[Steelcity1221]

Hello, I am thinking hard about relocating to Las Vegas next year from Pittsburgh PA. From all the research I have done I think Las Vegas would be the best choice for me. (I was also thinking of Phoenix and southern California). My first question is jobs. I am 26 years old. I have sold cars for the past 5 years and make between 60-75k a year. In Pittsburgh that is good money and the cost of living seems to be similar in Vegas. I would like to get in with one of the resorts. Would I be able to make 50k + a year starting off? If not how Is the auto business in Las Vegas? My first choice would be to work somewhere on the strip. I do not have a degree. I will be moving out with my girlfriend who has a degree in criminal Psycology. How would jobs be for her? I will also be bringing my mother and dog out. My mother does not work so that won't be an issue, I am worried about how my dog will adapt. He is older (11), and half beagle half German Shepard. He likes to go for long walks and sniffs everything. Anyone with experience with dogs and the extreme heat in summer? He does not like when its 85 in Pittsburgh lol. Also on his walks would I have to worry about sqorpions and rattlesnakes? We would be living probably in Henderson and not on the edge of the desert. These are my main concerns with moving. As far as the city and climate I am sold on it. I love the dry heat and Las Vegas climate. I love the desert and mountains around the city and think the city itself is beautiful. Growing up I would go to Vegas 2-3 times a year, and always wanted to live there. Also what areas of Henderson are best? When I get there I am looking to rent for the first year. I would like to keep the rent under 1300 and first choice would be a house, or townhouse. If I had too I would do a nice 3 bedroom apartment in a nice complex. Also anyone know of any good places for Steeler games? I know I have a lot of questions but it's a big move. Any answers and advice would be appreciated. My biggest concerns are jobs, my dog, and neighborhoods. Thanks.

[Raiderman]

You can make $50K/year selling cars out here without too much difficulty. A job at a resort would entirely depend on your skill set and timing. A maid is not going to make $50K to start. A valet will, but is a much harder job to get.

Regarding your dog, you are probably not going to go for long walks in the summer here, if he doesn't like 85 in Pittsburgh. Add 30 degrees to that for extended periods of time, and you get the idea. After dark, it can still be well into the 90s in the summer, although feels much cooler due to the dry air.

I live in the Green Valley section of Henderson. My recommendation would be anywhere West of the 515 as far as nicer areas to live. You should have no problem renting a 3/2 house for $1300/mo. Ours is a 3/2 with an extra office and loft, about 2200 sq.ft. and we're renting for $1500 in one of the nicest neighborhoods. You can go a little smaller, or another good neighborhood and be right where you want to be.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

[airics]

Your money is way off. You don't have resort experience. You will start at the bottom. 13 an hour tops. If you can land a position. Hopefully you know someone. The car business is brutal here. 50k would be tough.

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by airics

Your money is way off. You don't have resort experience. You will start at the bottom. 13 an hour tops. If you can land a position. Hopefully you know someone. The car business is brutal here. 50k would be tough.

I just bought a car yesterday and was talking to a couple of the salespeople, GSM and F&I. I wouldn't say $50K is a stretch by any means. That's only $1000/week! The store I bought from does 180 units/mo with 12 salespeople. That's 15 cars/salesperson on average, meaning some do 20+, and some do under 10. Granted, selling 10 units/mo is not going to get you there, but at 20/mo, even with only a $200 commission per car, you're at right around $50K. If a person can't hold gross and do the units, than no, but if he's making $65K-$70K in Pittsburgh, he's obviously a decent salesperson.

[Steelcity1221]

If I would stay in the car business out there I would want to make the same if not more. In Pittsburgh at a Toyota store for 3 1/2 years I would sell 15-20 a month. I have been at a high end store for over a year and do 10 a month but the pay structure is different because you don't do as much volume. I would think in Las Vegas I would do the same or better. Pittsburgh dies down in winter ... January and February are tough, I wouldnt have that problem in Vegas. I have never made less than 60 in Pgh.

Raiderman, you said rent wise 1300 for what I need shouldn't be an issue. Is there a lot of single houses for rent in Henderson? In the Pittsburgh suburbs it is hard to find any house for rent. I would much rather have a house than an apartment.

One thing I forgot to ask if anyone knows how is health care in Vegas. My mother has had neck, knee, and ankle surgeries in the past, fibromialga and has COPD. We have very good doctors and hospitals in pitt and I have read some mixed reviews on Vegas hospitals. UMC seems to be the best from what I have read.

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by Steelcity1221

If I would stay in the car business out there I would want to make the same if not more. In Pittsburgh at a Toyota store for 3 1/2 years I would sell 15-20 a month. I have been at a high end store for over a year and do 10 a month but the pay structure is different because you don't do as much volume. I would think in Las Vegas I would do the same or better. Pittsburgh dies down in winter ... January and February are tough, I wouldnt have that problem in Vegas. I have never made less than 60 in Pgh.

