[Bigkel]

Here are some things to know about Las Vegas:

1. Watch your budget closely. If you like to gamble and cannot aford it you will quickly be out on the streets as soon as the landlord evicts you or banks repo your house.

2. Avoid driving down Las Vegas Blvd, Strip area. This street is generaly packed with cars and tourist. Instead use the back entrances like Koval ave and Dean Martin Ave.

3. People are naturally reserved here, this does not mean thay do not care and it is often mistaken as being rude. This reserve is a natural defence because this is a tough city to live in, the weaker one's leave almost as quick as they move here.

4. Be observant around you even when you think its safe in your own home. Las Vegas has alot of home invasions so invest in a safe or a saftey deposit box for valuables.

5. The Police force is over worked but efficent here, be respectful and you will have no problems with Metro.

6. North Las Vegas is the coolest part of the valley with nice homes. Green Valley is the nicest, with a private golf course. Las Vegas is now entering a phase where Highrise condos are starting to pop up.

7. Watch for Local discounts offered by Casinos for show you want to see, some casinos offer permentant local discounts that are significant. You can find them on there websites or just google it.

OUTDOORS
8. If your an outdoor type like me then you have to get a year pass for Red Rock. Red Rock year pass is only $20 and there are miles of trails out there to get lost on. The Wetlands park is free with nice trails you can jog on safely.

9. MT Charleston is close by if you like to ski or just want to take your family out to someplace different out of the city. They have real native trees not the short stubby ones you see in a front lawn.

WEATHER
10. Expect to pay high Electric bills in the summer Summer heat I have seen as high as 128 Degrees.

10.B Expect to pay much lower bills Fall, Winter and Spring. I can almost go 9 months out of the year without turning on my AC or Heat.

SPORTS
11. If you like sports Las Vegas is working on that, but the Area 51's are a Semi Pro team that is fun to watch. UNLV games are always entertaining and locals really support them.

11.B NASCAR events at the speedway are cool, come prepaired with your own food and snacks. Food is expencive out at the Speedway and there are no stores close by to restock.

FREEWAYS
12. Traffic can be a pain in the butt, the 215 Freeway is in various stages of construction.

13. The 15 Freeway is old and Narrow in places, with choke points at the 95 Freeway and 215 Freeway. Traffic after NASCAR Speedway events choke the 15 Freeway as its only a 2 lane until you get closer to downtown.

14. The 95 Freeway will take you accross town and the only choke point is at the 15 Freeway.

This is strictly my take on Las Vegas and if you have other views feel free to add to this. I am by no means the authority on Las Vegas living and each of you will have different experiances I'm sure.

[dynimagelv]

Many points well made.......a rep for that.....

[Matt Angry]

Originally Posted by Bigkel

6. North Las Vegas is the coolest part of the valley with nice homes. Green Valley is the nicest, with a private golf course

Your probably gonna get ripped on this.

Good stuff though.

[jfkIII]

Nice job...very unbiased.

[PinkString]

[quote=Bigkel;2670415]Here are some things to know about Las Vegas:

3. People are naturally reserved here, this does not mean thay do not care and it is often mistaken as being rude. This reserve is a natural defence because this is a tough city to live in, the weaker one's leave almost as quick as they move here.

4. Be observant around you even when you think its safe in your own home. Las Vegas has alot of home invasions so invest in a safe or a saftey deposit box for valuables.

6. North Las Vegas is the coolest part of the valley with nice homes. Green Valley is the nicest, with a private golf course. Las Vegas is now entering a phase where Highrise condos are starting to pop up.

WEATHER
10. Expect to pay high Electric bills in the summer Summer heat I have seen as high as 128 Degrees.

10.B Expect to pay much lower bills Fall, Winter and Spring. I can almost go 9 months out of the year without turning on my AC or Heat.

-------------------------------------------------------------

3 Some people are reserved, but the majority I have met are very nice and friendly. It depends on where you live in the valley I suppose.
Some of the snobbiest people I have found are in Summerlin. Some of the friendliest are on the East side and newer North las vegas.

4 Home invasions don't happen as much as some think. When they do happen, the media jumps on them and won't shut up about it until the next one come's along. It's the media's job to dwell on stories until we are sick of them. But always be careful, keep doors locked and garages closed. And keep the door from garage into the house locked at all times. And never open the door to anyone that you do not know. Especially at night.

6 I have to totally agree with you on this. It's not often that someone ripping into Vegas will say something positive about where I live. So thanks.

10 The temps usually don't climb to 128 and stay there. That's just a few days here and there around july-sept. It usually stays in the mid to upper teens in the hottest part of summer.

10B I don't use the heat at all from April to the end of October. Do use ceiling fans from late March to the middle of May. But a/c is in use from May to October. But I keep it at 82-83. Bills hover around $175 in the hottest months. For 1600sf.

[movingon2vegas]

I can't WAIT to experience Vegas first hand!!

[Buzz123]

Here are some more random thoughts on the subject:

1. The Las Vegas stereotype is just that...a stereotype used as a marketing tool since the 40's or 50's by the Las Vegas News Bureau, a part of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, an extension of the Chamber of Commerce (sort of), and controlled by the hotel publicity agents. Most of us gave up our jobs as Mafia hit-men and hookers when the mob was run out of town, and nobody actually lives in a hotel that I know of.

