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Thinking of making the move

Discussion in 'Living in Sin (City that is)' started by IWannaBeInVegas, Jun 4, 2014.

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  1. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    Long time since I have been here on the site, due to some issues my Vegas plans for March came to a screeching halt and I just could not bring myself to visit this page, the depression was bad.

    Anyways here is the deal. I am thinking of making Vegas my home, wanting to finally live out my dream. Currently nothing is holding me here in Ohio except my house is paid off, but I can sell it I am sure, even if at a small loss.

    The issue is I do not want to move unless I can find a job. I have experience in private and casino security and have been dealing in our local casino for just over a year, unfortunately I only have one game and most want you to have two in order to obtain a job, I am waiting on my employer to offer more game classes. I know quite a few places require background checks but have been told that my gaming license issued here in Ohio would be a great resource since it shows I have and can pass a background check.

    I am curious about where is a good SAFE place to live in the area. It would just be myself and my teenage son, we would be starting over, more than likely not bring much more than our electronics, clothes and some personal items and starting fresh with everything else. My credit is not the best if that matters, but it should show signs of improvement since I bought a new car and am on time with payments.

    Id like to buy a house, but honestly from what I have been seeing online at homes that are in the range I would be able to afford after selling my house (and I would not move until my house is sold) are not in great shape, we are talking under $100k, closer to $60k.

    Really looking for any advice from anyone who has made the move, who can provide insight on cost of living and everything to go with it. I have never live outside my small town, let alone another state but have had the dream it is has really been pushing at me lately.
     
  2. ExVegasLocal

    ExVegasLocal Low-Roller

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    Know that this answer comes from a place of experience and not a desire to burst your bubble.

    I lived there for 11 years. I was lucky enough to make a large sum of money due to home value appreciation. However that home is now practically worthless and I thank God I don't live there anymore. In a nutshell, here's why...

    Employees in Las Vegas are a commodity, just like a box of paper clips. You will be nothing but a warm body. Expect to change jobs several times over the course of time, never really creating a relationship with your employer or your co-workers.

    The entire economy is reliant upon tourism and gaming. Home values fluctuate wildly based upon whether the employment market is healthy or poor. When times in Vegas are not good, employment is hard to find, and home values plummet.

    In addition, you son will receive a poor education and you will find good medical care very difficult to obtain.

    If you are retired or you are well-off and are seeking to buy your dream home, without regard to the home's future value, your employment prospects, or the quality of your son's education, Vegas can be a wonderful place. For the rest of us who must work to survive and depend upon our homes to build equity over time...not so much.

    When you are old enough to retire, move to Las Vegas and enjoy the warm winters. Until then, stay in Ohio.
     
  3. vegasbound

    vegasbound VIP Whale

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    I'm coming up on my 11th year in Vegas, I relocated from Chicago for better opportunities and weather. I have not been the least bit disappointed. I work in construction, I was hired and began working within two weeks of my initial arrival. Same goes for my husband, he works in the casino industry. We have changed positions to gain responsibility and pay, but I would disagree with ExVegasLocal and say that long term employment is indeed possible and relationships are fostered. Our closest friends are co-workers.

    Home values do fluctuate wildly. I've been on both sides (owning three properties) ultimately losing big. I now rent. Can you rent out your home in Ohio? I would also suggest renting upon your arrival into Vegas rather than rushing into a purchase. I personally think the real estate market will go bust again. Too many investors have purchased homes; inflating home prices. There are so many rentals on the market, until locals are actually living and owning these homes I can't help but think the market is unstable.

    It will be difficult to secure employment prior to making the move. Employers prefer applicants that are local. Once you are in town work is readily available if you are upbeat, positive and flexible. Don't expect to find your ideal job/hours off the bat or you'll be sorely disappointed. Due to the transient nature of the city, it does not take long to move up, once your foot is in the door.

    My advice is to bring as little as possible. I sold nearly everything and wished I came with even less. Again, the transient nature, allows you to pick up furniture, etc. for a bargain.

    Good luck!
     
  4. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    A true tale of two cities. And both are correct.

    Kellee and hubby are tales of success, many people are. The city didn't grow so rapidly on nothing fractured dreams.

    BUT, there are tons of fractured dreams up there, nonetheless. The outmigration stats prove that. I'd say it is a hard city to go to if marginalized since it is a marginalizing city.

    Why not look up Hurricane Mikey, get his take, if you weren't around following his exploits when he did just this for a good spell. The guy can flat tell it like it is.
     
  5. NeonAndBeach

    NeonAndBeach Tourist

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    Your biggest issue is going to be finding a decent house even for $100,000. For $60k, forget about it. You are looking at an OK 2-bedroom condo.

