[cmr_1980]

Ok just thought Id insert some humor into the title since Im sure you guys think it everytime

On topic though, back in 2005 I was fortunate enough to spend 4-5 months in NLV. I had to be talked into it by 5 people but to make a long story short my wifes family moved there after her father retired, he had always loved it there. I asked myself, why in the heck would I want to go hang out in the desert with casinos when I dont even gamble?! Low and behold, I loved it and have been contemplating moving there ever since. I spent the time I was there driving around, learning the areas, checking out model homes and enjoying everything LV has to offer with my wife.

Getting to the point, Im sure a lot has changed in 3 plus years. Ive been searching and reading quite a bit through dozens and dozens of threads on this highly informative forum but had a few questions Id like to ask everyone since my wife, daughter, mother and I are seriously considering moving there, finally, early next year. We are currently living in NYC, and my occupation as a business owner and the current economy are making it that much more difficult to justify staying. Basically, a lower cost of living means that my hard work pays off that much more, since my company is virtual. Questions below:

1. Being familiar with the Aliante area, and as far north as Horse/Yamamoto Drive, have any stores, supermarkets etc been built up there or in that general area? When I was there, a lot of construction was pending but it was pretty desolate still. I believe I saw a Walmart mentioned in another thread? Just looking to gauge how developed things are since Ive been there, as I can recall a lot of streets where the traffic lights were still wrapped in plastic LOL (I did a lot of venturing around, so dont hold me to any particular area on the traffic lights haha)

2. How is the economy affecting NLV residents and the city itself in general? Also, are foreclosures taking away from what I remember Aliante being, quality wise?

3. What are some examples of electrical bill costs in the summer months? (Say for an average 2 story home with 3 bedrooms)

4. Im pretty well aware of the bad parts of town as I had a chance to witness them personally, but how far north has the element migrated, if at all?

5. Last question I promise, what are the current values of homes in the Aliante area and further north? If memory serves me correctly, I can recall prices ranging from 350-400k back then.

I keep referencing Aliante because I know that general area and loved it, but I was quite familiar with Summerlin as well as we spent a good amount of time there. Weve basically stagnated in buying a home but Id be pretty upset right now if we had jumped into it back then. Thanks in advance for any input, and I hope this thread finds everyone well

[airics]

Originally Posted by cmr_1980

Ok just thought Id insert some humor into the title since Im sure you guys think it everytime

On topic though, back in 2005 I was fortunate enough to spend 4-5 months in NLV. I had to be talked into it by 5 people but to make a long story short my wifes family moved there after her father retired, he had always loved it there. I asked myself, why in the heck would I want to go hang out in the desert with casinos when I dont even gamble?! Low and behold, I loved it and have been contemplating moving there ever since. I spent the time I was there driving around, learning the areas, checking out model homes and enjoying everything LV has to offer with my wife.

Getting to the point, Im sure a lot has changed in 3 plus years. Ive been searching and reading quite a bit through dozens and dozens of threads on this highly informative forum but had a few questions Id like to ask everyone since my wife, daughter, mother and I are seriously considering moving there, finally, early next year. We are currently living in NYC, and my occupation as a business owner and the current economy are making it that much more difficult to justify staying. Basically, a lower cost of living means that my hard work pays off that much more, since my company is virtual. Questions below:

1. Being familiar with the Aliante area, and as far north as Horse/Yamamoto Drive, have any stores, supermarkets etc been built up there or in that general area? When I was there, a lot of construction was pending but it was pretty desolate still. I believe I saw a Walmart mentioned in another thread? Just looking to gauge how developed things are since Ive been there, as I can recall a lot of streets where the traffic lights were still wrapped in plastic LOL (I did a lot of venturing around, so dont hold me to any particular area on the traffic lights haha)

2. How is the economy affecting NLV residents and the city itself in general? Also, are foreclosures taking away from what I remember Aliante being, quality wise?

