[GregtheWriter]

Hey everyone,

I'm moving from Alaska to Las Vegas. The plan is to drive down in September. I'm attempting to save as much money as I can before the move down ($3k is the goal). I'm youngish, just turned 26 and looking to get out of the brutal winters and high cost of living here and out of the oil field in general.

I figured Vegas sounds pretty fun and I would have potentially more opportunity to do what I want down there.

My goal is to do it as cheap as possible in terms of fixed monthly costs like rent. I would like to live pretty close to the Strip (Paradise maybe?) that is a relatively safe neighborhood while also low cost.

Ideally, I would like a part time job that can cover most of my fixed costs so I can spend most of my day working on my internet business / writing. I wouldn't be opposed to a sales job either if it's the right fit since I imagine that's a good way to help get ahead.

I want to be close to the strip so I can walk or catch a quick cab or bicycle ride whenever I want to it and have a fun time. I'm pretty conservative when it comes to gambling, but I do enjoy walking around a lot when I was down there.

Telecommute job seems to be the way to do it if you can find it since it seems you'd get better pay than working locally but I might be wrong there.

Anyhow, my questions are any advice on how to live cheaply in Vegas while still having fun and able to get ahead? (AK is crazy spendy as you can imagine, but I've heard the job market in vegas doesn't pay as well too).

My current skills as far as job goes is retail, oil field, writing, copywriting (sales in written form basically), internet marketing, and face to face sales experience.

As far as living goes, is Paradise a pretty safe area? From what I've researched it seems to be the closest neighborhood to the strip, I did live briefly for a month's stay there I think years ago with a few friends before I went off traveling again. I remember it being near UNLV and feeling pretty safe, walked to the strip from my apartment there a couple of times.

Thanks for all the advice in advance :-)


P.S totally spelled Alaska wrong in the subject line lol. Not sure how to edit that on the forum :P

[Vegas_Cabbie]

Not trying to be offensive or anything, but I think you should try to do better than $3,000 to get here and get settled properly.

Just a simple rundown:

Best case scenario here... is that you are coming from Juneau... Basically the closest major city in Alaska to LV. Even that is 1,768 miles.

1768 miles at 30mpg = 59 gallons used.
59 gallons x $3.50 per gallon = $206
$3000 - $206 = $2794

Again... Those were optimistic numbers.

As long as we are on cars, you should know we have extremely high registration fees coupled with above average auto insurance rates. We will put this on an extreme low end of $150 up front cost.
$2794 - $150 = $2644

Apartments will almost always require first month plus a security deposit... Best case scenario there is probably around $1000.
$2644 - $1000 = $1644

We have not factored in things like furniture (are you packing up a car and ditching furniture or are you hoping to purchase some here?... If you are bringing items down, that probably means moving truck which has a high rental fee of it's own as well as very poor gas mileage)... Also have not factored in basics like groceries and other necessities.

Day one in Vegas could bring you down to the $1000 mark (if not worse)... And from there, you are skating on some seriously thin ice.

[ScoopLV]

What a gloom-and-doomer you are.

OP, move on down! I'm sure you'll hit a royal playing video poker on your first day and your immediate money problems will be over. Yeah, that's the ticket. Besides, writers are in hot demand in Las Vegas. Look at the employment ads -- nothing but wall-to-wall listings looking for ad writers, technical writers, and even writers for LDS religious tracts. You should barge into any casino, point to yourself with both thumbs like Fonzie and say, "Ayyyyy. This writer needs a job!" Snap your fingers at a casino employee to get their attention if you need to. You'll be employed within minutes. Casino HR departments here like a go-getter.

And even if you can't find a place to rent immediately, just squat in someone's vacant house. That will turn out just fine.

Reality is overrated. Numbers? Facts? That's for people without moxie, baby. Just do it.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by GregtheWriter

P.S totally spelled Alaska wrong in the subject line lol. Not sure how to edit that on the forum :P

Fixed that for ya

[Merrily Gather]

As cheap as possible and close to the strip I can help you with. I'm going to put proximity over safety as the priority because safety is relative in the area. These are three places I've looked at that I'd recommend on your budget.

Fremont Villas - 600 sq ft - $525 a month


Video

Fremont Villas is like a converted motel. The renovation is nice with new materials inside. The units are small at 600 sq ft and the place is packed with people, so you'll hear your neighbors and smell their cigarette smoke. They don't have screens on their windows so watch for flies. They do have a large black iron security gate around the property and the surrounding area is hit or miss on the revitalization of Downtown. You'll see grinding poverty, converted and gated communities, and boarded up abandoned properties with chain link fences around them waiting to be revitalized.

It's enough space for one person and well within walking distance to The Fremont Street experience. It's going to be a mix of people all living there because of it's proximity and price. I suggest being a highly social and active person to live here. Imagine college dorm experience.

City Center Apartments - less than 500 sq ft - Starts at $585 a month


Video

You're going to get less space here for more money but you're going to be right behind container park, literally across the street from it, and in the heart of the revitalization area which has the perception of safety. You're also going to get a sense of community, a gym, a swimming pool, a funky cool building and a nice staff. The units are nice as well but very small. Still doable for one person wanting that Strip experience on a budget.

Art District Apartments - around 600 sq ft - Starts at $575 - They have larger units and the longer the lease the less it is. They also offer fully furnish units and utilities included.

This is their official page Art District Apartments. They use facebook for it. It's kind of nice and quiet inside.

The Art District is this interesting area between Downtown and The Strip that spans a couple of blocks. It kind of reminds me of the old run down buildings you see in historic downtown's that attract the creative struggling artist types. Where they have thrift stores, art stores, unique and unusual items for sale. I wouldn't call this the revitalized area but it reminds me a little of that, or on it's way to that except with strip clubs, pawn shops, wedding chapels, cheap Mexican food, youth hostels and bails bondsmen. You're still going to see very run down and boarded up structures and some grinding poverty, but you're going to be in the mid point between downtown and the strip where you can walk, ride the bus, or drive to where you want to go easily.

[BBMW]

Greg,

Straight up, you need more cash. Don't even think of moving to Vegas unless you can cover all your moving expenses AND have six month (at least) of living expenses in cash before you make your move. Thumbnailing it, I'd think $15,000 minimally.

[macgeek]

Greg, I came here with a War chest, a paid off house, and car, and it took me 2.7 years to get a decent paying job.

Jonathan

[yellowsnow]

Originally Posted by macgeek

Greg, I came here with a War chest, a paid off house, and car, and it took me 2.7 years to get a decent paying job.

Jonathan

What he said. This is reality! No way 3K will get you set up here, not even close!

[RHT27045]

I'm sure it is cheaper living in Nevada than Alaska. But NOT that cheap! No way 3K will work. Half of your money will be gone before you even have a bed to sleep in! You going to spend 1,000.00 - 1,500.00 for rent/deposit(s)/power before you even move in. Then on a safe average of 10.00 for food(300.00 a month) per day. Cab fares 10.00 here 10.00 there add up quick. And you better hope that vehicle you drive from Alaska don't break down on your trip down or you may not even make it to Vegas with 1 dime.

Wishing you luck on whatever you decide to do.....

[nitro1320]

Revive this thread after you move. I am curious how this will turn out if you only have 3k saved up. Yikes!