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Old 12-17-2008, 10:49 AM
 
5 posts, read 10,521 times
Reputation: 15

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Hello

I have gotten some responses from LVRJ board saying "Don't move here", 'the economy is bad', yada, yada, yada.........

My situation is as follows:

I have wanted to move to Vegas for a number of years now

I have saved around $7000 to make the move and have no or payment obligations and am very frugal with money

I am recently laid off and have no job prospects where I live (Oswego, NY).

I am sick and tired of all the snow. I live on the shore of Lake Ontario and we get hammered with lake-effect snow practically every day

I am considering a number of employment options including working in a casino as a dealer, bartender, or just about any job I could find
I am considering attending either PCI Dealers School so I can get an entry-level dealer job or National Bartending School to get a bartending job. I just don't know which would pay more or be more in demand. Both jobs would be fun to me.

I also have a perfect driving record (although currently do not own a vehicle) and would consider driving a taxi - I would have to assume the tips would be pretty decent out there since even around here on a Friday night cabbies can make $200 driving drunk college kids around, Vegas must be like that any night of the week.

I am aware of the transient problem and that many of the apartments in my price range are going to be in less desirable areas (Maryland Pkwy, Central, Stratosphere area, downtown, etc). I really don't care as it will only be temporary. Basically I just want to move there, find a job quickly, and then start networking and moving up.

As far as the not having a car thing, I would probably get one eventually, but I am okay with the bus for now and would move to a place within walking, bicycling distance or a short bus ride from work.

Once again, I know the economy is bad, but it is generally bad everywhere.

Any advice on living in LV, the employment situation, housing, etc would be appreciated. Also, any POSITIVE things about living there would be great.

Thanks
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Old 12-17-2008, 11:28 AM
 
Location: Las Vegas, NV
2,114 posts, read 2,324,395 times
Reputation: 3063
Default Moving

The employment situation is pretty rough. There was an article in yesterday's Las Vegas Review-Journal (the local newspaper) about a fast food restaurant (In-N-Out) that was hiring for a new restaurant. They expected to have around 1,000 applications for 50 jobs by the end of the application period. The writer said that one man even asked him for a job, and another asked a representative of the hotel where applications were being taken for a job. Many of the hotels are either standing pat or laying off, so this isn't a great time to try to get into the casino industry.

As far as living accommodations go, if you are planning on a temporary place consider one of the suites places. You rent by the week, utilities and telephone are provided and there is no lease. You will also get basic furniture (couch, chair, bed, TV and full kitchen). You can probably find one for close to the same price as an apartment in a bad area. We stayed at a Budget Suites when we first moved to town because construction wasn't finished on our house.

The bus network is extensive and runs 24-7. Many people in this city don't have cars. You might consider a bicycle to get you from your last stop to wherever you are going, as bus stops are not always close to your destination. The buses have bike racks on the front for this purpose.
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Old 12-17-2008, 12:36 PM
 
Location: South Strip, NV --> Philly (Fall 2009)
2,404 posts, read 10,651,984 times
Reputation: 637
do you have a link for that article? i would be interested to see it, or i probably have it in my living room from yesterday, lol...
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Old 12-17-2008, 12:47 PM
 
278 posts, read 1,081,154 times
Reputation: 98
Default here's the link from the Las Vegas Sun

A vast hunger for work at In-N-Out cattle call - Las Vegas Sun
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Old 12-17-2008, 01:21 PM
 
Location: LI ---> NYC ---> PHX/LV ---> ???
572 posts, read 1,679,056 times
Reputation: 246
Howdy! Good luck on the move (from a fellow NYer, 'cept I'm a downstater) - I've been up your way during winter.. yikes! I'd move too!

First and foremost, if you are looking to get a job either bartending or dealing, there are certain cards and permits that you need to obtain. Tam Card - Health Card - Sheriff's Cards Las Vegas Casino jobs Health cards and TAM cards are required for working in bars and restaurants, gaming cards if you work in a casino in a dealer position. Unfortunately, from what I gather, these jobs are not the easiest to obtain, but my info. maybe a little outdate at this point.

