[sierramadre44]

Originally Posted by costaricageorge

Thanks oleCapt. I have been thinking about moving back to the states for a little while so have done a little research about the credit thing. Most have suggested rent for a while, get a small car loan and some credit cards which shouldn't be a problem. I too am bilingual so I feel that should help with my employment as well. As far as the wife is concerned if she hasn't left me yet going to the states isn't gonna change anything. I plan to get her immagration status taken care of. Our son has dual citizenship and we have been married for 12 years so I don't see that being much of a problem. I really do appreciate all the replies as it all helps. Basically it is a matter of working out the details. Again if anyone can help with the question about year round schooling compared to 9 months it would be great.

Here is the scoop on year round and 9 month. Both have advantages and disadvantages for the child as well as the parents. For a 9mo school, it is a regular school year with summers off. If no one to take care of your child or older siblings around, you will need some form of daycare when school is not in session.

There are RecTrek through the Clark County Rec department, Kids Zone with Henderson Rec Dept, and Boys & Girls Club just to name a few. I like the RecTrek and KidsZone because they have more activities including swimming that the kids enjoy. Back packs with all supplies, food and water must be packed and taken to each program.

For the tracks, the best advantage I see for the kids is that they have shorter breaks and retain information better. The disadvantage for the parent is finding daycare if no one is at home. The RecTrek program costs ~$70/wk and Henderson program is $90/wk. The hard part is making sure you reserve a space early enough if you choose one of those programs because they fill up FAST!

Go to www.ccsd.net for more info on schools, calendars, etc.

[Kaiminani]

Not knowing that much about Costa Rica, but having some experience with third world countries in general, it seems to me that there ought to be private schools there, or maybe in Panama, that are significantly better than the public schools in Vegas. The kind of places that the local rich families, ex-pat businessmen and diplomats send their kids (the mega-rich usually send their kids to private boarding schools in the US or the UK).

I imagine that internet gambling would pay well enough that you could afford to send your kid to one of those private schools. He would probably end up rubbing shoulders with a much higher society than in public school in vegas too - which, starting in about high school can really open doors down the road.

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by Kaiminani

Not knowing that much about Costa Rica, but having some experience with third world countries in general, it seems to me that there ought to be private schools there, or maybe in Panama, that are significantly better than the public schools in Vegas. The kind of places that the local rich families, ex-pat businessmen and diplomats send their kids (the mega-rich usually send their kids to private boarding schools in the US or the UK).

I imagine that internet gambling would pay well enough that you could afford to send your kid to one of those private schools. He would probably end up rubbing shoulders with a much higher society than in public school in vegas too - which, starting in about high school can really open doors down the road.

I suspect you are incorrect. There may be some pretty good schools for the upper class in CR...but they likely will not get to the level of the better public schools in Las Vegas. And if you really want to go for it you can hit the private schools in Las Vegas.

Be careful of the internet propaganda...the upper classes are served everywhere.

[costaricageorge]

Thanks for all the help from everyone. My son currently goes to a private school SEK international which is an excellent school. Unfortunately it does not offer the after school stuff I want my son to be involved. Organized sports. There are some very unorganized soccer leagues but I want my son to be involved in Little League, basketball anong others. Yes upper class private schools here have the same problems as anywhere. I went to private school in Princeton New Jersey and we had as many drugs as any inner city school just our parents paid for them we did;'t have to sell or steal to get them. Honestly right now I don't know where the ideal place to raise a child is but I know it starts at home. I can't say anything bad about his school just want him to have an American upbringing. I have lived here for 14 years and I am ready to get back as well. Sometimes it is just time. I like most am a little afraid of the job market but I am not going into that blind. I have a few long time Las Vegas casino execs helping me so I hope to be ok. I am not selling my house here just renting it and if things don't work out my job, my house and my son's school will all be here when I get back. Sometimes you have to take calculated risks in life. # years ago I thought I would never be able to afford a house in Las Vegas and now it is a reality. I guess sometime next year I will read this and know if I made the right choice.

[Willy702]

The immigration process is annoying for a spouse, be sure that is what you start working on ASAP after getting in the US (don't bother doing it out of the country). Expect a work permit for her to take anywhere from 6-12 months as she acquires her legal residency.

As for sports book work, it really sucks here. I know some people who went to CR and Panama and they made almost as much money there as here because you're lucky to get $10-11/hour until you make management. Plus if you start making some career progress your history of working in CR will probably ********* over if you make it to a spot where gaming officials start having to approve your background. That doesn't come until you are something like a director so don't worry about it now, but just something to think about as you try to break into the industry here. Maybe another line of work outside of gaming might make more sense.

[costaricageorge]

Thank you Willy. I had not thought of that. I don't think I will have any problems with a background check as I work for a legal company here in Costa Rica which has been operating for close to 20 years. The owners travel freely to the states and own homes in Vegas. I am a legal resident here but actually work under the table here so there is really no record of my employment although I'm sure they dig deep. I have no criminal record whatsoever. I left the states because I wanted to not because I had too. I am basically looking to reintegrate back in to the US system which I know will involve some bumps in the road and some redtape. I will have some conversations with the irs and such but am prepared for that. I haven't had a us drivers licensce for 13 years and haven't been in the states for longer than a month for those 13 years. That said I am set on moving back and will have to deal with that stuff sooner or later. Also I am not dead set on the gaming business for life as I do have a college degree and some friends in Vegas who are very well connected from old Nevada families so I will be relying on them for help with employment. I am confident that when I get my foot in the door I will be ok. I am fluent in Spanish, have great people skills and have never had problems with employment. I don't expect everything to be easy but am willing and prepared to take this step in life. I really appreciate all post as I believe the more input I have is better.

[JM95]

Don't do it. Your wife will run off with a blackjack dealer (and your $) within 6 months...