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Moving from france to las vegas ? Crazy idea isn't it ?

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

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  1. FrenchMan

    FrenchMan Tourist

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    Well.. Let's go! And that's not that easy :))

    I'm french, living in France and have an idea since a veeeeeery long time: moving to LV.
    It might sound like a crazy dream I know... But I'm not a crazy guy.

    What do I have to offer ?
    I'm a jazz pianist. I play piano-bar style and in various bands professionnally since more than 20 years. I also give piano lessons.
    I have been studying in the US (in Wisconsin) for a year and just loved it. I miss so much that time! By the way I'm "fluent" in english.
    I also speak spanish, (french) and some german.
    I also can repair computers.
    I have a degree in law but who cares :confused2:

    What am I looking for ? In order :

    working as a "permanent" (does it exist?) pianist in a little local place (casino, restaurant...) or in the Strip why not?
    I would also like to work as a casino dealer... Is there some places left or is it totally filled?


    What about YOU ? How could you help me?

    First of all, tell me if you think I could have a chance of making it? Or am I simply crazy :evillaugh

    More seriously, if you have some informations about playing the piano in some places... Or if you are a musician or even a singer :Þn in a band looking for a pianist...
    Would you recommand me a dealer school in LV ? What are the chances of having a job after the training? Many french casino train new dealers against a 2 years contract. Does this exist in the US or do you have to go through a private school?

    I'm planning to go there for a month in march or april 2015. I’m thinking of renting a furnished flat and a car. Any advices ?


    Feel free to leave a comment and thanks in advance for any help!

    Fabien
     
  2. Hobofrank

    Hobofrank Prime Minister of Idiocracy

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    wow, well tall order there

    how would you establish a permanent work visa or green card...usually you need an employer to sponsor either
    and if you change states that has to be resubmitted (after you go back to France!)
     
  3. Readingfanman

    Readingfanman Low-Roller

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    And there is the reason I'll never move to the USA. A work visa is just not something you can get easily.
     
  4. gambler

    gambler VIP Whale

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    I'm not trying to quash your dreams FrenchMan but...


    It was a 4 year wait for my ex-husband and I. He had to have a job lined up before applying and then his employer/sponsor had to provide documentation (advertising the open job in newspapers, proof of sincerely trying to get a U.S. national to fill the job) to prove there was a shortage of U.S. workers to do the job. They don't want people immigrating without solid means to look after themselves if something goes wrong - and rightfully so. Getting a work visa is not as easy as you might think.
     
  5. FrenchMan

    FrenchMan Tourist

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    I'll try the diversity visa program starting next month... and try to get a green card through lottery .. Hey Never know!
     
  6. MissL

    MissL Newbie

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    Hi FrenchMan!

    I don't live in Vegas and don't know anything about trying to get a green card, but just wanted to offer this little piece of encouragement:

    Where there's a will, there's a way!

    I have moved many times in my life, often for no better reason than to follow a dream. If your dream is to live in Las Vegas, than I say Go For It! Yes, there will be challenges and I agree that getting a green card is probably your biggest challenge. But you sound like the sort of person that is up for a challenge. So start making plans. Find out what it will really take to make this happen and do it.

    This board is a great place to start, and hopefully some others can give you more knowledgeable answers about specific Vegas things. I just wanted to toss in a little encouragement. :thumbsup:
     
  7. landsburger

    landsburger High-Roller

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    Let me offer a differing view...

    You haven't mentioned much about what you do in France exactly or your age. More importantly, have you been to Vegas, how many times and how much of the city did you see?

    I love going to vegas, but much of the area is crap. High crime rates for lots of areas. The heat can also be brutal for many people. I once spent a few weeks there and even the strip can start to loose its shine.

    As for dealing, you should research elsewhere what they make, but I'm guessing there is going to be a good amount of time needed to get competent enough. Factor that in.

    Regarding piano, I've been to most casinos and can think of two or three piano players, and those jobs are taken. :). In also going to guess they aren't making all that much money. Maybe I'm wrong, but no restaurant I know of anywhere in Los Angeles or Vegas has. Piano player.

    And if you like to gamble that can wreck you...

    My advice? If you can afford to move you can afford take a months vacation to Vegas. Drive around the areas you'd have to live in given your income. The. Do it another month if you still desire.

    Some things think about anyway.
     