Raiderman, you said rent wise 1300 for what I need shouldn't be an issue. Is there a lot of single houses for rent in Henderson? In the Pittsburgh suburbs it is hard to find any house for rent. I would much rather have a house than an apartment.

One thing I forgot to ask if anyone knows how is health care in Vegas. My mother has had neck, knee, and ankle surgeries in the past, fibromialga and has COPD. We have very good doctors and hospitals in pitt and I have read some mixed reviews on Vegas hospitals. UMC seems to be the best from what I have read.

I don't think that without a client base you would make the same or more starting over. And just because there is no snow, doesn't mean there isn't a slow season for cars. I was in the business for 16 years, and no matter what brand, or what location, there is ALWAYS a slow season.

Yes, there are many rentals in Henderson. Just do a websearch for realtors and get on their email list and you will see what is available. Bear in mind, that you can't select a house for the most part until a couple of weeks before you get here. We moved here from New England in June, and even 30 days was too far out for the houses we wanted. They simply wouldn't accept the application until 2-3 weeks before occupancy.

I can't speak to the healthcare in the valley. I haven't been to a doctor in many, many years, so have no personal experience in that area.

[Steelcity1221]

Originally Posted by Raiderman

I don't think that without a client base you would make the same or more starting over. And just because there is no snow, doesn't mean there isn't a slow season for cars. I was in the business for 16 years, and no matter what brand, or what location, there is ALWAYS a slow season.

Yes, there are many rentals in Henderson. Just do a websearch for realtors and get on their email list and you will see what is available. Bear in mind, that you can't select a house for the most part until a couple of weeks before you get here. We moved here from New England in June, and even 30 days was too far out for the houses we wanted. They simply wouldn't accept the application until 2-3 weeks before occupancy.

I can't speak to the healthcare in the valley. I haven't been to a doctor in many, many years, so have no personal experience in that area.

Thanks for the tips. I think I will be ok staying in the car business out there if I can't get in one of the resorts. Valet parking seems to be the job to get out there. Coming from New England, how do you like it in Vegas? I'm not going to miss the cold it was 10 below 0 here the other night lol.


Anyone else have experience with moving with an older dog and adjusting to the heat/desert? I don't want my dog to encounter a scorpion or rattlesnake, Or to have one in or near my house. I was in a nice resort in Phoenix once and had a scorpion in my hotel room although from what I have read Phoenix has more of a problem with them than Vegas. I would be walking him around my neighborhood and take him to local parks, not out on desert trails.

Anyone have input on the quality of hospitals and good doctors?

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by Steelcity1221

Thanks for the tips. I think I will be ok staying in the car business out there if I can't get in one of the resorts. Valet parking seems to be the job to get out there. Coming from New England, how do you like it in Vegas? I'm not going to miss the cold it was 10 below 0 here the other night lol.


Anyone else have experience with moving with an older dog and adjusting to the heat/desert? I don't want my dog to encounter a scorpion or rattlesnake, Or to have one in or near my house. I was in a nice resort in Phoenix once and had a scorpion in my hotel room although from what I have read Phoenix has more of a problem with them than Vegas. I would be walking him around my neighborhood and take him to local parks, not out on desert trails.

Anyone have input on the quality of hospitals and good doctors?

Don't count as that being a possibility. It is one of the most coveted jobs at the casinos and many people pay thousands out of pocket to get that position. As I'm sure others will chime in and concur, you really need juice to get a valet job on the strip. Your best bet is to get ANY job at a resort and move around once in there after a few years. But ANY job is not going to pay you what you want to make.

I don't miss the New England weather at all. I prefer it hot, and that's what I'm waiting for once again, as it has been getting down into the 30s at night here.

Unfortunately, regarding scorpions, etc. you probably won't know until you get into a place. I've been lucky here in that I haven't seen one yet in the short time I've lived here. From what I understand, they are highly localized. Your neighbor could have an infestation and none at your house.

[lvoc]

Dogs are actually not bothered much by heat. With the exception of long haired black dogs virtually any dog can deal with it. Dogs are basically thermos bottles who cool by aspiration. My dog and the past one both lay on the sun drenched brick patio at the height of summer. The only thing a dog needs is lots of water to support the cooling.

Older dogs may be cranky about walks but that is because they are old dogs not the heat.

You will likely never see a rattler or even a scorpion. Most dogs and virtually all cats will kill or chase off a scorpion without getting stung. And if they do sit on one or something they are very unlikely to die.

There are always 20 or 30 houses available out Raidermans way. He is into the deluxe but there is a bigger set just below that.

[BBMW]

Is the lucrativity of valet jobs real, or an urban myth? They don't get tipped that much per car, and can only move so many cars a shift.