3. What are some examples of electrical bill costs in the summer months? (Say for an average 2 story home with 3 bedrooms)

4. Im pretty well aware of the bad parts of town as I had a chance to witness them personally, but how far north has the element migrated, if at all?

5. Last question I promise, what are the current values of homes in the Aliante area and further north? If memory serves me correctly, I can recall prices ranging from 350-400k back then.

I keep referencing Aliante because I know that general area and loved it, but I was quite familiar with Summerlin as well as we spent a good amount of time there. Weve basically stagnated in buying a home but Id be pretty upset right now if we had jumped into it back then. Thanks in advance for any input, and I hope this thread finds everyone well

1. Alot has been built including the Walmart at Decatur and 215ish... you wouldn't recognize it... More going up... tremendous growth.. plus the Aliante casino opens on November 11 at 11:11
2. Foreclosures are everywhere, Aliante has been affected. Has the quality gone down, i don't think so... prices definitely
3. I have a 2600sf 3 story, near aliante, a bit west... bills were around 280. kept it at 75 degrees
4. I tell people you are in decent shape if you stay west of 15 and north of Craig.
5. The houses that were 350, if you look at bank owned, are around 225-250...

If you can still get the loan, now is definitely the time to buy.

[PinkString]

Here in Aliante, we have 2 grocery stores, Smiths and Fresh and Easy. A Walgreens and CVS drugstore. Various fast food places, a couple of restaurants, pizza places, tavern or two. Library next to Nature discovery park. Schools, fire stations, banks, gas station, basically everything you need. Then up at 215/Decatur, the Super Walmart, Costco, Best buy, various restaurants, banks, shops of every kind. It's really grown by leaps and bounds within the past 3 years.
More is being built to the west and north of us. Plus of course the casino opening on November 11, at 11:11pm.
I don't know about buying just yet, that's an individual choice..your home may depreciate a little more before we bounce back. It's still a great area to live in. Despite foreclosures. And they are all over the place, not just in Aliante. But nationwide.

[cmr_1980]

Wow thats great, seems a lot has been done up there since Ive left!! Right now we will be renting until we get settled in and can then begin house hunting, but we are not rushing it and are willing to accept some depreciation with everything that is happening. Homes in my area here in NYC are still in the mid 400k and up, and dont even compare on any level to a home you can find in NLV. I really appreciate your replies

[airics]

make sure that whoever you rent from is not facing foreclosure on the property!

[thequickster]

Las Vegas is living up the casino life when you live there.

[airics]

Originally Posted by thequickster

Las Vegas is living up the casino life when you live there.

lucky for me, im not a gambler.... maybe 25 bucks a year

[PinkString]

I don't gamble a lot either. But i did turn $5 into $150 saturday night at Santa Fe casino. Not a bad deal.
Luckily for me, the new Aliante station casino is not that close of a walk that I would be there too much. The lure of spending time in a smoky casino just doesn't appeal to me too much. I hope they have a really good air filtration system.

[cmr_1980]

Originally Posted by airics

make sure that whoever you rent from is not facing foreclosure on the property!

Great advice indeed! My searches so far have been limited to rentals.com but I will be a lot more thorough in my search, how can one find out this information though to be on the safe side?

Originally Posted by PinkString

I don't gamble a lot either. But i did turn $5 into $150 saturday night at Santa Fe casino. Not a bad deal.
Luckily for me, the new Aliante station casino is not that close of a walk that I would be there too much. The lure of spending time in a smoky casino just doesn't appeal to me too much. I hope they have a really good air filtration system.

I saw the mention of a smoking ban in one of my long searches, was this ban exempt at casinos and smoke boxes at the airport though, or was it everywhere in the city?

[PinkString]

cmr, the smoking ban is a little lax out here. They say it's being enforced, but many places still allow it, and it's still everywhere in a casino despite "no smoking" area's by the food court and restaurants. So if you are a smoker, you can still smoke in many places.