As for driving a cab, I'm going to assume that there is some sort of licensing required for that.. check here Nevada DMV New Resident Guide That link will also be helpful in you yourself getting your licensing switched over (which you have to do within 30 days of moving to the state of Nevada.. as many here will say, please do it, save yoursel fthe headache).

Employment is rough, that's a given, it's rough here in NY as well (and everywhere for that matter). The outlook used to be to have enough money saved up to last for 6 months... might think to bring a little more at this point. If you think that you can live on that amount of money for a while, or at least until you find something, then go for it. Although cost of living is a lot less out there than other places, you might find your money going a bit quicker than you would have liked.

Last suggestion. If you are planning on going to a trade school, then by all means, get a job doing anything. Whatever will pay you a paycheck, and once you get that then you can move on from there.

Best of luck!
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Old 12-17-2008, 02:22 PM
 
1,966 posts, read 4,328,669 times
Reputation: 1090
If you are going to trade school, make sure you do your research on all the schools. My wife is going to one of the dealer schools which has a stellar reputation (featured on travel channel), got certified in BJ and as of last week got hired as an "on-call" dealer for one of the smaller casinos. She is presently going to get certified as roulette and craps which will only give her tremendous opportunity once things improve next year.

The best advice is to be patient. As others have correctly stated, things are getting very slow around here; however, there will be many opportunities opening very soon with Encore opening next week then M opening in March. Ask the schools who they are in contact with for job placement opportunities and get a time frame of turnaround from graduation to placement. You may have to add a few weeks given the economy.

Good luck in your search, we look forward to having you join us
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Old 12-17-2008, 02:33 PM
 
230 posts, read 882,610 times
Reputation: 88
Not trying to discourage you, but me an my fiance came out here with 20,000 and after 6 months are going home. We have used most of it (And no, we hardly EVER partied on the strip) and if we stay, we may end up using all of it and going home completely broke so we are cutting our losses.

We are both bartenders and I have been doing it for about 8 years now and have worked at some of the most prestigious venues in the country. Casino's hardly gave me a second glance because I had no "Vegas" experience, local taverns gave me no chance because I don't have "gaming" experience. I ended up landing a bartending job at non gaming restaurant and because of the slowing economy only get scheduled 1-2 days and when I do work, make under 20.00 in tips. I took on a second job doing hair (I am also a hairdresser) and to my dismay found the same thing. 2 days a week and I am lucky to get 2 clients a day...

Like I said, I am not trying to discourage you because when I first decided to move here, I used to get really upset with all the negative posts saying, don't do it. I am trying to give you realistic food for thought. I was very determined to make this move work but what I have come to realize is that Vegas is just not right for me. It is almost as if employers expect you to come out to Vegas and live for 6 months before even considering you for employment. People leave suddenly because they can't find work yet employers are loathe to consider anyone new to the area... It's a cycle that is can be very frustrating. Having a network helps but only so far as we came out here knowing a gal who is VERY well connected to the nightlife scene and even works for the 9ine group. Sure she introduced us to a lot of people who could help and indeed they did end up helping my boyfriend get into a great venue but he has been lucky to work 4 days a month. I'm sure if we stuck it out another year things would turn around but we have become fed up. We are both hard working mid-western folks. LOL

Even though the tone of this post may seem negative I really just wanted to give you a realistic picture of what my personal experience has been seeing that you will be looking into the same lines of work. A couple things to think about:
1.) 7,000 will go faster than you think even if your rent is cheap(er) as electricity here is SO much higher than back east
2.) Employers here will not hire a bartender just because you went to bartending school, they require you to have real life experience and most want real life "Vegas" experience (Which is not really real-life IMO)
3.) You will spend about 150.00 getting all the cards you need to work in the service industry
4.) There is a 3rd card you need (Sherriff's) that you can only obtain until an employer sign's a release for you to get it. (CATCH 22, not many places will even consider you unless you have this card already) This card is for the gaming aspects of bartending
5.) Casino jobs are one of the toughest jobs to get into here and are far from quick to land (You will go on 4-6 interviews prior to the background and drug screening) I was on interview #5 at the new M casino when I decided to hightail it out of here.

