[ScoopLV]

Short answer, no. I wouldn't try to move here with $5,000. Even with a roommate, that won't last very long. Plan on spending your half of a $200-400 electric bill in the summer. First/last/security will eat up a big chunk of that grubstake when it comes time to find a place. And there's always life's little emergencies -- car repairs, for instance. And this is a city that prides itself on not having much of a social safety net.

And as everyone has said, unless you already have the kind of skills and experience Las Vegas is looking for, you'd better be young and very attractive.

[SoCalCpl2]

Eveyone keeps saying that the electric bills are waay high.. But we keep our a/c on 24/7 in Socal and do not have any wher enear the high bills....Is it really that much in Las Vegas???

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by SoCalCpl2

Eveyone keeps saying that the electric bills are waay high.. But we keep our a/c on 24/7 in Socal and do not have any wher enear the high bills....Is it really that much in Las Vegas???

It all depends on how big your place is. My bill is going to be approximately $75 dollars this month, and that is with keeping the A/C at 75 degrees 24/7.

[brucerby]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

It all depends on how big your place is. My bill is going to be approximately $75 dollars this month, and that is with keeping the A/C at 75 degrees 24/7.

Interesting...to me thats low. I'm in IL like the OP and I'll pay more than that in electric this month! (is yours for a house/apt? mind me asking?)

To the OP: I say, you're young and do have some savings, so why not try it now? I know others are giving you well-meaning advice, but what would be the great harm if you came out LV, lived with your friends, got a real take on what the city is like, and then made a longer term decision?

If you're there months, and can't even snag a server job, then you have personal proof how tough the jobs thing is...if you do get work and come to like other aspects of the town, then it may prove to be a good decision.

No one can predict how things will turn out for you....not even you.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

Short answer, no. I wouldn't try to move here with $5,000. Even with a roommate, that won't last very long. Plan on spending your half of a $200-400 electric bill in the summer. First/last/security will eat up a big chunk of that grubstake when it comes time to find a place. And there's always life's little emergencies -- car repairs, for instance. And this is a city that prides itself on not having much of a social safety net.

And as everyone has said, unless you already have the kind of skills and experience Las Vegas is looking for, you'd better be young and very attractive.

What exactly is a "social safety net?" And what cities have these?

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by brucerby

Interesting...to me thats low. I'm in IL like the OP and I'll pay more than that in electric this month! (is yours for a house/apt? mind me asking?)

440 square foot apartment

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

What exactly is a "social safety net?" And what cities have these?

1) Google it.

2) All the looney lefty cities. You know, the ones where a lot of people gripe about their high taxes while enjoying an excellent standard of living.

[LVNVTrucker]

And then don't forget that most jobs out here require some sort of permit or multiple permits before you can start working. Anything involving food including cashiers at fast food joints or restaurants or health care or massage/tattoo artists or even child care/adult care requires Health Cards, anything dealing with alcohol (including gas station 7-11 cashiers, waitresses) has to have a TAM Card, and then anything dealing with gaming requires a permit which I think is still called a Sheriffs Card (someone will correct me on this one) but is only available (I think) by a referral from your employer and requires background checks. Just about any driving job out here will require you to obtain a Nevada driver license. Of course all of this is not free, just about everything out here is pilfering money out of your pocket for this and that.

[Willy702]

Originally Posted by m73m95

Not being rude, but read up on the employment threads in this (Vegas) forum.

Even *those* jobs are hard to come by out here. The only people getting hired here either have exceptional skills/education in their desired field or look good in a thong, and knowing someone on the inside is almost a must. Tough times right now.

Again, not being rude. Just don't sugar coat things about moving out here. Vegas is on the rebound, but it will take longer here than other large cities around the country. Depending on your situation, it might be better for you to hold off for a couple years.

I don't think they are that hard to find, but if one doesn't have any experience in food service they won't just take you in and put you in a higher earning role. One of my tenants told me he left the Chili's he was working at because they were pressuring him to work double shifts because they couldn't find enough good people who could handle a big crowd. He was worried I'd somehow figure out he wasn't working and would want him out. He called 3 weeks later and said he had two new jobs and was making more than before.

[SoCalCpl2]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

It all depends on how big your place is. My bill is going to be approximately $75 dollars this month, and that is with keeping the A/C at 75 degrees 24/7.

Our place is 1325 sq ft and we keep the thermo at 70 - 72 depending.. Our highest bill was $164 and that;s with oru 3 little grandkids living with us and the lights or tv are never off for long....