[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.

[RedWingsFan]

That's great that you love it here. But there are many people that don't and for good reason. Here's some of my reasons:

I've lived in Vegas now for 9 years and we are planning on moving this summer. I don't like here, there are a lot of problems with this city. If you have kids you especially do not want to raise them in this city. While it was just me and my husband it wasn't as bad but now that I have kids I will not raise them here.

Lots of crime. The state of Nevada was named the most dangerous state in the country for the third year in a row.

Lots of gang activity and graffitti everywhere.

It's not cheap to live here anymore. Housing has gotten out of control and apartments are getting hard for people to find because so many are being converted into condos and sold. As of this month the average price of a home is $309,000. That's not cheap. This city used to be a decent cheap place to buy a home. Not anymore.

Lots of homeless bums that want your money so they can drink and gamble it away. The city builds parks for kids and they can't use them because they are filled with bums using them as hotels. You can't leave your house without someone asking you for your money.

The school system is awful. The schools here are ranked 48th state out of 50. They are really bad!

The city has been over taken by illegal Mexican immigrants. The school system is now a minority majority district. Over 52% of teh 300,000 students in the district are Mexican, many of whom can't or won't speak English. So the city caters to the Spanish speaking. There are even public schools here where half the day is taught in Spanish and half is taught in English.

**** everywhere. You would think it would be kept to the strip, but it's not. There are skanky billboards and posters everywhere. Two weekends ago we attended a family activity - it was a 2pm hockey game, attended by many families and kids. There were TWO strip clubs on-site promoting their strip club. Not a family-friendly place.

Government corruption - the politicians in this city are so corrupt it's nuts. They are always getting in trouble for taking money and bribes for things.

Summers are a living hell. It will be over 110 degrees... I don't care if it's a "dry heat" it's a HOT heat. Like sticking your head in an oven when you walk outside. It's very uncomfortable.

Medical - In 9 years I haven't been able to find a good family physician. Many of the doctors have left this town due to the rise in medical mailpractice rates going up.

Anything you want to do in this town involves going to a casino. Bowling, movies, etc. you pretty much need to go to a smoke-filled casino to do those things. Personally I'm not into the casino scene so that gets old.

Jobs. This city has jobs...but... most are in the service industry and many are being filled by illegal immigrants. Tons of jobs in housecleaning the hotel rooms, serving up drinks, waitressing, etc. There is a lot of building going on, but don't look to get a construction job, they are all going to illegal immigrants who will do it for a fraction of the cost that you will do it for.

HOA's - they will kill you with the amount of money you have to pay them each month so they can tell you how you must live.

I could go on and on with what's wrong with this city. But you all get the point. If you do still decide to come here only look to move to the Summerlin or Green Valley areas. Summerlin is the nicest by far. But it will cost you to move there.

Good luck!

[arentol]

LeeM702,


Great post, thanks for writing it! I agree on all your points, except:

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

This may have been true up to the early 90s, but nowadays I look at this with more skepticism. Home prizes have skyrocketed here with the average home price at $419,218.00 (compared to $85,000 ca. 1990) — which basically translates into 2 income sources needed in order to exist here.

I loved the pre-1995 Vegas. It's changed so much since, especially given the crime, poor education levels, and lack of infrastructure. It's all perfectly understandable... how can any city keep up with 5,000 new residents per month? It's a near impossibility.

Best of luck friend, and thanks again for the post!


Aren -

[arentol]

RedWingsFan,


I've been a 25 year resident of Las Vegas, and I admit that I agree 100% with the points you have made in your post.

Things here have changed so dramatically, and it's not for the better. We're headed to greener pastures as well this Summer and can't wait. For me, it's mostly about the crime, cost-of-living, and non family-friendly environment. The loneliness of this place is pervasive as well... folks wake up, get in their car, go to work, come home, and so on. Las Vegans have inherited the anti-social qualities typical of most New Yorkers in an amazingly short-time.

In any case, sorry this is a negative post. Vegas works for some people and not for others. To other posters: if you have a family, please think twice before you move here...


Aren -

[asylum23]

I agree w/ you arentol and RedWingsFan. Vegas is great if you want to have a "career" as a waitress or bartender. And add onto these ideas that there is no culture here. It feels empty.

[felina]

Your off your rocker!! Making a naive statement " a person making minimal living can come here and purchase a home and raise a family"

Now that's a good one! You must be thinking of Vegas when I was stationed there 22yrs ago! Come out of your shell.

[Leilani]

Aren,

Do you mind me asking where you are finding the greener pastures? I am looking for a safe,no snow, not blazing heat and lower cost of living place If you know any great spots, please share your insight

[tweety]

Originally Posted by chrisfromiowa

HONESTLY...do you not have anything better to do with your time than say how horrible vegas is? your right...i dont live there...i was there for a while last year to see family...i LOVED las vegas...you should know if you have lived there for 9 yrs that theres strip clubs and **** ads EVERYWHERE...ITS NOT CALLED SIN CITY FOR NOTHING!! I am moving there when I turn 18 most likely...I dont mind the latino population...MAYBE YOU SHOULD LEARN SPANISH AND ****...I have 3 mexican friends...they are some of the coolest people I have ever met...maybe you need to stop being rascist too...and if you think nevada is bad for crime, look at camden, NJ(worst city in america multiple times)......even though i read in a magazine that vegas is the 3rd most common place to "get ya whip ganked in"(get your car stolen) that doesnt mean everyone there and everything there is horrible...come on now...you and your husband made the choice to live there so DEAL with it...dont make other people not wanna go...

I don't want to turn this into a political discussion but it has nothing to do with a latino population per se. The place is swarming with illegal aliens from Mexico and their litters of kids. They don't speak English and it is overcrowding the schools. Many drop out of school early and end up in gangs and a life of crime. The parents are virtually illiterate and work for next to nothing so it undercuts Americans for jobs there, especially in the construction industry. I know the same thing is happening here in Calif. and a lot of other states.

As far as the climate goes. Yes, the summers are hotter than hell. Some don't mind that but it gets to you after awhile. I know I lived in the lower desert of Calif. for awhile and it is just like Vegas. I couldn't wait to get out of there.

On the plus side Vegas offers a lot of entertainment and excitement. A place I love to go to on vacation but just wouldn't want to live there.

[CuteSubmissiveGuy]

This goes out to anyone thinking about moving to Vegas, Don't move here! As some posters already attested. Las Vegas is horrendous, Corrupted metro police on top of everything.

My advice is stay away from Vegas. It's not worth moving here.

[ArthursChoice]

This is one of the worst places. And the crime?! This is one of the murder capitals!

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.