Do you think living in PHX is much different than Vegas? (Phoenix: apartments, rent)

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by Bruce Jackpot

Okay I can't say I'm an expert on Vegas and haven't even been there in about a decade. But I can tell you one thing, without question, the Valley as a whole has to be a much more family oriented "normal" place. That should be common sense, by and large.

Just driving on the freeway in Vegas you see huge billboards for strip clubs and and other "adult" entertainment. Now that sounds cool and doesn't bug me as a guy like whatever who cares. But if I were driving a minivan with kids in the backseat I'd probably not be cool with it. I don't see that kinda raunchy advertisements and stuff around here much nor do I care to.

But I've heard good things about parts of Las Vegas/Henderson/Boulder City and I like how it's a nice smooth drive into SoCal and the Inland Empire. Maybe if I was more familiar with it I might like Las Vegas better than Phoenix! Who knows! I'd have to live there so in that regard take my post with a grain of salt. But this thread inspires me to check Las Vegas out again and really get a better feel for it.

Oh and the desert around Vegas is beautuiful. I remember driving up to Mesquite (right near the Utah border not far from LV) and the views were terrific. Not far from there is St. George, Utah which Ive also hear is beautiful with the surrounding national parks that I'd love to visit someday. So when it comes to desert scenery, I don't think you can wrong with either. I could probably be happy in either area.

Once you get away from the strip, Vegas is pretty much like any other suburban western town...with lots of casinos.

[ElleTea]

And keep in mind, if you move to Phx, you are a 45 minute flight, or about a 4 hour drive to Vegas. Easy.

[Bruce Jackpot]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

And keep in mind, if you move to Phx, you are a 45 minute flight, or about a 4 hour drive to Vegas. Easy.

And it is actually a very nice and well maintained road between the two cities. At least the part I did from Laughlin/Bullhead City (90 mins or so shy of Vegas) a couple years back. Felt like a smooth easy drive, as you said, even at night for me.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by Bruce Jackpot

And it is actually a very nice and well maintained road between the two cities. At least the part I did from Laughlin/Bullhead City (90 mins or so shy of Vegas) a couple years back. Felt like a smooth easy drive, as you said, even at night for me.

I hate that parts of it are still 2 lane, but the times I have driven it have been okay. If the traffic was heavier it would be a real headache.

The Joshua Tree forest is cool to drive through, and that part when you are in what seems like a wasteland desert, then you suddenly round the corner for the Lake Mead area...BAM! Gorgeous canyons

[DetroitN8V]

I'll never do that drive again. You're constantly getting jammed up by slowpokes or passing in the oncoming lane. It's not a fun drive. I'll take the quick zip on SW over that any day. I like to go fast and I don't think I've ever made it in less than 5 hours.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

I'll never do that drive again. You're constantly getting jammed up by slowpokes or passing in the oncoming lane. It's not a fun drive. I'll take the quick zip on SW over that any day. I like to go fast and I don't think I've ever made it in less than 5 hours.

I've done it twice, both on holiday weekends. (Memorial Day and Labor Day) I've never been behind anyone slow. In fact, when I left Phx on Sat morning of Labor Day weekend, I didn't see many cars at all. I made it from my place to the airport in just under 4 hours that trip.

(I took my dogs both times, so flying was out. Plus I like having my car there)

[stevek64]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

I'll never do that drive again. You're constantly getting jammed up by slowpokes or passing in the oncoming lane. It's not a fun drive. I'll take the quick zip on SW over that any day. I like to go fast and I don't think I've ever made it in less than 5 hours.

I think on some holiday weekends it might get crowded (we avoid those time frames) but outside of that, the traffic we find is minimal. We go out/in on the weekdays(sometimes Sunday on the way over to LV) and the traffic is nothing. Lots of passing lanes and 2 lane sections that make it easy to get around the slow drivers.

While the flight is quick, the getting to/from the airport and accounting for how early one has to arrive at the airport, adds hours to a round trip, not to consider the possible delay(s). I'll take the usually non-eventful 4 hour drive any day over the potential hassles/getting to/from the airport and wait game any day for such a short drive.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by stevek64

I think on some holiday weekends it might get crowded (we avoid those time frames) but outside of that, the traffic we find is minimal. We go out/in on the weekdays(sometimes Sunday on the way over to LV) and the traffic is nothing. Lots of passing lanes and 2 lane sections that make it easy to get around the slow drivers.

While the flight is quick, the getting to/from the airport and accounting for how early one has to arrive at the airport, adds hours to a round trip, not to consider the possible delay(s). I'll take the usually non-eventful 4 hour drive any day over the potential hassles/getting to/from the airport and wait game any day for such a short drive.

A flight delay is the only potential hiccup. It's probably pretty rare between two desert cities as I think it's the same aircraft running back and forth all day. Assuming no delays, I can fly there door to door in less than half the time it would take to drive and without hours of road rage, I arrive in much better condition.

[stevek64]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

A flight delay is the only potential hiccup. It's probably pretty rare between two desert cities as I think it's the same aircraft running back and forth all day. Assuming no delays, I can fly there door to door in less than half the time it would take to drive and without hours of road rage, I arrive in much better condition.

For psychological well being, I can understand your preference! No fun to get there in a bad mood

I'm guessing you've taken the trip in the last few years? That last 100 miles or so with the newer highway and bridge helps a lot. Going over the dam and winding down the canyon on the AZ side in the old days certainly took some extra time and created bottle necks for sure.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by stevek64

For psychological well being, I can understand your preference! No fun to get there in a bad mood

I'm guessing you've taken the trip in the last few years? That last 100 miles or so with the newer highway and bridge helps a lot. Going over the dam and winding down the canyon on the AZ side in the old days certainly took some extra time and created bottle necks for sure.

I've done the drive with the new section that avoids going over the damn dam. It's the stretch between Wickenburg and the 40 that kills me.