[ImUneducated]

Yeah, I know - but things break down, and get old which makes them not work as well... I know I'm gonna throw an extra window unit in all of the bedrooms, and figure out the whole "how to buy, and use a generator" idea, so even if there is a power outage I won't be sitting there with my thumb up my butt. (Prepare for the worst hope for the best is kinda my m.o.)

Anyways, thanks for the replies...


- Jake

And don't worry about the mosquitos..

[dynimagelv]

Don't worry about the power outage......IF it happens it's for a very few hours....keep all the doors n windows closed and when the sun goes down open em up wide......

And leave your sno shovel in MN

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by ImUneducated

I'm eventually moving to vegas (after finishing up some college this fall) and although I've read many of these bulletins/postings, I'm still going to most likely ask some questions that have already been answered, so I apologize ahead of time.


#1 - I've heard that living IN las vegas isn't the greatest idea and that I should look near the borders/outskirts, and in towns like summerlin/henderson. ALTHOUGH: when I look on sites like realtor dotcom etc, all of the nicer/newer style homes with pools seem to be located in "Las Vegas"... well, at least in MY price range. I've driven to NV twice, but neither times I really thought of the possibility of relocating there, so I didn't bother looking at real estate or communities. I do however plan on visiting to speak with different employers and check out areas, so if you have any suggestions it would be appreciated. (No "gang" related areas with high crime and bad neighbors please) Ideally I'm looking for a 2 bedroom, NEWER home with a decent sized pool... in a DECENT location. Anyone got a ballpark price range for me?

#2 - In minnesota, bugs/creatures/dangerous animals aren't really a problem considering the only thing we really have an issue with is mosquitos (at least in the city, not an hour up north in the middle of nowhere - where bears come into play) In Vegas, I'm sure there are scorpions... but how often do you see or hear stories of people getting bit by them? I read that rattlesnakes are few and far between... but what happens if the rare instance you get bit by one of these. Walmart carry snake/scorpion juice? You keep extra in your car? If you go hiking bring some? Or are the chances astronomical, and nobody really plans ahead for the worst?

#3 - LOCALS, Listen up... I looked through many of the threads with photos, and saw some of the prettiest pictures I've seen of the LV. I know the strip is gorgeous from the air, but I imagine it gets old eventually on the ground. Lake Mead seems pretty...do people fish in there? What for? I'm still kind of young, and not so rich - so what are some fun activities to do on a budget? What are some things I HAVE to do, that are worth the buck... What do the locals do?

#4 - Recession? Jobs? I work in the plumbing field, which is thankfully "recession proof"... although good jobs are hard to find anywhere. I have a full arm sleeve tattoo, and vegas is hotter than satans nipples... so covering it up with a little full sleeve cotton undershirt seems like a frickin hassle. Are people generally laid back about tattoo's/piercings in vegas? It seems like a little "hipper" town than minnesota, and I don't think people judge others as much there. This true? Also, if anyone here works in the plumbing field - their outlook would be muy muy bueno.

#5 - Dating. I'm currently in a relationship, although I do not know if we'll be together when I move - or if we'll find it beneficial to move together... Is it hard to cozy up to people there? In minnesota, your best chance of meeting people is at the bar when they lose a little inhibition. Otherwise, people keep tightly in their packs (myself included). What's the dating scene like? I'd preferably like to hear from younger people (20-30). Any cute vegas chicks feel free to add me to their friends list on myspace
MySpace.com - Jake - 24 - Male - Las Vegas, Minnesota - www.myspace.com/j2themother****ingake

#6 - Motorcycles... Is traffic horrible? Are Vegas drivers as bad as here in minnesota? I ride a motorcycle, and prefer to keep it that way with the current gas price situation - although I don't really want to risk my life everytime I hop on the road. Also, with 110 degree dry heat, is it even worth it? Anyone here ride?

#7 - Has anyone driven to the ocean from vegas? How far of a trip is it? I know the closest ocean is somewhere in cali, but where's the nicest/closet beach? My girl has never seen an ocean, and if she DOES move with it will be a priority.

#8 - How difficult/spendy is it to plant and upkeep 4-5 palm trees? If you can't tell, I hate minnesota and all the darn pine trees out here. Palm trees remind me of paradise, and are a MUST in my backyard. Anyone got advice?

#9 - WHO IS THE BEST TATTOO ARTIST IN VEGAS? We have a shop in minnesota called electric dragonland where the artists are very well known and published in tattoo magazines. I'm curious if there's a shop out there with a 1.5 year+ waiting list as well... (I need to get on it asap)

#10 - HEAT? How hot does it really get there in the summer... and what's the average temp? What about winter, is it perfect? Tell me more, I'm clueless.

#11 - Can you tell I'm running out of questions yet? Answer ANY of the above ten... and I'll love you forever. True story.

