[Rapp5]

Thanks Nolan! I appreciate all the input. I was wondering about the whole "only bowling alleys through Casino" comment...thanks for clarifying. Sounds like a great place to be active and get the kids out. Our twins have asthma so I've often wondered if the heat would be a problem for them. But, I tend to think if it was going to be- humidity would be a bigger indicator of heat being an issue. But, knock on wood, they've done AWESOME this summer and the last stretch of time here in MD has been down right disgusting!!!

[bigt2079]

At the risk of offending someone, I'd recommend avoiding the NE corner of town (close to the Air Force Base) and most of the East Side. It's just not very nice, and there's no way I'd want my kids growing up there. I visited the area daily for nearly 9 years, and it left much to be desired.

[gbpakrfan]

Originally Posted by bigt2079

At the risk of offending someone, I'd recommend avoiding the NE corner of town (close to the Air Force Base) and most of the East Side. It's just not very nice, and there's no way I'd want my kids growing up there. I visited the area daily for nearly 9 years, and it left much to be desired.

But she works in Suitland, MD. Having lived in the DC area for 10 years, and having spent a fair amount of time in Vegas myself, I'm sure she would find just about any part of Vegas (with a few exceptions) better than Suitland.

[bigt2079]

Originally Posted by gbpakrfan

But she works in Suitland, MD. Having lived in the DC area for 10 years, and having spent a fair amount of time in Vegas myself, I'm sure she would find just about any part of Vegas (with a few exceptions) better than Suitland.

I have no idea if she would or not, but if we're going to be honest with her, most of East Vegas is very trashy. The NE corner is awful, which is a shame considering the Air Force Base is there.

[Rapp5]

gbpakrfan- Suitland is trashy, nasty, and disgusting!!! If it weren't for the rod iron bars on the property I'm sure my car would be gone every day! I'd like to avoid that sort of area, thanks!

bigt2079- I appreciate the honesty. My turn not to offend anyone...but in my short experience, most areas where there are bases, sadly, are run down, old, or not very safe.

[momofcrawler]

Originally Posted by Rapp5

Our twins have asthma so I've often wondered if the heat would be a problem for them. But, I tend to think if it was going to be- humidity would be a bigger indicator of heat being an issue. But, knock on wood, they've done AWESOME this summer and the last stretch of time here in MD has been down right disgusting!!!

The big problem in LV for people with asthma is dust. We are an incredibly dusty city and the winds can be intense, especially in summer. However, I have at least two friends who have kids with asthma and they certainly manage.

[Rapp5]

Oh, good point! I honestly never thought about it that way. Knock on wood- their asthma has moved to being "seasonal" so I was hoping it would be different elsewhere after an adjustment period? But dust might be a problem. Thanks for the insight.

I think I just worry a bit after reading so much online about LV. The "media" would paint the place as a crime infested, lock your doors, bar your windows, ghost town of a place. Meanwhile, several people have private messaged me and rave about how wonderful their area is for families and how much they love it. What gives?!

[bigt2079]

Originally Posted by Rapp5

gbpakrfan- Suitland is trashy, nasty, and disgusting!!! If it weren't for the rod iron bars on the property I'm sure my car would be gone every day! I'd like to avoid that sort of area, thanks!

bigt2079- I appreciate the honesty. My turn not to offend anyone...but in my short experience, most areas where there are bases, sadly, are run down, old, or not very safe.

I have to sadly agree. I hear it's different in Phoenix, and it looked different in OKC (granted, I merely drove by), but those are the only exceptions I'm aware of.

[WestieJeff]

I grew up in Henderson and was the kid always having to walk through the casinos to go to the movies or eat. Nothing kills the lure of gambling like being surrounded by it your whole life. None of my friends that grew up here are remotely interested in video poker or anything like that. Some will play table games, but that's because they enjoy the game, not because they are addicted to gambling. My friends who come up from CA tend to be far more interested in gambling. Just a counter opinion.

I'm surprised you would think Vegas has more materialism and greed than CA. OC is pretty much the materialism/greed mecca. I don't see it being any worse here than CA or practically any other metropolitan area in the USA.

I agree it's almost too hot to do anything from June-September. It didn't seem to stop us when we were kids though. I still rode my bike everywhere and spent a lot of time at the public pool. Most of my coworkers nowadays have pools and that's where their kids spend the majority of time in the summer.

People always complain about the heat, but I figure you can be hot part of the year, cold part of the year, or live in CA or Hawaii. Those are pretty much much your weather options in the USA

All that said, I love SoCal and would live there too if the economics of it worked out for me. I enjoy being able to take an occasional vacation and save money for retirement. I couldn't do that living in SoCal.

Originally Posted by Frank_Black

We are moving back to Southern California mainly due to a better lifestyle, greater diversity, the weather, proximity to family and friends, and of course the beach. In my opinion, it is a better place to raise our kids. I personally don't like the greedy and materialistic culture that is common in Vegas and don't wish to raise my kids in such a culture. As teenagers in CA, we would hang out at the beach and had many outdoor activities available to us year-round. Here, It is too hot 4 months of the year to do anything outdoors unless you want to hang out by the pool. You will see many deserted playgrounds in the summer months. My kids can not ride their bikes outside, because it is too hot in the summer. You will see many local teenagers hanging out on the strip, which in my opinion, is not the best environment for that age group. The casino/gambling culture is everywhere, even in the suburbs, like when you go to the supermarket or convenience stores. My 5 year old daughter asked me the other day at the supermarket if she could play with the slot machines. If you wanna take your kids to the movies or bowling, they are usually inside the casinos so you have to pass by all the gaming tables, slot machines, drunk people and smokers with your kids on your way to your destination. I think Vegas is a great place if you don't have kids and enjoy gambling, nightlife, shows and great restaurants geared toward adults.
This is my opinion of course, and you and others may see things differently. Good luck on your move!

[370z]

I was born & raised in So CA, moved to LV for 19 years & now back in So CA!! We mainly moved back because we lost our jobs in LV when the economy got bad. The only thing we miss about LV is the entertainment(we love to go listen to bands) & I didn't have any allergy/asthma problems there. I don't miss the heat. We live in the Banning, Beaumont/Cherry Valley area of CA, where you can get a very nice home for under $160,000. If I could afford San Diego , that's where I'd be! Can't beat the weather, but we do go there offen. Retrirement time is coming soon & don't know if we will stay here or move, thinking about East TN. But CA does have alot of retirement communities, expensive & inexpensive.People tell me not to go to TN because of the humidity & bugs!! So we shall see. All of our family lives in LV & CO, so TN would be rather far.
Anyway best of luck!