[jrzguy]

I've been thru a ton of threads on this site, so bear with me.

I don't care about school quality or employment. My wife and I are mainly looking for safe, stable neighborhoods, bang for the buck re house value, and accessibility to shops, restaurants, etc.

I've been there a bunch of times, but I'm curious what residents really think about the heat during the summer in terms of how it affects you, and the ability (or lack of) to meet people on a social basis. I mean in terms of your personal experiences elsewhere.

Finally, given the nature of the place, do you find it tends to be boring in terms of normal things to do, not counting gambling and shows.

Thanks

[Willy702]

I don't think this is not so typical, a majority of people move to Vegas without kids or worry too much about jobs it seems.

I personally moved out for these issues, but it might be because Vegas was really the smallest city I ever chose to live in. I grew up and lived in much bigger places than LV and chose to move to a bigger city. The weather was a factor, but so was sort of the lack of the big city amenities like pro sports teams and a sense of real place, which is hard to find when so many people come and go and few really have a sense of civic pride. Its almost funny how hard many work to make it clear where they came from whether its a license plate frame from another place or stickers of sports teams or cities on their cars. Most people move to Vegas hoping it stays small and misses out on the big city issues they came from which I understand, they have little interest in making Vegas the place that comes first in their heart.

In a strange way expect it to be a slower pace of life despite what it seems in a tourists eyes. Most people I knew just tended to their families and didn't go out all that much. Outdoor activities are not bad at all, although the climate is a bit of a bummer when the days are the longest the weather is not really hospitable to being outside. There is good shopping and an improved arts scene with Smith Center open now, but still its not an arts mecca. The amenities for the tourists are rather expensive, all the great restaurants and the most in demand shows come with a fairly prohibitive budget.

I think what you get with Vegas is a new city, if you like new stuff you'll love it. New stores, restaurants, activities are always opening up. New people are coming to town all the time. New job opportunities. If that appeals to you then you probably will always enjoy it. And the value is quite good on the housing front for now and cost of living is relatively low, especially on the tax side of things. The social scene is different since you won't run into people the same as you would in your hometown, but its not impossible to find at least some interesting people around. Its kind of like sales, understand quite a few people don't want to be bothered and move onto the next prospect until you find what you want.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by jrzguy

1) My wife and I are mainly looking for safe, stable neighborhoods, bang for the buck re house value, and accessibility to shops, restaurants, etc.

2) I'm curious what residents really think about the heat during the summer in terms of how it affects you,

3) the ability (or lack of) to meet people on a social basis. I mean in terms of your personal experiences elsewhere.

4) Finally, given the nature of the place, do you find it tends to be boring in terms of normal things to do, not counting gambling and shows.

1) East side has the best bang for the buck. But there's not much to do out here.

2) It's so hot you can blister your forearm resting it on the car door while driving.

3) I've had next to no luck in this regard, and neither have my inlaws. We have a few friends, and that's that. This place is NOTHING like where we came from (S. Florida).

4) Not just boring -- homogenous. The neighborhoods look the same. The commercial areas have the same stores. For the most part it's all chains and big-box stores. You have to search hard to find the unusual "mom and pop" places. And from what long-time residents tell me, it's been getting worse and worse since the 1990s.

Yes, plenty of great concerts and great restaurants on the strip. Lots of national parks within an afternoon drive. Mt. Charleston in the back yard for when the heat becomes unbearable.

At the end of the day, though, I like small coastal towns that are populated mainly by geeks. This ain't it.

[Clarkcty]

Originally Posted by jrzguy

I've been thru a ton of threads on this site, so bear with me.

I don't care about school quality or employment. My wife and I are mainly looking for safe, stable neighborhoods, bang for the buck re house value, and accessibility to shops, restaurants, etc.

I've been there a bunch of times, but I'm curious what residents really think about the heat during the summer in terms of how it affects you, and the ability (or lack of) to meet people on a social basis. I mean in terms of your personal experiences elsewhere.

Finally, given the nature of the place, do you find it tends to be boring in terms of normal things to do, not counting gambling and shows.

Thanks

What do you consider normal things to do? There are actually events in town on a regular basis that will keep you occupied apart from gambling and shows like art and ethnic festivals.

As far as heat, I consider July and August the hottest but I don't mind it's Summer and you cope. The rest of the year is great even during Winter.

[tortoise]

Originally Posted by jrzguy

been thru a ton of threads on this site . . mainly looking for safe, stable neighborhoods

Considering the NUMEROUS threads discussing the "safe" topic, pretty hard to believe that you ACTUALLY made much of a research effort.

[topaz420]

If you can be more specific about what you like to do for enjoyment, we can better answer that question

As far as "bang for the buck", with house prices going up 30-40% in the last year, I think the bang for the buck days are over (for now).

My house was a great deal for $99k in June 2012. Now it's at $155k -- still much lower than the $270k it cost when it was built in 2007, but still, I would NEVER buy it at that price. There are much better deals to be had across the country (and in other countries) in nicer towns than Vegas.

[Caltovegas]

LV is a 24hr town with an airport. As for the heat no place is perfect.


A very bad snow storm - YouTube

[KKVegas]

Regarding the heat: When house hunting, consider which direction the rooms in your house face. Our master bedroom is in the southwest corner of the house, and even with solar screens on the outside and shutters on the inside, it is the hottest room in the house. I like sleeping in a cool room; so this is an issue for me (and one that I didn't think about until our first summer in the house). We bought a portable air conditioner for that room, which helps immensely.

Regarding things to do: If you like theatre, the Smith Center gets a great variety of shows (legitimate theatre as opposed to the shows on the Strip).

[Exaday]

Sounds like you already have a rather negative view of the place honestly.

Going out on limb here and guessing you're from the east coast.

You probably won't like it here and will try to change our culture to suit yours. You'll complain that we don't have such and such and thus are not a real city. I normally am very supportive of people coming here, I get the feeling you won't like it here though. You like to visit, but not to live here. Stay put or move to some city that is very similar to yours where you already have some friend that way you don't have to work hard at meeting new people and building new bridges.

Las Vegas is not for you.

[Clarkcty]

Originally Posted by KKVegas

Regarding the heat: When house hunting, consider which direction the rooms in your house face. Our master bedroom is in the southwest corner of the house, and even with solar screens on the outside and shutters on the inside, it is the hottest room in the house. I like sleeping in a cool room; so this is an issue for me (and one that I didn't think about until our first summer in the house). We bought a portable air conditioner for that room, which helps immensely.

Regarding things to do: If you like theatre, the Smith Center gets a great variety of shows (legitimate theatre as opposed to the shows on the Strip).

North or south facing windows are the best! My windows in the living and dining room are North facing while the bedroom windows are South facing. Love it!!