Big Move Not Sure Vegas vs AZ leaving NY - need advice

[cactusland]

Originally Posted by brighteyes05

...I like dancing, music, movies, walks, taking in the culture, taking classes. I'm single so i would like to meet new people, not necessary for dating but, ill be new in a new place so i want to be able to do things where i can enjoy and not feel like an out cast. Also and this is important, every apartment i've seen on zillow or apartment.com is electric, I like cooking with gas, are there any apartments have gas? Is it easy to get around? bussing? cabs? I do plan to bring a car, hopefully. I'm not sure what else to ask, so if you have any advice feel free. Thank you

I'm going to go a little against the grain and maybe suggest you take a closer look at Albuquerque, NM especially if you are incredibly active in a on-your-feet arts scene. While it does exist in Phoenix, I want to give you options. I think AZ and NM would be better options than NV in terms of the things you have stated.
And I don't think you will find gas in an apartment setting. Try looking at townhomes or rental houses for gas service, its also more common in colder areas (Tucson gets colder than Phoenix) many houses in parts of Phoenix that had gas service don't really use it much anymore. Phoenix is very much a car city, but it has a great highway system and it is easy to get around by vehicle. There are absolutely things going on in every city at all times, one just needs to look.

[jdahunt]

As a person that spends a lot of time in both places.....I would never consider living in Las Vegas and raising my kids there.

Times have been very hard on Las Vegas, although it has improved some the main basis of their economy being gambling is never going to come back the way it was before....too much gambling everywhere else taking peoples Vegas money before they even show up.

Each visit it seems like it has gotten dirtier and less sparkly than the time before.....reminds me of Atlantic City and the decline it went through.

[azfire316]

Originally Posted by jdahunt

As a person that spends a lot of time in both places.....I would never consider living in Las Vegas and raising my kids there.

Times have been very hard on Las Vegas, although it has improved some the main basis of their economy being gambling is never going to come back the way it was before....too much gambling everywhere else taking peoples Vegas money before they even show up.

Each visit it seems like it has gotten dirtier and less sparkly than the time before.....reminds me of Atlantic City and the decline it went through.

Before 2008, this was very true, but the city is changing after the last recession nearly killed it. Manufacturing, tech, and distribution are a huge part of the Vegas economy now.

As far as the dirtiness, all major cities have that element in areas (maryvale/alhambra/south-central phx for your area).

There are things that people dont really consider about the Vegas area and its location. Vegas is about 30 minutes away from MT. Charleston (think Flagstaff area/White mountains) about 35/40 degrees cooler than the valley floor with a little ski resort for the winter, also about a 4 hour drive from the grand canyon as well as the beach.

I've lived in both locations and much prefer Vegas over Phoenix but to each their own.

[kytoaz]

I have grown to despise las vegas and it's a shame because I really used to enjoy it. The recession hit vegas very hard and while the economy may or may not have recovered I believe it changed the city in ways that may never turn around. i'm not one to be overly cautious or fearful but vegas is now a dangerous place. Not to mention the city slogan is basically "come here and act like an idiot and no one will know". Too many tourist's, scammers and drug addicts for my taste. I love phoenix and am so glad we chose it over vegas as our new home.

[jdahunt]

Originally Posted by kytoaz

I have grown to despise las vegas and it's a shame because I really used to enjoy it. The recession hit vegas very hard and while the economy may or may not have recovered I believe it changed the city in ways that may never turn around. i'm not one to be overly cautious or fearful but vegas is now a dangerous place. Not to mention the city slogan is basically "come here and act like an idiot and no one will know". Too many tourist's, scammers and drug addicts for my taste. I love phoenix and am so glad we chose it over vegas as our new home.

I agree completely with your take, was just there again mainly due to a business meeting in Kingman and not wanting to drive back to Phoenix to fly back to Illinois.

On my last visit down to Fremont street was disgusted with what is actually going on there.....no longer risque...just flat out disgusting....I'm not sure I will ever go back to Vegas for a pleasure trip.

[brighteyes05]

Originally Posted by cactusland

I'm going to go a little against the grain and maybe suggest you take a closer look at Albuquerque, NM especially if you are incredibly active in a on-your-feet arts scene. While it does exist in Phoenix, I want to give you options. I think AZ and NM would be better options than NV in terms of the things you have stated.
And I don't think you will find gas in an apartment setting. Try looking at townhomes or rental houses for gas service, its also more common in colder areas (Tucson gets colder than Phoenix) many houses in parts of Phoenix that had gas service don't really use it much anymore. Phoenix is very much a car city, but it has a great highway system and it is easy to get around by vehicle. There are absolutely things going on in every city at all times, one just needs to look.

thank you so much, i never really thought about new mexico. I do want to be somewhere i can still enjoy the outdoors and enjoy the people and culture. I will be looking into renting first and my ultimate goal is to buy a townhome, no more buying a house, its too much work, lol My first priority is jobs, i and of course i see arizona is good with taxes, i guess thats why i looked also into nevada and with all that is going in nevada right now with entertainement wise. Im not a gambler so that is not a big deal to me. Safety also, is important in nevada i would only move to henderson or summerlin.

Arizona is has some beautiful places and i find myself applying for jobs more there, so hopefuly something come my way. I will look into Albuqurque, NM also.

thank you

[Banjo71]

I would not recommend Vegas for anyone, really, and certainly not for a single mom and one of your kids. Honestly, I'd say choose a place near extended family, so you have a built in support system. But I don't know if that's an option for you.

Arizona has some incredibly beautiful places to visit, and outranks Nevada in every category in my book. Albuquerque is ok, and New Mexico outranks Vegas too in terms of enjoying the outdoors and the culture.

One major difference between living out west and living where you are is that it is extremely spread out here. Besides the heat, which can be suffocating for months on end, it will take you FOR.EV.VER to get anywhere. Just know that going in.

[brighteyes05]

thank you everyone, taking everyone's comments and really thinking about my choices.

[Hal Roach]

I have owned three homes in PHX and one in Las Vegas. If you are reliant on finding semi-skilled work, then Phoenix will be somewhat better, and slightly better schools in the neighborhoods where you will live. Rarely, super death heat in Las Vegas, that you get two solid months of in Phoenix. No income tax in Nevada.

[popwar]

Phoenix is nicer overall . The first time I visited Phoenix, I loved it. 2nd time , not so much. Ive only been to Vegas once for a few days. What I liked about Vegas over PHX was how much smaller it was. PHX is so big it's kind of overwhelming. You feel like you'll never get to get a feel for the whole area unlike Vegas.