[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by ChetMcKasey

I don't know if anyone has broached the subject of moving to Las Vegas on this forum before, but I like to consider myself a trendsetter.(Yes, this is sarcasm for the sarcasm impaired)

I am considering a move to Las Vegas. I have read the copious 'should I move to Vegas' posts and responses, but my situation is a bit different.
An international company with positions across the globe has offered me a job that is based in Las Vegas at one of the colleges. It's a good company with a good salary and good benefits.

I have lived in Las Vegas before and enjoyed it. However, that was 20 years ago when I was young and single.

I am now married with 3 kids and that, of course, is a huge consideration in the decision.

Have any other families made the move and if so, what are your thoughts? I know Las Vegas is a big city with lots to do for families, but there is that 'adult stuff' that hangs over the city.

I am torn. If it were just me, I would be there in a heartbeat. However, I have to consider the kid's education(yes, I am reading all about CCSD and their problems)...my wife's chances of getting a job(she has a Master's Degree in Special Ed and is teaching now) and all of that.

Advice from other transplanted families would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

I can only say what I would do. I would not raise a child in Las Vegas. But if I did, I would choose a nicer neighborhood in nearby Henderson where it is more laid back.

[ChetMcKasey]

I want to thank everyone for your responses! I appreciate it. Now we have some thinking to do.

[Buzz123]

My daughter was raised in Las Vegas, my son was born and partially raised here, my step daughter was born and raised here. You couldn't ask for better adults than they became. And they have many, many friends that were raised here, and that would be great citizens anywhere.

My daughter has been a teacher here for several years, and now has her own daughter. She has proven to be a fantastic parent, and her daughter reflects that.

Being as close to the school district as my family and friends are, I have to say that the district gets a bad rap. Yes, there are big problems that need to be corrected, but keep in mind that Las Vegas has been overwhelmed with the cancerous growth of the 20 years from 1988 to 2008. For 20 years we were building dozens of new schools every year to try and keep up. We went from about 400,000 total population in the late 80's to over 300,000 school kids alone, in that time. I'd like to see any other city or state keep up with that. On top of it all, don't forget that most of the bad students that bring down our "scores" are foreigners that probably aren't here legally in the first place, and don't speak English. Hard to sing the tune if you don't know the words.

But, never fear. The State of Nevada can't stand criticism by outsiders. It's not only personally offensive to us, it is bad for business. This is one of the most progressive places on earth. Improvements are already taking place as can be seen in the daily news reports concerning the situation.

The first school my daughter and step son attended was Ruby Thomas. In those days it was listed in the top ten schools in America. Nevada in general, and Las Vegas in particular have too much pride to ignore criticism. We've always done things in a big way here, and I predict that the school system will respond accordingly.

[SouthernSarah]

Originally Posted by jfkIII

You sound like a great dad...and things will probably work out well. After all, when you provide a good foundation...that usually carries through the rest of life.

However, challenges are ahead...teen-type challenges. Add 10 years and you've got 17-year old twins coming of age in LV. That's a lot of temptation.

There is nothing here that is not in every other city across the country. The only difference is that here it is not as hidden. Believe me, drugs, hookers and criminals reside in every city in America as well as in most of the rural areas.

[von949]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

My daughter was raised in Las Vegas, my son was born and partially raised here, my step daughter was born and raised here. You couldn't ask for better adults than they became. And they have many, many friends that were raised here, and that would be great citizens anywhere.

My daughter has been a teacher here for several years, and now has her own daughter. She has proven to be a fantastic parent, and her daughter reflects that.

Being as close to the school district as my family and friends are, I have to say that the district gets a bad rap. Yes, there are big problems that need to be corrected, but keep in mind that Las Vegas has been overwhelmed with the cancerous growth of the 20 years from 1988 to 2008. For 20 years we were building dozens of new schools every year to try and keep up. We went from about 400,000 total population in the late 80's to over 300,000 school kids alone, in that time. I'd like to see any other city or state keep up with that. On top of it all, don't forget that most of the bad students that bring down our "scores" are foreigners that probably aren't here legally in the first place, and don't speak English. Hard to sing the tune if you don't know the words.

