[ZBowen]

Hello All,

I have been navigating this site for the past 2 days and was hoping if I included some specifics then perhaps I could get some advice. I will be visiting Las Vegas next week,7/29 - 8/04, and have been trying to do as much research as possible in regards to finding an apartment to rent. I am 24 years old, single, male relocating from Ohio. I will be working at the downtown courthouse. I am looking for a studio or one bedroom apartment and willing to spend around $900 a month.

Would anyone suggest utilizing a realtor on my trip? I think it is more advantageous for me to rent for the 1st year I am there, do my own research and then present specifics to a realtor in regards to making a future purchase.

Are commutes and traffic so rough that I should be looking for a place downtown? I was considering the Ogden, City Center, or perhaps a few places on E. Desert Inn Rd. like the Country Club Towers, but worried about traffic surrounding the Convention Center and living Downtown. I have a friend that lives Southwest, would be a 20 minute commute for me to work, at Mosaic Apartments, but they have not had the best reviews. I am also considering somewhere relatively close to the District near Henderson, just from suggestions on similar threads for 20 somethings.

Any advice, suggestible searches for previous threads, or realtors interested please contact me. Thank you.

[NLVgal]

Downtown is being gentrified, but it's a slow process. I would avoid east DI unless you are going way east.
There is a poster here that describes the valley as a bowl, with the strip being at the center and all the desirable places at the outer edges of the bowl. I don't think that's bad information, although I would love to see downtown and the UNLV area make a comeback.

[annieosage]

Originally Posted by ZBowen

I have a friend that lives Southwest, would be a 20 minute commute for me to work, at Mosaic Apartments, but they have not had the best reviews. I am also considering somewhere relatively close to the District near Henderson, just from suggestions on similar threads for 20 somethings.

Any advice, suggestible searches for previous threads, or realtors interested please contact me. Thank you.

Funny I was just about to suggest the Mosaic Apartments. My daughter lives there and she loves it. They are pricey but clean and she has never once had a bug problem. They provide little things for free like new air filters, light bulbs for the trac lighting, etc. It's close to the 215 freeway which can get you anywhere.

Does your friend like it?

ETA: Sometimes they throw pool parties with free food and drinks. One was a Hawaiian theme. Seems like a fun place to live.

[lv122]

The Ogden actually is downtown. That would be downtown living. Downtown Las Vegas is different than other cities. Smaller. Virtually no traffic to speak of. Run down in many parts. But there is a renewed sense of optimism about downtown's potential. Things are starting to change with some new restaurants and bars already in place. East Freemont has a small but lively (and growing) bar scene. Zappos will be moving their operations from Henderson to downtown soon. Google Tony Hsieh (CEO of Zappos) and his vision for downtown for more info.

The country club is behind the strip- not downtown but central. It would be a very quick drive to the courthouse. There basically is no traffic to be concerned about, convention or otherwise. The area inside the country club is very nice. Some of the surrounding neighborhoods are less desirable. There are some condos that were apt conversions that would be in your price range. Less of a young crowd but a convenient and quiet location.

You could live in Henderson and drive. A longer commute but not nearly as bad as compared to other cities.

Other condos I can think of are south of the strip: Park Ave, Manhattan, Boca Raton, Las Vegas One. These also require a commute. Some of these condos have a younger crowd and are in your price range. There isn't that much to do in the immediate vicinity (South Point casino, some local bars).

Finally, if you're considering Henderson then Summerlin naturally comes up. Plenty of condos in your price range as well. Another nice suburban area requiring a commute. More shopping and amenities than the condos south of the strip.

[lvoc]

Big problem will be price. Ogden starts at $1200...Country Club Towers starts at $1000 and often has none of the less expensive units. Might get into Village Green in LVCC for under $900.

Likely too low for the nicer places in Summerlin or Green Valley Ranch.

Could do OK in the places just outside of Summerlin or GVR or SW. For younger population Silverado 89123.

[ZBowen]

Originally Posted by annieosage

Funny I was just about to suggest the Mosaic Apartments. My daughter lives there and she loves it. They are pricey but clean and she has never once had a bug problem. They provide little things for free like new air filters, light bulbs for the trac lighting, etc. It's close to the 215 freeway which can get you anywhere.

Does your friend like it?

ETA: Sometimes they throw pool parties with free food and drinks. One was a Hawaiian theme. Seems like a fun place to live.

Yes she loves it there as well and recommended them to me. I have an appointment Tuesday regarding a 1 bedroom for around $820.00 a month. The leasing consultant reiterated the same regarding location and how close Mosaic is to the 215. Thanks for the reply.

[ZBowen]

Downtown Las Vegas sounds similar to the situation we are experiencing in Youngstown, Ohio. A lot of focus on reviving downtown and the surrounding areas, especially Youngstown State University.

Been tough to get a read on downtown living, every apartment leasing consultant expresses how bad it would be and to avoid living downtown, but I am taking it with a grain of salt. Unfortunately the Ogden is fully occupied and somewhat out of my prince range.

Thank you for the suggestions. I will be contacting several of the places recommended south of the strip and looking into Summerlin and Silverado. Seems as though the District near Henderson is popular from what I can gather from previous threads.

Any recommendations regarding a realtor would be greatly appreciated and again thank you for the replies.

[Coco6163]

I know Downtown Youngstown, and Downtown Las Vegas, you are no Youngstown.

If you are comfortable living in an environment like Downtown Y'town, you will be comfortable and probably really like living in downtown Las Vegas. There is a LOT more happening there, and the rough parts are no worse than Y'town's rough areas.

Definitely check out Summerlin. It is a big area, but one to look at closely within Summerlin is boca park. boca Park is a shopping district, but there are nice condos on that area.

I lived for a while in a condo development known as Bella Vista. It is directly across the street from the District. I HiGHLY recommend it. You will have a longer commute, but it should not be intolerable. I would plan for a 40-45 minute trip during rush hour. Bella Vista is almost certainly in your price range. It is not a fancy place, but it has a couple of swimming pools and a clubhouse for amenities. most of all, however, it has a location second to none for living conveniences nearby.

[lvoc]

If he wishes to commute that far he can do a number of places. I don't see the District as terribly desirable to young people...you need some substantial funds to enjoy it and it is not a place where the young congregate.

The particular property is pretty nice. It is a condo conversion but otherwise well located and in reasonable shape. He is marginal on costs...maybe one in four of those units go under 1000.

The near Summerlin would also work. Buffalo and Vegas. Buffalo and Lake Mead. Or Centennial Hills. And I would still think about Silverado Though the first two give a better commute.

[LacedButterfly]

When you are at the place next to the free way, make sure to open the windows/doors there (If you're the type of person that likes to have them open). To see how loud it is. My mom lives next to a free way here, and it's not too bad when the place is closed up, but if she starts opening the windows and stuff it gets pretty loud. This way you'll be able to see how loud it is and decide if you can live with it.

Some of these are nice places we're going to be looking at too, I'm 25 and have a similar budget so it has been helpful. Thanks!