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I haven't lived in too many places, but from what I have found, every place is only as good for you as you are willing to let it be. I took a positive psychology class in my undergrad and learned that we can control 40% of our happiness. That may not seem like much, but just imagine yourself 40%, or even 10% happier. Sounds pretty good eh? It's all about enjoying and being thankful for what you do have, even if it isn't much compared to others. At the same time, there are other people who have half of what you do, and are happy with it. Get out and explore the beauty of the desert. Go spend some time people watching on the strip. Meet some friends. Go to the pool. Go have fun, enjoy your time here instead of picking at every little issue you can find. One of the major things I have noticed in the 2 months I have lived here is that people either LOVE it here, or they HATE it here. The people that hate it here would probably find something wrong with every place they lived. You probably moved because you thought you might be more happy here, when in reality you brought your unhappiness with you. The cure is to stop thinking about how bad you have it, and get out and be selfless. Help other people, and have fun enjoying the beautiful scenery, weather, and people here in this wonderful place.
Wife and I moved to Las Vegas from Vermont (!) roughly a year ago now. We originally chose Las Vegas to escape the oppressive winters and high cost of living in New England. The ease of travel into and out of Las Vegas, proximity to parks like Red Rock, Zion, Mt. Charleston and Lake Mead sealed the deal. In the past year we have observed the following:
- Crime: I am a bit more diligent in locking the doors/cars here in Vegas BUT - we lived in an upscale area of Vermont and my wife's car was broken into about once every year. Vermont, as serene and picturesque as it seems (and it is don't get me wrong) has one of the worse drug problems in the nation. I was born and raised in Vermont and attended an excellent High School. I've had 6 friends die of drug overdoses over the past 18 years since my graduation. All were from upstanding, upper middle class/wealthy families. As previously mentioned crime is everywhere. It seems the media loves to pick on Vegas as that is what seems to sell the news. Don't let it fool you. As mentioned in previous posts crime is EVERYWHERE. And crime it is down considerably from the bubble days circa 2006/2007 here in Vegas.
- Jobs: I have found more opportunity here in Vegas than I ever had in Vermont. Vermont has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country BUT there are very few good paying jobs AND the cost of living is very high. Our 1200 sq ft condo built by a notoriously cheap builder back in VT would sell conservatively for $180,000 today. Property taxes on said condo are $4,200 a year. I've met and received some fantastic job offers to work with some amazing people making very good money since moving here to Vegas. I wish I could take advantage of all of them.
- Neighbors: Our neighbors here in The Lakes could not be nicer. Several of our neighbors have truly taken us in and have made us feel right at home. I find the people here in Vegas to be friendlier than out neighbors in Vermont. When my wife arrived with the moving truck it took her :45 minutes to make it into the house - all the neighbors in our cul-de-sac came out to meet her!
No, Vegas certainly is not for everyone and due diligence must be utilized before any life altering decision such as moving to a different city/state but, to make blanket statements like "There is no opportunity in Vegas" or "The people are not friendly" well, that is just not true in every case. Vegas has afforded us a home and jobs which would not be available anywhere else.
We truly love Las Vegas and are proud to call it home.
- Jobs: I have found more opportunity here in Vegas than I ever had in Vermont. Vermont has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country BUT there are very few good paying jobs AND the cost of living is very high. Our 1200 sq ft condo built by a notoriously cheap builder back in VT would sell conservatively for $180,000 today. Property taxes on said condo are $4,200 a year. I've met and received some fantastic job offers to work with some amazing people making very good money since moving here to Vegas. I wish I could take advantage of all of them.
You don't hear this on the forum everyday. What kind of work do you do?
You don't hear this on the forum everyday. What kind of work do you do?
Most of my adult life I've worked in Motorsports and/or auto restoration. There are a few very good shops here in Vegas who are always looking to hire top talent. The owner of one of the prominent shops in the area stated that business has really picked up lately and he could easily expand his already thriving business. He is hesitant to invest the capital as he has legitimate concerns for finding qualified employees.
This rings true across many trades these days. The talent pool is shallow for true craftsmen who truly want to work and take pride in the work they do. This is a national issue which can be seen by the general lack of interest across all trades by young people today. Vocational School attendance is way down as compared to years before. It's a shame as a good tradesman or craftsman can make a hell of a good living today.