    Per our education system, a child can get a decent education if they choose. This area is plagued by parents who are too busy to care, and a real blue collar mentality where education does not matter because your goal is a good job parking cars or a stable casino union job bartending.

    Success in Las Vegas is actually pretty easy IF you have an upbeat attitude and work hard. So many people are flakes (just try to find a gardener that will show up every month), that if you simply do exactly what you say when you say it will be done, show up, and work hard, you'll be fine over time.

    Local companies tend not to hire people who don't live here. Too many people move here with their Vegas dream and are GONE 6 months later. You will have to start at the bottom, but yes, you can move up quickly.

    Attitude is super-important. Don't go around talking about your previous city. If it was so great, you would not have moved to Las Vegas. (New Yorkers are the worst at this... everything was better in New York and they won't shut up about it). If you move, you are not living in Las Vegas. It is not your old city. Things are different. Adapt and love it. Or move back.

    Making friends can be more tough. Be sociable, join some groups (hiking or whatever hobby you may have), go to church if you are even remotely inclined (we have tons of churches), and attend any mixers and networking events in your field.

    Oh, and we're about out of water. Get to love desert landscaping.

    Hope this helps.
     
  6. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    Thank you all for the replies so far.

    I am very aware of Mikey, I was shocked when I read he moved away from Vegas as quickly as he did.

    Honestly I am fine with apartment/condo living if I can find one that is affordable in good area, education for my son being important.

    I am debating on weather to sell the current house or keep it as a fall back incase I don't like it, but every indication tells me I would. Although hot in the summers, the lack of humidity will be good for my arthritis which is bad in my ankles.

    I keep watching the M Resort for jobs, only because I already work for the parent company and could possibly do a transfer, only problem is most of what I am finding that I am trained to do is on-call part-time work. I don't mind getting a couple part-time casino jobs or whatever, but I need steady work for sure.
     
  7. vegasbound

    vegasbound VIP Whale

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    If looking for work in casinos, part-time extra board is as good as it will get, initially. Show up with a positive attitude, prove yourself and show you're reliable and they will reward you for the effort. Flake and/or take early outs and you'll go nowhere fast. It's very common for those starting out to have multiple on call positions. And never burn a bridge, Vegas can be an incredibly small town.
     
  8. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    I'd assume you have but I'll ask anyway:

    Have you done an honest pro/con checklist taking into account push and pull factors?

    Also, are you moving to get out of where you are, moving specifically for Vegas, moving for a better life/lifestyle for you and your kid and/or moving for career advancement?

    While I think we know the answer to that one, I'd pro/con all of these, too. And be honest. Brutally honest. Which is hard to do when there's a real factor of I-just-wanna-be-in-X involved; the pull factor. How much of this is push, getting away to get away? Then where else might you go and how does that tick the boxes? How important is your career or job, and where do you want it to be (not necessarily geographically) in 5, 10, 25 years?

    We made a significant move now nearly three years ago. We did it for one reason: My wife's career. As it turns out we love it here, and we would not have come if in advance we really felt the place totally wasn't for us. But this wasn't a retirement move for taxes or cost or finally getting to that perfect place in the world for us. We weren't aching to get out of Southern California. This was for her career advancement and enjoyment and reward, which means our future, as well. And we gained immeasurably, it turns out, in lifestyle.

    I'm not anti-Vegas, even as we chose long ago not to go there when we had a chance. It could just be your heaven.

    It's cool to let go of the edge of the pool, take a flyer. But that is easier when we're younger, with fewer responsibilities, without dependents. And it's all dependent on what the goal(s) is(are) and how we attain it(them).
     
  9. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    We were lucky in that we were both retired when we moved to Vegas in 2008 and didn't need to find a job. But, two years later, we moved out. No need to bash the place, it just turned out living there and vacationing there are two completely different experiences. But please do some research on the health care situation and the school system, before you pull the trigger.
     
  10. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    Honestly iv not done a pro/con checklist or anything, just a lot of thinking. The main reasons for wanting to move is to start over sonewhere new with fresh ideas and also iv always wanted to live in Las Vegas.

    Career wise if I stay here I am stuck. We have four casinos in the state and pay wise we are the highest paying one when you factor in tokes.

    I'm really just in the per planning phase, it's a big deal considering iv never lived outside my city.
     
  11. El Magico

    El Magico Newbie

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    First post! HELLO!

    I agree 100% with ExVegasLocal.
    Sorry Vegasbound but Vegas 11 years ago is not Vegas now.
    I have been living here since 1997 and can't wait to get out of this hell.

