[DodgerBlue2009]

Hello everyone, I'm new here. I currently live outside of Huntington Beach, California in a two bedroom townhouse style apartment with my wife and two sons (oldest is 3, youngest in just over 1 month). My wife and I are considering moving to the Las Vegas area and am trying to find out some information before we make up our minds.

We are thinking it could be a good idea because houses are cheaper than here in LA, we've heard taxes aren't as bad, I have some family out there, there's always something to do, and we just like the area. We haven't been too far off the strip lately, but my grandparents used to live there when I was a kid so I was usually there for about a week or so during the summer.

Anyways, I was just wondering if anyone would be able to give an honest and serious opinion about moving/living in Las Vegas compared to other areas in the country. Some things I've read/heard make it seem like a great place to live and raise a family. Other places make it seem like you should run far away. Are there any good websites or anything to check out that would give us an honest and objective view?

Thanks!

[airics]

Do you have employment lined up? You have 2 kids don't move without a job

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by DodgerBlue2009

Hello everyone, I'm new here. I currently live outside of Huntington Beach, California in a two bedroom townhouse style apartment with my wife and two sons (oldest is 3, youngest in just over 1 month). My wife and I are considering moving to the Las Vegas area and am trying to find out some information before we make up our minds.

We are thinking it could be a good idea because houses are cheaper than here in LA, we've heard taxes aren't as bad, I have some family out there, there's always something to do, and we just like the area. We haven't been too far off the strip lately, but my grandparents used to live there when I was a kid so I was usually there for about a week or so during the summer.

Anyways, I was just wondering if anyone would be able to give an honest and serious opinion about moving/living in Las Vegas compared to other areas in the country. Some things I've read/heard make it seem like a great place to live and raise a family. Other places make it seem like you should run far away. Are there any good websites or anything to check out that would give us an honest and objective view?

Thanks!

Got jobs..come.

No jobs..don't come.

Simple as that. The Vegas area is very difficult at the moment and you should not come here without employment with small children. It is to easy to end up on the street.

In a year....maybe different story. In two...very likely much better.

Now...the pits.

[hockeygirl4]

Agree with olecapt and airics, find a job first.

As far as raising children here, I know Vegas has the "Sin City" reputation, and apparently the school system is one of the worst in the country, HOWEVER, I don't see a problem raising a family here than any other city honestly. My friends are school teachers (in other cities) and are blamed constantly for not making sure kids do their homework...sorry but I thought that was a parent job? I believe if parents have a handle on their kid's discipline and respect for others, you won't have a problem raising your children here.

I guess my argument here is why are the school's so "bad" here? Because parents don't have time for their kids? I don't get it.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by hockeygirl4

I believe if parents have a handle on their kid's discipline and respect for others, you won't have a problem raising your children here.

That works as long as every other kid's parents are similarly like-minded. But out here you'd be outnumbered by your typical uneducated Las Vegas trash. That makes a parent's job much harder.

[lasvegasdawn]

I agree w/the other posts if you don't have jobs here don't move yet. Unemployment is high right now. Housing prices are really low prices, but getting financing is a pain and closing on a home could take months if you buy a preforeclosure - short sale. You should most likely rent first and drive the areas first, day, night, weekends, etc. Just like you would do in any other city

[sierramadre44]

Originally Posted by DodgerBlue2009

Hello everyone, I'm new here. I currently live outside of Huntington Beach, California in a two bedroom townhouse style apartment with my wife and two sons (oldest is 3, youngest in just over 1 month). My wife and I are considering moving to the Las Vegas area and am trying to find out some information before we make up our minds.

We are thinking it could be a good idea because houses are cheaper than here in LA, we've heard taxes aren't as bad, I have some family out there, there's always something to do, and we just like the area. We haven't been too far off the strip lately, but my grandparents used to live there when I was a kid so I was usually there for about a week or so during the summer.

Anyways, I was just wondering if anyone would be able to give an honest and serious opinion about moving/living in Las Vegas compared to other areas in the country. Some things I've read/heard make it seem like a great place to live and raise a family. Other places make it seem like you should run far away. Are there any good websites or anything to check out that would give us an honest and objective view?

Thanks!

I'm going to get blasted by the rest of the crowd on this one because they know where I stand, but I agree with their logic on why NOT to come to Vegas; and I agree, DO NOT CONSIDER RELOCATING TO VEGAS especially without a job, and that may not last long either.

No, it is not a good place to raise children. And, the schools in NV are rated 49th in the nation. Although there are good individual schools in CCSD overall their AYP (NCLB) initiatives are lacking. And, I agree with another poster that some parents are NOT into educating/raising their children.

If you're looking for a better place for kids you'll need to head further north or east. City-Data has lots of info on other locations. Also, subscrib to local news online or television stations and watch them for a while so you can get a feeling for the culture, etc. I have 2 places in mind to move as soon as the economy picks up and get outta here, much to the delight of some in this forum.

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by sierramadre44

I'm going to get blasted by the rest of the crowd on this one because they know where I stand, but I agree with their logic on why NOT to come to Vegas; and I agree, DO NOT CONSIDER RELOCATING TO VEGAS especially without a job, and that may not last long either.

No, it is not a good place to raise children. And, the schools in NV are rated 49th in the nation. Although there are good individual schools in CCSD overall their AYP (NCLB) initiatives are lacking. And, I agree with another poster that some parents are NOT into educating/raising their children.

If you're looking for a better place for kids you'll need to head further north or east. City-Data has lots of info on other locations. Also, subscrib to local news online or television stations and watch them for a while so you can get a feeling for the culture, etc. I have 2 places in mind to move as soon as the economy picks up and get outta here, much to the delight of some in this forum.

The 49th rating is a meaningless statistic. It simply shows that Nevada is very urban with 90% of the population in two school districts. If you rate those two districts versus other large districts they do reasonably well. Better than NYC or Chicago or LA for instance. And much like all large school districts the "bad" ratings are driven by the bottom schools...which are pretty awful. So don't send your kid to a bottom school.

If you stick to the top 50 or 75 elementary schools your kids will do fine. Those schools interchange reasonably well with the upper end schools in any of the nicer cities of the US.

And you don't have to spend a lot of money for a fine school. J. Marlan Walker, Edith Garehime,James H. Bilbray, William & Mary Scherkenbach for instance are all top schools in reasonably affordable neighborhoods. Walker is a magnet.

[MomMom]

Considering this post was made back in August, either the OP is here already or moved somewhere else. I'm sure they don't care any longer.

[sierramadre44]

Originally Posted by MomMom

Considering this post was made back in August, either the OP is here already or moved somewhere else. I'm sure they don't care any longer.

LOL... good catch MomMom!