[takethevitamin]

Hi all,

I realize that you all must be used to the barrage of apartment-related questions, but I hope that at least a few of you will be willing to assist me, as I was not able to investigate *every* complex during my last two-week stay...

I'm looking for a lovely 1 bedroom apartment complex on the west side (off Trop. and Flamingo, both before S. Jones), within reasonable distance to the Mandalay Bay casino, where my new job shall be. I chose this area of town because I wanted to stay away from the dangerous north area, and the party-town around UNLV, but I am willing to consider south strip. I enjoy a combination of shuttle/bus and a long walk to work - as long as it's under 20~ minutes, I'd be very happy.

My budget is $600-$800, though I'm willing to pay a bit more if the place is spacious, clean, and in a great location. A separate bathtub, wooden floors, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops - all major pluses in my book, though I am sure that they are nearly impossible to find (?).
I'd like to be on the second floor, and have a bit of a patio with a view of the strip/mountains. I would prefer that it be more of a Vegas/Southwest-style apartment building, instead of one of the more over-landscaped, resort-esque places that I've seen. Do any complexes come to mind that meet some of my criteria?

[airics]

i think you are asking for alot in your budget.

[Kabrasco LaFonz]

If you are taking the bus I would try to find out if there is a line that runs straight down Russell. There are some apt complexs around Rainbow/Russell that are within your price range, but they might be lacking some of the amenities. I was seeing someone who lived in the Canyon WhateverThehecks and she only paid $800/mo for a good sized 2BR. But the complex was a pretty dicey, and the look and appliances in the actual apartment were very dated.

[Daddys///M3]

There are quite a few complexes on Tropicana just east of jones, as well as Reno between Decatur and Jones. I used to live in one called Renaissance Villas. Probably looking at $700-$800 for a 600 sq ft 1 bdrm, don't count on views though.

[radraja]

I enjoy a combination of shuttle/bus and a long walk to work - as long as it's under 20~ minutes, I'd be very happy.

Noooo. Don't do it. Public transportation is awful out here, and things are pretty spread out, so walking wouldn't be pleasant.

Invest in a little car with good gas mileage. If money's an issue, try the Toyota Yaris.

[takethevitamin]

Originally Posted by radraja

Noooo. Don't do it. Public transportation is awful out here, and things are pretty spread out, so walking wouldn't be pleasant.

Invest in a little car with good gas mileage. If money's an issue, try the Toyota Yaris.

I was just in Vegas last week, and everyday walked from the Budget Suites at Wynn Rd. to the Orleans in only moments, took a free shuttle to Bill's Gambling Hall, and walked up and down almost the entire strip with no trouble whatsoever. Sure, it isn't like crossing the street, but I'm a young, healthy woman, and I don't see the problem. It isn't like I expect to walk from the Stratosphere to the Luxor everyday...

Thanks for the rec. for the Yaris; I'll look into it. I'm more worried about affording monthly insurance, and gas.

[radraja]

If you don't want to over the costs of owning a car, try to find a carpool. Riding to work with a couple co-workers would be much more convenient than taking the bus and walking.

Walking up and down the strip in the spring isn't terrible.

However, getting from a residential area to strip in the middle of the summer would be a much more difficult feat.

[pukalo]

I would recommend finding a roommate. At least for a few months. First of all you will be living in a much better place for half of what your willing to pay for 1 bedroom apt. Look on craiglist, I've seen tons of amazing places for just 400-500$/month that's utilities, cable, phone and everything else included +furnished! Plus maybe a new lifetime friend! Imagine that 400-500$ extra every month which you can put in your savings account towards your own place or you can use those money to get your car and afford gas.

But if you really don't want to live with someone else, then I would still suggest to roommate for a few months and scout the areas on your free days looking for the best apt for you.

[AA702]

+1 on getting a cheaper reliable used car. 90's honda civic or similar. The bus isn't as cheap as most people think and it can be hard esp. during those hot summer months.

[kwm03160]

Although it's been a few years since I lived in Vegas, you DO NOT want to be walking in the middle of the summer.