[Starsushi]

For all those that mention the recent article...did you really read it?

"The number of workers in construction dropped to 46,300, a decline of 900 from August. Manufacturing held steady with 19,700 employed. Employment at hotel-casinos and gaming dropped 100 workers in Las Vegas to 153,400 in September compared to August.
Government employment in the Las Vegas area grew from 90,000 in August to 95,400 in September. Much of that was attributed to the return of teachers to the classroom.
Professional and business services employment in Las Vegas inched up to 99,700, a gain of 700 workers from August."


It's not total doom and gloom. Yeah construction jobs are down but that's no surprise considering the boom they went through. Too many relocated just for those types of jobs.


Hotel and casino only dropped 100 workers. Considering how huge an impact those areas are here, that's a incredibly small number.


At the same time there is an improvement in other areas. Small yes, but still an improvement.


Yes,the numbers of unemployed are still bad. But what makes you think the rest of the country is any better? Sure move away from here - to what? Think you're going to easily score a job anywhere else?

We've been here three months now. My friend is already working in the restaurant business. After two weeks I found a job in my field. Unfortunately for me though the business requirements and licensing is in Las Vegas is like jumping through an endless hoop of flaming rings so I had to decline the position for the time being.


The cost of living, road conditions, slowed down life style, less stress when dealing with people, weather, are all worth the move from the north east. If you have to be struggling to make it (which is what the vast majority of people in this country are doing), there are certainly a hell of a lot more places worse than Las Vegas to do it in.


It's not easier anywhere in this country right now. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. But Las Vegas sure has enough to make the move here worthwhile!

[quixotic59]

I can't speak as someone living in las Vegas, but I can tell you why it looks so attractive.
We have now spent two full summers living in Las Vegas. Hardly makes us authorities on the city but we do have a relatively clear picture of what life could be like there.
As long time residents of NYC, and both teachers, here's what we see:

1) Clean air

2) Clean streets

3) Beautiful natural surroundings

4) Beautiful weather (even that summer heat. I believe we've beaten the "dry vs. humidity" issue to death on this forum.)

5) Nice people. Yes, the employees on the strip doing their jobs, but also the people working off the strip, the people you run into on the street and in establishments, the drivers (ok, a little crazy in their driving but NO ONE ever cursed at us or gave us the finger in LV, a daily occurence in NYC), and all the neighbors we met while staying there (we rent vacation homes for the most part so we do meet locals).

6) Lack of overcrowding.

7) Cultural diversity that is not overwhelming.

8) OK, a little light on stuff like museums and such, but SOOOOO much more affordable entertainment and easy access (less traffic and more parking).

9) Clean air

10) Based on our research, a school system that, while it has its problems, is not an overbloated bureaucracy run by a megalomaniacal tyrant.

11) A nice mix of big city and small town.

12) Great access to exploring the West Coast.

[Nolan05]

Just as in any thread there are those spelling out the doom of Vegas and the area around it. I am coming back because we love it there and consider it home. There are jobs, but many people will not work 10$ an hour jobs, but you have to for the year or so it takes to get moving again. Vegas will hopefully get back to the point it was 15 years ago, where meals were a deal and it was fun to just go out. It got to the point where all the people moving in wanted everything right now and did not care who they stepped over to get it. Hundreds of jobs in the Sunday paper and on various web sites, my wife is going to be a teacher and only has to pass her last test. We have already had jobs lined up once and got the e-mail about Henderson International closing some campuses which made us have to stay here longer than expected. We are coming back where we love to be and we tell many of our friends to get out there right now and take advantage of the cheap housing

[themepark]

As one of those idiots that is moving to Vegas and will likely be out there in two weeks time, I feel like I should share my reasoning with you.

I'm a 21 year old that recently graduated top of the class with a hotel/restaurant degree and has 3 years of experience that includes professional/managerial roles. I currently have no employment due to my last position being with a seasonal operation. There aren't many places that have over 150,000 jobs in the industry. I used to live in one of them (Orlando), but I'd prefer not to go back there. Vegas offers better starting pay, better long term opportunities for professional growth, and offers a more appealing climate/place to live. If I'm going to have to go back to square one and start from the bottom for $8-12 an hour, I'd like to do it there. I'm giving myself 3 months to find a job and am confident I will be able to do so. I'm sure it's gotten much harder to find a job (I saw the change from anyone with a pulse to seriously qualified candidates only while in Orlando), but they're still hiring someone.

