Vegas rent looks a TON cheaper than I imagined. What's it like living there? (Las Vegas: car rental, rentals)

K_Chris · 10-13-2017, 07:56 PM

So long story short: I was originally looking around at California online and stumbled into Las Vegas. I really couldn't, and still can't, believe the rental costs I was seeing. I guess I really expected it to cost WAY more than what I'm seeing, including the outskirts and especially if I'm specifically looking at places that allow cats. Of course the cynic is me feels there's a hidden reason as to why (I've had one too many 'its too good to be true' moments).

So I really want to know what is the living like out there? Is there plentiful employment, is the education system out there good (specifically colleges/universities for pre-vet students), and is crime something I really have to be considerate of?

Like I am still looking, especially since I got until June (when my lease ends) to decide a freaking state. And considering the rent looks manageable, I currently see no reason to not consider Nevada unless there's something obviously wrong with the state that I am clearly oblivious of.

And my company does work with the LAS airport, so I could (and if it seems like a good move, will) fly out there to have a physically look around. I just don't have the vacation time to fly out there willy nilly and look around on a whim, that's money wasted in my opinion. Especially if it turns out Nevada is a HELL no state, like I did with San Francisco upon discovering the cost of rent. A trip I never took and money saved. I might get flight benefits, but I still gotta pay and take (unpaid) time off.

BBMW · 10-13-2017, 09:42 PM

The question, and difference, is how much you can make in either place. Wages in Vegas are going to likely be lower than LA, depending on what you do. Can you get yourself transferred out there and see how you like it on the company's dime?

EA · 10-14-2017, 03:43 AM

You can not find a better bang for the buck than Vegas.
I have lived in 8 states and this is the best place I have lived by far.

K_Chris · 10-14-2017, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBMW

The question, and difference, is how much you can make in either place. Wages in Vegas are going to likely be lower than LA, depending on what you do. Can you get yourself transferred out there and see how you like it on the company's dime?

I should have clarified: I don't actually live in California right now, I live in MN and was looking at California as a possible state to move to. I had a mouse mishap and ended up clicking Vegas and explored it due to rent. I oddly feel there has to be a catch to the cheap rent.

And I can get transferred BUT I can't just do so on an experimental trip to see how it's like. That would truly be the definition of a major waste of money, resources, and time. Especially if it turns out I shouldn't have moved, which is why I'm looking online as stated before. It helped with deciding against San Francisco(high CoL), Bakersfield(highly affordable but with little to no work for me), and Palm Springs(affordable but with little work, looks like my current job is my only option, can end up completely stuck there). That and you can't get transferred often in the same year. So if I go, it's meant to be permanent.

yellowsnow · 10-14-2017, 02:37 PM

I moved here from MN too. I used to live in Big Lake, right on the river directly across from Monticello. It was beautiful but I got tired of coping with the bugs and winter 6 months out of the year. I don't miss the yard work, leaves, or shoveling that triple driveway a bit!

As long as you already have a decent job you can't beat Las Vegas. And what's wrong is simple. It's a town that's all about tourists and serving the customer. There are tons of jobs available that pay nothing, are part time, and have no benefits. That's just the way it is. This town is full of John and Jane 4jobseach just trying to cobble together a living. If you have a decent job that won't go away, there is no better place to be. The COL has to stay relatively low to keep the low wage workers slaving away. The only 'high' bill you will have is electricity during the summer and AC is not optional.

It's an amazing place to live if you don't need to worry about work!

Caltovegas · 10-14-2017, 06:14 PM

If your living in MN now and debating most anywhere you can't go wrong with Vegas. Here's the thing. It's a 24 hour town with close proximity to major sports (coming) and entertainment. If you want to fly out the airport is basically in mid Vegas.

Not to also mention sports viewing and buffet heaven. Even if you make a bad choice it's a better choice than most. Visit on a weekday when rooms and car rentals are cheap. Stay at a off strip casino like Sam's Town.

Raidersssss....Raiderssssss..

BBMW · 10-15-2017, 11:54 AM

What I was saying is that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Salaries (and job opportunities in general) are better in LA. But that has the effect of driving up rents. Vegas is cheaper, but it's tourist centric economy does not pay as well, and the diversity of jobs is cheaper.

What really works well in Vegas is if you have a portable job with a higher than Vegas average salary that you can bring with you. This would either be an over the internet type job, or an employer that has a presence in Vegas, that you could transfer into. You seem to have the latter. So the question becomes, how does your MN salary play with the COL in Vegas, and can you transfer and keep that salary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by K_Chris

I should have clarified: I don't actually live in California right now, I live in MN and was looking at California as a possible state to move to. I had a mouse mishap and ended up clicking Vegas and explored it due to rent. I oddly feel there has to be a catch to the cheap rent.

And I can get transferred BUT I can't just do so on an experimental trip to see how it's like. That would truly be the definition of a major waste of money, resources, and time. Especially if it turns out I shouldn't have moved, which is why I'm looking online as stated before. It helped with deciding against San Francisco(high CoL), Bakersfield(highly affordable but with little to no work for me), and Palm Springs(affordable but with little work, looks like my current job is my only option, can end up completely stuck there). That and you can't get transferred often in the same year. So if I go, it's meant to be permanent.

CD2017 · 10-15-2017, 12:44 PM

My GF and I just moved from MPLS to LV. Do it. I love MPLS, but the winters killed me and after 37 years of them, it was time for a change.

lluvia · 10-15-2017, 01:43 PM

Seems like if you can get on at UNLV, that would be a better place of employment.

K_Chris · 10-15-2017, 02:09 PM

Right now I work at the airport, though my job is specifically with a subcontracted company that is not MSP specific and pays the same, sometimes more, regardless of location it seems. I already checked with the LAS airport pay for the job/company, pays the same as what I make now and given the Vegas rent it'll be much more affordable to work with. As of now, 40hr weeks just barely cut it and I still need to work a second job just to afford bills comfortably enough. Looking online, the pay for what I make is just a bit higher than average, for the area, and it's highly easy for me to transfer within the company. Should take about a 2-3wks after I put in my request to get approved (2 week notice basically).