Job offer at the Rivers Casino... Relocation from south Florida (Pittsburgh: cul-de-sac, extended stay)

[Mugatu]

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

I have to say I'm in disbelief that you would be making more money working in a casino then being a tech.

He's from Florida, the pay is awful down there. Some of the lowest wages in the country. I got a $9K salary boost when I moved to Pittsburgh from Orlando for the same job.

[BrianTH]

Some basic thoughts on Rivers:

It was very expensive to construct, and revenues are way below the original projections, and the casino has to pay out a lot of money in terms of taxes and other required fees to public authorities. On an operating basis it is making a lot of money, but it is an open question whether it will be able to pay off its construction debt, which means at some point it might go through a financial reorganization--but as long as it is making money on an operating basis, I can't see it actually closing.

I have poked around various gambling websites, and generally Rivers seems to have been well-received, although it had a difficult initial rollout with some confusion over things like parking fees. Some older slots players from the exurbs and rural areas are still expressing wariness about coming into the big scary city, and without a dedicated hotel it still has a problem attracting the jet-set/whale-type gamblers, but it has otherwise developed a decent following among people in the region and is a popular destination for visitors as well.

I can't really tell you about the management from an employee perspective, but the players seem to think they have been pretty good, again subject to some initial rollout problems that have largely been fixed.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

The weather we have been having the past few weeks is NOT the norm. Almost every day over the spring and summer was sunny. The sun got to be kind of annoying, actually.

It is certainly the norm for WINTER in Pittsburgh. Gray, dreary, cold but not too cold, snow that doesn't really stick.

[BrianTH]

This is definitely typical weather for winter. However, we'll also likely get some very clear, crisp days, some unseasonably warm days where it feels like spring started early, and so forth.

[OnThaGrind]

Thanks for the insight on the organization. I can't believe they don't have a hotel! That's insane to me. I worked at the borgata in Atlantic City for years and every casino there has a hotel. I read some reviews and there was a lot of negativity so I am glad to hear some reality.

To answer about the tech pay, it's definitely lower than what a dealer makes. I get around 14 an hour. That's bad considering the cost of living out here. I am thankful to have a job, but I would like to jump on an opportunity when it presents itself, which is why I'm doing research on the casino and anything else about the city of Pittsburgh.

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Some basic thoughts on Rivers:

It was very expensive to construct, and revenues are way below the original projections, and the casino has to pay out a lot of money in terms of taxes and other required fees to public authorities. On an operating basis it is making a lot of money, but it is an open question whether it will be able to pay off its construction debt, which means at some point it might go through a financial reorganization--but as long as it is making money on an operating basis, I can't see it actually closing.

I have poked around various gambling websites, and generally Rivers seems to have been well-received, although it had a difficult initial rollout with some confusion over things like parking fees. Some older slots players from the exurbs and rural areas are still expressing wariness about coming into the big scary city, and without a dedicated hotel it still has a problem attracting the jet-set/whale-type gamblers, but it has otherwise developed a decent following among people in the region and is a popular destination for visitors as well.

I can't really tell you about the management from an employee perspective, but the players seem to think they have been pretty good, again subject to some initial rollout problems that have largely been fixed.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by OnThaGrind

Thanks for the insight on the organization. I can't believe they don't have a hotel! That's insane to me. I worked at the borgata in Atlantic City for years and every casino there has a hotel.

I gather the theory is that there are, or soon will be, enough hotels nearby, and that the casino could comp people in those nearby hotels if necessary. I also gather people actually in the gambling industry don't see it that way, and would much prefer an attached, dedicated hotel.

[MissShona]

I'm up here from South Florida. I really miss it; but then again I absolutely can't stand cold weather and snow! So I have no issue taking a pay cut to enjoy better weather. It's not like I make all that much money up here anyway!

Pittsburgh is a more livable city...and it has more culture and a sense of community. However, it is pretty homogeneous. "Ethnic diversity" in Pittsburgh is really "European diversity". Blacks and Asians are present....but not really widespread. Hispanics are pretty rare...although this is getting a little better (25 years ago, there were almost none here). People are not materialistic here in the widespread way that they are in South Florida. This is a good thing; but it also sort of makes people complacent. You don't have that cut-throat, get rich quick business atmosphere here. Instead, it's more like, get a nice union job and just do as you are told. Of course, there are always exceptions out there (I don't know if the casino workers are unionized or not). But from working in both places, professionals seem to have way more drive in South Florida than they do here (the competition is fiercer).

The education here blows away the vast majority of what schools can offer in FL. Although you should brace for very high college costs should your child opt to go to college. This can be alleviated a bit if your child graduates from a high school in the city of Pittsburgh. Then they can have access to the 'Pittsburgh Promise' scholarship program; which is similar to the Florida Bright Futures program. Other than that....you need to save your pennies!

For housing you get way more bang for you buck. Although you may find that your utilities and taxes are higher. Homeowners insurance will be way lower. Depending on what type of house you get, the local millage rate, etc. -- will effect your housing costs a lot.

[TechieTransplant]

Originally Posted by OnThaGrind

To answer about the tech pay, it's definitely lower than what a dealer makes. I get around 14 an hour.

Very surprised. I hear techs around here talking about working six to seven days a week making double what you say you are making an hour.

[OnThaGrind]

Yea i believe that, Florida has low wages for even the hardest and most skilled workers, major downer. Pittsburgh is looking better and better.

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

Very surprised. I hear techs around here talking about working six to seven days a week making double what you say you are making an hour.

[OnThaGrind]

Well, today i booked my flight and hotel stay out there for the interview. I look forward to my time there and hopefully i get the job and things will start to look up! I plan on driving around a little to see the city for myself the day before and the day of my interview. If i do get hired i have to start looking for a place to live that has schools which would be good for my son to attend for autism services. It does not matter if it is in the city or the suburbs, but i will cross that bridge when i get to it. Thanks for all of the opinions and help from the people who replied to this post, it is definitely appreciated. By the way, what neighborhoods would be most convenient to where the Rivers Casino is for a young family? I have lived in NYC and NJ most of my life and in Florida for less than 2 years, so i am very familiar with urban environments. I also do not mind the burbs, it depends though. I am assuming i would need to spend less than $900 a month for a 2 or 3 bedroom place. House, townhouse, or apartment would work, although a house sounds best. I also do not want to travel more than 25 minutes to and from work.