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Moving to Vegas?

Discussion in 'Living in Sin (City that is)' started by Raven, Sep 19, 2019.

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  1. Raven

    Raven Newbie

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    Hi all. I currently work as a bartender in Fargo, ND. I've been to Vegas many times, and have been told you can make very good money bartending there. I've heard about the union and that you need a pour card, etc. But I'd really like to hear you guys opinion. Right now, I'm 30, and I'm really considering moving to Vegas. Any pros, cobs, things to be aware of? And is it easy to meet people and make friends etc? Thanks!
     
  2. wesraft

    wesraft High-Roller

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    Just noticing the topic and lack of response, you might want to search this other forum. I'm pretty sure this exact question has been covered in depth on it. www.city-data.com/forum/las-vegas/ Good luck!
     
  3. K-9treatbaker

    K-9treatbaker VIP Whale

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    You will have to have a food and alcohol card, and a gaming card. If you have no background issue's, not a problem. And all places will conduct a background check and drug test.

    I'm not sure about this, but I have always heard that people start out as bar backs first, then get promoted to bartenders. BUT, I have no idea if this is true or not. I was told this by a bartender I was chatting with in Vegas.

    Bar tending in a non casino or non strip property would be easier to secure employment, I would think.

    Rent in Vegas is around 800-900.00 for a 1 bedroom. My niece just moved there, about 2 months ago. If you have a pet, then rent is more.

    Car insurance is expensive, so check with an agent to get an estimate.

    If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me.

    I use to work in the casino business.

    Good Luck on your possible move. :)
     
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  4. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    Two things to add to this. First, generally speaking, most companies will not pay for your cards (they may have in the past, but the usual practice now is not to) -- the reason being that the cards are personal to you and can be transferred from location to location. Second, they'll do a background and drug test, but they will not test for marijuana, in case that matters to you. There's actually now a Nevada law in place preventing such testing unless it implicates public safety (e.g., drivers or doctors).

    In terms of meeting people and making friends, that's primarily on you. I made a lot of friends even before moving out here full-time, just by being friendly with bartenders, servers, and patrons; since being here, I've made a lot more, including casino staff, coworkers, and friends-of-friends. But I have a tendency to be talkative with strangers.

    Feel free to PM me if you want to talk further.
     
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  5. K-9treatbaker

    K-9treatbaker VIP Whale

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    I should also add that most of the bartender jobs start off being "on call" then you can move up, once they (casino) know you show up, etc. I do not know how it works for non casino bartender jobs.
     
  6. Glenn357M

    Glenn357M High-Roller

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  7. h0llywood

    h0llywood VIP Whale

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    How’s the plan progressing? Any updates?
     
  8. K-9treatbaker

    K-9treatbaker VIP Whale

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    I would like to know as well?
     
  9. Raven

    Raven Newbie

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    Right now I'm spending the next few months saving up additional money. I'll most likely make the move around February
     
  10. K-9treatbaker

    K-9treatbaker VIP Whale

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    My niece likes Las Vegas. It took about 3 months for her to get settled in, and to acclimate to a big city, and since she transferred with Buffalo Wild Wings from Kansas City, she is even liking her job a bit better. She still is searching for a position that she can utilize her masters degree.

    Save as much money as you can, it always takes more than you think it will.

    Will you have a car? Car insurance is really expensive in Las Vegas.

    Maybe a few weeks before you make your move, locate some job fairs and go to them. At least you would get to talk to hiring managers and maybe be offered a position before you actually moved.

    Please keep us posted. We're here to help, if you want it.
     
  11. h0llywood

    h0llywood VIP Whale

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    If you don’t mind me asking, what did she get her masters in?
     
  12. K-9treatbaker

    K-9treatbaker VIP Whale

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    Her masters is in business. See the post below this one. It actually is what her degree is in.
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2019
  13. K-9treatbaker

    K-9treatbaker VIP Whale

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    Update, I have my niece's masters degree a bit wrong. Here is what her masters degree is actually in, Master of Arts in Leadership with an emphasis in organizational Management.
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2019
  14. Raven

    Raven Newbie

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    Right now, I'm kind of stuck between moving to Las Vegas or Los Angeles. I got friends in LA, but it's expensive there. LV is cheaper, but I feel like it's incredibly hard to get a good paying bartender gig there...
     
  15. K-9treatbaker

    K-9treatbaker VIP Whale

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    Vegas is SO much cheaper than LA. Everyone seems to be moving out of LA, if they can.

    I would think getting a bar tending job wouldn't be too difficult, but be realistic, you are not going to probably get one on the strip. That takes some juice, and time. Getting one off strip, or non casino, should not be a big issue. You just have to have the necessary food and alcohol cards and that is required everywhere now.

    Before making the big move anywhere, why not rent a condo or house for a month, away from the strip and tourist area's, actually be in a neighborhood and then see how you like it. And remember, it takes a little time to start liking a new place. Then you are not spending all of your savings, and it will give you an actual idea if Vegas is for you.

    At first, my niece was really stressing about Vegas, the traffic, learning where everything was, finding a place to live. Now that she is settled in, she is liking it. Like I said in a previous post, it took her abut 3 months to start liking it.

    What is your definition of a good paying bar tending job?
     
  16. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    "Everyone" is not moving out of LA. Like any high-priced metropolis there are those who can't cut it there, or who DO get fed up with costs or traffic or whatever, but there'd not be 24+ million folks living south of the Transverse Ranges if everyone had moved out. Vegas also has a huge -- but not net, yet -- outmigration, perhaps one of the largest skews of any city. That's the only thing keeping Clark County's population moderately in check. Last time I checked it was still something like 40 percent of new arrivals departing in a year or two.

    Like that advice about a test run. Never move anywhere based on perception or Vegas eyes ... measure twice, cut once.
     
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  17. K-9treatbaker

    K-9treatbaker VIP Whale

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    You're right @ken2v, LA won't become a ghost town. My remark was not intended to be taken literally. LOL
     
  18. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    I know that. It's just funny when folks peal the death knell for CA and they of course don't live here. Trust me, we have our problems. But this economy fuels a good hunk of the world and there is the weather and diversity. We go forward despite our efforts seemingly to the contrary.
     
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  19. K-9treatbaker

    K-9treatbaker VIP Whale

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    I will agree that California does a lot of good for the rest of the country.

    I loved San Francisco for a vacation, but alas couldn't live there. LOL Not enough money. LOL

    So, AZ it is for now. :)
     
  20. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Not really my point.

    I priced Austin and Miami once. Neither is inexpensive. Doesn't mean TX and FL are like that everywhere.

    We love AZ. Spent one hell of a lot of time there over the years. A trip or three annually for decades now. Tucson rocks. Flag is fun but I'd not want to winter up there. Still a chance we end up there some day but other locales are in the lead right now.
     
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