[southwest1230]

Are the people than post on these boards boosters or real estate agents in their respective towns? I see a lot of heavy comments about Vegas on other posts, actually most other posts, but the ones on here are overflowing with praise that would make the chamber of commerce blush....what gives?
Here are a few comments I found on other posts, so you see what I'm talking about....
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This is by far the worst, worst place to live. Very unsafe, High crime, low life people, gambling everywhere and the worst of all - no escape to anyplace else - to get out of town you must travel 225 miles through the mojave desert to get to Bakersfield of all places. You are stuck in the place - never, ever bring children here to live. Even the movies are inside the casinos, you cannot escape the gambling and, if you gamble, the place will eat you alive and spit you out. It's 100 degress at midnight; it never, cools down. It's a disaster of a city. April weather, 105 at 10:00 am. Everyone lives behind closed doors in air conditioning. Forget playing golf -- it's too hot. The twilight tee time rate is at 10:30 AM !
DO NOT MOVE HERE. Only safe living is for scorpions and desert tortoises.
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I am a semi-native of Las Vegas (grew up here, wasn't born here), and I am moving because I don't like what the city has become. It's expensive, crime is rising, the education stinks, and don't get me started on the Californians who move here in droves!

Las Vegas makes the top 5 on all of the worst lists (auto theft, crime, suicide, foreclosure rates, etc.) and the bottom 5 of all of the best lists (education, volunteerism). The only thing Las Vegas has going for it is its job growth, but many of those jobs are in the service industry (albeit for higher wages than you'd see for similar jobs in other markets). If you're a college-educated professional, don't be discouraged when you find out that the valet parker makes more money than you do!

So, I'm leaving Las Vegas in search for everything Las Vegas lacks: culture, compassion, sense of community, and moral values, to name a few.

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I have had the luxury of living many places....so I can compare and contrast Las Vegas to: San Diego, The Bay area, Phoenix, Pacific N.W., Texas, New York and Florida.

I came to Las Vegas for the housing affordability and tax structure in 2001. Housing as we all know has gone up considerably and the taxes keep increasing. Crime is Vegas continues to rise from the Cali. gang migration infulence.

Although, I've been fortunate to earn a good living while I've been here (Sales), the town leaves a lot to be desirecd when it comes to social life.

It's really one big tourist trap, with a lot of sprawl. Many of the surrounding burbs offer a high quality of life, but it's rather boring.

The only nightlife is at the casino club scene and caters to the 20-30 y.o./tourist crowd. Everthing else is a neigborhood pub with true locals few and far between!

I think it can be summed up by saying Las Vegas is a world class vacation get away experience, but the local lifestyle lacks: Culture, Charactor and Class!

Hmm., whats next?

JB

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[jfkIII]

While I agree with some things that are mentioned in your post...I have been convinced by other residents that LV is not for everyone...but is for some. Guinnessjim, for one, is a resident who has proven me wrong. Maybe if one is over 30, has a bunch of school-aged children and works in a technology-related field...LV is not the place for them. Maybe it's a combination of factors, rather than one or another, that makes LV the right (or wrong place) for certain people.

[Matt Angry]

Originally Posted by jfkIII

While I agree with some things that are mentioned in your post...I have been convinced by other residents that LV is not for everyone...but is for some. Guinnessjim, for one, is a resident who has proven me wrong. Maybe if one is over 30, has a bunch of school-aged children and works in a technology-related field...LV is not the place for them. Maybe it's a combination of factors, rather than one or another, that makes LV the right (or wrong place) for certain people.

Well said JFK, your coming around a bit, thats nice to see.

[WildWestDude]

I like LV.
Great sunny weather, 24/7 city, best shows and restaurants in the world.
Traffic volumes are high but we are getting to be a big city, close to 2 mil now.
If you enjoy the outdoors, LV was recently ranked #1 as a place to live for outdoor activities due to its geographical location. Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Zion Nat. Park are all half a day's drive away.

Is there lots of trash and transcients that move here? Yes, but you don't have to associate with them. Is LV a #10? . Maybe, when it was smaller and cheaper but now I would rank the city at least an #8.

If you have kids, you have to choose your schools.

Would rather live here than some 90% of the country......

just my .02 cents worth

[ByebyeVegas]

Yes, this is a town full of gambling,there are movie theaters in just about every casino, there is gang violence, and crime, and high traffic. Schools aren't the greatest and you are probably going to have a hard time finding a job outside of construction and the service industry.

These are all true of Vegas, but Vegas isn't a completly horrible place to live. Every place has its ups and downs.

Vegas has it's good points too. There is a wealth of outdoor activities, mountains, hiking, Lake Mead, Grand canyon, etc..

You get the benifit of a 24 hour town. Go grocery shopping at midnight if you want to.

There is always something to do here.

Is Vegas really that bad??? That really depends on you. I've been here 13 years and had my share of ups and downs. I am making plans to leave now as I have had my fill and I am ready for something new.

[southwest1230]

I think it works best, and prob always has worked best, for people looking for a change in their life, and looking to start over fresh. Lots of divorcees, out-of-work job seekers, seasonal hispanic laborers, folks with mid-life crisises or young retirees looking to get wild again, young folks not settled down quite yet looking for excitement....all that and more, and mostly related to a transient state in one's life. That's really not such a bad thing when you think about it.....what a great thing for a city somewhat isolated yet dynamic to offer a chance to start over again.....

[Bennysmom]

Originally Posted by southwest1230

I think it works best, and prob always has worked best, for people looking for a change in their life, and looking to start over fresh. Lots of divorcees, out-of-work job seekers, seasonal hispanic laborers, folks with mid-life crisises or young retirees looking to get wild again, young folks not settled down quite yet looking for excitement....all that and more, and mostly related to a transient state in one's life. That's really not such a bad thing when you think about it.....what a great thing for a city somewhat isolated yet dynamic to offer a chance to start over again.....

Oh so true! I don't think I could of explained that better myself.

[toyojo]

Originally Posted by jfkIII

and works in a technology-related field...LV is not the place for them.

since you mentioned it, how come ? im doing a double major in sotware programming, and resort management. and this uh.. kinda discouraged me lol.

but to answer the OP, there are a lot of really safe places here in vegas. i learned this when i went to my parents place in southern highlands. you can walk outside at night by yourself around the area and not really have to worry about anything. except for maybe the stupid kids who drag race and try to drift in the smiths parking lot other than that, i feel super safe in here. i left my doors unlocked and some windows open once in my truck and parked outside for a few days. (i also had a large amount of tools and parts in the back of my truck bed) and everything was left unharmed. here in socal, it would be a different story haha

[guinnessjim]

Originally Posted by jfkIII

While I agree with some things that are mentioned in your post...I have been convinced by other residents that LV is not for everyone...but is for some. Guinnessjim, for one, is a resident who has proven me wrong. Maybe if one is over 30, has a bunch of school-aged children and works in a technology-related field...LV is not the place for them. Maybe it's a combination of factors, rather than one or another, that makes LV the right (or wrong place) for certain people.

thx jfk ...again, it is what you make it (esp. in a city like LV). i think you are right w/ the combination theory...LV hits the right combination for me, mating 'city-life' (e.g., great restaurants, good night life, 24hour convenience) with 'outdoor-life' (e.g., hiking, biking, camping, etc.). i love the fact that i can do all of it in a day (esp. when i am working my tail off and only get a spare day now and again).

for the record, though...i am over thirty (just turned 35) and i do work in a technology related field.

i don't have kids, though i have some big goofy-a$$ dogs.

[jfkIII]

Meat Loaf: Two outta three ain't bad!