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My family and I have kicked around the idea of moving to Clark Co. several times over the last year or so. We currently live in Maryland and are getting very tired of the taxes, the decline of our immediate area, and just several other factors including the weather. We have three boys under the age of 10 and would be keeping them in private school as they are now. I've been reading this forum for quite some time and realize that education is the one thing many gripe about in terms of why the Clark Co area isn't so great.
My questions/concerns are things more like, IS it essentially just like any other suburb, USA? We want to live in an area that our boys can make friends in the neighborhood and play, be kids, that sorta thing. Currently, we live about 30 minutes from their school and our neighborhood is mostly infant age to 3 years old. My oldest is 9 and 100% boy in the sense that he'd play outside all day every day and would love to have other kids to ride bikes with, play sports with...that sorta thing.
I've read a few times people mentioning on uninviting people are in the Vegas'ish area, or how transient the area is so there's a lack of friendships/relationships type of thing. Can any other families raising children in the area speak to this?
We love to go and do things road trip style! We do that often on the east coast and hop in the car and drive to NY, PA, DE, NC, TN...even FL! I love it. I thought the West coast would offer similar opportunities for my family. With cost of living being a little lower there, it would allow for more of those types of things. But, what are the trade offs? Is it easy/hard to find a good pediatrician? Or, ...I'm just guessing randomly here and would love to hear some feedback from other parents raising kids there because they WANT too. Not because their circumstance forces them too.
Water is a concern as well. I read enough literature about Vegas and the water issues that it concerns me. But I LOVE the landscape of the desert! I dislike how our current state is all about the free and reduced handout programs while my husband and I both work full time. Having said that, he's a marine vet and we're both currently employeed through the Fed. gov't. We WOULD NOT MOVE WITHOUT A JOB. We've both applied for several things out at Nellis in an attempt to stay with our current fed job status.
Lastly, we have a mastiff/pit mix rescue dog that's like a family member. I've experienced many ignorant remarks and behaviors due to the breed of dog we have. Are there major restrictions in Clark Co against the breed? Namely pits.
Sorry for the "dear journal" style approach but this has been something my husband and I have gone back and forth on. Lastly, I'm assuming from the threads I've read about drunk drivers and such that car insurance is pretty high there?
It's a lot like other cities I've been to outside of the strip area.
I have my family here, and I love it.
If your kids are already in private school, then they're already further ahead than a lot of kids, so I wouldn't worry about that.
Car insurance is high, real high. Mine tripled when I moved here. I have a spotless record, and I'm well over 25.
There are a lot of pit bulls in town, so yours should be fine.
There is an unbelievable number of things to do within a 4 hour drive of Las Vegas. Anything from 30 minutes to 4 hours, and you can essentially experience the entire country's worth of scenery.
The many forms of desert, Death Valley, Pahrump's dry lake bed, Red Rock canyon, dunes, etc.
A 40 minute drive north puts you in a pine forest up the side of a beautiful mountain, complete with it's own rustic lodging, and ski resort.
3-4 hours to the north west has you in the Sequoia National Park where you find yourself amongst trees that seem to defy physics, and rivals those of the Pacific north west.
4 hours west has you in the iconic Los Angeles, and the Pacific ocean, not to be confused with the specific ocean.
30 minutes east, and you'll be enjoying the lake Mead recreational area where you can boat, fish, swim, picnic, or any number of other things. A little further, puts you crossing the dam that played a role in getting us out of the great depression.
Keep going east for 3-4 more hours, and you'll be smack dab in the heart of the grand canyon, who's sights are too numerous to list here.
I could, quite literally, go on all day about the things to see within 4 hour's drive of here. I could, quite possibly, write just as much about what is, right here, in the city itself. There's a never ending plethora of things to do in, and around Las Vegas. I've been here 7 months, so far, I have logged 10,000 miles, and I still find new things to do, every day.
I keep a list on my phone of areas I discover, whilst working, to return to with the family.
My family and I have kicked around the idea of moving to Clark Co. several times over the last year or so. We currently live in Maryland and are getting very tired of the taxes, the decline of our immediate area, and just several other factors including the weather. We have three boys under the age of 10 and would be keeping them in private school as they are now. I've been reading this forum for quite some time and realize that education is the one thing many gripe about in terms of why the Clark Co area isn't so great.
My questions/concerns are things more like, IS it essentially just like any other suburb, USA? We want to live in an area that our boys can make friends in the neighborhood and play, be kids, that sorta thing. Currently, we live about 30 minutes from their school and our neighborhood is mostly infant age to 3 years old. My oldest is 9 and 100% boy in the sense that he'd play outside all day every day and would love to have other kids to ride bikes with, play sports with...that sorta thing.
