Phoenix vs. Las Vegas? (living, cost, state, better)

[punkzip]

Las Vegas and Phoenix seem pretty similar to me. The housing cost seems similar. However Nevada has no income tax. I think property taxes are a little lower in Nevada? Climate seems similar. Phoenix is larger. One thing I am a bit concerned about in moving to both cities is that they seem like intellectual wastelands (my wife and I are both book people and it doesn't seem like there is much intellectual culture in either city - not to seem snobbish). I do gamble (just poker) so Las Vegas would have some attraction there. How about outdoor activities?

Anyone have thoughts on one city vs. the other?

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by punkzip

Las Vegas and Phoenix seem pretty similar to me. The housing cost seems similar. However Nevada has no income tax. I think property taxes are a little lower in Nevada? Climate seems similar. Phoenix is larger. One thing I am a bit concerned about in moving to both cities is that they seem like intellectual wastelands (my wife and I are both book people and it doesn't seem like there is much intellectual culture in either city - not to seem snobbish). I do gamble (just poker) so Las Vegas would have some attraction there. How about outdoor activities?

Anyone have thoughts on one city vs. the other?

Las Vegas home prices were quite a bit higher than Phoenix and they will fall more when they do. LV is rather a dump compared to Phoenix. You need to look around a little more if you think they are that similar. Phoenix is hotter and it rains more than in LV.

As far as intellectual wastelands, come on! I will always wonder about the intellectual prowess of anyone who stereotypes 5 million people and the place they live. I can't speak for LV, but not everyone in Phoenix is a moron and there are numerous opportunities to feed your head around here. You will have to do some research and look for them and then drive to the location that events are taking place. That has proved to be too high a mountain for some who post here giving the impression that such culture is absent. Oh, effort! "Book people" will surely be in a small minority; Phoenix was built on people looking for jobs and low housing costs, not culture. But there are indeed activities for them here among the mass of beer-swilling cowboys.

[dusesean1986]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Phoenix is hotter and it rains more than in LV.

lol. That's not saying much either way.

[Steve-o]

BOTH cities have nice spots and scum spots. BOTH are hotter than sin in summer, decent in winter. BOTH have very little rainfall and brown mountains/hills. Physically and metorogically, theyre similar, thats about it.

PHX is a shade bit nicer, not the city itself, but the surrounding areas. LV is far more entertaining, but worse suburbs (IMO). Schools in BOTH states need drastic improvement. If youre looking for entertainment, you just cant beat LV. PHX offers alot of stuff to do (just dont look for any "downtown"), but a different kind of entertainment.

Theyre actually similar cities in a similar environment, but the overall nod goes to PHX for quality of life. As for entertainment, the obvious nod goes to LV. You might find PHX boring if you like entertainment.

[AksarbeN]

Originally Posted by punkzip

Las Vegas and Phoenix seem pretty similar to me. The housing cost seems similar. However Nevada has no income tax. I think property taxes are a little lower in Nevada? Climate seems similar. Phoenix is larger. One thing I am a bit concerned about in moving to both cities is that they seem like intellectual wastelands (my wife and I are both book people and it doesn't seem like there is much intellectual culture in either city - not to seem snobbish). I do gamble (just poker) so Las Vegas would have some attraction there. How about outdoor activities?

Anyone have thoughts on one city vs. the other?

Each area of the country and most cities have personalities of their own. Failure to scratch below the surface and see more of what makes up that community is truly a failure of the observer.

If you’re interested in moving and concerned about the intellectual wastelands you might just want to make a visit that allows a little more time to adjust and get to know the people, the attractions, and the wealth of assets that Vegas or Phoenix offers. You can find what you look for but you need to have your eyes wide open.

The metro Vegas and Phoenix areas are a melting pot of people who have left other areas of the country. They have all come here for one reason or another. Or rather they are here because they wanted to leave something back there that they didn’t like any longer. Guess people are always looking for something better then what they have. I hope you find what you are looking for and I’m sure you will if you give it a little time and effort and look deeper within these two communities. You may even find people living that are from you own hometown and have similar interests as you.

