[Jade456]

I have to agree with Buzz. I just returned from a short stay in Texas. There isn't a comparison. You have a wide variety of climates within an 8 hour drive in any direction. You can drive up to the mountains in just an hour to escape the heat (Mt Charleston is about 80 degrees in the height of summer), plus there is Lake Mead, Zion Park in Utah, California, etc. Not to mention all of the entertainment/dining/shopping right here in the valley.

[RCCCB]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

There aren't a lot of negatives and that's why so many people move here, even now in the down economy. The biggest negative is the weather. It's too hot in the summer, but most people get used to it and don't mind it that much. The heat is different now than it was in as short a time as 20 years ago. Nobody can explain it although everybody has an opinion. It has grown too big IMO, but then that growth has brought us innumerable conveniences and good things we didn't have before. For instance, and believe it or not, Las Vegas was not a great place for restaurants until we hit about the one million population mark. Now we have so many my complaint is I can't try them all. The air quality is not good and never was because it wouldn't be good in the desert even if no one lived here. Too much stuff in the soil that gets sucked up into the air by the wind. BTW: there is a lot of wind. So much so that when it stops blowing everyone falls down. Buh dump dum. Las Vegas is more positive than negative, so everybody who visits here frequently will sooner or later want to live here. People can pick it apart if they want, but anyplace they choose to compare it to will fall short.

Has all the new parks, golf courses and construction caused you more watering thereby increasing LV's humidity?
That happened in the Palm Springs area of California.

[Jade456]

Nope. It is still very dry here.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by RCCCB

Has all the new parks, golf courses and construction caused you more watering thereby increasing LV's humidity?
That happened in the Palm Springs area of California.

It's been cloudy (sort of-for us) all day and the humidity is only 14%. Most of the time it's single digit...around 8%. I've heard that said about grass and pools for 45 years; I've said it myself. But now I don't think it's true although most HOAs and individuals have been replacing the grass, but adding other plants. In the 60s there were very few trees here; now it looks like a forest in the middle of the desert. I'd like to know if anyone has actually done a study on the relationship between plants, pools, and humidity. I think the reason it feels hotter now is due to blacktop and cement reflecting heat, where dirt absorbs and dissipates it, and now everything is paved over. You used to see more desert than developments throughout the Valley, now it's the other way around.

[Cirque du Soleil's Viva]

Well, just to let you know, I'm a Vegas rookie. I'm not retired yet, but I will qualify for most of the casinos Senior specials come early next year. lol

So anyway, here's my rookie pros/cons after being in Summerlin, Las Vegas, NV for 3.5 months:

Pros:

Condo Living: I love my upper level condo. It's beautiful, the grounds are well-kept, and I feel safe here.

Gas: Average price $2.57 for regular unleaded. Best thing though, I don't use much of it at all which leads to the next pro...

Shopping/Groceries/Auto Repair/Banks/Casinos:

Everything is within walking distance. Well, Walmart is a whole 1.5 miles maybe 2 miles away and I now consider that being far away. lol However, 1 block away there's a Vons Market, 99cent Only Store, several casinos, Walgreens, Subway, Taco Bell, Del Taco, Panda Express, Meinke Auto Repair, several banks and more. To top it all off there are four lakes 5 blocks away from my location. Now how cool is that? I love walking my dog to the lake.

The People: Everyone has been really nice. I'm sure there are some ruff necks or whatever, but I've only had positive experiences to date. Maybe because pretty much everyone else is from another state too so I guess people just want the best of their Vegas experience or maybe I've just been lucky.

The Mountain & Tree Views: I love when I look out of my window that I'm surrounded by trees. I especially love when they are blowing in the breeze. I also love when I go to the market the beautiful view of the sunset highlighting the surrounding mountains.

Jobs: Well, all I can say is that I was fortunate to find one online within 3 months. First I did a lot of pounding the pavement then I tried applying online (http://jobs.livingvegasfree.com) for several weeks and that's where I ended up being succesful in landing a job in a casino. Thank you sweet Jesus.

Freeways/Streets: Compared to California traffic the rush hour gridlock here is a joke. So what they call heavy traffic is lite to me compared to Southern California rush hour traffic.

