[chika23]

My husband and I have lived in Vegas for 3 years in the NW suburbs. We have loved our time here after coming from the NE part of the country. We are currently moving to Michigan and will miss Vegas desperately. We have never experienced crime, rarely go to the strip unless visitor's come for a visit, and have met some wonderful friends here. I found a job within 2 wks of coming, working for Clark County in the court system. My husband worked in sales. I guess people either love or hate Vegas, we happened to love it, some of the friendliest people we have met we met in Vegas.

[dano]

I've lived in both Phoenix & Vegas and have to agree with olecapt. You can't tell a Phoenix burb from a Vegas burb. Although a bit more image contious, Vegas is much smaller and easier to get around in. I voted for Vegas 6 years ago by moving here.

[catpiperx]

We lived in Vegas for about 4 years in the mid 90's due to my husband working in the entertainment field. I had a great job at Citibank and we lived out by the Lakes(nice area THEN)as each year went by and it was becoming apparent that this was a transient town, with no family atmosphere-I was getting worried. Our oldest was young and I couldn't imagine her growing up in Vegas.

The Heat: OMG talk about HOT in the summer-our first summer there my daughter and I were sick all the time-talk about hard on the body-any place that is still in the upper 90's at MIDNIGHT has got to be HOT. We couldn't figure out why so many locals only came out at night-well we had our answer after the first few days of 114 degree weather--dry heat or NOT.

The People: TONS of them, tourists(bless them)were some of the worst because they were in the playland of the adults! What happens in Vegas certainly stays in Vegas!

The Glitz: My husband's job allowed us to meet famous people, go to shows and enjoy fancy parties-that gets old really fast!

The Schools: at that time it was up and coming still pretty nice-we haven't been back since 1999-so can't say how good/bad they are now.

Housing: In the 90's homes were still affordable-I understand now that they aren't.

Crime: There had been a Mafia Hit Man that was murdered when we first moved there-not to mention Tupac---I can only imagine how much worse it has gotten over the years.

We met Siegfried/Roy during their 'hey-days" and were invited to their home for a party-saw those famous Tigers up close and personal!

Gambling: The incentive was to cash your paycheck and get free gambling-drinking-stripping-got old really fast

So for the "fun" yeah, Vegas ROCKED--but now, nah-I wouldn't live there, not with my family---

Ok place to visit-glad to be gone

[olecapt]

Those with addictive personalities should avoid Vegas. Entertainment is the major industry. It is, in some ways, better than say steel mills...in others it is worse. The temptation is certainly present and it will get to you if you can't manage it.

Housing costs are in middle. Half that of coastal California or metro NYC and twice that of mid sized midwestern cities.

Schools are in the middle of the pack for big city school systems. The good suburban schools are about the same as in any similar city.

Heat is a legitimate issue. My wife and I generally like it...though we retreat to the air condition above 105. But the mornings, even in the height of the heat, are comfortable. About 20% of those coming here leave in the first couple of years with heat being a major factor. I personally prefer it to any of the southern cities. 100/15% is far preferable to 90/90%.

Crime is simply a bum rap. Vegas is similar to most SW cities and is better than most of the cities of the east. It just is not crime prone.

It is a perfectly reasonable place to raise children.

[RedWingsFan]

Originally Posted by LeeM702

I just joined this forum and one of the the things that I found is that there are mixed feelings about las vegas and i just wanted to take the time to talk about how great las vegas is. I was born and raised in las vegas, so i've seen how much it has expanded and one of the things that i love about vegas is that it's a place where a person making minimal living can come here and purchase a home and raise a family. Yes there is a lot of traffic, yes there is a lot construction, but this is all to better the city and the lively hood of ourselves and our families and I've very grateful to live here. One more thing I would like to add, I like the fact that vegas is a melting pot, I've learned a lot about other cultures living here and made lots of friends from different races and religions and once again I'm extremely grateful.

It sounds as though you have never lived anywhere else so really you have nothing to compare it to. Also, Vegas is not so cheap anymore... I watched the prices of houses skyrocket while living there (I know, I sold mine and cashed in).

[montevista1]

In L.A. a nice house costs you 800K, in Vegas its about 450-500K.

In L.A. if you live inland or in the Valley our temps get up to 110 easy.

Where I live there was a whole week with temps in the 110's.

Our schools also suck, our traffic also sucks.

We are also overrun by illegal immigrants.

Due to cheaper housing, Vegas is still better.

[olecapt]

The Heat is there.
The schools are significantly better than LA
The traffic is significantly better than LA...A morning commute in LA is at least twice as slow as in Las Vegas...and commute in LA are twice or three times as long. There is no Las Vegas equivalent to the Inland Empire.

[montevista1]

Our economy is better in L.A. though, Vegas is mainly a service based industry.

There is definite reason why whole city blocks in Vegas are filled with former angelenos

[olecapt]

Well maybe. On what metrics? Unemployment is about the same. Family income is a few points higher but more than offset by a lot higher cost of living.