Where in Nevada would be best? (Las Vegas, Reno: hotel, house, buy)

[mdovell]

I'm from the Boston area and I'm thinking of moving to Nevada within 3-4 years. Basically the cost of living is sky high here, I don't like the excessive snow (we had three feet nearly two years ago in one storm ), lawn maintence (I don't mind the concept of a desert and know things like you shouldn't walk bearfoot on it etc) leaves etc.

I was thinking of Elko in the West Wendover section although Henderson also looks good. I've been saving up and hope to have the low six figure range by then. I don't make much but I figure if I can put more money down it would help. Now WW seems to have casino's and the Elko area also has mining...what does Henderson have in terms of jobs?

I've been to a casino before, they don't bother me. I would just be more concerned of a place to find for work. I have no kids (no plans either) so schools are a non issue. I'd like the idea of having some open space to do a few things (clotheslines, maybe a c band, a shed etc) so initally this sounds good.

On a side note however I was wondering about pollution in general. Now I fully know that there were portions of the south west that were used for nuclear testing but that was quite awhile ago (not to say I'd live in a former test site)

I know about the more nearby things like Dugway Proving Grounds, mining operations etc. Basically my main fear is that moving there might seem good at first but would turn into a western version of Love Canal! Thanks

[greatbasinguide]

Elko and Wendover will be isolated beyond your imagining, from Elko to the nearest town of size is the distance from Boston to New York State.

Henderson and Elko are completely different states of mind. You will need to sit down and figure out exactly who you are and what you want.

A Bostonian moving to Elko may as well be moving to another planet

[olecapt]

And Henderson is basically indistinguishable from the rest of Las Vegas. It is a well integrated suburb. There are dozens of similar places around the Vegas Valley. If your are retiring you might consider the various Sun Cities and similar which start around $225K.

If you want to live on the less expensive side you can go to Pahrump around 40 miles to the west. Or the Overton area to the the Northeast. You may find that area also foreign space as it has a high mormon context.

You can also try the Arizona area along the Colorado.

Think careful about what you want. There is a pretty high red neck quotient in some of these places.

You probably ought to come visit a bit. There is probably no one alive who would be happy in Elko and happy in Henderson.

[yellowsnow]

You need to spend some time in both places. I do like both of them!

Elko: think remote with an interstate running through it. Some mining/ranching. Lots of Basque people and Basque restaurants. A few casinos. They do have a real winter with cold temps and snow guaranteed. Not a lot for shopping. Again, remote is the key. Lots of places are 'off the grid'. Meaning there is no commercial power available. If you find land prices too good to be true, no power may be the issue. Not many jobs around either. It's not a wealthy area.

Henderson: is Las Vegas. There's a dividing line but it doesn't mean anything.

I lived in N Attleboro and you will love the taxes in NV! And the weather...even if you decide on Elko!

[greatbasinguide]

There are a number of "subdivisions' in Nevada, usually advertised as ranchettes, 5 or 10 acres, there is one near Wells, another at Rye Patch, another near Winnemucca. Be real carefully,, walk the ground on a summer day and in Spring when the ground thaws, a number of these are on the sagebrush flats, flood in the spring,, and without common services. Unless your goal is simply a singlewide trailer in the sagebrush with the usual compliment of junk cars and semi wild dogs,, you might not want to be there.

It is the desert equivalent of Florida Swampland

[mdovell]

Originally Posted by yellowsnow

You need to spend some time in both places. I do like both of them!

Elko: think remote with an interstate running through it. Some mining/ranching. Lots of Basque people and Basque restaurants. A few casinos. They do have a real winter with cold temps and snow guaranteed. Not a lot for shopping. Again, remote is the key. Lots of places are 'off the grid'. Meaning there is no commercial power available. If you find land prices too good to be true, no power may be the issue. Not many jobs around either. It's not a wealthy area.

Henderson: is Las Vegas. There's a dividing line but it doesn't mean anything.

I lived in N Attleboro and you will love the taxes in NV! And the weather...even if you decide on Elko!

I hear the interstate in it might be part of that so called "nafta highway"...I can stand cold to a point...but when snow gets in feet...here's an example
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard_of_2005 after that storm well I had enough.

Shopping I can do a share online....I know a bit of what off grid is but if it isn't solar or wind how do they power it ?

[CuteSubmissiveGuy]

My advice is don't move here. I moved to Las Vegas 3 years ago thinking I'd love it here and turned out to be an mistake. I'm looking to move, been talking to some realtors.

If, your mind is made up to move. Try Laughlin Nevada, It has more to offer than Elko.

Henderson is pretty bad also!

Job wise, Laughlin has quite a few oppotunities, depending on your job skills.

P.S whoever gave me that reputation positive point, thank you!

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by CuteSubmissiveGuy

My advice is don't move here. I moved to Las Vegas 3 years ago thinking I'd love it here and turned out to be an mistake. I'm looking to move, been talking to some realtors.

If, your mind is made up to move. Try Laughlin Nevada, It has more to offer than Elko.

Henderson is pretty bad also!

Job wise, Laughlin has quite a few oppotunities, depending on your job skills.

P.S whoever gave me that reputation positive point, thank you!

Ahh comeon. The town is very hetereosexual. But it is also friendly to non-hetereosexuals. It ain't Long Beach...but it ain't Sioux City...whaddayawant?

Whole place is loaded with jobs...

[gizmo980]

I'm not a Nevada-ite (??), but have been through basically every part of the state, and lived on the border for a while (in S. Lake Tahoe)... I at least know enough to not pronounce it "Nev-ahh-da", LOL.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I agree with the others about Elko. I've been there, and it's basically a pit-stop along the desert's interstate... stayed there on my drive home from Wyoming (to Tahoe), and it's REALLY desolate! My friend & I were looking for food to be delivered to our hotel, so we checked the phone book... there was a listing for Domino's Pizza, with the slogan "The only pizza in town!" Now that, to me, is a sign you're in a town with nothing going on. And if you're a Stephen King fan, it's clear why he set the book "Desperation" in that valley. I was there close to 10 years ago, so it may have grown a bit since then, but I'm guessing not much.

Have you considered the Reno area? It's really beautiful up there, and the people always seem very nice & down-to-earth when I visit (frequently). There are many outlying towns with nice housing, and prices are generally cheaper than the Vegas metro. Plus, I think the weather is much better! It's dry and warm in the summer, without reaching the ridiculous Vegas temps - usually averages between 80-85... and it cools down nicely at night, with that crisp mountain air. Winters are colder & somewhat snowy, but nothing compared to Boston! I have relatives in Massachussetts, and visit yearly, so I'm aware of what you deal with. Just thought I'd suggest Reno, since it would be my personal choice in that state. Good luck!

[yellowsnow]

Originally Posted by mdovell

I hear the interstate in it might be part of that so called "nafta highway"...I can stand cold to a point...but when snow gets in feet...here's an example
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard_of_2005 after that storm well I had enough.

Shopping I can do a share online....I know a bit of what off grid is but if it isn't solar or wind how do they power it ?

Some folks do have solar or wind but they also have a good old diesel generator. Usually placed in a shed a distance away from the house so you won't be disturbed by the noise. You buy the diesel in 55gal drums. It gets cold enough that heat is not optional.

It can snow a lot. But it's not like New England where the snow that falls in October is still on the ground in May! It's a temporary inconvenience because it will melt.