[olecapt]

when people tell 60s jokes...and that one is actually 50s...

[jfkIII]

The LIE was indeed one of the main reasons I moved off LI 20 years ago.

[Buzz123]

I preferred Las Vegas in the 60's. It seemed to be the perfect size, and a perfect blend of city and rural, with way more excitement than almost any city in the country even back then. Everything was not only affordable, it was downright cheap. He**, I went 4 wheeling all the time just off Twain and Cambridge, and in the area where the Hughes Center is on Paradise. I fact I don't think there was a Cambridge at the time. You could go out on W. Charleston, past what is now Hualapai, or off of Lake Mead Blvd on Sunrise Mountain. and shoot the heck out of bottles and cans, and it didn't disturb anyone.

But that Vegas is never coming back and no other town around here is close to what Vegas once was yet. Mesquite might become old Vegas, but probably not. Reno is more like Vegas was, but probably those good ole days are gone forever. So we should enjoy the town we have become. This is a major city, and we actually have more of what people enjoy than any other city IMO. I travel, and when I do, no matter where I go, it feels like slumming compared to Las Vegas.

And as far as driving, I agree with olecapt that it ain't bad here. In places like Boston driving is considered a contact sport. And our wide roads beat the heck out of almost anyplace you can name. And what other city in the country has so much free parking? Or any parking for that matter?

[kimba01]

I gotta say that so far, I do not see what the people are complaining about when they say Vegas has the worst drivers. I have read this repeatedly since I have been on the forums. I do not care to drive, never did. Probably would do real well in NYC! My sense of direction is terrible, too. So, after reading how terrible it is here, I was very nervous about driving here. Outside of the left turns, I don't think it is bad so far. In fact, when I went to the Galleria today, I think I was so paranoid of the "horrible" drivers, that I was probably one of them!! I let go of that after a few and cruised along just fine. I was shocked to see that people were actually doing the speed limit. In Detroit, if I was doing the speed limit, I got flipped off, passed, tailgated and beeped at! Especially on the freeways. You best be going 80 or ride the shoulder.

All that said, I have not been here long and have many roads to travel, so we'll see.

[MomMom]

Glad you posted that kimba. I honestly don't see that many bad drivers, or bad driving conditions here either, but that's my opinion, and I've driven in a lot of places..in our country and in Europe. . Oh sure, the looney's are out there, but not in as vast numbers as some of these people want you to believe.

The complainers are just that...complainers. They'll find any excuse, really.

Put them in REAL traffic...Manhattan, Chicago, Los Angeles, all of Long Island, most of New Jersey, Atlanta, parts of Detroit, Connecticut, Miami, New Port Richey, all areas of Phoenix...and many more locations throughout the country.

Then let's see how bad they think Las Vegas traffic is...

[bosozoku]

Originally Posted by MomMom

Glad you posted that kimba. I honestly don't see that many bad drivers, or bad driving conditions here either, but that's my opinion, and I've driven in a lot of places..in our country and in Europe. . Oh sure, the looney's are out there, but not in as vast numbers as some of these people want you to believe.

The complainers are just that...complainers. They'll find any excuse, really.

Put them in REAL traffic...Manhattan, Chicago, Los Angeles, all of Long Island, most of New Jersey, Atlanta, parts of Detroit, Connecticut, Miami, New Port Richey, all areas of Phoenix...and many more locations throughout the country.

Then let's see how bad they think Las Vegas traffic is...

LA driver here, and i concur with you ladies

[kickboxer]

Originally Posted by olecapt

I was born in Manhattan and went to Manhattan College. Spent most of 15 years in upstate. I know a lot about NY and NYC. And about Chicago and about London though not Madrid.

These are big cities. They are for big city lovers. I can exist in one but never be happy there. They are not anything like a southwestern US city. I have a daughter in love with NY/Boston/San Francisco. Bops around from one to another. I think she is crazy.

Rural CA is for retirees. No one else should live there except perhaps someone into growing stuff. Though note you can grow stuff like mad in Vegas...just add water.

And you are still nuts on the driving thing. Vegas has an exceptionally nice freeway system and great boulevards. It is simply one of the better auto cities.

If you got enough money you can get by in NYC without a car. Even after 40 years elsewhere I am right at home. But if you think they are good drivers you simply have never been on the cross bronx or the LIE. Find someone from long island. They will tell you about bad traffic. Or someone who uses the major Chicago freeways. Or try to get to Heathrow anytime of the day...

Ole Cap you are so right, put things into perspective and it all makes sense.

[Fastrudy]

the LIE. Find someone from long island. They will tell you about bad traffic

I had to drive the length of the LIE every day for 12 years. Simply put, there is nothing worse, no wonder they call it the world's longest parking lot. On one summer day, it took me seven hours to travel 99 miles. Just traffic, no construction, no accidents blocking up the road. How's that for an EXPRESSway!!

[MediocreButArrogant]

Drivers are bad for different reasons. In Northern California, drivers are bad because they are inexperienced and/or unskilled. To me, this is far less dangerous than driving in Las Vegas because the unskilled drivers are fairly easy to spot and you can anticipate and avoid their idiocy.

OTOH, Las Vegas drivers are bad because they are reckless. Running stop signs and red lights, weaving in and out of traffic at 20mph above the flow of traffic, aggressively cutting people off to save themselves 0.5 sec, etc. These types of drivers are much harder to spot in advance, and it's much harder to anticipate their moves, so I consider drivers in Las Vegas to be worse than those in N Cal, even though the N Cal drivers are far less skilled.

I've driven all over the world (and been a passenger in places I'd never consider driving, like New Delhi in India), and Las Vegas drivers just really rub me the wrong way, because they have no regard for the safety of the other drivers on the road. The intersection of Grand Canyon and Lake North in The Lakes - half the cars on Grand Canyon run that stop sign if they can. WTF is wrong with these people? Maybe when it's their kid on a bike getting run over they'll think about their own driving - or not.

[sierramadre44]

Originally Posted by martian82

I'm a native, as are most of my friends. For the most part, I hate Vegas and finally escaped three months ago.

Vegas is lacking a sense of community, and I fear for my family's safety (the drivers, my mother living alone, my sister wasn't in the best of neighborhoods but I was able to get her out). I'm not ecstatic about where I live now, but I pray everyday that I never end up back in Vegas!

Thank you martian82! Exactly what I've been saying since I arrived in 1999! I, too, am working on an 'escape' plan, but for now, it is what it is. My son is a native and we'll celebrate his 9th birthday on Monday. I'm hoping that he will see there can be a better quality of life in a better city that actually cares about children, education, and a whole host of other things --- like good driving habits too!

As for the drivers, inconsiderate road-rage a-holes! Almost daily there is an a-hole that is driving 85 in the 65 and has the nerve to honk at me usually throwing the universal greeting sign because I'm going the speed limit! I called highway patrol once because a motorcyclist was literally in my back seat! I was in the left lane, heavy traffic with a truck to my right.

The NHP dispatcher said, "Well, he's trying to pass you, get in the right lane." EXCUSE ME?! I can't move and I was doing the speed limit. I told the dispatcher, I'm doing the speed limit. Now, if you want me to speed, tell me right now because I can pass this truck. She was silent. The guy then passes me in the emergency lane and gets in front of me and hits the brakes! For just a moment I actually considered making him a hood ornament! I mean really, what idiot on a motorcycle can survive under a 3,000 lb car? Then he sped off at a high rate.

Defensive driving courses should make a ton of money here!