[geos]

Having just returned from my fist trip to Vegas on a real estate buying trip here are my observations. First of all let me say now I know why my friends have gained probably 25lbs each since moving there a few years ago. The $5. all you can eat buffets are yummy even at dumpy Arizona Charlies! I tend to be very strict with my diet out of necessity but I couldn't resist sampling the artery clogging goodies. After all it is Vegas.

My first impression: It's sort of like Mars with casinos. The sight of the giant glowing neon signs and buildings sprouting out of the dust is other worldly esp at dusk. The streets are wonderful. Hardly a pothole to be seen (quite a change from bone rattlng NYC) and those embedded lane markers/reflectors are great esp. at night. I don't know why we don't have that in the east except maybe snow removal might remove the markers as well. I was surprised how clean everything was even outside the touristy "Strip" which I avoided. Hardly a spec of litter anywhere. Maybe I just wasn't looking in the right places. I'm surprised to hear Vegas is RV hostile. Judging by the number of RV places on Boulder Hwy this is RV (and mobile home) ground zero. But then maybe that's industry pressure. You can't park on the street; you're forced to use an RV park.

This being my first visit to a desert I was curious about the dry heat people talk about (It was 100 when I was there. Balmy by Vegas standards). I must say I've never been hot and cool at the same time before. It's hot but I ain't sweatin'! The part that's exposed to the sun is definitely hot but the other side is noticeably cooler esp. if there's a breeze. Once you get in shade it's very tolerable, more so in the morning than evening because the concrete radiates heat after being baked all day. And I want to thank Advantage rent a car for "upgrading" me to a convertible with black interior with the top down without showing me how to put it up. I forgot to ask because I was in a rush so I drove around baking till I had a chance to stop and find the appropriate button. After about 15 minutes I was quite well done - extra crispy. All in all I found the desert environment surprisingly appealing. I found the seniors on life support frittering away their pensions (and puffing away their lungs) alternating between slot machines and buffets not quite so appealing. Isn't there a law about not smoking while on oxygen? If a casino blows up one of these days I think we can guess what happened. I think the next "killer app" in slot machines will be "Plug-N-Play" - built in life support so seniors can just plug in and punch away. Of course if you run out of cash the oxygen gets turned off. Oh well, one less granny to worry about at the Obama Granny Death Camps. Back to the climate - it's far from perfect. (I think New Mexico (as in ABQ) would get that distinction.) Too hot, too dry, too brown (and none of the earthy rain forest smells of the northeast) but good enough to see myself living here. The low taxes and cost of living are a bonus.

On to real estate. I stayed at Arizona Charlies Boulder and mostly confined myself to the east and southeast part of town because that seems to be the "golden zone" - outside the war zone but still low end prices. Those who are dreaming of that $30k 3/2, 1400sqft house with minimal repairs (like me) forget it. It's the Wild West out there. There are multiple offers (as in 10-20) on most of these homes and the final price seems to be 20-25% over list. I did make 2 offers but the odds are not with me. Realistically, it seems you really need to be a resident or stay for weeks and make dozens of offers before getting lucky and snagging one. No doubt we're competing with the big boys with deep cash pockets. And for god's sake people, throw the poor agent a bone for his/her time and gas driving you around to see properties for hours. You want them to know you're serious and not taking their time for granted. I signed an exclusive buyers agreement with my agent guaranteeing a minimum because it just wasn't worth his while making $5/hr. Thanks Keith for recommending Scott. He was very helpful.

I was hoping to get in some sightseeing - Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon, etc. unfortunately it was all work and no play. Maybe next time. Mars signing out.

[AA702]

Nice Post! I hope you find something and it was good to hear you liked Vegas! esp the east side!

[Kalbo]

Great post and nice pictures.

[aqualung8705]

Too bad you didn't get to see the Bush Bungalows while you were in town!

[geos]

Originally Posted by aqualung8705

Too bad you didn't get to see the Bush Bungalows while you were in town!

Bungalows are too small. I prefer condos or SFH.