  8. FrenchMan

    FrenchMan Tourist

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    Hi Landsburger,

    In France I'm a jazz pianiste and give piano lessons. I'm 43 y.o but I thought it was mentionned in my profile... I should correct that asap.
    I've neve been to Vegas. About crimes, I read it was principally in some neighborhoods situated in the north of the city... But you know this is the same in every city around the world...
    My goal is not to make much money, I just would like to do what I like and what I can do. Anyway thanks for the info about the fact that no restaurants hire pianists.
    About gambling, I'm not against but this is not the reason of thinking of moving to Vegas. I see Vegas as the world capital of entertainment, and I imagine that here more than elsewhere there is a need of "entertainers".
    Thanks for your words and your kind help :)
     
  9. MissL

    MissL Newbie

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    Thanks for the PM, FrenchMan :) Facts and research are of paramount importance, and Landsburger make a good point about visiting. That would be a great step to take short term while planning for the long term. In the end, I hope you follow your heart and enjoy this life to the fullest.
     
  10. Jerseyguy

    Jerseyguy MIA

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    One of my oldest and dearest friends was a professional musician ,trumpet player. For a few years he toured the US after WW2 with the big bands.. Then he went out and got a regular job and made a good living at night playing. He became president of the local musicians union and went to LV each year for the annual convention. He told me that some of the greatest musicians in the world are driving cabs in LV.. I doubt if he were alive today that he would encourage you to make that move. Maybe not what you would want to hear but take it for what it's worth.
     
  11. FrenchMan

    FrenchMan Tourist

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    I should look for a position as a cook then... :)
    Just kiddin'
    Thanks for your comment, I prefer redaing true thing even though might not be what I would want to read, indeed
     
  12. Aurelien

    Aurelien Low-Roller

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    It is amusing to see a French dude searching for a new life in LV :)
    I can't say I don't think moving to the USA when my kids will be grown up and out of the house ;) but I won't consider Las Vegas as a pleasant place to stay even for a signle year... There is not much to do outside in the desert, or you have to go to artificial places and you can get no rest from the heat for months. The crime rate in Las Vegas and a big French city like Marseille where I work are nothing alike, it is much worst!

    The best advice is to go there for several months, look for a job and try the city for a long period of time. Friends of mine have being doing just that in Australia for ex and it is a perfect way to acclimate and search for job, car, appartement ... do the paperwork needed...

    Good luck Frenchman !
    Maybe I'll see you there, I'm going to LV each year for 4 years now ;)
     
  13. TomTWI

    TomTWI Custom Title

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    FrenchMan

    Since you are multilingual, why not check out jobs where this would be an asset. Most of us in the US only speak English. In Vegas I would think the airport or high end hotel desks or concierges would need you. It might be easier to get a green card that way. Then pursue your passion (Jazz Piano) at night.

    Also spend the months of July or August in LV to see if you can take the heat. Maybe take a class or two at UNLV.

    Where did you study in Wisconsin? Can't imagine you miss our winters.

    Good luck with your plans.

    TomTWI
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2014
  14. bradster57

    bradster57 Tourist

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    Good luck my friend. I have a job where I can apply for the TN Visa (NAFTA agreement) myself and be approved at the port of entry, but most companies don't want to deal with that. If I could live down south, I certainly would. I've had it with winters.
     
  15. Lvaddictette

    Lvaddictette Tourist

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    It is definitely tough, but not impossible! My husband and I are from Canada, but have been living in Vegas for close to 4 years. Best advice I can give is to research research research. Do this until you know all the ins and outs of every type of visa you can apply for.

    Good Luck!
     
  16. JohnnyD

    JohnnyD Tourist

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    Hi,
    I am from Canada also (Windsor,ont) and i just purchased a house in Vegas. I am using it as a rental property for now but plan on living there in about 7 years for parts of the year. You mentioned you live there, can you let me know if you have a visa, dual citizenship, etc... I don't really know all the ins and outs right now, fairly new to this. Any help would be great.
    Thanks,
    Johnny
     
  17. FrenchMan

    FrenchMan Tourist

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    Hi Tom TWI! I really was thinking of that idea, desks or conciierge services would interest me.
    I was in Marshfield, Wi, a beautiful place.
    Thanks for your advices again,

    Fabien
     
  18. FrenchMan

    FrenchMan Tourist

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    Hi JohnnyD,
    I mentioned I lived in the US but not anymore. Right now I don't have any visa nor dual citizenship or so... About the ins the outs of gatting a visa, I guess employers are quite informed, because they need to fill forms to hire a foreigner.
    I've been the the official US ambassy site, good explanations about every sorts of visas. I guess B2 is the most popular in my case.
    Thanks for your post JohnnyD ^^
     
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