[coldbeer]

My wife & I are considering moving to Vegas and buy a home near Nellis so we can utilize the Nellis gym, commisary, etc.

I like to drink beer and when we go out and would like to get a house for around $50k near a bus route so I don't get a DUI and tasered.

We are attracted to Vegas not for the gambling because we don't gamble but because of the many things to do, and the weather.

I've been looking at houses and neighborhoods online. Some questions are.

What are some monthly expenses for 2 people in lets say a 3 bedroom house.

Are food prices much cheaper in the commissary than off Nellis?

Do you have any zip code suggestions for housing in the Nellis area?

[Kalbo]

89115 is the area outside of Nellis . Like any area outside a military base there are parts that a ruff and tumble. 50K would likely put you in that area. Riding the bus at night intoxicated might not be the safest way to go.

Overall commissary prices are cheaper.

There are thousands of retirees here in Vegas. The VA is building a large hospital not far from Nellis at 215 and Pecos.

[sschultze]

I recently retired from the Navy, '08, and Ilive in the 89081 area code. If you're considering living in North Las Vegas, remain west of the 15 and north of Craig. It's not a bad area. And, it's approximately 15 minutes away from base.

[airics]

Originally Posted by sschultze

I recently retired from the Navy, '08, and Ilive in the 89081 area code. If you're considering living in North Las Vegas, remain west of the 15 and north of Craig. It's not a bad area. And, it's approximately 15 minutes away from base.

i agree 89081 is a good area, but find a home under 50k.... the think the Cleveland Browns have a better chance going to the superbowl than getting a home at that price in 89081

[jfkIII]

Originally Posted by airics

[i] think the Cleveland Browns have a better chance going to the superbowl than getting a home at that price in 89081

But when Quinn the Quarterback gets there,
Everybody's gonna jump for joy!
Come all without, come all within,
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn.

[ruready1st]

My DH is active duty stationed at Nellis.

Personally we would prefer to retire in Tucson, AZ @ Davis Monthan AFB.

The gym, Commissary and BX exchange are newer. The gym has an indoor pool. Nice golf course. The morale, welfare and recreation center has great things to rent that are in great shape, like A frame trailers, bikes, etc... The base is laid out better. Easy to navigate too.

The traffic in Tucson is negligible. The bus system is no better or worse than it is here. The buses are run on natural gas so cleaner and quieter. You can live way out in a beautiful area, not less than $50k though (well unless you are armed and can blend in), and still only be a 20 minute commute from the base. Right now, you probably could get a decent condo off the Broadway Blvd/ Pantano/ Old Spanish Trail area for $65k.

The price of gas is 10-15 cents cheaper per gallon. Electricity is lots cheaper for A/C in the summer. Groceries in regular stores are cheaper, but commissary is good too. I shopped both for the best deals. Restaurants are cheaper. YMCA membership and classes cheaper. Great senior citizen centers and programs through City of Tucson. Car insurance less expensive. For the most part businesses are honest and looking for long term loyal customers.

The weather is better. Cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter because the humidity is slightly higher, but never uncomfortable. The Sonoran Desert is pretty, lots of native vegetation and Saguaro cactus. There is less wind and pollution. Great mountains. You can drive to 10k+ feet mountain where there are several cabins, restaurants and shops.

There are 2 major Indian casinos in Tucson that offer buffets and shows.

I would research the pros and cons of both places. IMHO, Tucson is better. The people are a little more open and welcoming.

[olecapt]

NY Times Cost of Living Calculator does not agree.

The cost of living in Tucson, AZ is 0.3% higher than in Las Vegas, NV. Therefore, you would have to earn a salary of $30,075 to maintain your current standard of living.


Employers in Tucson, AZ typically pay 11.7% less than employers in Las Vegas, NV. Therefore, if you take the same type of job in the same type of company in Tucson, AZ you are likely to earn $26,504.

I will agree the winter is slightly warmer...but not enough to matter.

If you really want to do warm but not too and military try Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca..Smaller town you can get around in.

[ruready1st]

Originally Posted by olecapt

NY Times Cost of Living Calculator does not agree.

The cost of living in Tucson, AZ is 0.3% higher than in Las Vegas, NV. Therefore, you would have to earn a salary of $30,075 to maintain your current standard of living.

Employers in Tucson, AZ typically pay 11.7% less than employers in Las Vegas, NV. Therefore, if you take the same type of job in the same type of company in Tucson, AZ you are likely to earn $26,504.

I will agree the winter is slightly warmer...but not enough to matter.

If you really want to do warm but not too and military try Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca..Smaller town you can get around in.

NY Times gets their data from salary.com which is not a reliable source since they heavily weigh self reported income. I have lived in both cities and have lined up my expenses category for category. It is more expensive for me to live here. Despite the fact that my mortgage is $385/month less!

Check out Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitors sites is not allowed

I checked several more reliable sources and they state that the cost of living in Tucson is 8-10% lower than Las Vegas, NV.

I also would contend that many of the service jobs pay the same if not higher in Tucson because you rarely have to pay union dues. You don't need cards to work either.

Access to healthcare in Sierra Vista is more limited than Tucson. The key is that summers are at least 10 degrees cooler and wetter.

I'm not a Realtor, so I have no vested interest in selling Tucson over Vegas. Just homesick.

[jaunespinoza]

They shoot jaywalkers, too.

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by ruready1st

NY Times gets their data from salary.com which is not a reliable source since they heavily weigh self reported income. I have lived in both cities and have lined up my expenses category for category. It is more expensive for me to live here. Despite the fact that my mortgage is $385/month less!

Check out Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitors sites is not allowed

I checked several more reliable sources and they state that the cost of living in Tucson is 8-10% lower than Las Vegas, NV.

I also would contend that many of the service jobs pay the same if not higher in Tucson because you rarely have to pay union dues. You don't need cards to work either.

Access to healthcare in Sierra Vista is more limited than Tucson. The key is that summers are at least 10 degrees cooler and wetter.

I'm not a Realtor, so I have no vested interest in selling Tucson over Vegas. Just homesick.

Actually I know a good bit about Tucson as well. I think it a wash with LV overall on CofL and lower on wages...Culinary versus no culinary.

Note that Sperling has the large advantage to Tucson on housing which is clearly untrue and in fact the other way around. Tucson housing is more expensive than LV.

Sierra Vista is actually a little cooler than Tucson. Summer highs are very close but summer lows are higher in Tucson. Winter is virtually identical

Las Vegas is a little hotter and a little colder. I would think very close to the same as the Vegas humidity is less than Tucson.

I consider Tucson a very nice alternative to Las Vegas. I would almost describe it as Vegas sans Strip...