Michael Schneweis and Jan Craddock share a desire to live in a family friendly place, while still being in the middle of everything. 
That made downtown a natural choice for the couple to call home. They have lived in the Rancho Nevada neighborhood for eight years with their son, Ian, 7.

Jan, a native Las Vegan, grew up in the area and wanted to live downtown to be closer to her parents and to work. Both Jan and
Michael enjoy incredibly short commutes to their respective offices - a quality of life enhancement they say they wouldn't trade for the world. Jan is the publisher of BLVDS Magazine, a local publication that focuses on community and culture. Michael is a management analyst for the Las Vegas Water District.

Jan says, "The best part of where we live is having great neighbors: everyone down here walks and talks. Our neighborhood has the friendliness of a smaller town along with easy access to the great things a city has to offer."

Jan and Michael also enjoy living in an area where the landscaping has had a chance to mature, providing plenty of larger trees to offer much-needed shade. The couple shares the excitement of the whole community that downtown is becoming a city center in its own right, with The Smith Center for The Performing Arts planning to open early next year and new businesses popping up throughout the area.

The couple says there is no shortage of great places to eat downtown. Among their favorite area eateries are Tinoco's and Chicago Joe's. Michaels adds, "For lunch, Los Tacos has the best tacos in town."

Photo: Jan and Michael with their son, Ian, in front of their Rancho Nevada home