Wanting to move to Las Vegas (Blue Diamond: job market, neighborhoods, casinos)

cn1221 · 11-25-2007, 02:42 AM

I'm thinking of Las vegas for its sunny weather. The weather here in Oregon is too rainy and I look forward to moving to the desert. Im going to be looking for jobs in accounting in the area. Is the job market good for accountants in Las Vegas? Also is outdoor stuff like biking and hiking good in Las Vegas?

Doug17 · 11-25-2007, 09:32 AM

The job market is solid here, but I can't speak specifically for the accounting field. People are surprised to learn just how many outdoor activities there are here. The 3 primary areas of interest are Red Rock Canyon & Mt. Charleston (both on west side) and Lake Mead (southeast). While you will get all the sun you can handle, the trade off is that outdoor activities are tough in July & August. There will also be bike trails built into many neighborhoods, so check that out in advance.

ackackack · 11-25-2007, 11:37 PM

I'd suggest that you look into government, local and state, as well as the utilities and the casinos. Althought there probably are not a lot of them available, they do pay a very good wage. Now, as for the outdoor activities. I can't imagine a person coming from Oregon and liking what Las Vegas has to offer. Sure the constant sun is nice, but when it is hot and dry, you will likely find yourself doing very little outdoors. This place is not remotely bicycle friendly, especially compared to Oregon. Cars don't care about you or your rights, so be extremely careful. The typical driver here goes very fast, does not yield to you, and doesn't slow down when the see you on the shoulder. I don't ride on pavement here, anywhere, because I'm too stressed out. There are trails, but I'd recommend driving to them with bike in tow, then using the off-road bike trails in places like Red Rock Canyon, Mt. Charleston, or Blue Diamond, to name a few. There are plenty of good off-road trails in those areas to ride on that you can use most of the year.

guinnessjim · 11-26-2007, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ackackack

Now, as for the outdoor activities. I can't imagine a person coming from Oregon and liking what Las Vegas has to offer. Sure the constant sun is nice, but when it is hot and dry, you will likely find yourself doing very little outdoors

gotta disagree w/ you here ack. i agree that OR has great outdoor stuff (esp. whitewater...man, i miss boating), but there is a lot to offer outdoors here. you hit the high country when it is hot and dry...spring mountains top out at almost 12K (there is some snow on charleston now...saw it when i was out hiking today). many hikes start at >8000', well above the brutal desert heat below. and once the sun goes behind the mts, i know people who mtb all summer (i didn't get my bike up and running until Oct, so i can only relate what my riding buddies tell me here). in fact, i went night riding w/ them the other night..awesome. the desert at night is pretty cool (not being punny

). and i hear it is much more active during the summer months.

so, cnn1221, it depends on what you like to do outside...for me, the outdoor life here is great (except for the no whitewater). and the proximity of it to the city is better than any other large city i have ever lived in.

from my door:
30 min to bootleg canyon (great mtb trails)
30 min to redrock area (great desert/canyon hiking)
45 min to cottonwood canyon area (mtb)
60 min to many places in the spring mts (higher elevation hiking and biking)
60 min to the north side of lake mead (far fewer people here, good places to camp and let the dogs swim)

you expand the radius by a few hours and you can go from death valley to brian head.

vegas really suits some of us...others, not so much. it all depends what you are looking for.

ackackack · 11-26-2007, 12:29 AM

Guinness, I agree with your post, but compared to Oregon's outdoors, Las Vegas doesn't stack up well. I've spent plenty of time in Eugene and Portland, and there are loads of riding oportunities that begin when you walk out your front door. The point to my post was that in order to enjoy biking the outdoors here, you will likely be doing it all with bike in tow. I have never gotten used to riding in the summer heat, even in the higher elevations. I especially get tired of having to pack up my stuff and travel to somewhere cooler, and don't do it at all anymore.

guinnessjim · 11-26-2007, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ackackack

Guinness, I agree with your post, but compared to Oregon's outdoors, Las Vegas doesn't stack up well. I've spent plenty of time in Eugene and Portland, and there are loads of riding oportunities that begin when you walk out your front door. The point to my post was that in order to enjoy biking the outdoors here, you will likely be doing it all with bike in tow. I have never gotten used to riding in the summer heat, even in the higher elevations. I especially get tired of having to pack up my stuff and travel to somewhere cooler, and don't do it at all anymore.

yeah, i know what you mean about the abundance in OR, but i am referring primarily to mountain biking and w/r to not liking what LV has to offer ...i don't know OR well at all, but i am willing to bet that many ppl there would be happy w/ awesome mtb trails w/in a 30-60 min drive....and by awesome i mean great views, challenging trails, good variety of terrain, etc. biking out here has a different feel from many of the other places i have rode...personally, i kinda like the isolation of it (much of what i rode in CA or WI was fairly well utilized = crowds)...that and biking in the summer in LA (used to ride up brown mt road and down el prieto several times a week...T = 95+F) kinda prepared me for 'hot riding'...a 100oz camelbak is key!

i agree that biking on the 'city' streets would be unpleasant, but haven't i seen bike lanes out in summerlin or down in the southern highlands? (not that it would get much use in the summer)..could be wrong on that though.

cn1221 · 11-26-2007, 03:01 PM

This time of year in Oregon its 40F and too cold to bike. Im sure the Vegas weather is better for biking right now. So its either 4 months of cold weather in Oregon or 4 months of hot weather in Vegas during the summer. Portland has mountain biking trails but you also have to drive 30 min to an hour to get to the trails. Although Portland is more bicycle friendly there have been accidents with bikes and cars in Portland and I wouldnt want to bike around a big city.

guinnessjim · 11-26-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn1221

This time of year in Oregon its 40F and too cold to bike. Im sure the Vegas weather is better for biking right now. So its either 4 months of cold weather in Oregon or 4 months of hot weather in Vegas during the summer. Portland has mountain biking trails but you also have to drive 30 min to an hour to get to the trails. Although Portland is more bicycle friendly there have been accidents with bikes and cars in Portland and I wouldnt want to bike around a big city.

it is cold here now at night also (pbby in the or close to the 40s) but the days are still sunny and, although cooler (60's), the riding is still fine. i wear gloves now, but the exercise of riding keeps the rest warm.