1. Don't believe anything you hear and only part of what you see. Las Vegas is a big city and some parts are not as good as others. But Summerlin is mostly a section of the city of Las Vegas. The whole area is generally called Las Vegas but not all of it is in the city limits. Some is governed by Clark County. The cities of Henderson and North Las Vegas also contain sections that have names like Green Valley and Aliante but they are within the city limits of those municipalities. But for practical reasons most of us call the whole metropolitan area Las Vegas. If you live in Henderson or North Las Vegas and they get the zip code and address right, your mail will be delivered even if it says Las Vegas. It's the realtor's job to drive you around and show you homes, and tell you about the area without steering you one way or the other. But as a practical matter I find that realtors won't let you buy in a crappy neighborhood unless you are a crappy neighborhood kind of person. So get a realtor and tell them what you are looking for so they can confine the search to your interests.

2. You've been watching too many old B&W cowboy movies. Only a few bugs here, and hardly ever a scorpion, and never a rattlesnake in town. Even in the desert you probably will never see one.

3. Lake Mead is the largest man made lake in the western hemisphere, and until the 70's it was the largest in the world, with 550 miles of shoreline. Of course it has fish. Since the introduction of striped bass in the 70's that is the number one fish mainly because stripers eat everything else. But it is still stocked with trout, though being a warm water lake trout can't spawn there. There are also crappies, small and large mouth bass, and catfish. But mostly you'll catch stripers. Below the dam on the Colorado river and a little further down in Lake Mojave (there are several dams on the Colorado) you'll find lots of trout. The carp, which is a sucker fish, is what the tourists see at the docks begging (yes begging) for food, so they think that's all there are out there. You might catch one while fishing for stripers depending on where on the lake you are, but probably not. If you do, toss it back.

There are professional, and pro/am fishing tournaments held on the lake, and there used to be high speed boat races but I haven't heard of one in a while. Lots of sailboats out there as well. On a big weekend like the 4th of July there will be over 250,000 people on the lake. Many Californians, including big stars, keep boats there.

You can also hunt ducks and geese on the lake in season, and although I've never done it, I hear you can gig for frogs in places. You will run into the occasional rattlesnake along the shore of the lake so watch where you put your hands.

Most fishing in southern Nevada is done at either Lake Mead or Lake Mojave, or on the river itself between the two lakes. Since the Nevada/Arizona border runs right down the middle of the river you will need an Arizona stamp on your fishing license, plus a trout stamp.

You can fish at a couple of the city parks but it's mostly for catfish and a few bass. Serious trout fishermen drive a ways north of here to cooler climates and better fishing. Spring Valley and Echo Canyon Reservoirs near Pioche, Cave Lake near Ely, Enterprise near St. George, Utah, Sunnyside, NV, which is three or four reservoirs on the way to Ely are a few. There are some good spots in central Nevada, and others relatively close in Utah too. And I think Beaver Dam near Caliente is back in business. You can, and probably will have to, camp at most of them.

4. All plumbers have tattoos. It's required. But you will never get a job in the service industry if you have visible tats.

5. It's a little more difficult to make friends in Vegas, but you will.

6. 42% of the people in Vegas ride bikes (and 67% of all stats are made up on the spot). Bring your bike and you'll fit right in. You might even meet more girls on it.

7. Everyone drives to the ocean from Las Vegas. LA is only 4½ hours away, and about another hour to the beaches. About 70% of these a**holes came from LA and go back often so I-15 is bumper to bumper on weekends.

8. Palms are ubiquitous in Las Vegas. I have three in my courtyard. My neighbor behind me has at least a dozen. Where did you get these silly questions from?

9. I wouldn't know. My body is my temple and I don't desecrate it with tattoos.

10. It averages over 100 all summer. It has reached as much as 120º in parts of town, but the "official" temp is always lower than some of the real temps because it is taken at the airport, and parts of town are lower, thus hotter, than the airport. Those same lower/hotter parts of town are also colder in winter. It can get below freezing as the overnight low in winter, but in 44 years I've only seen it freeze in the daytime once. And I've only seen snow stick to the ground and stay around for about three days one time back in the 70's. There is a five year cycle (normally) for snow in town but it never sticks for more than a few minutes to a few hours. You can drive for 40 minutes to an hour and play in snow on the mountain. You can actually snow ski (Lee Canyon) and water ski (Lake Mead) in the same day. Unless you've already experienced it, you won't believe how comfortable the desert is with single digit humidity.

[yourbasicmom]

#1 Housing - you will find pockets of attractive and affordable homes throughout the Las Vegas area. Don't let anyone tell you that North Las Vegas is a ****hole, etc., don't generalize and keep your mind open. Housing is relatively cheap now, but in my opinion, it's still expensive.

#6 Motorcycles - my husband rides every day to work on the strip. He's not even too bothered by the heat, he says it isnt hot until he stops. Lots of idiot drivers, there is more traffic because more people live here, just pay attention. Don't forget your helmet, it's the law.

Oh, and yeah, it's hot here in the summers. Personally I think that I pay for the other 10 months during July and August.

[Buzz123]

NDOW - Fishing Report