Weather: When it comes to the weather here the Forrest Gump quote "life is like a box of cholocates you never know what you're going to get." comes to mind. I love having the sun out most times and I like the warm cool breezes and it's rained...very lightly once or twice. However, just a week or so ago, It was really cold to me with winds at 35-50 mph highs 60's with lows 48 -55 degrees. This week it's been low to mid 80 highs, low winds 5 to 8 mph. Next week it's suppose to be an average 77 highs most days with lows still in the mid 50's. The week after is when I hear temperatures are really going to drop. So, we'll see. Guess, I'd better stock up on the firewood now before it's too late. :-)

Cons:

Condo Living: When I first moved here, the condo across from me was empty. Now it's full. I honestly couldn't tell you who really lives there. I know they are all really young adults and I see a rotation of 8 or more people coming in and out of that place just about each day. Yeah, life was good in my condo until they moved in. I'm praying they have a short lease. :-)

Bugs In Condo: No waterbugs, roaches, or ants in the house, but guess what? I have scorpions. There are plenty of waterbugs outside, but maintenance is very good at keeping on top of that. I've never seen any in my condo. Maintenance tells me I'm getting all these scorpions because I'm by all the trees that I love so much and they blow in through my open patio door or can be tranferred from items on the patio that are bought into the house. As of today, I have seen a total of 5 scorpions. My poor little dog got stung by one too on her front paw then she ate it. She's okay though. They are very small and maintenance says they aren't dangerous, their sting hurts and they will keep stinging you and that I should be careful because they like to play dead. So he said be careful when approching them - make sure I get it with a broomstick first before trying to discard it.

Gas: What can I say? It's still high. Just glad I'm using much less of it.

Shopping/Groceries/Auto Repair/Banks/Casinos: Hmmm? Let's see, the only negative shopping I've encounted so far is my experience with Sears Auto Parts. They didn't really want to honor my 18 month warranty so they did a cheesy job of repairing my brakes. Now I've got to go back so they can do the job right. Guess, they were upset they weren't making any money from me. Oh well. Ksera sera.

The People: Other than the ill experience with Sears Auto Parts staff, the people in general have been good. Well, except for the noisy next door neighbors.


The Mountain & Tree Views: Trees blowing in Scorpions.

Jobs: We all know the job market here isn't good. I was fortunate in that area.

Freeway/Streets: Well, let me say this, every other commercial here is some Attorney/Lawyer pitching his services about getting you plenty of money from your car accident. I feel more comfortable with the freeways even though they have there share of accidents...the streets is where it is more prevalent.

Weather: The air quality. Not so good. That's funny since I come from smoggy Southern California. It looks pretty, clear, and sunny when I look out my window, but obviously there is dust, dirt, and whatever else blowing in the breezes. My poor nose has been so sore since the winds started up weeks ago. I've never been aware of my nose before I moved to Las Vegas. Now it bothers me most times. Oh I almost forgot. Don't know how I could forget this, but there's always flood warnings. I'm still not sure where these horrible flood areas are. I just know aside from always hearing attorney commericals there's always some emergency warning about floods and the winds and how to avoid them and/or to be cautious of them.

So yeah, that's my quick little take on my experiences here thusfar.

Peace.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by Cirque du Soleil's Viva

Cons:

Condo Living: When I first moved here, the condo across from me was empty. Now it's full. I honestly couldn't tell you who really lives there. I know they are all really young adults and I see a rotation of 8 or more people coming in and out of that place just about each day. Yeah, life was good in my condo until they moved in. I'm praying they have a short lease. :-)

Ah, so you live near a drug dealer. Some people might might list that under Pros .

[Cirque du Soleil's Viva]

I thought the same thing, but I think they are just really young. I could be wrong though. Again, praying on the short lease. After doing all my homework on living in Vegas and how Summerlin is the place to be I still can't control who moves in next door. lol

[tijlover]

Car dependency.

I'm still searching for that place to retire where I can be car-less. A recent AARP magazine asked retirees the ideal place where they want to retire, a great many looking for a retirement spot where they're the least car-dependent, or living without a car. I'm with that crowd.

If this is not a factor, then you'll enjoy your retirement years here. Far more pro's than con's.

[Cirque du Soleil's Viva]

Yeah, I agree; far more pro's than con's. I forgot to mention my best Pro of all; the cost of living. My money goes so much further here than in Southern California. I can't believe the home and condo prices. I'm still happy with my choice to relocate to Las Vegas. l love it here! :-)

[yellowsnow]

I love it here too. It's easily the most fun of any place I've ever lived.

I often wonder about the Vegas bashers. Where do they live? I've been all over and haven't seen anyplace great enough to make me want to leave here!

Went out tonight to celebrate someone's birthday. Prime rib dinner for 3, $15. Then we went to First Friday on the free shuttle. Next we went out gambling for 2 hours. I started out with $30 and ended up with $29.80. Came home and had some amazing German Chocolate cake I picked up at Smiths.

Another great day in Vegas!