Most of my adult life I've worked in Motorsports and/or auto restoration. There are a few very good shops here in Vegas who are always looking to hire top talent. The owner of one of the prominent shops in the area stated that business has really picked up lately and he could easily expand his already thriving business. He is hesitant to invest the capital as he has legitimate concerns for finding qualified employees.
This rings true across many trades these days. The talent pool is shallow for true craftsmen who truly want to work and take pride in the work they do. This is a national issue which can be seen by the general lack of interest across all trades by young people today. Vocational School attendance is way down as compared to years before. It's a shame as a good tradesman or craftsman can make a hell of a good living today.
I definitely agree with you about learning a trade. A lot of these teens today think that a college degree is the only ticket to success. It is only a stepping stone. The world will always need plumbers, electricians carpenters, machinists etc. We have enough managers alread or at least people with business management degrees. Which is the top earning degree every year in the US.
I am glad that I learned a trade first in the military then earned my degree in the same related field.
well i recently moved to Vegas from Houston due to my career and have been in Vegas for almost two months now. I've enjoyed my short time here and have not once thought about moving back to Houston. I only miss two things from Houston: my friends and Houston's Chinatown (i'm Taiwanese and I miss eating authentic Taiwanese food...which is everywhere in Houston's Chinatown).
Here are a few things I like about Vegas so far:
1. NO MOSQUITOES. none. nada. zip. zero. Due to how hot and humid Houston is, mosquitoes are everywhere. They literally swarm you every time you go out. It got so bad to the point where I would wear sweat pants and a hoodie whenever I walk my dogs to keep from getting bitten. Because Vegas is not humid, mosquitoes are non-existent here. There are A LOT of crickets, and they get into your house sometimes but I much prefer dealing with crickets vs dealing with Mosquitoes.
2. The nightlife. Nightlife in Vegas is amazing...and cheap too if you're either 1. a local or 2. work in the hospitality industry. Many of the top clubs in Vegas...ranging from the Marquees to Tao...have either local or industry nights where you don't have to pay cover if you either live in Vegas or work for one of the casino companies on the strip. Since moving here, I have spend considerably less clubbing and going out in Vegas than I spend back in Houston. Many strip clubs have the same thing
3. Things are 24 hours here. No matter how late I get off of work, there's always good restaurants to eat at, good bars to chill at, or good clubs to dance at. Back in Houston, most restaurants stay open until 10 at the latest. Clubs...whether it's a regular nightclub or strip club...closes at 2am. You can also buy alcohol here 24 hours no matter which day of the week it is. If you want to chill with your friends on a Sunday night back in Houston, good luck finding a place that will sell you alcohol.
4. NO TRAFFIC. omg this is one of the most amazing thing about Vegas. Unless you're driving on the strip or there is an accident on the highway, there is NEVER any traffic here. Traffic was horrendous back in Houston. I've driven in LA and NYC before too so I know how bad traffic is at those places are. And because traffic is horrible in Houston, there's a lot of uncourteous, rude drivers. I actually get road rage pretty often back in Houston because of that. However, its different in Vegas. Other drivers are courteous (unless they're taxi drivers). I have yet to experience road rage in Vegas...other than the times when I'm rushing to work because i'm late
5. How quiet everything is. Yes...it's quite in Vegas. Once you go outside the strip, Las Vegas is actually like a quiet, quint small town. Which leads to...
6. The people. Everyone in Vegas is friendly...even at the DMV office. Seriously. Maybe because everyone here either work in the "servitude" industry (in the words of the OP) or knows someone that does...everyone knows how it feels to be talked down upon and disrespected just because that person can. That happens in the hospitality industry often where "guests" take out their anger and frustration on you even when it's not your fault because they know you can't do anything back to them. As such, everyone I have come across in Vegas are friendly, respectful, and considerate no matter how they look...whether I'm at walmart or at the DMV office.
7. Not to mention there is a lot of beautiful people in Vegas. It's a nice change from Houston where overweight people makes up a large portion of the population.
