Anyone here live in Vegas

[riverwed070707]

I have a phone interview today. If I accept a position there, it would be a long distance move for us. We've never lived anywhere outside of the midwest. Care to talk about your experience there? Love it? Hate it? Is it an ideal area to raise a family (I have a 3-y-o)?

Jumping the gun a bit maybe but I'm just curious. Thanks for any insight!

[bjl584]

My cousin lived there several years ago. He said it was HOT in the summer and that he purposely worked midnight shift to beat the heat. He worked outdoors for the airline industry. He was 25 at the time, so I can't give you advice on raising a family there, but it was a great place to drink and party.

[riverwed070707]

Originally Posted by bjl584

My cousin lived there several years ago. He said it was HOT in the summer and that he purposely worked midnight shift to beat the heat. He worked outdoors for the airline industry. He was 25 at the time, so I can't give you advice on raising a family there, but it was a great place to drink and party.

That's kind of what I'm afraid of lol. I'm 25 but I don't really party. The one good thing is that I think i'll be able to count on friends and family from back home coming to visit

I imagine like any big city, the suburbs have nice parks, better schools, lower crime, and things to do that don't involve the 7 deadly sins but I'd be nice ot hear some first-hand perspective.

[creditcardfree]

I've visited. It is the desert. Thus not many green backyards that I saw. And yes, there are nice neighborhoods, schools and parks. You don't have to be involved in the strip at all if you don't want to. Good luck!

[Nightfly]

I know people that have lived there and never went near the Strip. It's a full-blown metro area, with decent schools and parks. The economy in Vegas is still pretty shaky as the town got hit by the foreclosure crisis harder than most. That said, you can probably buy or rent a home for a pretty reasonable price. Also, there are interesting outdoor areas to explore nearby such as the Hoover Dam, Red Rocks, Death Valley (if you're into the desert), and plenty of nearby mountain areas. But yes - it's very hot in the summer, moderate temps (jacket weather) and the occasional rain in the winter.

[bumstah]

If you stay off the Strip, Las Vegas is a very quiet city. I have lived in Vegas for over five years now and I have mixed feelings about it. Let me try to break it down for you.

Weather - Dry. I'm assuming you have fair weather if you're from the Midwest. The first time I came to Vegas, I hated it. I lived in Guam for 10 years where the weather is humid and nice. In Vegas, I have to use moisturizers because my skin can get so dry. It reaches 110 in the summer easy and drops to about 30-45 in the winter. I'm used to the weather now, but it took some time.

Living Costs - Very cheap and comfortable. Stores are usually open 24 hours, there's always a Wal-Mart around the corner. Due to the real estate marketing crashing several years back, houses are extremely cheap. Taxes are decent, not as high as California. No income tax is a plus. However, you must have a vehicle because the mass transit in Vegas is terrible.

Jobs - You already have one! But if for some reason it doesn't work out for you, there are many job opportunities in Vegas. There's always an opening somewhere if you're willing to look.

Culture, Things to Do - Moderate. It's not like LA or San Diego where there are a million things to do. If you do not like the nightlife scene, there isn't too much Vegas has to offer unless you're willing to search around. We have decent national parks, lakes, and festivals in the city, but they do not compare anything to that of California or the Midwest. The good news is, LA is only a 4 hour drive so my family and I tend to visit frequently during the holidays.

Overall Grade: B+. If you don't go to the Strip, Las Vegas is a very quiet town. I recommend living in Summerlin, Henderson, or the south area of Las Vegas because the north is a little sketchy and has a higher crime rate. It's a O.K. city, the people are generally nice, and there are good places around to keep you happy for a while.

Hope that helps!

[riverwed070707]

Very good breakdown. Thanks!