I don't have any experience with dealing so the others can help with that one. Maybe that is a little easier...

Having said all that, I really wish you the best of luck and I hope you make it work for yourself. It is possible if you are determined enough and really want it enough....
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Old 12-17-2008, 02:39 PM
 
Location: Louisiana
157 posts, read 558,408 times
Reputation: 50
Quote:
Originally Posted by vegasNut View Post
Hello

I have gotten some responses from LVRJ board saying "Don't move here", 'the economy is bad', yada, yada, yada.........

My situation is as follows:

I have wanted to move to Vegas for a number of years now

I have saved around $7000 to make the move and have no or payment obligations and am very frugal with money

I am recently laid off and have no job prospects where I live (Oswego, NY).

I am sick and tired of all the snow. I live on the shore of Lake Ontario and we get hammered with lake-effect snow practically every day

I am considering a number of employment options including working in a casino as a dealer, bartender, or just about any job I could find
I am considering attending either PCI Dealers School so I can get an entry-level dealer job or National Bartending School to get a bartending job. I just don't know which would pay more or be more in demand. Both jobs would be fun to me.

I also have a perfect driving record (although currently do not own a vehicle) and would consider driving a taxi - I would have to assume the tips would be pretty decent out there since even around here on a Friday night cabbies can make $200 driving drunk college kids around, Vegas must be like that any night of the week.

I am aware of the transient problem and that many of the apartments in my price range are going to be in less desirable areas (Maryland Pkwy, Central, Stratosphere area, downtown, etc). I really don't care as it will only be temporary. Basically I just want to move there, find a job quickly, and then start networking and moving up.

As far as the not having a car thing, I would probably get one eventually, but I am okay with the bus for now and would move to a place within walking, bicycling distance or a short bus ride from work.

Once again, I know the economy is bad, but it is generally bad everywhere.

Any advice on living in LV, the employment situation, housing, etc would be appreciated. Also, any POSITIVE things about living there would be great.

Thanks

If I were Young and able to relocate, I would look long and hard at where I went. Vegas is nifty but not if you are flat broke after the move and can't get a job. I noticed on the Internet that Lafayette Louisiana was highly rated to live, close to New Orleans and has an unemployment rate of 2.5% It seems everyone there can find work. You are close to Houston, New Orleans, Baton Rouge and typically a nice climate vs the overbearing heat we have here.

Just do not pick a place and think you are going to find a job. Do some additional research. Lots of great cities to move to. How about Charlotte or the Carolinas. Nice area plus Atlanta is doing well.

The DFW area is a good place and if you are in your 20's or 30;s Austin is a great place to live. Wages there though are lower due to college kids working cheap.
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Old 12-17-2008, 02:52 PM
 
Location: Here and there, you decide.
12,908 posts, read 27,877,945 times
Reputation: 5050
didn't you just relocate here gorreegal?
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Old 12-17-2008, 03:01 PM
 
Location: state of enlightenment
2,403 posts, read 5,224,432 times
Reputation: 2500
Quote:
Originally Posted by Golfinnova View Post
If you are going to trade school, make sure you do your research on all the schools. My wife is going to one of the dealer schools which has a stellar reputation (featured on travel channel), got certified in BJ and as of last week got hired as an "on-call" dealer for one of the smaller casinos. She is presently going to get certified as roulette and craps which will only give her tremendous opportunity once things improve next year.
And what if things don't improve next year or the year after? People are in such denial. This isn't just a bad hangover. Things aren't going back to the way they were. This is a permanent decline. Vegas will be a shell of it's former self if not a ghost town in a few years for a variety of reasons. Vegas is such a perfect metaphor for the US. Living way beyond its resources and means collapse is inevitable. I'm sick of the snow & cold in upstate NY too but I'm staying put until the smoke clears and see where the cards fall before making a big commitment.
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