I've read a few times people mentioning on uninviting people are in the Vegas'ish area, or how transient the area is so there's a lack of friendships/relationships type of thing. Can any other families raising children in the area speak to this?
We love to go and do things road trip style! We do that often on the east coast and hop in the car and drive to NY, PA, DE, NC, TN...even FL! I love it. I thought the West coast would offer similar opportunities for my family. With cost of living being a little lower there, it would allow for more of those types of things. But, what are the trade offs? Is it easy/hard to find a good pediatrician? Or, ...I'm just guessing randomly here and would love to hear some feedback from other parents raising kids there because they WANT too. Not because their circumstance forces them too.
Water is a concern as well. I read enough literature about Vegas and the water issues that it concerns me. But I LOVE the landscape of the desert! I dislike how our current state is all about the free and reduced handout programs while my husband and I both work full time. Having said that, he's a marine vet and we're both currently employeed through the Fed. gov't. We WOULD NOT MOVE WITHOUT A JOB. We've both applied for several things out at Nellis in an attempt to stay with our current fed job status.
Lastly, we have a mastiff/pit mix rescue dog that's like a family member. I've experienced many ignorant remarks and behaviors due to the breed of dog we have. Are there major restrictions in Clark Co against the breed? Namely pits.
Sorry for the "dear journal" style approach but this has been something my husband and I have gone back and forth on. Lastly, I'm assuming from the threads I've read about drunk drivers and such that car insurance is pretty high there?
Thanks in advance!!!!
Well, with your kids in private schools, that's the biggest hurdle to jump in Clark County. You don't have to live in Las Vegas either. There is Henderson, named one of the safest cities in the USA or North Las Vegas, Boulder City, etc. Many choices.
Yes, living in Clark County, in most areas, is very typical suburbs. Kids play outside sometimes, but in the heat of summer you'll not find a kid around until the sun goes down, unless they're in the pool. It's just too hot and sunny. If you're looking for a perfect type of neighborhood, where everyone has kids your age, get together for backyard BBQ's and stuff, you'll need to do due diligence. A lot of neighborhoods are NOT like this at all. Sometimes, you never see your neighbors.
Do research, we also have our fair share of pedophiles in neighborhoods as well. Check out the LVMPD website for offender locations when you settle on an area you like.
There's lots of places to go for road trips as the poster EA mentioned, great family fun and lots of natural desert landscapes.
I was raised here, my kids are raised here, no problems or concerns. But I am very aware of the negatives of living in a large spread out metropolis like Las Vegas.
I don't know where you're looking to settle in Clark County, we run the gamut of city living to rural living and everything in between. You need to come and see the layout of neighborhoods in order to find out if Clark County is even the place you want to move to. There are lots of other places in the country with desert type landscape, better weather and no water issues. You don't have to move to Clark County if you are worried about running out of water.
Your doggie's breed is not a big deal unless you choose to live in a HOA controlled community that has breed restrictions (not that many HOA's have breed restrictions). Again, research is essential.
Do a lot of research, take a trip here or two or three when you have zeroed in on an area you'd like to live. You'll do fine. Be aware, crime is everywhere, there are no guarantees of Utopia anywhere in Clark County, but with careful planning and plenty of research before moving you can come close enough
Blessed Be and good luck
Last edited by Kitchen Witch; 04-30-2014 at 10:06 AM..
Are there major restrictions in Clark Co against the breed? Namely pits.
If there are, then half the people at the dog park are breaking them. Pits are everywhere out here, along with huskies (I have no idea why a snow dog is so popular in the desert).
You're going to have to get used to something that you don't get as much of in Maryland. No, I'm not talking about blistering heat. I'm talking about freedom.
In Nevada, you don't have (many) people demanding that the government direct every decision they make. You don't have (many) people forcing their opinions on you through legislation. You do have a more "hands off" approach to governance, which is a Good Thingâ„¢. Live and let live is the attitude of the bulk of Nevadans, although that's changing as new transplants move in from more liberal areas where they're used to being told what to do.
Some people can't seem to manage their own lives without the legislative hand of government guiding their every move. Those people should stay away from Nevada.
Thanks everyone! So, I probably should have included, we've been several times over to "Vegas" and ventured off the strip each time. Personally, I loved it! Now, vacationing and living are two different things obviously. But, we actually got married out there and loved every minute of it!
Awesome to hear about the dog "issue". Here, pits are highly discriminated against thanks to their idiot owners. Lots of rescues advocating for them and of course, like swagger just posted, MD DID just "pass a law" telling the people that pits AREN'T inherently aggressive animals. Essentially the law breaks down to, you can't discriminate against a breed and you have to hold the owners responsible. Ironically, many people needed the gov't to tell them - it's ok. I get tired of the very things swagger was commenting on.
