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This post if from 2006 when median home prices were over 300K not 140K. Nowadays in Vegas you can buy a nice home and have a mortgage around 1K a month. Anyway I'm also from NY like many that have posted and have I lived here in LV (in summerlin) for 3 years. I have 2 small kids and I think its a great place to live! Summerlin is an extremely family friendly place, much more so than NY is IMO. Personally, I'm much much happier here than I was in NY... bring on the sunshine!
I think you would be a prime candidate for Summerlin/Centennial Hills (west side). Summerlin is closer to Red Rock and Centennial Hills is only 40 min from Mt. Charleston. Although I can get to Red Rock pretty quick from CH as well by jumping on the 2-15.
Centennial Hills tends to get a little windier but the good part of that is we are always above the smog and pollution. So the air is clean..and we tend to be a few degrees cooler in the summer as well.
I love living here!
***I recommend staying at the Red Rock casino. It's right by Summerlin, Red Rock and about 15 minutes from Centennial Hills.
Thanks Lyra33. I'll definitely check that area out. Sounds like the kind of place I would like. I hope to come in early April with any luck.
I'm planning a trip to the Las Vegas area. It's a vacation and scouting trip to see if I would like to live there. It's kind of hard to figure out where I should live: north, south, east or west of LV. I just want a place that's affordable w/o being a ghetto. I tend to like suburban areas as opposed to urban areas to live. I work in the healthcare industry as a medical coder. I'm single and could care less about schools. I would love to play golf and hike often. I would like to get involved in the community in some way.
Should I just get a hotel on the strip and drive to different areas like Henderson, Summerlin, North Las Vegas? Would 5 days be enough time or should I stay longer? Any good ideas of where to stay that's reasonably priced, but would give me that Las Vegas vacation experience too.
My reasons for moving are pretty simple. I've lived in Portland, Oregon for 45 years and just can't cope with the cool winter weather 9 months out of every year. I'm a summer sport person who lives in a winter sport state. And I would rather be hot than cold. I think I have stayed so long because all my family is here. There are other reasons I'm looking to leave, but I don't want to trash Oregon on this forum. It's a great state, but just not so great for me.
Any advice you could offer would be appreciated.
Thanks
Hey PDXer... I am a lot younger than you, but my dad is almost 70 and has been an Oregon resident his entire life. I left Portland 4 years ago for Los Angeles, mainly for the film industry, everything else was unimportant in my move (sidenotes, at best). But I really couldn't stand the Oregon weather even in my 23 years there, just too many dreary days. It's not that it's cold, because it's really not that cold ever, it's only as low as 30 in Oregon and most of the time it's going to be like 40s and 50s except when it gets nice. I think Oregon has the most gorgeous summers of anywhere you will find, too, so in my future including this year I will probably be spending as much time in July and August in Portland as I can. When I move to Vegas I intend to avoid the 110 degree summer heat, haha. That being said, it's the cloudy days that get to you in Portland. It's the weeks on end sometimes of never seeing the sun at all. Of course Oregon will always be my original home and "home" to me in some senses because I grew up there and my dad is there, a lot of friends there, etc. But come on, a rainy cold weather state like Oregon has no right to also be the #1 worst offender of high taxes, seriously? That is ludicrous. If the weather were amazing like it is in Los Angeles, it still wouldn't be worth the high taxes. 11% income taxes at the highest bracket, heck it's only 10.55% in California and this place really sucks tax-wise.
So get down to Las Vegas! I know I'll be there this year. I agree with you, would rather be hot than cold.
Hey PDXer... I am a lot younger than you, but my dad is almost 70 and has been an Oregon resident his entire life. I left Portland 4 years ago for Los Angeles, mainly for the film industry, everything else was unimportant in my move (sidenotes, at best). But I really couldn't stand the Oregon weather even in my 23 years there, just too many dreary days. It's not that it's cold, because it's really not that cold ever, it's only as low as 30 in Oregon and most of the time it's going to be like 40s and 50s except when it gets nice. I think Oregon has the most gorgeous summers of anywhere you will find, too, so in my future including this year I will probably be spending as much time in July and August in Portland as I can. When I move to Vegas I intend to avoid the 110 degree summer heat, haha. That being said, it's the cloudy days that get to you in Portland. It's the weeks on end sometimes of never seeing the sun at all. Of course Oregon will always be my original home and "home" to me in some senses because I grew up there and my dad is there, a lot of friends there, etc. But come on, a rainy cold weather state like Oregon has no right to also be the #1 worst offender of high taxes, seriously? That is ludicrous. If the weather were amazing like it is in Los Angeles, it still wouldn't be worth the high taxes. 11% income taxes at the highest bracket, heck it's only 10.55% in California and this place really sucks tax-wise.
