[thepinksquid]

At my moment my husband and I live in San Diego, CA and own a small business that we run from our home. We have no kids nor any plans for any in the immediate future. We moved here from Florida last May and really enjoy it here--one of the original premises of moving here was because of a plan I had to attend graduate school in San Diego, however now it seems that I may choose to go a different route at the moment, and postpone going back to school (not entirely a bad thing, our business has become more successful than we anticipated and I've been doing a good deal of work with that).

With our business, we can work anywhere in the world, really. As much as we love living in California, doing so (and having our business formed here) means that we get to pay an extra $800 tax to the state each year. Nevada, as you probably know, doesn't have that. California is also expensive overall.

At the moment we're renting an ~1600 sq ft home here in San Diego for $2250/month. We probably could have found somewhere less expensive and smaller, however we also use our home for office space and we also like new construction (many of the homes in San Diego are older).

We visit Vegas fairly frequently and enjoy the area. We love the desert and we don't mind the dry heat one bit. Our lease for where we live in up this May and we're trying to determine if it would perhaps be worth considering a move to Vegas to dramatically cut some of our costs, as least while we're growing and developing our business. When I've looked at rental properties in Vegas, we could easily get the same type of home we have here for $800-1000 less per month. At the moment we're getting by OK, but I would like to be saving more than we currently are.

Are other "usual" expenses are as follows (average throughout the year):
Electricity/Gas - $160 or so/month
Water - $35 or so/month
Trash pickup - $26/month
Internet (we expense through business) - $60/month
Health Insurance - $128/month
No TV

We're very frugal people; no car payment, no credit card debts or student loan debt, and we don't drink/eat out or shop much at all. Our "other expenses" probably don't exceed $300/month. Our car insurance is paid for by a family plan we have with our in-laws.

I guess my primary concern about Vegas is that, I think of when I used to live in Orlando, and the fact the whole city revolves around Disney, the other parks and the family tourism industry overall kind of stifles any sort of development or culture of the area. Is Vegas the same way? In Orlando, the theme parks and hotels are really the only thing there...there's not a whole lot of natural beauty, not a whole lot of good restaurants, etc. Now, mind you, I'm not talking about "culture" in the sense of museums and operas and things of that nature, I'm just speaking of things other than the hospitality business.

I can easily do research for myself regarding areas in Vegas to look at for rentals and such...I'm thinking Summerlin, Red Rock area or Henderson for a start. What I'm really trying to determine is if this is worth looking into... I would really like to save some money, and still live on the West Coast, in a place we enjoy. I really feel like we're getting raped in California for having a small business, and I hate pouring all that money in, at this moment, for what? Moving does cost $$$, however I suppose that Southern California to Vegas would be much better than our original Florida to Southern California move.

Oh--and one more thing--I have a degree in Hospitality Management (I used to work in IT administration for Disney) and I like the idea that if I ever wished to get back into my field, I have a ton of options in Vegas. Casino management is an interest of mine, and when in college I was almost tempted into taking an internship with MGM-Mirage.

Anyhow, any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[olecapt]

You have made a very compelling case.

What are you waiting for? Get to it. You will likely pick up a couple of grand a month or close to it. Or live part of that higher.

Don't jump on Summerlin or Green Valley. That is for the older who have made it and those with children and money. You will likely be much happier in the NW or SW or South Strip or such. Go where the young are. You will be old soon enough.

[thepinksquid]

Originally Posted by olecapt

You have made a very compelling case.

What are you waiting for? Get to it. You will likely pick up a couple of grand a month or close to it. Or live part of that higher.

Don't jump on Summerlin or Green Valley. That is for the older who have made it and those with children and money. You will likely be much happier in the NW or SW or South Strip or such. Go where the young are. You will be old soon enough.

Thanks so much! When I typed it out I was kind of thinking "wow...why the hell not?!" in a sense. The thing is, if we honestly disliked Vegas and wished to leave, we're only committed to a year. And, in that year, we could save probably $10,000 in rental costs alone.

For example, I saw this house and nearly passed out. OMG! Barely Lived in For Rent (http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/apa/1553174437.html - broken link)

I love California, I really do...but it is truly a state for the wealthy, or for those that have employment with companies (not self employed business owners). I hate having to watch every expenditure...and I really hate the flippin taxes!! I'll miss 70 degrees all the time and my jogs along the Pacific...but really, can I forgo that for a little bit and save a TON of money? I think so.

Thanks again for the advice.

[las vegas drunk]

I am going to have to disagree with Olecapt on this one. I am from Phoenix, which is a city I have always hated. My dream place has always been San Diego. I tried to move out there back in 1995. Of course, I wound up homeless. I can not make the income to even survive there because of the super high living expenses. However, you can, and are already doing it. You will be making a big mistake if you move to Vegas. I am a drunk party animal, so Vegas suites me, but not you. Make no mistake about it, I love Vegas, and it blows away Phoenix. However, San Diego blows away Vegas by a long shot if you can afford it. The extra money you are paying for taxes and living expenses to live in San Diego is well worth it IMO.

