[teach1234]

We moved here 3 1/2 weeks ago, it is fantastic! I have furnished my house through Craigslist, my business has the potential to be shown on national TV--this place is the greatest! I don't use exclamation marks casually, especially being an English major--this place deserves them. I have had excellent info from native posters here--if I can help you out, let me know. Coming from an island in Alaska that had more reindeer than people, I worried about the rude city attitude. My experience has been the opposite-- people here have been almost uniformly friendly and helpful. I figure the best way to return that favor is to help other newcomers. Email me if you have specific questions. (And forgive my spelling errors-- I am no longer teaching, but opening a mechanic shop).

[MomMom]

Originally Posted by teach1234

We moved here 3 1/2 weeks ago, it is fantastic! I have furnished my house through Craigslist, my business has the potential to be shown on national TV--this place is the greatest! I don't use exclamation marks casually, especially being an English major--this place deserves them. I have had excellent info from native posters here--if I can help you out, let me know. Coming from an island in Alaska that had more reindeer than people, I worried about the rude city attitude. My experience has been the opposite-- people here have been almost uniformly friendly and helpful. I figure the best way to return that favor is to help other newcomers. Email me if you have specific questions. (And forgive my spelling errors-- I am no longer teaching, but opening a mechanic shop).

Nice post teach. You "got it" and have the spirit that us Las Vegas lovers and long timers have always felt.

Work hard, keep your nose to the grindstone, be sensible about whatever money you make, don't use too many of those hard earned scheckels in the slots, be yourself and treat others as you would want to be treated.....and Las Vegas will always be good to you.

[teach1234]

don't use too many of those hard earned scheckels in the slots.[/quote]

We've spent 7 dollars in the casinos so far.

That is one depressing part of living here. I drive 75-150 miles every day chasing stuff on Craigslist, looking at cars, buying parts, dropping off job applications for my wife, looking at shops for rent, etc. And the secret to my success is Rockstar (TM) energy drink. So when I stop at the corner convenience store, there is almost always someone sitting in a fug of cigarette smoke punching quarters into the slot machine. And outside it's beautiful blue sky and more opportunity than you can possibly take advantage of. One of the hardest habits is to avoid judging people, but I want to buy them a Rockstar and say, C'mon man, get away from that machine and hustle!

[SirKit]

I am not into artificial overstimulation that Rockstar provides. It can't be healthy. Though I'd like to get more energy and get packing - probably to head east, not west to Las Vegas.

When I worked at NBC in New York, some people used to ask me what it's like working there. I answered that I am only one person, and NBC is a big place. My experience of NBC was dependent on my job there, how much money I made, who I knew, and so on. Other employees would have a completely different frame of reference and experience.

The same thing applies to living in Las Vegas, or anywhere else for that matter. If you can relocate willingly, and afford a house in a nice area, have a good job if you need it, then yeah, you may love it there. But if I relocate to Las Vegas for a job that pays $14/hr, what kind of apartment will I be able to rent? Will I have fairly nice accommodations not in a crime area, not with roaches, and enough money to go out now and then for dinner? Will I also be able to afford my bills, including at least basic cable and high-speed Internet?

Or should I not worry about it, drink Rockstar, and get a second and third job so that I can live decently? What is the minimum amount of money I can accept to be able to afford a nice place in Las Vegas (assuming they exist, and not all of the apartments are as bad as the ones I've seen rated for zip code 89119 on the Apt. Ratings website)?

[airics]

well look at it this way, an apartment is going to cost you 800 and up.. (for nothing special i might add), the cable and internet are minimum 80 per month.. then you have utilities (120 per month at least). now if you have a car here, add the registration and insurance (at least 80 per month).. so that there alone is 1080. out the window...

the job you are referring to i hope is full time and not citycenter, because in my opinion, after 90 days the chopping block is coming out.

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by SirKit

Hi, I'm new to this Forum and to this thread. I'm sure I will hear all sorts of opinions, but hopefully I'll be able to figure out the real deal.

I may have an imminent job offer looming in this city. I currently live in Colorado. I've never been to Las Vegas, though I did live for years in NYC, and I'm a northeasterner more familiar with NJ, CT and PA. If I get the offer, it's likely to be around $14/hr. I'm an older SWM, educated, who likes live music but also a quality of life place to live - no noise, no miscreants, no roaches, no idiots. I like conveniences like a good supermarket, good but not too expensive restaurants, places to go and meet people, coffee bars or houses. Maybe a library nearby.

I want to know if I can afford any decent places to live at $14/hr. If you have specific apartment recommendations, even better. I'm told by the employers that it will be rough, but as a single person, I should be able to afford it. The employers sound really nice, and they were upfront to me about what they can afford to pay me.

The work location is not far from the intersection of E. Sunset Road and S. Eastern Ave. Yes, I have a car, so I can do a 10 mile or so commute if necessary.

Any real help about this is appreciated. Thanks.

If you are going to be that lucky to make $14 an hour, you can easily live like a king in Vegas, if you do it right. I only make $9.50 an hour working full time, but I live good. I live in a fully gated condo 2 miles off the strip. I pay $450 a month that includes all utilities, even digital cable and internet. I also have a private bathroom. After all my bills, including food, gas, beer, car insurance, etc, I still have over $500 a month left over. In other words, you will have absolutely no problem making it here with with a $14 an hour job.

[airics]

You failed to tell him you have roomies. Now he's thinking he can live in panorama towers for 600

[toiletfix]

I would say Do Not Move To Vegas if you need a job. Even a decent job. I've been here 8 months and the only help wanted sign was at a Dairy Queen on Rainbow. Otherwise, Summerlin is the nicest master planned community that I have ever seen. I couldn't get hired by CCSD to be a Substitute Teacher. I have a degree and 12 years experience. I've been rehired by the school district in Virginia where I used to work. It is actually the first time I have had a job waiting for me, where I was moving to. I only needed to make about 200 Dollars per week to not go into my savings, and would be doing a lot of gambling. That didn't work out. Fortunately, I had good luck in the stock market and real estate business this year. But a paycheck? No can do.

I might also add, that this is the worst place I have ever been to for someone with a college degree. It appears to make one less employable. I have no intentions of smearing Vegas, just wanted to share my experiences. I will say that my 15 month stint in Bullhead City was more fulfilling, and I prefer gambling in Laughlin and Reno to Vegas.

[enraeh]

Originally Posted by obadiah64

September 1, 2007 will be two years that I have lived in this pit. I am trying desparately to get back to New England.

...there you are.

[LIS123]

Originally Posted by toiletfix

I might also add, that this is the worst place I have ever been to for someone with a college degree. It appears to make one less employable. I have no intentions of smearing Vegas, just wanted to share my experiences. I will say that my 15 month stint in Bullhead City was more fulfilling, and I prefer gambling in Laughlin and Reno to Vegas.

Is it really that bad? It's just hard to believe that, with such massive growth over the recent past, that Vegas has not really diversified its Economy at all. One would expect some growth in skilled work that has come with the population growth and businesses moving from high tax states like CA to NV.