[Buzz123]

Get used to driving longer distances than you are used to. It's really a matter of terrain. There are no natural obstacles to get around so western cities are spread out. Our cities are easy to maneuver. It's a grid on a flat plane, not winding roads through the country side. We think nothing of driving from one end of town to another to see a particular doctor, or pick up a bushel of green chiles at a Henderson Albertson's. Nor do we think anything of driving 65 miles to Pahrump to have lunch at The Winery, or 80 miles to China Ranch Date Farm for a date milkshake.

I've never been to Madison, but I can promise you, our roads are a whole lot better than what you are used to; and pretty soon you will just get used to driving everywhere. Right now, you are used to everything being compacted into a small, congested, pot hole plagued, freezing a**ed cold, area. Not like that here. You will find that kind of freedom, freedom to spread your wings, and breathe, and get away from people, and not having to shovel sunshine, is very refreshing.

Now, when you get here, please do not ever, ever, say, "That's not the way we do it in Wisconsin." The way we do it here is the reason why you are coming here. Remember, when in Rome....

[SportyandMisty]

It seems to me the toughest part of the requirements is the rent.

Just how big a house or townhouse do you need? How small can you go to fit the budget?

[rmwoods34]

Originally Posted by SportyandMisty

It seems to me the toughest part of the requirements is the rent.

Just how big a house or townhouse do you need? How small can you go to fit the budget?

We're not looking for anything too large. Two bedrooms, maybe three if we can swing it but it's certainly not necessary. We've lived in apartments for the past six years so mostly we're just ready to not have neighbors completely on top of us. Plus, we'd just like a little extra space.

[henderson702]

Originally Posted by qingguy

We were in your shoes in 2012 (except with an 11 yo son). Moved here in July, rented a 4/3 home in 89130 for around $1,800 a mo (there are cheaper) and toured neighborhoods while we lived here. We landed in 89131. It's a bit further out than most want, but that's exactly what we like about it. Also, we have decent dining and entertainment options all within 5 - 10 minutes from our home.

Prices are still pretty good vs. other areas. My realtor told us that a similar home to ours in Summerlin with small gated community (18 homes) with the lot we have would be at least $100,000+ more than what we paid.

I think everyone is going to say, "our neighborhood is the best." My point is, I think you have a good plan waiting a year and looking around. Others will say why waste the money on rent. I can tell you why and it cost me dearly, we HATED, HATED the neighborhood we rented in. I cannot imagine having bought a home there and being stuck. When I said it cost me dearly, the home we ended-up purchasing sold for $120,000 less in July of 2012 than I paid for it in August of 2013 and even with that $120,000 OUCH I'm glad we rented. Who would have thought the market would rebound that fast in 12 months . . . my point its, I don't think you're going to have that type of exposure, maybe 5-8% depending on where you buy, but in my opinion it's worth not living in an area that you're going to regret. My .02.

So take a look in the area south of Decatur and North of Grand Teton, it's pretty nice up here.

EDIT - I didn't mean to minimize the price increase = equity gain I would have realized if I'd purchased in 2012 vs 2013, trust me, would I have loved to had that type of equity swing and sold it a year later, hell yea. However the net with improvements that needed to be made, realtor commissions on the sale, closing costs etc. would have eaten a lot of the gains. Just didn't want to minimize that type of money.

89131 is a great area, no doubt. Probably the most under-rated area in Vegas, because its quiet and there is good value for your money.

Green Valley is excellent. Southern Highlands is excellent. Of course, Summerlin is excellent. I like it in that order. Green Valley is Henderson, so you have a better quality there in my opinion. Southern Highlands is a mix, but very good. Close to LA also, which is a nice perk when you want to get away. Summerlin, you can't go wrong...but I just don't like it because there seems to be more snobs that way.

[Merrily Gather]

It sounds like you're in a similar boat as my husband and I. Except we're limited to where we can live due to his work.

Green Valley, Summerlin and Henderson are all some of the nicest places to live but it sounds like you're having trouble finding places there.

I like the corner of Charleston and Rampart. It's close to Summerlin and has four corners of shopping from high end to moderate.

I think someone already mentioned it but I've also become a recent fan of Trop/Jones area in Spring Valley. It gets nicer the further West you go on Tropicana, and I was surprised at how much they have down there in that area when we explored it.

There is also an area called The Lakes. I think it's between Sahara and Desert Inn Road because I've seen a lot of complexes with the Lakes added to it's name there and they're all nice and in that price range. That area is more spread out though. A cursory glance at Zillow shows me they have homes for rent there in your price range.

In the NW near Buffalo/Washington there is a part of Summerlin that they call The Pueblo that looks like it also has some homes in your price range. It's the area of Summerlin that sticks out east of Rampart and is between Lake Mead and Vegas Dr. and borders at Buffalo. It has lots of amenities across the street on Buffalo, and along Lake Mead, and 5 parks within a mile. If you have a car there are a lot more amenities within a couple blocks of there.

[OmegaSupreme]

anywhere near red rock casino / downtown summerlin

[Grumpypotpie]

I'm coming out for a job interview in a couple weeks and I want to scout out some locations myself. Does anyone know anything about 89002 in Henderson?

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by Grumpypotpie

I'm coming out for a job interview in a couple weeks and I want to scout out some locations myself. Does anyone know anything about 89002 in Henderson?

I REALLY like that zip code, it's just a bit too far out for us. The houses up at the end of Horizon Ridge are great! Views are great, everything is great. If you're on the East side of that zip code, not so much. Stay W, and you're golden. Easy access to the 95..

[EA]

Originally Posted by yellowsnow

I live in 89121.

I used to live there, now I am 2 miles away in 89122. There has been one fiesta that found it's music lofting into my home, but they shut it down at 8pm. Other than that, I can not tell the difference between my neighborhood and the ones I installed cable in all over Summerlin, Henderson, Sun City, or any other part of Vegas. I'm 10 minutes from 215, and 5 minutes from 3 walmarts, 2 albertsons, smiths, starbucks, mcdonalds, several pizza places, just a lot of stuff.

[Scott456]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

.......Nor do we think anything of driving 65 miles to Pahrump to have lunch at The Winery, or 80 miles to China Ranch Date Farm for a date milkshake.
......

Speak for yourself !!