So get down to Las Vegas! I know I'll be there this year. I agree with you, would rather be hot than cold.
Preaching to the choir! Everything you said is "spot on". Portland has such amazing summers that it almost lulls you into a sense of euphoria. After a month of cloudy days in the Fall, though, the euphoria wears off.
No, I wouldn't say that living in Las Vegas is overrated. I've visited that place MANY times and the first 3-4 times I had lots of fun. Of course that was when I was a teenager before I became an adult. Vegas has problems just like any city does. I've read lots of messages in these forums and although for a lot of years I've ruled out ever living in Vegas, now I have a better attitude about it. Any city is what you make of it. The biggest thing to think about IMO if you want to move to Vegas besides being able to land a job is the summer heat. If you can find a way to manage that, Vegas should be a piece of cake. I've spent lots of time in the city as a visitor over the years. I wouldn't classify Vegas as a cesspool though. It really is not as bad as some people think it is. And as it has been said before, if you can't control your gambling and I'll say that if you can't stop drinking then Vegas is not for you. But there are gamblers and alcoholics in other places in the US too. The best thing to do is to visit Vegas and see it for yourself and you can determine if it is overrated or not.
Well, I flew to Vegas and stayed for 5 days. My command center for my scouting trip was Harrah's Casino. I did manage to drive around the city on Highway 215 and checked out most of the areas from this highway as it makes a giant circle, or loop, around the metro area. I did stay on the strip playing alot more than I thought I would, but can you blame me? So much to see and do there, it was like an enormous amusement park. I can't believe I spent $700 dollars in 5 days. The Strip is like a big cash vacuum cleaner. I'll be a little more frugal my next trip there. But hey, I had a great time!
My first impression of the Vegas is that it's a very clean city. I didn't see a lot of old or deteriorating homes or neighborhoods there. There were a lot of nice middle class neighborhoods inside and outside the 215 highway loop. The only areas that weren't as clean were the ones closer to the city center or around the Northeast side. But even in those areas you could find nice places to live. The areas way out in the hills were the most affluent neighborhoods. Close to those were nice affordable neighborhoods to live in. I met a lot of friendly people in Summerlin, Centennial Hills, Green Valley and Southern (Southland?) Hills. The people seemed very family-oriented everywhere I went and very conservative low-key types. I had no trouble talking to anyone as it seemed easy to converse with strangers there.
Really, I didn't see much wrong with the city after my week there. The Strip is a very loud and hustle-bustle place, but I doubt I would go there much if I moved to Vegas. It would be a fun diversion, though, if I wanted something to do on a boring day or have a good dinner. Even here in Portland, I rarely go to the city center area, so it would be the same situation for me in LV. I felt pretty safe everywhere I went in the city. I can't say this about other places I've been like LA, Seattle, Denver, Pheonix and even my home Portland (on the East side only). This also seems to be a good time to buy in the area as the prices are really low right now for homes.
I just need a little time to reflect on my trip and figure out if Las Vegas is appropriate for me. The only thing I would say is a concern is how hot it gets there. It got up to around 95 my last 2 days and even though it wasn't an uncomfortable humid heat and didn't bother me much, I kind of wonder what it would be like with heat like that day after day. And it's only springtime right now. What will summer be like? Or would it not be that bad and I would learn to cope with it the say I do with the clouds and rain here, with the added benefit of sunshine which is so much more cheerful than clouds?
I'll blog again after I've pondered this a bit, but I'll just end it now by saying, I was very impressed with Las Vegas, it's people, the mega-entertaining Strip and it's beautiful mountains on the horizon.
