[mattyj46]

Hey, I am thinking of moving to Las Vegas and I am certain to move to the States. If anyone who lives in Las Vegas can give me an idea of what it is like to live there?? How easy and cheap is it to rent apartment?? And just any other info you can give me. I have looked just about every website there is and Las Vegas looks like a really good town to relocate.

[richkat]

I didn't see this city thread started when I posted my Vegas question in the Nevada thread.

Anyway, I'll post here, too. We were wondering if there are any high tech jobs in Vegas or are most of the jobs service-oriented or gaming-related?

As far as relocation info, you might want to get a copy of "Insider's Guide to Vegas." We found that to be helpful with some of the inside scoop. Of course, talking to real people who live there is even more helpful.

[VegasResident]

We live here as do my parents, who are retired.

Las Vegas is no longer cheap and apartments are fairly full all the time and not cheap either, unless you live in areas that are not quite safe.

To put it in perspective, they are trying to build some rent controlled afforddable housing apartments, the plan is that around $900 a month will be the rent for a single person apartment and around $1050 for a more than one person apartment. These you will have to qualify for with less than 60% of the median income in Vegas.

Houses run $190-$300 a square foot depending. A good example is that an 1800 sq ft on .2 acre ANYWHERE in Vegas that was built after 2003 will cost you $314,000 or more. The cost of housing skyrocketed in 2004 by 48%.

Places to live. More expensive generally runs the western ridge from Southern Highlands through Summerlin and up to Cenntenial Hills.

Less expensive is North Las Vegas, but they are catching up now too.

Crime - Nevada for the third year in a row was ranked as the most dangerous place in the United States for Crime. It also has the highest car theft rate in the US and you will see it in your car rates. We have two year 2000 cars and pay about $1000 a year for insurance and we have no accidents and discounts.

You want safe in Vegas? Live in a GUARD gated community, but expect to pay about $600,000 for 1600 square feet.

Registering your car is outlandish. Expect to pay 1-1.5% of the retail value of the car ANNUALLY in registration.

Las Vegas has more deathes from red lighting running than any other state. It is a challenge to drive here and there is alot of road rage due to the population explosion and not enough highway. I-15 carries over 300,000 cars daily past the strip and it was built to only carry 150,000.

Grafitti: Get used to it. They have started a new grafitti abatement program to stop it, but they are always in catch up. We even have a grafitti hotline. It can occur anywhere. Recently it has even shown up on walls inside the upscale Sun City Anthem Master Planned COmmunity.

This also means there are gangs, etc like CA. Get used to it also.

Sales tax runs 7.75%

The weather is great, there are lots of jobs and there is alot to do.

If you can balance this against housing costs, crime and traffic come move here.

[VegasResident]

I work in IT for Clark County.

You can usually find tech jobs with the state, county, cities and Bechtel (the super secret DOE agency that works in the Nevada Test Range on WMD stuff).

Casinos do hire tech people but it is not as common as many apply.

I would not say there are any large tech companies, though.

The service industry and construction represent the largest volume of new jobs.

Currently I know they are looking for an IT Manager for the Clark County Health DIstrict that pays 70K-90K per year, with pension, benefits, etc.

Las Vegas Metro PD is also looking for two senior network admins.

And the County is looking for aBusiness Systems Analyst and a Department Systems Coordinator.

[richkat]

Thanks for validating what we've concluded from doing our research. It's always a plus to get a personal perspective. After living in Florida, I think we can live anywhere.

The biggest obstacle for us is really the availability of appropriate jobs. Originally from California, Vegas used to be our home away from home. Trying to move back west and going round and round, trying to decide where exactly because we've already lived in most of the cities. Just trying to weigh all of the pros and cons.

Thanks again

-- R&K

[RedWingsFan]

I've lived in Vegas now for 9 years and we are planning on moving this summer. I don't like here, there are a lot of problems with this city. If you have kids you especially do not want to raise them in this city. While it was just me and my husband it wasn't as bad but now that I have kids I will not raise them here.

Lots of crime. The state of Nevada was named the most dangerous state in the country for the third year in a row.

Lots of gang activity and graffitti everywhere.

It's not cheap to live here anymore. Housing has gotten out of control and apartments are getting hard for people to find because so many are being converted into condos and sold. As of this month the average price of a home is $309,000. That's not cheap.

