Pahrump pros and cons (HOA, Home Depot, buy)

[Rocket Dog]

I would like some information about Pahrump. Pros, cons, whatever. I might have to move there, and I know nothing whatsoever about it. Thanks

[Rocket Dog]

Thanks to all of you. Some very wise words here, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. Yes, I do know I should count my blessings. I would just prefer counting them sitting in the grass under a shade tree somewhere other than the dusty desert. I'll keep you posted.

[Rocket Dog]

Scirocco22, I have printed the information from the link you provided. Of course, I know it is typical "Chamber of Commerce" type propaganda--every city/town has that--but I'm going to read this every day until I convince myself that I can do this . . . i can do this . . . i can do this. (oh Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas any more!)

[scirocco22]

*laughs* Yes, you figured that out! ...typical CofC propaganda! I thought I could slip that by you.

But I just wanted you to see some of the pictures. Pahrump is an all-American town and a strong cultural identity still can be found amongst the trailer parks and mobile homes.

Sure, not like where you'd really like to be but Pahrump is just not as bad as you're picturing it.

You and me both... we can do this, we can do this, we can do this...........

[Rocket Dog]

Scirocco22,
Thanks for making me laugh! Yeah, I saw through that. Thought you could get away with it, didn't you.

Do you live in Pahrump? Or do you live someplace else where you need to tell yourself every day, i can do this . . . i can do this . . . i can do this??? LOL

[Rocket Dog]

More questions about Pahrump: Is there an FM radio station that has NPR? Is there a personal property tax; e.g., automobile registration, and if so, how much is it? Can a "senior citizen" with a Masters degree who doesn't like typical senior center activities fit in anywhere? Do you know if there are any book clubs? How easy or difficult would it be to meet and make friends with the professors at the community college? Please tell me I can get DSL and/or cable connection for my computer!!?? Those are all the questions I can think of at the moment, but I'm sure I'll have more later. One answer I already have: I can get a big wide-brimmed hat at Wally World to keep the sun out of my eyes.

[kindra3434]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

Perhaps we are convincing you to not leave Pahrump, kindra?

Nah ...I know.

oh, no no no no no, I'm outta here!!! however, I spent 13 years here, I do have a bit of a soft spot..........there's just no oppurtunity here!!!! and....well I could go on and on.

[Hattie Wild]

I have been here since Sept. 2007. Moved here from MT, gorgeous area, surrounded by National Forest overlooking the lake. Rather remote area, no amenities & had to drive 65 miles to the grocery store. Talk about nothing to do & no neighbors. I was surprised when I was here in Pahrump awhile that there are so many trees & I am still exploring the area & finding new things every day. I got my real estate license so am able to be out & about with people & have discovered some really gorgeous homes. I think allforcats sums it up very well, look at the blessings you have been given & make an effort to get out & look at the good things Pahrump has to offer. I don't know which park you will be in but we have several that are very nice with activities & yes people do sit on the front porch. I am sorry for your loss & your situation but give us a chance.

[DesertMom]

We moved to Pahrump from Las Vegas five months ago and had to add my two bits. Or lots of bits. Anyway, READ IT. IT'S WORTH IT.

We came to Pahrump on purpose. We wanted more elbow room to allow our four children to grow up on an acre of land with room and zoning for horses. We love it here.

Some say there is nothing in Pahrump; no opportunity, etc. I can empathize; I grew up in a different small college town and always wanted something more. My husband and I left for grad school and better jobs, and I would advise anyone who is "itchy" to know what else is out there to go and find out! You will have wonderful experiences. And yet it's ironic that after living in many different, very cool urban places, my husband and I should choose this small town as the best place to raise our small children in! We figure they can go to college and get jobs anywhere after this; we don't expect them to live forever in their tiny hometown. My husband and I have "been there, done that," so we're ready for the quieter life. Hopefully it will be as pleasant for our kids to come back and visit here as it is for us to visit our folks in the quaint little towns we left because they were too small!

Some have complained about seedy types in Pahrump, but I'll tell you what -- they're everywhere, in every neighborhood, rich or poor. Different vices, maybe, but still there. In denser urban cities they might be even closer by than you think. Out here at least the houses are not all right on top of each other, regardless of what your neighbors are like. So even if they do things you don't like, there is a lot more space in-between!