But, never fear. The State of Nevada can't stand criticism by outsiders. It's not only personally offensive to us, it is bad for business. This is one of the most progressive places on earth. Improvements are already taking place as can be seen in the daily news reports concerning the situation.

The first school my daughter and step son attended was Ruby Thomas. In those days it was listed in the top ten schools in America. Nevada in general, and Las Vegas in particular have too much pride to ignore criticism. We've always done things in a big way here, and I predict that the school system will respond accordingly.

Great point. My daughter has 2 in her class. She is assigned to help them with comprehension sometimes since she is trilingual. English, Spanish and Basque. She learned all 3 at the same time growing up.

[jfkIII]

Originally Posted by SouthernSarah

There is nothing here that is not in every other city across the country. The only difference is that here it is not as hidden. Believe me, drugs, hookers and criminals reside in every city in America as well as in most of the rural areas.

Yes, but the topic is Las Vegas. To be more open about it means for it to be more easily accepted.

[jfkIII]

...and therefore more widely available.

[rrbridges]

Hi Nix3. Its tough reading or glancing over post that can get out of hand in all directions. Thats america and thats good. Las Vegas in my opinion is still a very good place to raise a family. I raised 3 children here and they have turned out alright. It starts at home.

I think of this area that is a split city, Las Vegas and the Strip. I always have. Most tourist that come to Vegas dont have a clue because of marketing. But thats ok. Others have taken the time too educate themselves.

Check out our radio show sometime, CHNewsRadio | Facebook

Originally Posted by Nix3

I think raising a family is fine in Vegas. I'm also moving to Vegas with my kids. By the time I move this summer my sons will be about 2 1/2 years old, and around 6 months old (depending on when son #2 shows up) lol. I grew up going to Vegas for FAMILY vacations ha ha! Try explaining that to your small town, Oklahoma, elementary class every new school year when asked what your family did for the summer vacation. We stayed on the strip, and off the strip at my grandma's condo. And yes, my parent's took us three girls on the strip at night too, we weren't out till 3am but we were still out past dark. I just took my oldest son to Vegas last November for Thanksgiving. My dad was very happy to move back to Vegas when I was 15. I stayed in OK with my mom. The school system's may not be that great, but for me, neither is the one in my home town. I'm fortunate to have plenty of family already living in Vegas so when I move I don't have to look so much online at what areas I hope are good to live in or not. I can stay with them until I get a job.

I say, you have an amazing opportunity for your job, and there are plenty of family oriented things in Vegas. So go for it! Maybe your wife would be able to get a job, once you move there, in the education field. From what I've read on the forums it seems for that field you need to live in Vegas first. I don't know the ages of your kids, but there was a ton of stuff to do, and even if it just means going to the mall, the mall (at least the one I went to) looks like any regular mall. So I wouldn't worry about the smut ruining your children or anything like that.

Go for it, you don't want to look back and think "what if?" right?

[rrbridges]

My suggestion would be not to take people to serious especially on forums like this. Its good to do your homework but there are too many opinions out there.

Take your time, check out things, chamber of commerce, metro police, schools, etc.. Make sure you check out our radio show each week also. We talk about these issues all the time. CHNewsRadio | Facebook. You'll be just fine.

Originally Posted by ChetMcKasey

I want to thank everyone for your responses! I appreciate it. Now we have some thinking to do.

[Shipresa]

[mod cut-- response to deleted post]

And of course no one means to assume the OP is moving to Las Vegas as living on the streets around the El Cortez, MLK, D Street or off Maryland...behind a liquor store.

Summerlin has great schools. So does Henderson. For that, the OP has to look at the whole picture and find the right neighborhood, amenities and schools for them.

Texas schools have the same problem - many classes are taught in Spanish and my niece's class has 85% Spanish as a first language. It did hold her back, as the classes were geared to a low-english speaking level. She eventually was pulled out for home schooling.

However in Las Vegas, I read that there are more Chinese speakers (Mandarin? Anyhow, simply not Spanish) than Spanish speakers and the number of Tagalog may outpace Spanish in schools. This may have all recessed in the past 2 years or so, but it is a factor in the schools.