2. U-turns are legal unless posted otherwise.

3. Watch for sneaky "right turn only" lanes when approaching an intersection that you want to go straight through.

5. There is no 4.

6. Do NOT depend on road signs to get you into the correct lane far enough ahead of time for you to safely make your exit. In fact don't believe ANY road sign you happen to see.

7. 128º might be a stretch, but it does get hot. Fantastic Flea Market is only open Fri-Sun. The first weekend you are in town, go there and see Avi (booth next to the back door) for a really cool car sun shade that attach's to either side of your windshield and connects in the middle with Velcro. Then a few booths to his left, see the window tint guys. If you have good night vision get the darkest tint allowed by law. If you're like me and can't see, get a few shades lighter. But get those windows tinted at all cost.

8. Pull to the left and STOP for any approaching emergency vehicles coming from either direction. Then watch out for the guy behind you who will try to cut you off when you pull out again.

9. At one time Nevada had no maximum speed limit. This is no longer true even though it looks that way.

10. Carry water in your car at all times. Don't do as I do, do as I say.
Note: any water that has been in your car for a few hours in the summer will be boiling. Carry a few tea bags and use caution when drinking. (Summer is defined as anytime it is not January)

11. Do not gawk and point when you happen upon Jerry Lewis, Gladys Knight and her Pips, or some other well known stars in the super market. They gotta eat too.

12. Pedestrians have the right-of-way in a painted cross walk, or on a corner where one street meets another even if there are no crossing lines painted on the street, and only when they are there first and have stopped and looked both ways before proceeding. Pedestrians, especially those on the Strip, on Maryland Parkway, or on D Street, take this to mean they don't have to stop, look, and listen like their mom's taught them to do. In fact, moms and dads here will drag the whole family across the middle of the street with cars coming from all directions when the crosswalk is only another five steps away and has a traffic light.

I could think of more but now I gotta go pick up dog sh** in the back yard. Tomorrow is garbage day. Oh, that reminds me. We have garbage day twice a week. They have somehow figured it out so that your days always fall on the windiest days of the year. In fact you don't have to mark your calendar, all you have to do is watch the weather report. If it's windy...garbage day. If it's a huricane...recycle day.

[MomMom]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

Here are some more random thoughts on the subject:

1. The Las Vegas stereotype is just that...a stereotype used as a marketing tool since the 40's or 50's by the Las Vegas News Bureau, a part of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, an extension of the Chamber of Commerce (sort of), and controlled by the hotel publicity agents. Most of us gave up our jobs as Mafia hit-men and hookers when the mob was run out of town, and nobody actually lives in a hotel that I know of.

2. U-turns are legal unless posted otherwise.

3. Watch for sneaky "right turn only" lanes when approaching an intersection that you want to go straight through.

5. There is no 4.

6. Do NOT depend on road signs to get you into the correct lane far enough ahead of time for you to safely make your exit. In fact don't believe ANY road sign you happen to see.

7. 128º might be a stretch, but it does get hot. Fantastic Flea Market is only open Fri-Sun. The first weekend you are in town, go there and see Avi (booth next to the back door) for a really cool car sun shade that attach's to either side of your windshield and connects in the middle with Velcro. Then a few booths to his left, see the window tint guys. If you have good night vision get the darkest tint allowed by law. If you're like me and can't see, get a few shades lighter. But get those windows tinted at all cost.

8. Pull to the left and STOP for any approaching emergency vehicles coming from either direction. Then watch out for the guy behind you who will try to cut you off when you pull out again.

9. At one time Nevada had no maximum speed limit. This is no longer true even though it looks that way.

10. Carry water in your car at all times. Don't do as I do, do as I say.
Note: any water that has been in your car for a few hours in the summer will be boiling. Carry a few tea bags and use caution when drinking. (Summer is defined as anytime it is not January)

11. Do not gawk and point when you happen upon Jerry Lewis, Gladys Knight and her Pips, or some other well known stars in the super market. They gotta eat too.

12. Pedestrians have the right-of-way in a painted cross walk, or on a corner where one street meets another even if there are no crossing lines painted on the street, and only when they are there first and have stopped and looked both ways before proceeding. Pedestrians, especially those on the Strip, on Maryland Parkway, or on D Street, take this to mean they don't have to stop, look, and listen like their mom's taught them to do. In fact, moms and dads here will drag the whole family across the middle of the street with cars coming from all directions when the crosswalk is only another five steps away and has a traffic light.

I could think of more but now I gotta go pick up dog sh** in the back yard. Tomorrow is garbage day. Oh, that reminds me. We have garbage day twice a week. They have somehow figured it out so that your days always fall on the windiest days of the year. In fact you don't have to mark your calendar, all you have to do is watch the weather report. If it's windy...garbage day. If it's a huricane...recycle day.

This was wonderfully amusing and I enjoyed reading it, thanks Buzz

[JenniferE]

I was told when moving out here to avoid living in North Las Vegas unless I knew exactly where to go.

[Slappy san]

Good stuff.