[Ulysses373]

I'm looking for some help on where I might be able to live in Las Vegas. I'm in a somewhat unique situation. I've searched through other threads about Las Vegas but couldn't find really what I was looking for.

I'm essentially retired at 32 because of a disability. I'm living near Chicago, but winters now really hamper my ability to do anything during those months and I'm looking to move somewhere where I can live permanently that has much milder winters. Heat really doesn't bother me, I lived in Texas for 6 years and it didn't affect me. I don't want to go back to Texas, and Florida doesn't interest me, so I've been trying to research areas in the southwest, looking primarily at Phoenix and Las Vegas since I like cities (CA is too expensive). I visited Las Vegas a couple of times about 8 years ago and was really impressed with how accessible the Strip was and really enjoyed being able to do pretty much anything.

Is it possible to live near the strip somewhat safely and perhaps inexpensively? I can afford a place that's about 200k and I need to buy so that I can modify the place to suit my needs, but it needs to be a ranch style/single floor or maybe condo (condos are more limiting on the modifications I can do). I don't need anything large, 800-900 square feet is fine for me. Is it possible to get something for that much within maybe 3 miles of the strip that is pretty good? It's just for me, and I don't care about jobs, schools or anything children related and the area doesn't need to be pristine, but safe enough that it would be ok walking to and from the strip at night. By safe I don't mean it has to be completely crime free, like I'm comfortable in Boston or NYC/Manhattan at night in most areas, it just shouldn't feel like I need to not be in that area.

If that isn't something that's feasible, are there any other areas nearby that might be good to look at? In a more generic area, all I'm looking for is some shopping to be within walking distance, like grocery stores or maybe a mall or something, maybe some bars. Like do any suburbs have their own little downtown type areas?

Thanks.

[ByebyeVegas]

If your last visit to Vegas was 8 years ago, it's time to visit again before you decide to just move here. Vegas undergoes a face lift about ever 5-10 years and the city is always growing and changing. Chances are Vegas today is a bit different than the last time you visited.

Also living next to the strip is not recommended. It's just not a great area. If you really want to be near the strip and can take public transit or have transportation of your own, stick to the west side and look at some neighborhoods off of some of the major streets like Tropicana, Flamingo, Desert Inn, etc... This way you can ride the bus or drive straight to the strip as you like with little trouble.

A basic rule of thumb here is the further away from the strip you get, (Usually), the nicer the neighborhoods are.

and please remember when considering a move to Vegas, there is more to this town than just "The Strip".

[lvkewlkid]

so you are saying that the South Strip is not recommended?


i believe that you will find what you want in the south strip area...

[olecapt]

There are areas around the strip that meet the spec. But I am not sure that the understanding is clear. The strip is quite large remember. From Sahara to Russel along Las Vegas Blvd is 4 miles or so.

Note though that basic services are difficult on the strip...there is no super market. Neighborhood services are limited and expensive.

There are places within a mile or two of the strip where you might find suitable dwellings. The area on Sahara just west of 15 for instance. And that has access to services and is within two miles of the strip at Sahara. But center strip is four or five miles away.

You may be able to pick up a condo or a small attached in the Las Vegas Country Club. That is directly behind the Hilton and has access to that area of the strip.

You might consider the area across from the Stratosphere. Well within three miles of Salhara and LV Blvd. and a neighborhood well suited to walking to pubs and whatever. It is a bit rough though gentrifying. MId Century housing.

Other possibilities.

Some areas of the south strip might work. And Silverado. Good strip access and good neighborhood services. Can't walk to the strip.

There are neighborhoods in Green Valley that have excellent access to the district oand the GV Ranch Casino. You can find a little house in there for around 200K.

The corner of Lake Mead and Buffalo has all required services and 100s of suitlable homes inside of three miles. Two Vegas class restaurants in the area.

Smoke Ranch and Rainbow might work. Lots of houses and even has a movie theatre.

There are likely a couple of similar places on the east side...but I lack the expertise there.

[Ulysses373]

Thanks for the detailed response, olecapt.

I reread my post and realize I didn't say one major detail. My condition is getting worse over time, so while I can drive now, I may not be able to drive in a few years, so I want to be in an area that I can reach most everything just getting around on the scooter I use. My scooter is larger than most, so it doesn't fit very well on public transportation lifts so that's generally out of the question. The scooter can go 10-20 miles, so if I'm within about 3 miles of the strip, I'd be able to cover the whole thing and still make it home. I do remember being able to find taxis that were accessible when I visited much easier than I had ever found anywhere else, so that could be an option if I'm further out.

I don't have my heart set on living in that area, I'm trying to narrow down where to look around for things I want. Since I'm not limited by a job or needing good schools or anything, it's hard to know where to begin to look. So if you think near the strip isn't really a good place to live, that's ok, I'll focus on other areas. I just want the area I live in to have a few things to do without needing to drive so I don't feel trapped.

I definitely will visit before deciding anything since I need to see for myself how things work with my condition, but it's nice to head there with an idea of what to look for.

[olecapt]

Thinking about it a couple of suggestions.

In a lot of ways LVCC would be ideal. You can easily hit the strip by scooter but you are in a well protected and very friendly environment.

The trouble is there are only a few dwellings there that will work. At the moment a grand total of one.

Green Valley Ranch would work. Trails exist which I beleive are scooter accessible. A dozen or more small homes available.

Centennial Hills would work. Lots of places with reasonable access to Durango where all the services are. That is basically north of 215 and west of Durango.

Lake Mead and Buffalo works. Access to the walks of Desert Shores and all services along Lake Mead and Buffalo.

Smoke Ranch and Rancho would work. Good neighborhood services to the north and south.

LVCC is the only place though that has easy strip access. You could find a suitable place on Sahara at Rancho but the strip access would be long and fraught with traffic and area problems.

[uncle_el]

olecapt, would the newer area just south of the strip work for him? i believe the area is going as town square, but not sure if that's an official or unofficial title.

[lvkewlkid]

the area is actually known as the south strip, which i think could work because it is less than ten miles, the only problem being is that there are no sidewalks on many parts of LVBS...and crossing it will kill you...

[olecapt]

Yup...as the kid says...Anything north of Russell is unlikely for the scooter. Need a four wheeler in places. It pretty much has to be mostly built out and relatively urban.

[guinnessjim]

i would suggest looking at the huntridge, marycrest, southridge area. they are downtown neighborhoods located a couple miles from the strip and downtown.

my guess is they would suit your needs pretty well...decent neighborhoods (some areas a little less than others, but some are really nice), close to stuff, almost all smaller, single story houses. you have two three chain supermarkets fairly close (2 albertsons and a smiths), a Filipino supermarket, and they are building a fresh and easy on charleston and eastern (hopefully it will last....that area is a bit more sketchy than the neighborhoods).

i think the price and location would be right. not being worried about schools for kids or a job makes things easier (although the location is perfect for me as it puts me only about 4 miles from my work). and personally i love living in that area.