I'm a patriotic person, sure. I surely don't want people burning the flag and I think there's nothing wrong with our kids reciting the Pledge. However, I don't need the gov't making EVERY decision, taking ALL of my money, and the many things that go with that mentality. I'm a very live and let live kinda person myself as is my husband. We raise our children to be fair, free thinking individuals that respect authority. However, our area is getting SO liberal that you have to worry about offending everyone about everything. It's frustrating.
Glad to hear the input from others. I greatly appreciate it! I knew there was lots to do and places to see withing driving range but it's awesome to read the suggestions!
Kitchen Witch- do you have particular areas you'd recommend checking? And no worries, I'm a researcher- that's for sure!
Thanks everyone! So, I probably should have included, we've been several times over to "Vegas" and ventured off the strip each time. Personally, I loved it! Now, vacationing and living are two different things obviously. But, we actually got married out there and loved every minute of it!
Awesome to hear about the dog "issue". Here, pits are highly discriminated against thanks to their idiot owners. Lots of rescues advocating for them and of course, like swagger just posted, MD DID just "pass a law" telling the people that pits AREN'T inherently aggressive animals. Essentially the law breaks down to, you can't discriminate against a breed and you have to hold the owners responsible. Ironically, many people needed the gov't to tell them - it's ok. I get tired of the very things swagger was commenting on.
I'm a patriotic person, sure. I surely don't want people burning the flag and I think there's nothing wrong with our kids reciting the Pledge. However, I don't need the gov't making EVERY decision, taking ALL of my money, and the many things that go with that mentality. I'm a very live and let live kinda person myself as is my husband. We raise our children to be fair, free thinking individuals that respect authority. However, our area is getting SO liberal that you have to worry about offending everyone about everything. It's frustrating.
Glad to hear the input from others. I greatly appreciate it! I knew there was lots to do and places to see withing driving range but it's awesome to read the suggestions!
Kitchen Witch- do you have particular areas you'd recommend checking? And no worries, I'm a researcher- that's for sure!
There are lots of areas to look at in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson. Close proximity to the children's school would be best. Many lovely master planned communities plus nice neighborhoods NOT in master plans. Many to choose from.
Where will your kids be going to school and will you and your spouse be working, then myself and others can direct you to nice areas to look at that are convenient to both.
Well we found a school that we thought was most similar to what the kids are currently used to and also in our budget. It's the Green Valley Christian School. I'm totally open to other schools if someone has recommendations? But, doing my own research and talking to the school, it seemed most in line with what the kids are used to. I realize moving will be an up rooting of sorts for them, so if I can make it easier, I'd like too.
We're currently actively applying for jobs and so far, they've all been at Nellis. I'd prefer NOT to live around or near Nellis. Currently, I live 30 minutes from my children's school and then from their school it takes me another 50 minutes to get to work. While I'd like to NOT replicate that, it IS what I'm used to and am fine with, if it's what "has" to be in terms of a good school/good home location. So, just wanted to put that out there as well.
I'd prefer to live closer to my kids school for several reasons, but also because it allows them to make friends a bit easier.
I have a very close friend in Maryland. We write everyday. I am amazed at how much you pay there for what I call, just a basic house. Begin to look at the real estate sites and you will see what your money buys for you here. If you currently have one of those basic houses; two story built like a box, primarily frame, 8 rooms divided up into little areas among the square footage and selling for almost half a million, you will be blown away by what that price buys here. Also the amount of money you pay monthly for basics like utilities will stretch you 3 months out here.
Yes, car insurance is off the wall. There is 24/7 drinking. But with no state tax, the two tend to wash each other out. And property taxes are amazing. I only pay about $1900 a year on my 350K house.
If I were you living in that humid in the summer/freezing in the winter climate and had a family, I would not hesitate to head west.
Also forgot to mention, Summerlin is a wonderful area to consider. It is in the nw and has a well known private school called Meadows. Your drive to Nellis would take about 20 minutes at most. I think most people consider the area nicer than Green Valley, which is older, and you would be much closer to work.
OP is only looking for federal jobs but complaints about governments and her own state getting too liberal.
Why don't you and your husband look for a real job....meaning in a private sector?????? No you don't want that, you want all benefits working socialist Fed or Goverment job.
Unless you really must and have no other choice moving three kids to Las Vegas is idiotic, pathetic and insane.
I wouldn't raise my Dog in that disgusting desert toilet bowl.
Las Vegas is a magnet for dysfunctional individuals, criminals, shysters, liers, cheats, alcoholics, whores and etc.
No matter where you live in Clark County you will be surrounded with this people.
Our America is a beautiful country.
Why chose Las Vegas is beyond me.
If you like desert the go Phoenix or Albuquerque.
Las Vegas is NOT like any other city.....anyone who says it is is a lier and no to be trusted.
Good Luck
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