletHub compared the 100 biggest U.S. cities based on 36 key indicators of an active lifestyle. Their data set ranges from the average monthly fitness-club fee, to bike score, to the share of physically inactive adults.

Honolulu took the number one spot, followed by San Francisco in second, New York in third, Chicago in fourth, and Las Vegas in fifth place. Rounding out the top ten: Cincinnati in sixth place, San Diego in seventh, Madison Wisconsin in eighth, Denver in ninth, and Atlanta in tenth!

Here's how different a city can be - Las Vegas is number five, North Las Vegas came in at 100! What????  Not that different from Las Vegas, and it's right over there! Nonetheless, a very low ranking.

As far as fitness clubs, our neighbors up north ranked number three. Reno has more fitness clubs per capita than 97 other cities!

Want to be more active in 2023? Here are some hiking trails in the Las Vegas valley, that I really like, to help you out!

-Carla Rea

This is a cool "city" hike. At the beginning you overlook the city, and the Las Vega Strip. On the other side, it's a bit removed, yet you still overlook residential Las Vegas.

Rubber Ducky Trail is a nice out and back – or longer, depending on how you decide to explore it.  Most ages and fitness types will enjoy this one. By the way - bring a small rubber ducky - or rubber fowl of some sort - to hang on one of the various trees that display them!

One of the most beautiful and picturesque hikes in Las Vegas. A popular trail for hiking and running. Don't forget to make reservations!

Probably my favorite trail hike in Las Vegas, and anyone can do it! Not a lot of climbing, unless you want to – and you can make it as long, or as short as you’d like. But try not to bail until you get through the tunnels!