[Buffchik]

Originally Posted by dmbfan41cn

I had a lengthy reply typed up and then I realized that it's not even worth the argument... why do you care so much about the reasoning and motivation behind those wanting to come here? You act as though you are unveiling some "breaking news" about the local unemployment rate and are doing everyone else a big favor by shedding light on it... don't worry about it and if you hate it so much then pack your bags and head elsewhere... since the economy is thriving and superior anywhere else in the US besides Vegas. I don't think I'm alone when I say I'm sick of the constant pessimism and negativity from people like you

Reality not you thing ?

[lasvegasnewbie]

Originally Posted by Starsushi

The cost of living, road conditions, slowed down life style, less stress when dealing with people, weather, are all worth the move from the north east. If you have to be struggling to make it (which is what the vast majority of people in this country are doing), there are certainly a hell of a lot more places worse than Las Vegas to do it in.


It's not easier anywhere in this country right now. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. But Las Vegas sure has enough to make the move here worthwhile!

I agree 100% Starsushi. Try living on unemployment in New York City with apartment rentals at $1500-2000 a month on up.... Food prices, everything...is more expensive there. There's no way I could afford to live there unemployed. Here it's doable.

[lasvegasnewbie]

Originally Posted by quixotic59

I can't speak as someone living in las Vegas, but I can tell you why it looks so attractive.
We have now spent two full summers living in Las Vegas. Hardly makes us authorities on the city but we do have a relatively clear picture of what life could be like there.
As long time residents of NYC, and both teachers, here's what we see:

1) Clean air

2) Clean streets

3) Beautiful natural surroundings

4) Beautiful weather (even that summer heat. I believe we've beaten the "dry vs. humidity" issue to death on this forum.)

5) Nice people. Yes, the employees on the strip doing their jobs, but also the people working off the strip, the people you run into on the street and in establishments, the drivers (ok, a little crazy in their driving but NO ONE ever cursed at us or gave us the finger in LV, a daily occurence in NYC), and all the neighbors we met while staying there (we rent vacation homes for the most part so we do meet locals).

6) Lack of overcrowding.

7) Cultural diversity that is not overwhelming.

8) OK, a little light on stuff like museums and such, but SOOOOO much more affordable entertainment and easy access (less traffic and more parking).

9) Clean air

10) Based on our research, a school system that, while it has its problems, is not an overbloated bureaucracy run by a megalomaniacal tyrant.

11) A nice mix of big city and small town.

12) Great access to exploring the West Coast.

As a former NY'r I can relate to everything you say here!!

[building]

Originally Posted by themepark

As one of those idiots that is moving to Vegas and will likely be out there in two weeks time, I feel like I should share my reasoning with you.

I'm a 21 year old that recently graduated top of the class with a hotel/restaurant degree and has 3 years of experience that includes professional/managerial roles. I currently have no employment due to my last position being with a seasonal operation. There aren't many places that have over 150,000 jobs in the industry. I used to live in one of them (Orlando), but I'd prefer not to go back there. Vegas offers better starting pay, better long term opportunities for professional growth, and offers a more appealing climate/place to live. If I'm going to have to go back to square one and start from the bottom for $8-12 an hour, I'd like to do it there. I'm giving myself 3 months to find a job and am confident I will be able to do so. I'm sure it's gotten much harder to find a job (I saw the change from anyone with a pulse to seriously qualified candidates only while in Orlando), but they're still hiring someone.

First of all, never called you or anyone an idiot. I was just saying that it makes smart sense to have some kind of employment secured before moving to Vegas. Obviously you are an educated people and I wish you well but it looks like you made a serious gamble by coming here. One thing to remember in Vegas, the house always wins.

[building]

Originally Posted by lasvegasnewbie

I agree 100% Starsushi. Try living on unemployment in New York City with apartment rentals at $1500-2000 a month on up.... Food prices, everything...is more expensive there. There's no way I could afford to live there unemployed. Here it's doable.

You guys are 100 percent correct. If I was on unemployment I would want to stay in Vegas. But unfortunately what do you do, when the checks stop rolling in?

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by dmbfan41cn

... don't worry about it and if you hate it so much then pack your bags and head elsewhere...

He did.

Originally Posted by building

I lived in Vegas for about a year without employment. To make a long story short, I placed thousands of resumes out, and NOTHING. I decided to pack up the family and moved to California....