[thepinksquid]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

However, San Diego blows away Vegas by a long shot if you can afford it. The extra money you are paying for taxes and living expenses to live in San Diego is well worth it IMO.

You share the same mindset as my husband on that matter. He feels that, since we are getting by here and we enjoy it here, why go through the hassle of moving and the risk of hating somewhere that we live.

Also, you may be right in the fact that since we don't drink, gamble, or "party" ever (as in, I'm in my mid twenties and I think I've been to a bar once in my life), then what would we gain in Vegas. Whereas here I run, hike, go outdoors and enjoy the scenery. Definitely something to think about.

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

I am going to have to disagree with Olecapt on this one. I am from Phoenix, which is a city I have always hated. My dream place has always been San Diego. I tried to move out there back in 1995. Of course, I wound up homeless. I can not make the income to even survive there because of the super high living expenses. However, you can, and are already doing it. You will be making a big mistake if you move to Vegas. I am a drunk party animal, so Vegas suites me, but not you. Make no mistake about it, I love Vegas, and it blows away Phoenix. However, San Diego blows away Vegas by a long shot if you can afford it. The extra money you are paying for taxes and living expenses to live in San Diego is well worth it IMO.

Sorry drunk you romanticize CA too much. Remember I lived there 18 years and live here by choice.

If I went back to CA it would be to Poway or Temecula or such. Not San Diego or anywhere on the coast.

It is just not that nice a place. It is foggy and cloudy and cool and mildewed. Traffic is terrible. Housing is outrageously expensive. The traffic sucks...and you are happy because it does not get hot.

If you really want to live on the ocean run down to Cabo or La Paz. Or live 6 months in Puerto Vallarta and 6 months on Vancounver Island. Maybe the best deal is a boat. Start out in PV at Thanksgiving to Hawaii in February to Vancouver in May to SF in August to LA in October and back to PV in time for Thanksgiving.

[tony soprano]

There are any number of reasons to choose Las Vegas over San Diego. Climate isn't one of them. Not even close.

//www.city-data.com/forum/gener...ll-4290-a.html

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by olecapt

Sorry drunk you romanticize CA too much. Remember I lived there 18 years and live here by choice.

If I went back to CA it would be to Poway or Temecula or such. Not San Diego or anywhere on the coast.

It is just not that nice a place. It is foggy and cloudy and cool and mildewed. Traffic is terrible. Housing is outrageously expensive. The traffic sucks...and you are happy because it does not get hot.

If you really want to live on the ocean run down to Cabo or La Paz. Or live 6 months in Puerto Vallarta and 6 months on Vancounver Island. Maybe the best deal is a boat. Start out in PV at Thanksgiving to Hawaii in February to Vancouver in May to SF in August to LA in October and back to PV in time for Thanksgiving.

I have always loved the California coast. I used to go to San Diego all the time from Phoenix in the middle of summer. It was always beautiful to me, and I always HATED having to come back to Phoenx. I agree with the traffic and housing costs, but the beach and weather make up for it, to me at least. I can not ever afford to live there anyways, but this girl and her husband can, so I do not see why they should come here only to save a little money?

[thepinksquid]

Originally Posted by olecapt

Sorry drunk you romanticize CA too much. Remember I lived there 18 years and live here by choice.

If I went back to CA it would be to Poway or Temecula or such. Not San Diego or anywhere on the coast.

It is just not that nice a place. It is foggy and cloudy and cool and mildewed. Traffic is terrible. Housing is outrageously expensive. The traffic sucks...and you are happy because it does not get hot.

If you really want to live on the ocean run down to Cabo or La Paz. Or live 6 months in Puerto Vallarta and 6 months on Vancounver Island. Maybe the best deal is a boat. Start out in PV at Thanksgiving to Hawaii in February to Vancouver in May to SF in August to LA in October and back to PV in time for Thanksgiving.

Honestly I like the weather here (I don't mind the foggy coolness, but I also don't mind dry heat...we live in an area called Mission Valley, which is, as the namesake implies, in a small valley--so we get hotter summers than the coast, 5 miles from us) and I really don't think the traffic is bad at all. My major concerns are just the cost of living and the rather discouraging climate for small business owners.

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by thepinksquid

Honestly I like the weather here (I don't mind the foggy coolness, but I also don't mind dry heat) and I really don't think the traffic is bad at all. My major concern is just the cost of living alone.

It is rare that I would say this, but if you are insisting on moving to save money, you would be WAY better off moving to one of the suburbs in Phoenix. San Diego is quite a bit more expensive than Vegas, but Vegas is quite a bit more than Phoenix. You could do way better in El Mirage, Surprise, Goodyear, etc. The houses out there are going for dirt cheap. My friend recently bought a house that is only 5 years old in a nice neighborhood for $96,000. It is a two story, 4 bed, 3 bath home that is 2200 square feet. This same house would at least go for $200,000 in Vegas, and probably $500,000 in San Diego. It was just something I thought I would let you know.