Yes, food is everywhere in Vegas and it is the "high fat, high sugar kind". It is difficult to find healthy food. I am not saying everyone will get fat in Vegas but I know many who have ruined their health.
You got good control, then it won't be a problem. And don't get me wrong, I like Vegas. I can play poker 24/7.
Well, I flew to Vegas and stayed for 5 days. My command center for my scouting trip was Harrah's Casino. I did manage to drive around the city on Highway 215 and checked out most of the areas from this highway as it makes a giant circle, or loop, around the metro area. I did stay on the strip playing alot more than I thought I would, but can you blame me? So much to see and do there, it was like an enormous amusement park. I can't believe I spent $700 dollars in 5 days. The Strip is like a big cash vacuum cleaner. I'll be a little more frugal my next trip there. But hey, I had a great time!
My first impression of the Vegas is that it's a very clean city. I didn't see a lot of old or deteriorating homes or neighborhoods there. There were a lot of nice middle class neighborhoods inside and outside the 215 highway loop. The only areas that weren't as clean were the ones closer to the city center or around the Northeast side. But even in those areas you could find nice places to live. The areas way out in the hills were the most affluent neighborhoods. Close to those were nice affordable neighborhoods to live in. I met a lot of friendly people in Summerlin, Centennial Hills, Green Valley and Southern (Southland?) Hills. The people seemed very family-oriented everywhere I went and very conservative low-key types. I had no trouble talking to anyone as it seemed easy to converse with strangers there.
Really, I didn't see much wrong with the city after my week there. The Strip is a very loud and hustle-bustle place, but I doubt I would go there much if I moved to Vegas. It would be a fun diversion, though, if I wanted something to do on a boring day or have a good dinner. Even here in Portland, I rarely go to the city center area, so it would be the same situation for me in LV. I felt pretty safe everywhere I went in the city. I can't say this about other places I've been like LA, Seattle, Denver, Pheonix and even my home Portland (on the East side only). This also seems to be a good time to buy in the area as the prices are really low right now for homes.
I just need a little time to reflect on my trip and figure out if Las Vegas is appropriate for me. The only thing I would say is a concern is how hot it gets there. It got up to around 95 my last 2 days and even though it wasn't an uncomfortable humid heat and didn't bother me much, I kind of wonder what it would be like with heat like that day after day. And it's only springtime right now. What will summer be like? Or would it not be that bad and I would learn to cope with it the say I do with the clouds and rain here, with the added benefit of sunshine which is so much more cheerful than clouds?
I'll blog again after I've pondered this a bit, but I'll just end it now by saying, I was very impressed with Las Vegas, it's people, the mega-entertaining Strip and it's beautiful mountains on the horizon.
That was pretty much my analysis as well, when I was on my house-hunting trip last summer. Bought a house in Centennial Hills and moved last fall. It's great living here. Wife thinks so too.
Regarding the heat, that's definitely a personal-preference issue. I'd suggest coming back for a couple weeks in late-July or early-August and see what you think. Personally, I don't mind (though I certainly stay out of the sun during the summer). One thing not to overlook is how great it is to be outside *at night* in Vegas in the summer. 85deg low-humidity nights are pretty darn nice.
One thing not to overlook is how great it is to be outside *at night* in Vegas in the summer. 85deg low-humidity nights are pretty darn nice.
Drive South on Paradise on any night in the summer....make sure the windows are open or better yet...the top is down.....Cross DI and feel the temperature drop 20 degrees.....its HEAVEN
Yes, food is everywhere in Vegas and it is the "high fat, high sugar kind". It is difficult to find healthy food. I am not saying everyone will get fat in Vegas but I know many who have ruined their health.
You got good control, then it won't be a problem. And don't get me wrong, I like Vegas. I can play poker 24/7.
So...you can't find an apple there? Or a salad? I am pretty sure that all restaurants offer a salad or a chicken breast or fish. And even grocery stores. OTOH, I would think that all those same places offer high calorie/sugar foods in every state. So, basically, it is not the citie's fault, it is the fault of the person who chooses to make non-healthy choices, right? And those choices are made all over the world.
I do not believe it is difficult to find healthy food there. Been there a time or two. Silly.
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I don't think so
