[EclecticEars]

At present I work at a government social service office in Kentucky. Long story very short, the pay's not great at all, but the benefits are. Due to incompetent and/or moody members of management and large amounts of incessantly angry customers (b/c KY still does things like in the late '80s/early '90s and requires people to visit a local s.s. office for seemingly e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g, which contributes to huge crowds), I don't enjoy the job at all. It is, though, certainly a "real" job and my first one out of college.

I've interviewed by phone for a job in LV. This particular job would help serve in school enrollment and entails many administrative assistant duties. The benefits may be only slightly not as good, but the pay would go to about $30k per year...and Nevada has no state and local income taxes! The COL in Vegas, away from the strip, does not appear to be exorbitant at all.

My present job does entail some a.a. duties, but this would involve more. But, a.a. and admissions/enrollment jobs can be found in many areas around the nation and do not appear to be in jobs that people stay in for any more than 4-5 years.

If this college offers an on-site interview and no less a position, it obviously would provide for a small step up in terms of quality of life and the opportunity to live in another part of the nation altogether. Plus, it places me close to California (one of my favorite states and a place where I've strongly considered attending graduate school). However, it seems to me like it would make more sense for this college, albeit respected by all accounts, to hire within Nevada because its unemployment rate is very high and many of its people are obviously looking for work.

I'm still interested but just being cautious. On the other hand, I figure that other young people such as myself have moved to much more expensive places (i.e.: San Fran, L.A., NYC) for adventure or riskier adventures, so why not jump on an opportunity? Any thoughts or advice? Thanks!

[FALLOUT-NEW-VEGAS-HAHAHA]

1: If you are guaranteed the opportunity, then by all means come and partake. See how Vegas is as you have the income to explore, and come and go as you please...As long as you have that safety net, it's worth venturing.

2: if you are not sure if you will be offered the job, my advice is DO NOT COME HERE. Reason being because of the obvious unemployment rate. if you are shafted not only will you not have any income, but no friends, no place to call home, and you will slowly have the life drained from you by the elements here - by that I mean the casino vice-exploitation and the desert itself, which can be harsh on a person who isnt used to drinking water on a daily basis.

3: it sounds like yoru job is annoying, yet it is STABLE. Think of that stability before making this decision, and by all means don't just take my advice...Just be cautious, friendo....Vegas is a bit different these days since the economy dropped trou.

Peace

[airics]

i would imagine that the col for vegas vs. kentucky would be higher here.... you need to factor in where you will live, utilities, etc.. transport for a vehicle... vehicle registration (expensive here), insurance , etc...

i know in cleveland you can get a decent apartment for 450 in a good area... here, thats going to be a studio in the ghetto.... figure 800 a month for the apartment alone.. maybe a little less... your license plates will be 150 minimum per year...

so factor in EVERYTHING.
30k can be livable but it will take work...

[EclecticEars]

I know that this is a regionally-accredited, non-for-profit university, so we're not talking some fly-by-night or proprietary institution. They have grown steadily and not rapidly. Certainly lets me know that it is a respectable university.

I live very frugally, invest a lot in savings, pay rent and take vacations on my menial salary here in KY. I certainly know I can pull it off in NV w/o the state and local income taxes in effect. My biggest concern would be not rent, but the increased costs of automobile insurance and electricity during those hot summers.

If I get the job opportunity, then I'll probably take it b/c, heck, people have moved to much larger, more expensive cities with hardly anything in their pockets or to their names. But it's not a decision that I'll make likely since, even though I'm ready for a change in scenery, it would be a move to unfamiliar territory.

[MizzouGypsy]

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

It is, though, certainly a "real" job and my first one out of college.

I take it you're still in your 20's. Do you party? If so, you'll be hard pressed to last a year here.

...the pay would go to about $30k per year...and Nevada has no state and local income taxes! The COL in Vegas, away from the strip, does not appear to be exorbitant at all.

How much is gas in KY? I filled up last week, it was almost $3/gal. If you live in Summerlin or Green Valley or Aliante, I'd imagine you'd have to fill up at least once a week.

Plus, it places me close to California (one of my favorite states and a place where I've strongly considered attending graduate school).

Then move to California.

