[metaldome]

My girlfriend and I are thinking of moving to Vegas from NY early next year. I know about a lot of the positives (much lower taxes, cheaper rent/housing, less humidity and cold, but still a lot of stuff to do). Houses here cost $450,000+ with $7,000+ per year in taxes and 6.85% income tax. Right now I pay $1000 a month for a small studio apartment in my landlords basement.

Reading up on this and other forums, however, it seems like there is a lot of crime there. I live on Long Island in nice middle class suburb, I dont really have to worry about much crime, and am looking for the same type of area there.

I dont want to move somewhere that I have to worry about my girlfriend going to the store by herself or my car being broken into. I've read a lot about gangs, graffiti, meth, homeless, break ins, places you wouldnt want to drive through, etc. While we certainly have some bad areas like that here in NY and crime can happen anywhere, I dont really have to deal with that stuff in the area I live now and wouldnt want to move somewhere that I did. Also, my girlfriend is a teacher, it is very hard to get a job here, is it worth moving there or will she probably be put in an area I wouldnt want her working? Any help is greatly appreciated. This is really the last thing that is keeping me from commiting to the move.

[kimba01]

For that much rent, you can have a 2br/2ba in a good area here. Sure there are shady areas, but you don't have to venture into them. Other than that, I see people living their lives normally. For an area this big with as many people as are here and keep coming here, I think the crime is comparable or less than other cities the same. I have only been here a couple of months, but there are others here that will jump in and give good info. Or use the search option and you will find tons of info.

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by metaldome

My girlfriend and I are thinking of moving to Vegas from NY early next year. I know about a lot of the positives (much lower taxes, cheaper rent/housing, less humidity and cold, but still a lot of stuff to do). Houses here cost $450,000+ with $7,000+ per year in taxes and 6.85% income tax. Right now I pay $1000 a month for a small studio apartment in my landlords basement.

Reading up on this and other forums, however, it seems like there is a lot of crime there. I live on Long Island in nice middle class suburb, I dont really have to worry about much crime, and am looking for the same type of area there.

I dont want to move somewhere that I have to worry about my girlfriend going to the store by herself or my car being broken into. I've read a lot about gangs, graffiti, meth, homeless, break ins, places you wouldnt want to drive through, etc. While we certainly have some bad areas like that here in NY and crime can happen anywhere, I dont really have to deal with that stuff in the area I live now and wouldnt want to move somewhere that I did. Also, my girlfriend is a teacher, it is very hard to get a job here, is it worth moving there or will she probably be put in an area I wouldnt want her working? Any help is greatly appreciated. This is really the last thing that is keeping me from commiting to the move.

In general the crime in Las Vegas is moderate. It is in the middle third of cities above 100K population. The suburban areas of Las Vegas are mostly the same as similar areas on Long Island.

When you think about it that is remarkable. We are after all the party capital with all those visitors having a good time.

You might want to read our general welcome...

Welcome to Las Vegas

Commuting in Las Vegas is easy. New teachers generally get pushed to less desirable schools. That is where the openings are. After a couple of years you can move. None of the schools approach a bad school in the east.

[MomMom]

I am familiar with NYC and Long Island...here's my opinion.

Las Vegas is about the same in crime as most parts of Long Island. Take the same precautions here, as you would there. Don't venture alone into "bad" areas of town, lock your car, take your keys, don't leave attractive items visible in your vehicle (keys, electronics, cell phones, shopping bags, etc). Don't leave street level windows open in your house when you go out..lock your doors, even the back one. Leave a light on when you go out for the evening.

Always be aware of your surroundings...all the same things you normally do to protect yourself and your belongings apply here. And you'll be fine.

Our property taxes are much lower, but then again, we don't have the size lots that you are familiar with on LI. And we have no state income tax at all.

You won't be finding any basement apartments, because there are hardly any basements...but we have lots of beautiful apartment and condo complexes, along with many, many nice homes for rent. Your rental dollar gets more bang for the buck here in Las Vegas as compared to LI.


Look in areas such as Aliante, Los Prados, El Dorado area (City of North Las Vegas), Centennial Hills, Peccole Ranch, Green Valley, Summerlin, Mountains Edge, Southern Hills, The Lakes area, Lone Mountain area, just to name a few. You might even want to move to the City of Henderson. There are so many nice areas around the entire valley that you could choose, that are safe, clean and close enough to the tourist corridor if that's what you want.

No matter where you are located in the entire Las Vegas Valley, there is plenty of shopping, dining, entertainment, lot of choices for everything, and that doesn't include the touristy areas either.

Best thing for you to do, being you're not ready to move yet. Wait and take a trip here in July or August, at the time when the heat is the strongest. While we don't have the humidity that LI does, it does get hot here. Some can't take it, despite the dryness. Remember also, that there is no ocean here, no beaches, and no tropical jungle-like flora that you are used to on Long Island. It's the desert. But we do have beautiful desert scenery, deep blue sky, golden sunshine and mountains everywhere!

Anyways, lots of former LI'ers here in Las Vegas, I think you might like it. Good luck with your plans, I wish you and the girlfriend well!

[olecapt]

Tropical jungle? On Long Island? You are getting old mom2.

Dense brush maybe...Lawns put in at immense pain...I still remember those Long Island rocks. Nice trees in the more civilized areas...but tropical...no way. And out on the south fork? Hell looks like a desert.

[MomMom]

Ok, maybe I used the wrong terminology..tropical.

I should have left it at jungle-ish. EVERYWHERE on Long Island has tall, dense trees and bushes, lots of green.

Lots of woods...I'm not that old my friend.

I was just there a few months ago...Las Vegas is no where near the same greenery as LI....

[dynimagelv]

have never been to Lon Gisland BUT.......Las Vegas is not high on the "green List" [Which is one of the pluses to me......green is all one color]

[MomMom]

I never missed the green, honestly. Desert scenery is more beautiful to me.

[allenk893]

Originally Posted by kimba01

For that much rent, you can have a 2br/2ba in a good area here. Sure there are shady areas, but you don't have to venture into them. Other than that, I see people living their lives normally. For an area this big with as many people as are here and keep coming here, I think the crime is comparable or less than other cities the same. I have only been here a couple of months, but there are others here that will jump in and give good info. Or use the search option and you will find tons of info.

Well one thing I'm still kinda shocked about is that this one story I heard on tv. It took place in Las Vegas somewhere where this house was. These 3 men rooming together in a small house and were just doing normal stuff inside their house and then all of a sudden a car shows up at their door and 3 or 4 gangbangers bust into their house and tear up the place. They were trying to steal all their valuables and then when they were done or something, one gang man shot all three of them. And they all drove off. I saw it on GangLand on the History Channel. That's very eye opening and a frightening experience. That's why I have second thoughts about possibly moving to Las Vegas.

[MomMom]

Believe me, I saw that program too. It was not a random act, sometimes tv leaves little things out and doesn't portray the exact truth.

You want to be engaged in criminal activity and you want to be involved with individuals who are part of a gang, you're going to be treated as such and subject to their violence.

In other words,

When you play with fire, expect to get burned, whether it be in Las Vegas or anyplace else in the country, either.