8. Cheap real estates. Seriously. It's cheap. Very cheap. Cheaper than Houston, Texas. The houses are nice too. Back in Houston, I don't make nearly enough to consider buying a house. In Vegas, I do. I'm thinking about buying a Houston after the lease at my current apartment ends.
that being said. Vegas REALLY need to diversify its economy. Its too reliant on the hospitality industry which is extremely cessible to economic conditions. You would think people learned from Detroit's experience, but I guess not.
another thing I like about Vegas that I forgot to mention is that I like how Nevada is a swing date. Your vote actually counts...unlike in California or Texas where the state is going to go to one party no matter how you vote. That's important to me because I'm an independent who's passionate about politics.
well i recently moved to Vegas from Houston due to my career and have been in Vegas for almost two months now. I've enjoyed my short time here and have not once thought about moving back to Houston. I only miss two things from Houston: my friends and Houston's Chinatown (i'm Taiwanese and I miss eating authentic Taiwanese food...which is everywhere in Houston's Chinatown).
Here are a few things I like about Vegas so far:
1. NO MOSQUITOES. none. nada. zip. zero. Due to how hot and humid Houston is, mosquitoes are everywhere. They literally swarm you every time you go out. It got so bad to the point where I would wear sweat pants and a hoodie whenever I walk my dogs to keep from getting bitten. Because Vegas is not humid, mosquitoes are non-existent here. There are A LOT of crickets, and they get into your house sometimes but I much prefer dealing with crickets vs dealing with Mosquitoes.
2. The nightlife. Nightlife in Vegas is amazing...and cheap too if you're either 1. a local or 2. work in the hospitality industry. Many of the top clubs in Vegas...ranging from the Marquees to Tao...have either local or industry nights where you don't have to pay cover if you either live in Vegas or work for one of the casino companies on the strip. Since moving here, I have spend considerably less clubbing and going out in Vegas than I spend back in Houston. Many strip clubs have the same thing
3. Things are 24 hours here. No matter how late I get off of work, there's always good restaurants to eat at, good bars to chill at, or good clubs to dance at. Back in Houston, most restaurants stay open until 10 at the latest. Clubs...whether it's a regular nightclub or strip club...closes at 2am. You can also buy alcohol here 24 hours no matter which day of the week it is. If you want to chill with your friends on a Sunday night back in Houston, good luck finding a place that will sell you alcohol.
4. NO TRAFFIC. omg this is one of the most amazing thing about Vegas. Unless you're driving on the strip or there is an accident on the highway, there is NEVER any traffic here. Traffic was horrendous back in Houston. I've driven in LA and NYC before too so I know how bad traffic is at those places are. And because traffic is horrible in Houston, there's a lot of uncourteous, rude drivers. I actually get road rage pretty often back in Houston because of that. However, its different in Vegas. Other drivers are courteous (unless they're taxi drivers). I have yet to experience road rage in Vegas...other than the times when I'm rushing to work because i'm late
5. How quiet everything is. Yes...it's quite in Vegas. Once you go outside the strip, Las Vegas is actually like a quiet, quint small town. Which leads to...
6. The people. Everyone in Vegas is friendly...even at the DMV office. Seriously. Maybe because everyone here either work in the "servitude" industry (in the words of the OP) or knows someone that does...everyone knows how it feels to be talked down upon and disrespected just because that person can. That happens in the hospitality industry often where "guests" take out their anger and frustration on you even when it's not your fault because they know you can't do anything back to them. As such, everyone I have come across in Vegas are friendly, respectful, and considerate no matter how they look...whether I'm at walmart or at the DMV office.
7. Not to mention there is a lot of beautiful people in Vegas. It's a nice change from Houston where overweight people makes up a large portion of the population.
8. Cheap real estates. Seriously. It's cheap. Very cheap. Cheaper than Houston, Texas. The houses are nice too. Back in Houston, I don't make nearly enough to consider buying a house. In Vegas, I do. I'm thinking about buying a Houston after the lease at my current apartment ends.
that being said. Vegas REALLY need to diversify its economy. Its too reliant on the hospitality industry which is extremely accessible to economic conditions. You would think people learned from Detroit's experience, but I guess not.
Great post. Everything you mention holds true of our experience here in Vegas as well.
the women are very attractive;they just are not very smart.
Excuse me?
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