[aggiewalk]

I was recently accepted to graduate school at UNLV. Can anyone tell me about going to school in Vegas and being able to focus while enrolled in a demanding program (law)?

I've been to Vegas and done the whole strip thing. I wont be going to Vegas to enjoy the night life and I feel I am past that point in my life. Been drunk before. Lost a lot of money in a casino before. But I know there is more to Vegas than the strip and once you spend time in Vegas for over a week you begin to go to other things in the city. Is it really a liveable city?

So tell me about the other sides of Vegas. Again, I am really questioning the ability to do well in school but in addition, I will also be living in Vegas (or Nevada in general) for a few years after I graduate from school so what is it like to live in Vegas? I hate tourists as it is and I cant imagine having tourists year round that come to your city to "cut loose."

Also, how's the weather? I currently live in the Southwest and enjoy 90-100 degree heat but I'm at a high elevation so it cools to the 60s at night. How bad is the weather in Vegas?

So please I welcome any and all advice. Positives and negatives will be very helpful in making my decision.

Thanks in advance!

[LIS123]

Read through the old threads first.

[horseplayer]

How many years have you been gambling on your computer, Mr. lawyer? It's no big deal, more of a convenience to me.

[radraja]

Weather: Above 110 is normal in the summer (can be up to 115, although 120 is rare). Winters can get kind of chilly...think 40s and 50s during the day and 30s at night. We get a lot of wind year round.

As for liveability...Vegas is just a normal city. The strip is just an added benefit. Some people love living here, others hate it here. It just depends on what you want in a city. This is my perception of it: Vegas is basically a hybrid of features that other parts of the country are known for. We have the leisurely feel of Florida; the luxurious, "good life" aspect of Southern California; the quirky, stand out, "I'm going to be different!" feel of New Orleans; the rugged independence of Montana; and the 24-hour aspect of NYC all mixed into one.

Vegas is a leisurely, luxurious, quirky, independent, outdoorsy, open-all-night kind of place. The newer neighborhoods are beautiful (as well as a few of the older ones), and we barely have any traffic compared to other large cities.

Vegas has it's benefits, but it's not for everyone. The biggest complaints people make about Vegas are:
1. It's a materialistic, pleasure-driven kind of town. This is largely true, and not limited to just the wealthy neighborhoods. But the people are mostly nice anyway.
2. The schools are some of the most under-funded in the country. Technically true, but if you don't have kids, you don't have to worry about it.
3. It gets too hot in the summer.
4. There isn't enough culture. The city IS working on it and trying hard, but it's true that compared to other prominent cities, we just don't have nearly as much.

I love Vegas. But I also know a lot of people who hate it here and can't wait to leave. It just depends on what you like and what's important to you. If you tell us about what you're looking for in a city, maybe we can give more specific information.

As for the tourists - we can't complain, they pay our income tax!

[aggiewalk]

Originally Posted by radraja

Weather: Above 110 is normal in the summer (can be up to 115, although 120 is rare). Winters can get kind of chilly...think 40s and 50s during the day and 30s at night. We get a lot of wind year round.

As for liveability...Vegas is just a normal city. The strip is just an added benefit. Some people love living here, others hate it here. It just depends on what you want in a city. This is my perception of it: Vegas is basically a hybrid of features that other parts of the country are known for. We have the leisurely feel of Florida; the luxurious, "good life" aspect of Southern California; the quirky, stand out, "I'm going to be different!" feel of New Orleans; the rugged independence of Montana; and the 24-hour aspect of NYC all mixed into one.

Vegas is a leisurely, luxurious, quirky, independent, outdoorsy, open-all-night kind of place. The newer neighborhoods are beautiful (as well as a few of the older ones), and we barely have any traffic compared to other large cities.

Vegas has it's benefits, but it's not for everyone. The biggest complaints people make about Vegas are:
1. It's a materialistic, pleasure-driven kind of town. This is largely true, and not limited to just the wealthy neighborhoods. But the people are mostly nice anyway.
2. The schools are some of the most under-funded in the country. Technically true, but if you don't have kids, you don't have to worry about it.
3. It gets too hot in the summer.
4. There isn't enough culture. The city IS working on it and trying hard, but it's true that compared to other prominent cities, we just don't have nearly as much.

I love Vegas. But I also know a lot of people who hate it here and can't wait to leave. It just depends on what you like and what's important to you. If you tell us about what you're looking for in a city, maybe we can give more specific information.

As for the tourists - we can't complain, they pay our income tax!

Thanks for the time! Those points are really helpful and give me a feel of the city.

I currently live in Albuquerque. It is a decent place but I am ready for a change. Didn't see an Alb v Vegas thread but anyone have any experience with both cities?

My only opinion of Vegas is my amazing time on the strip. I know there is much more to the city so I am trying to get some insight into that.

Thanks again I really appreciated the information

[JDinNV]

If you're going to Boyd Law (that is what it appears from your initial post), I would kiss goodbye any socializing/fun during the first year. Study your butt off. Then you can enjoy life a little the next two years.

My paralegal starts at Boyd this fall. I've tried to prepare her.

[aggiewalk]

Originally Posted by JDinNV

If you're going to Boyd Law (that is what it appears from your initial post), I would kiss goodbye any socializing/fun during the first year. Study your butt off. Then you can enjoy life a little the next two years.

My paralegal starts at Boyd this fall. I've tried to prepare her.

Yes, that is my real concern. I know I will need to be a hermit my first year (at the least) so I want to know if that is possible and what other options other than the strip are popular in Vegas.

Thanks for all the responses! Everyone has been very helpful!

[radraja]

I know that UNLV is supposed to be one of the toughest law schools around...

But yeah, there is stuff off the strip. Locals just do normal stuff...dinners out with friends, movies, shopping, etc. I mean, yeah, most of us do go to the strip sometimes, but it's not like we're there partying constantly.

[blackacre]

Originally Posted by radraja

I know that UNLV is supposed to be one of the toughest law schools around...

But yeah, there is stuff off the strip. Locals just do normal stuff...dinners out with friends, movies, shopping, etc. I mean, yeah, most of us do go to the strip sometimes, but it's not like we're there partying constantly.

Toughest law schools how? I don't think there is anything particularly hard about Boyd. It seems like a standard law school?

[airics]

Originally Posted by radraja

Weather: Above 110 is normal in the summer (can be up to 115, although 120 is rare). Winters can get kind of chilly...think 40s and 50s during the day and 30s at night. We get a lot of wind year round.

Actually when we arrived last June, it was 120+ ...It was the hottest I have ever endured but i got used to it.