    Jobs wise: Jobs are scarce unless you want to barely make ends meet. If you are in security, you could land a job at the M Resort (where I actually did my internship), but the question is, will you make enough to survive in Vegas? I say that if you are moving to Vegas with your son, you need to make at least $2500 dollars. I just graduated in Hotel Management from UNLV. Its like impossible to get any entry level job unless you did an internship with certain companies, as it goes all via these retarded online applications and you are literally just one of the many applicants in a black hole. I have spoken to some of my ex professors and they all agree. So yes, you are a number here in Vegas.
    In fact, the only people who have had success in Hotel are people who leave Vegas. I don't know a single person that has made a good career in Vegas graduating from UNLV.
    I am currently working at a call center. That should give you an idea of how bad the market is here. And yeah... people will not help you at all.

    Vegas is cheap compared to many cities, true, but jobs here pay way less than average.
    Good choice on looking at off-strip properties btw, as the market on the strip is over saturated.
    Not to mention the hassle of driving back and fourth from it even if you take side roads.

    Housing: Forget about buying a house here. Unless you are an investor that knows when to buy and sell, its one of the worst investments we've made.
    Even after refinancing, the amount of cash we have to pay compared to the house value is plain out fraud. There is nothing you can do about it either. Its all about how the market goes, and since its all based on tourism, its very volatile.

    Education: Education is a joke. I just went the other day back to UNLV to inquire about a finance minor or possibly an MBA. I first went to see one of my ex-professors, but he was absent from his office. So I said: "Lets go ask the finance department". Long story short, you need to be a student in order to get any sort of advising appointment, either at the Lee Business School to general advising. That is $60 dollars to ask questions. Absolutely ridiculous. Not to mention that UNLV is actually going bankrupt, and Nevada is the second worst state in the nation for education.

    Not sure how old your son is, but keep in mind that too many kids here become complete slobs. Its probably the worst place to raise a kid.
    Easy alcohol 24/7/365, easy drugs, gambling, clubbing, all sort of degenerate fun that is OK if you are a tourist but can take over some people. :drunk:

    Oh yeah, there is nothing to do in Vegas. like nothing. Yeah sure people will tell you that you can go hiking at Red Rock but really? Who does that on a weekly basis? Who does that period? The city is literally blocks on houses and cheap shopping malls. Just Google Map it. The strip reeks with annoying tourists yelling when drunk. There is NO nature (except desert of course), downtown is trash, and... that's it... LA has a beach at least and pretty places like Santa Monica. NYC has Central Park, etc etc etc. Vegas has.. nothing.

    Transportation: Unless you have a car, you are SOL. And even with a car, there are times that you enter your car and you will think its on fire. You will not be able to touch the steering wheel. That's how hot it gets in Vegas. Forget about taking the bus. Its slow, it smells, I took it back in the day, I know what I am talking about. Not to mention that in the summer, it will be nasty. You sweat like crazy in a bus with no air conditioning. And its frigging' $2 dollars per ride! If not more now.

    So yeah, unless you have a real good reason like a job that is paying you a crap-load of money, I suggest you stay in Ohio or move somewhere else. :thumbsdown:
     
  12. Gofaster87

    Gofaster87 Low-Roller

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    Ive lived here a while now and have seen many people come and go and my best advice is too line up a good job before making the move. Ive seen too many people move out here with some savings and then not be able to score a job that pays more than $10.00/hr. They end up leaving broke.
     
  13. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I need to give Ken2V's last post a golf clap. :clap: Good advice in there.

    If you were young and childless, I'd say GO!!!! But yeah, responsibilities make these decisions more difficult.

    I know people who have made the move and loved it and others who thought "Oh, God. What have I done?" ;) We talked about making the move to Vegas at one point when we had a big career change, but ended up not doing it. I love Las Vegas. (Obviously!) But it's my happy place. I'm afraid it would be less happy if I lived there. It's a much different experience as a resident than as a tourist, as Joe said.

    It would be wonderful if you could so an extended vacation there, like 2-3 weeks. You could stay at a residence hotel, that would be very close to an apartment experience. Plus, it would allow you to experience Vegas from a different perspective and explore neighborhoods and talk to people.

    VMBers tend to be horrible enablers who are all Vegas all the time, but I'm happy to see you getting sound advice on the best way to make your decision in this thread. Good luck!
     
  14. vegasbound

    vegasbound VIP Whale

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    I will completely agree that Las Vegas has changed over the past eleven years; however, what it takes to succeed, here, or anywhere hasn't. Hard work and good attitude go a long way. That said, Las Vegas is not for everyone. It takes a special kind to be a desert dweller and only handful that come are disciplined enough to stay for the long haul. This city will eat you alive if you let it. No doubt.