However, it seems to me like it would make more sense for this college, albeit respected by all accounts, to hire within Nevada because its unemployment rate is very high and many of its people are obviously looking for work.

You're right. 1 out of 4 Nevadans are un- or underemployed. Which college is this? I'd like to know who is benefiting from our lenient tax laws and outsourcing to KY of all places.

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

I live very frugally, invest a lot in savings, pay rent and take vacations on my menial salary here in KY. I certainly know I can pull it off in NV w/o the state and local income taxes in effect. My biggest concern would be not rent, but the increased costs of automobile insurance and electricity during those hot summers.

Say goodbye to your savings. My electric bill in July was $450. You can pull that off? 30k is jack in Las Vegas. That's about $14/hr. Buffet hostesses make $16.30. I'm thinking they only reason this "college" is outsourcing to KY is because they can lure you out here at a bargain.

Are you a halfway attractive woman? You could always be a stripper at night. They make GREAT money.

[ruready1st]

I would question this job. What is their turnover rate for this position? Are there enrollment quotas? Is it the University of Phoenix?
Are there any benefits at all similar to what you have now?

With unemployment here being so high, I would be suspicious as to why they are not hiring someone from Las Vegas? I know a few people who have excellent administrative skills that would be thrilled to make more than $12/hour.

Do the phone interview, see if you can get them to put a tentative offer in writing, and then ask them the really tough questions, the make or break ones.

I looked at a rental for my Mom to come out here. Best decent place that I felt safe having my Mom live at was $750 for a 550 sq. ft 1 bedroom apartment.

[rjsf1971]

If you are concerned about automobile insurance cost and electricity costs, then I believe you're not monetarily ready to make the move yet. In this economy, it would be wise to stick to what you've got and save, save, save.

BTW, the pay in government is never great.

[ladoll]

It doesn't make sense that you want to move to Las Vegas, but want to go to graduate school in California. The nearest city of any size on the 15 on the California side is Barstow and that's two hours from Vegas. Also, you are going to pay out of your butt for graduate school in California - even on the note of public institutions, as you won't be viewed as a resident (when I first started going to school in LA at a public institution - a community college, no less - it was about $1900 a semester for three classes). Add to that the expense of California...

But that's not really what this is about (or is it?)... I just find it odd that you are talking about moving to Vegas here, but you are also stating that California is a "place where you have strongly considered attending graduate school."

I think you really need to think about what it is you really want to do. It doesn't make much sense to move to Vegas, just to uproot yourself again to move to California to go to school. Have you considered moving to Las Vegas before? Or was it because of this job opportunity that you considered it? How did you come about finding this particular job?

[building]

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

At present I work at a government social service office in Kentucky. Long story very short, the pay's not great at all, but the benefits are. Due to incompetent and/or moody members of management and large amounts of incessantly angry customers (b/c KY still does things like in the late '80s/early '90s and requires people to visit a local s.s. office for seemingly e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g, which contributes to huge crowds), I don't enjoy the job at all. It is, though, certainly a "real" job and my first one out of college.

I've interviewed by phone for a job in LV. This particular job would help serve in school enrollment and entails many administrative assistant duties. The benefits may be only slightly not as good, but the pay would go to about $30k per year...and Nevada has no state and local income taxes! The COL in Vegas, away from the strip, does not appear to be exorbitant at all.

My present job does entail some a.a. duties, but this would involve more. But, a.a. and admissions/enrollment jobs can be found in many areas around the nation and do not appear to be in jobs that people stay in for any more than 4-5 years.

If this college offers an on-site interview and no less a position, it obviously would provide for a small step up in terms of quality of life and the opportunity to live in another part of the nation altogether. Plus, it places me close to California (one of my favorite states and a place where I've strongly considered attending graduate school). However, it seems to me like it would make more sense for this college, albeit respected by all accounts, to hire within Nevada because its unemployment rate is very high and many of its people are obviously looking for work.

I'm still interested but just being cautious. On the other hand, I figure that other young people such as myself have moved to much more expensive places (i.e.: San Fran, L.A., NYC) for adventure or riskier adventures, so why not jump on an opportunity? Any thoughts or advice? Thanks!

Go anywhere but HERE!!! This is not a place to relocate to.