Now pull up that large rock and sit on it, get a little closer to the campfire, drink some coffee and warm up in the cold desert nights that we have right now. Tomorrow morning the sun will be out and it’ll get up in the 70’s without SNOW!

[sablebaby]

It also helps what field you are in. Professions with higher degrees you may find more intellect (people to hang out with outside of work). Professions that usually go to less educated or less experience you may find less intellect.

What about Mensa? I have a coworker who is a member (always gloats about it) and does all kinds of activities with them.

[kawgpz550]

Ok, I live in Bullhead City, which is about 90 miles south/southeast of Las Vegas and about 250 miles from Phoenix. In my opinion, I like Las Vegas better. Actually, to be more specific, look into Henderson or Boulder City, NV. I would opt for Boulder City. Boulder City is about 10 miles to Henderson, 20 mile (again all freeway) to Vegas and has all of the amenities you could need. If you're not aware, Boulder City is where the Hoover Damn is located. There is some culture there and there is plenty of culture and arts in Vegas believe it or not. You just have to get past the strip to see anything. I would recommend Boulder City or Henderson especially if you have or are planning on havong children. Much safer and better schools.
Although I have lived here a long time and have been to Vegas much more than Phoenix, I have been to both a number of times and I find it much easier to get around in vegas than Phoenix. They are both HOT just as it's hot where I live. However, it usually does snow on Mt Charleston (just outside of Vegas), therfore providing some skiing etc. It doesn't snow much and it doesn't usually snow right in Vegas, only the mountains.
As for outdoor activities, well I know that Boulder City has skydiving, I took my husband on our anniversary a couple of years ago. Of course there is Lake Mead which is a large BEAUTIFUL lake (again, Boulder City) all kinds of water craft, biking etc. I really think you'll find you'll like it in this area.
Your overall cost of living is probably going to average out between the two areas. Although Nevada does not have state income tax, there is still gambling therefore whatever you save in taxes will most likely be spent at the tables... Just have to be very careful and don't start liking the casinos too much, I have seen far too many people LOSE EVERYTHING!
If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[Doctacity]

Phoenix has more of a city-feel to it than Vegas. Being originally from L.A. I find Phoenix more familiar. The entertainment is obviously far weaker than in Vegas, but it's not terrible. Downtown Phoenix often has some entertainment during the weekend, and nearby Tempe and Scottsdale have their share of nightlife. Additionally, there are much safer areas in the Phoenix metro area than in Vegas.

Las Vegas has half as many permanent residents as Phoenix, but keep in mind it has double the tourism population. Additionally both cities have nearly the exact same weather, but Vegas has half as much rain (Granted, both cities get less than 10 inches a year on average). You won't find any haboobs in Vegas (although I usually enjoy them) and the temperatures slightly cooler, but not noticeably.

[stevek64]

Originally Posted by punkzip

One thing I am a bit concerned about in moving to both cities is that they seem like intellectual wastelands (my wife and I are both book people and it doesn't seem like there is much intellectual culture in either city - not to seem snobbish).

Yes, actually I think it sounds very snobbish to make such a general statement. Kind of interesting for someone who seems to want to come across as enlightened/intellectual to generalize in such a way.

But I'll bite....we live around Dr.'s, lawyers, police officers, retired couples, people who own successful companies and everything else in between, just like any other nice city across the country. Imagine that! My wife and I have advanced IT and math degrees if that impresses you. Yes, there are many college educated, intellectual, and/or very smart people though in our experience, you'll often find many don't wear it on their sleeves to impress others out here in the Phoenix area which we find very refreshing.

May I suggest you spend some time in each city and live amongst the people in a nice area and judge yourself if it's what you're looking for. Though may I suggest you drop your stereotype at the gate and keep an open mind as I think that would be the intelligent & open-minded thing to do.

[LBTRS]

A heads up stevek64, you're talking to someone from 2007 and he's not been back since then. In case you were waiting for a response.