And as far as raising kids goes, we feel that idle children can find trouble anywhere - urban or rural. The idea is to foster interests to fill their time (school, church, music, sports, scouts, 4H, good friends, hobbies, whatever) to keep them out of it. Options like those are everywhere, no mater the size of the town. It gives my husband and I a lot of joy to watch our children enjoying things here in Pahrump that they couldn't in other places we've lived-- exploring fields of sagebrush, catching lizards and bugs, building forts, digging in the dirt, playing ball without it ending up three yards down ...

Even though it's not far away, we find it much cooler in Pahrump than in Las Vegas in the summer. Less asphalt and concrete means it holds (and radiates back) less heat. It actually cools off in Pahrump when the sun goes down (not so in Vegas)! There is almost always a cool, pleasant evening breeze in Pahrump, and you can open your windows or sit outside and enjoy it! In Vegas we had to be shut up inside with the windows sealed up and the AC blasting from March through October. Not so in Pahrump! It's nearing the end of April and I haven't needed to switch my AC on yet!

Before Vegas we lived in the San FranciscoBay area, so the hour commute for my husband (with his masters degree and professional job) doesn't seem so outrageous to us. He drives a fun car and carpools with a friend ...

Granted, when we first moved from "Eden" to the desert it took me a long time to adjust. I love to walk in nature, and missed the trees and other flora. Interestingly, I'm finally falling in love with the desert now that we've moved to Pahrump. The “ruralness” gives one the opportunity to experience what its really like in the desert, and to find the beauty and wonder of this unique environment; whereas in Vegas it was just like being in any other urban/suburban place -- developed, planned, planted, landscaped, paved -- only SUPER HOT!

The sunsets are phenomenal in Pahrump. The whole valley turns crimson, and then a million stars - that you can actually see - come out in a clear indigo sky. Our family has a lot of fun with our telescope on our front lawn!

It's true there is dust, wind, and a total lack of shopping variety here. I thought I would just drive for an hour to the stores I like, as I did in the Bay Area, back when I had just one or two kids. I'm finding now with four kids that getting into town is trickier than before, so I am having a hard time with that. But stores are starting to come. We're all excited about the new Home Depot and Star Nursery, and speculating on what might come next. Pahrump is expected to double its population in the next ten years, and there is a master plan for parks, schools, and infrastructure. Businesses would be silly not to come, if we can all just hang in there until then!

The last thing I wanted to bring up is that we actually live in that 3000+ sf pre-fab home that someone mentioned seeing a model of on the highway. I have never lived in a pre-fab before, and admit I'm struggling to get over the stigma of it, even though there is nothing mobile about this place! It is a beautiful home that's here to stay with permanent concrete steps and plans for covered porches, etc. It has the best floorplan we found, site built or otherwise, and looks and feels inside, in terms of construction, as "real" and sturdy as any other home we have owned. I have mountain views from every window in my house, a landscaped, junk-free yard, and decent neighbors (who also live in pre-fabs). I try to hide my amusement when people enter my home for the first time, look around in surprised wonder, and comment, "this is a really nice home!"

The site built homes we saw when we were looking were either on tiny lots that we were trying to get away from or were overpriced by hundreds of thousands of dollars for awkward floorplans and/or less house than we wanted. There are some gorgeous custom homes here, but I have also been in a number of site built homes here that don't "feel" as nice as mine inside. Same for the pre-fabs. I think a lot of it is what you do with it.

Some of my comments may refer to a different thread, so I apologize if some of it is not as applicable. I just wanted the world to know that a nice family who doesn't gamble, drink, or visit brothels can live in a pre-fab home in Pahrump and not be trashy, uneducated, or poor; that you can live happy in the desert; and that you can give children a wholesome upbringing in this town as well as any, maybe more so than most. So there you go.

To answer your other questions, Vegas broadcasts an NPR station (and PBS), the best option for internet is wireless, the best option for television is satellite, and if you want a book group, join mine! I know you saw the website, but if you check out the Pahrump Chamber of Commerce calendar it will give you an idea of other activities here for people of all ages and interests:

http://www.pahrumpchamber.com/2007/calendar.html

Hope this helps, and good luck!

[MtnBikeNV]

Geez DesertMom, you make me miss the place more than I already did. LOL