Lots of homeless bums that want your money so they can drink and gamble it away. The city builds parks for kids and they can't use them because they are filled with bums using them as hotels. You can't leave your house without someone asking you for your money.

The school system is awful. The schools here are ranked 48th state out of 50. They are really bad!

The city has been over taken by illegal Mexican immigrants. The school system is now a minority majority district. Over 52% of teh 300,000 students in the district are Mexican, many of whom can't or won't speak English. So the city caters to the Spanish speaking. There are even public schools here where half the day is taught in Spanish and half is taught in English.

**** everywhere. You would think it would be kept to the strip, but it's not. There are skanky billboards and posters everywhere. Two weekends ago we attended a family activity - it was a 2pm hockey game, attended by many families and kids. There were TWO strip clubs on-site promoting their strip club. Not a family-friendly place.

Government corruption - the politicians in this city are so corrupt it's nuts. They are always getting in trouble for taking money and bribes for things.

Summers are a living hell. It will be over 110 degrees... I don't care if it's a "dry heat" it's a HOT heat. Like sticking your head in an oven when you walk outside. It's very uncomfortable.

Medical - In 9 years I haven't been able to find a good family physician. Many of the doctors have left this town due to the rise in medical mailpractice rates going up.

Anything you want to do in this town involves going to a casino. Bowling, movies, etc. you pretty much need to go to a smoke-filled casino to do those things. Personally I'm not into the casino scene so that gets old.

Jobs. This city has jobs...but... most are in the service industry and many are being filled by illegal immigrants. Tons of jobs in housecleaning the hotel rooms, serving up drinks, waitressing, etc. There is a lot of building going on, but don't look to get a construction job, they are all going to illegal immigrants who will do it for a fraction of the cost that you will do it for.

HOA's - they will kill you with the amount of money you have to pay them each month so they can tell you how you must live.

I could go on and on with what's wrong with this city. But you all get the point. If you do still decide to come here only look to move to the Summerlin or Green Valley areas. Summerlin is the nicest by far. But it will cost you to move there.

Good luck!

[muddskipper]

I would take careful consideration before moving here to LV especially if you are a single woman. Its not the safest place for you, unless you can afford one of the gated communities (which arent that safe either). Stay on the northwest side and never leave home alone. REDWINGSFAN has said it all, honestly and has included everything you need to know.This town has gotten so dirty and crime ridden I am even looking to get out of here ASAP and my family was all raised here. Oh, the shopping is great but thats it. If your a party animal then thats another story but fair warning....BE CAREFUL. Good Luck

[212david51]

While Las Vegas crime rates are higher than national averages, it is not a hot bed of crime. Also, Nevada as a "shall issue" concealed weapon permit system should you feel the need to carry a gun. Contrary to common misconceptions, you can carry a gun in a casino or bank if they are NOT posted or if they do NOT have a metal detector at the door. (An old joke in Las Vegas is that since the mob runs the casinos, there is no need to rob you outside of them. That of course is a joke from the late 40s and early 50s, now the casinos are very careful of their reputations.) Like any other large city, there are some places to stay away from but for the most part, I would not let worry about crime prevent you from moving to Las Vegas.

[elkoindiansfan]

and a high school from vegas shot a cheerleader wont tell u high schools

[shiba-lover]

If you are a single girl moving here, do please be aware and beware, my niece was "drugged" with a roofie at the Beach...only turned her back for a second on her drink and voila'. Thank god that she had a male friend with her that followed her to the bathroom when she started to get sick. He literally had to carry her out of that hole/meat-market/pit..etc..you get the idea.
Vegas can be tough the first couple of summers in the heat. I've been here 34 years and by August every year, I swear I'm going to move out. May really do it this year..my son wants to move also...finally... and he is a native.
Henderson is nice also, like Summerlin and other places mentioned. Make sure to pin down any apartment complex you move into about whether or not they are going condo...Mine is and they hadn't been telling any new leasees until they asked them point blank. And they only offered $100 "re-location" money for a year lease. That won't even pay your utility deposits and transfers.
Good luck and just keep your eyes open!!!!

Opps, I meant snow ..BLONDE!!!