    It can be a great place with loads of opportunity. My brother moved here almost two years ago at one of the worst times for Vegas, He's single, 27 and making it on his own. Though, he did live with me for 10 months to save for his own apartment. His friends' moved to town in April, they are employed and have been within three weeks of moving to town with nothing lined up prior. I made friends with newcomers when Vegas was booming and they didn't last three months... so there are both sides. If it doesn't work out, so what. You tried. Life is too short to be miserable, if you don't like where you live... move. Sure, have a plan and weigh the risk, but taking the chance isn't life or death. Too many people trap themselves with fear and excuses.
     
  15. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    There is lots to think about here. I cannot work for $10/hr and live, I have a car payment and would have rent plus child support for the twins and raising one on my own.
     
  16. lotso-bear

    lotso-bear VIP Whale

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    IMHO, you should get an estimate on the cost of living in Vegas. From there, apply for a few jobs and see what the pay is like. Once you get a better idea of your financial situation, make a decision if you want to move out there.

    Since your home is already paid off, have you considered renting it for a certain time period? This way you can have an extra source of income while having a place to return if your experience in Vegas doesn't work out.
     
  17. xmarksx

    xmarksx VIP Whale

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    El Magico, I believe you have made some points but want to pushback on one item. Everywhere it is a horrendous job market for young adults I and read that recent college grads are at 10% unemployed nationally, greater for minorities. You mentioned a call center, I work for one of the national insurance carriers and we have centralized our operations to three call center hubs, Dallas, Tempe and Atlanta. What was once a very good entry level field job is now a call center grind.
     
  18. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Sonya used a word that I used, and I think for some people it is key: career.

    There are jobs and there are careers. A career obviously includes a job or a succession of jobs, but it is different. (A "job" might also yield a lot more $$$ for someone than another's "career.")

    I'm not wired to go somewhere and then make sure I can crack the nut just doing A or A&B or A&B&C. If we go somewhere, if one of us changes jobs, it's part of a larger plan that involves jobs but also much more, if that makes sense. That's another sentiment I've been trying to get across in this matter of checklists and wants and needs and what it all means.

    I'm certainly not demeaning any form of employment or anyone's choices.
     
  19. ExVegasLocal

    ExVegasLocal Low-Roller

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    I just wanted to clarify that I do love Las Vegas and it will always be near to my heart. If not, I wouldn't be a member of these forums. I still go back at least once a year to relax, gamble, visit friends, and enjoy my favorite restaurants. In fact, I'll be out there in two weeks and i can't wait to get a "bobbie" sandwich from Capriotti's. :thumbsup:

    My folks are quite well-off, retired, and have just bought a lovely home there which they enjoy all winter long. They swim, golf, gamble a bit, shop, and enjoy the sunny warmth all winter long. Perhaps I will retire there as well. I think it would be a great place to consider for retirement.

    When I lived there, I mostly worked from home (as I do now). My job was not directly tied to the city itself (though I sometimes dealt with the large local corporations). I specifically chose to live there for the quality of life. I had come from Southern California where homes were unaffordable, traffic was a nightmare, and the throngs kept me from getting out to enjoy activities. Las Vegas offered me the chance to own a nice home with a pool and to enjoy the city on my own terms during the week, when most of the tourists had gone home. But after 11 years, it was time to go. It had become overcrowded, the traffic unbearable, the infrastructure overburdened, and I had grown tired of the summer heat.

    Health care and educational opportunities are just awful. I shudder to think what it must be like to raise a child in Las Vegas. Zappos money or not, there is simply no innate culture in Las Vegas. They can build all the shiny Smith Centers they want, but they will never create a legitimate environment of culture.

    My experience is that if you are a person who must work, especially if you are in the service industry, you are very unlikely to ever be considered anything other than an easily-replaceable warm body by your employer. You will be terminated at will when the accountants have decided that your position is not needed, and you will find yourself trying to get a foothold somewhere else. And the cycle repeats, leaving many at the bottom of the employment heap.

    Let's not fool ourselves. Las Vegas exists for one purpose; to make money. It uses tourists and locals alike to accomplish its goals. But as a tourist, you can visit willingly. You can strike a deal with the city. You can offer up your hard-earned cash in exchange for a few days of Fantasy. But If you are a resident who must work for a living, you are simply a commodity and you will be treated as such. When you have served your purpose, you will be discarded.

    My advice stands. Live somewhere else. Visit Las Vegas as often as you like, becoming a willing victim, exchanging cash for great food, gambling, and entertainment. But don't move there, only to be forced to let it take from you what you are not willing to let it have.
     
  20. Keyser Soze

    Keyser Soze Low-Roller

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    ExVegasLocal,

    Damn, that was a good post!

    Keyser Soze
     
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