[gopheralex]

Hi,

I will be moving to Las Vegas in about 2 weeks to start a job at UNLV. I need to find an apartment from 2,000 miles away. I don't drive, so I need something that I can bike or bus to from school. I was advised to stay away from the area north of campus, so I'm looking at the areas a few miles to the east and west, mainly on or near Flamingo Ave. Are these OK areas to live in? I'm not super-paranoid about crime and I have no car that can be broken into, obviously. But I would like to stay out of gangland warzones if possible.

So, my main worry is... how the heck should I do this? I've never moved cross country before. Should I call an apartment finder service? I don't know anyone in the area who can look at places for me. Should I spend $500 to fly out and look at a few places? I don't have much time to be choosy, but I realize it's very risky to rent sight unseen. Will landlords even do that? Ahhhh!!!!!!!

I have about 20 boxes and a few bikes to move as well. Getting a mover is not a problem, but I need to find a place to move to first! What do I do? So stressful

[Chest Rockwell]

You can get a realtor to help you rent a condo, but apartment rentals have to be done through each complex and their leasing office.

Let me suggest the area south and east of UNLV, along Hacienda or Reno between Maryland and Spencer. There are several nice apartment complexes in this area. Really, the only area that I wouldn't live in is the neighborhood west of Boulevard Mall, between Maryland and Paradise and between Desert Inn and Flamingo. The neighborhoods east and south of UNLV are super convenient and reasonably safe, considering the location in the heart of the city.

If you want to travel a few miles to campus then there are even more options. East on Flamingo or Trop, between Eastern and Pecos or Sandhill are some more nice areas with convenient shopping and bus routes. I believe the zip code here is 89120.

There is a storage unit near UNLV called Public Storage (702) 736-8613
that you can rent until you get settled, but I'd recommend just loading all your stuff on a truck and moving it right in.

Good Luck!

[BobKovacs]

We lived in Century Village at Trop and Spencer in the late 90's, and it was fairly nice. My MIL still lives around the corner from there, and we drive by every time we visit. The place seems to be holding up pretty well, and it's fairly close to campus (bikeable). There's several large shopping centers within a few blocks for everything you might need, and the area's not too bad.

Might be worth a look.

Bob

[SinCityModern]

Check with an realtor to see if they cant get you into University Crest Condos...rents can be had there relatively inexpensively, well maintained and literally across the street from UNLV.

[gopheralex]

Thanks for the advice. After some research, I've found a few places I'm interested in. Is the area on Flamingo between Eastern Ave. & McLeod Ave. OK? Also looking in the area between Flamingo & Tropicana 1-2 miles west of the strip.

I realize it's probably a stupid question, but I still don't know exactly what the best way to secure a place is. I guess I should make some appointments, fly in, and look at a few places. If I find one I like, would it be possible to sign a lease on the spot and move in without flying home? Granted I would have only a suitcase while I wait for my things to arrive in a pod. I was never very good with logistics. Any advice from people who have moved out of state on short notice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Chest Rockwell]

Is the area on Flamingo between Eastern Ave. & McLeod Ave. OK? Also looking in the area between Flamingo & Tropicana 1-2 miles west of the strip.

If you're biking or bussing, you'd be better off with the east side location. It's close to grocery stores (Food for Less on Flamingo/Pecos and Smiths on Flamingo/Sandhill) and the commute will be much easier because you don't have to cross the strip. Harmon is a safer route to take on a bike than Flamingo. I think I know which apartments you're considering, and they are pretty nice. The Falls? I think that's the name. West of the strip, there isn't any shopping until Jones, which is quite a ways from the University.

University Crest, mentioned earlier, is a really nice little community next to campus. As far as leasing a place goes, you should be able to secure everything from home, provided you get enough pictures and do a little research online. The nice thing about renting a condo is that you can have a realtor do the leg work for you.