[vamping]

I moved here after spending 8 years on the Gulf Coast of Florida and think this is much better for many reasons mentioned (especially humidity and traffic). I also like all of the conveniences. Florida is much more conservative than I ever imagined.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by DavieJ89

Oh and BTW, doesnt vegas have rattlesnakes and scorpions and other animals that are more dangerous then insects?

No.

[DavieJ89]

Originally Posted by vamping

I moved here after spending 8 years on the Gulf Coast of Florida and think this is much better for many reasons mentioned (especially humidity and traffic). I also like all of the conveniences. Florida is much more conservative than I ever imagined.

where in florida did you live? if you're saying the gulf coast that is a very conservative part of the state

i live in orlando which is moderately progressive

its funny to me that vegas is sin city but i heard there are more churches per capita then anywhere else in america

[airics]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

No.

but we do have timeshare salespeople that can be very dangerous...

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by DavieJ89

Where in Florida did you live? If you're saying the gulf coast that is a very conservative part of the state

I live in Orlando which is moderately progressive

Its funny to me that Vegas is sin city but I heard there are more churches per capita then anywhere else in America

Just to give you a bit of firm reality on Las Vegas...not really meaning to be rude:
Haven't spent more than a day at a time in Orlando, but in my experience Jacksonville is beyond conservative. They are racist to the extreme...both blacks and whites. The real reason that people flock to Nevada isn't just because of our weather, and all the other great things we have; it is really because of our libertarian attitude ...a live and let live approach to life. I won't say there is NO racism here at all, but it's minimal compared to the rest of the country. But the real point is that nobody ever gets into your business; or they seldom do...nobody's perfect. Nor do many of us talk behind another person's back. You don't get destroyed by the rumor mongering that goes on in other places. Nobody gives sh** what you do, or what they think you're doing. Life here is too interesting to care if you are having an affair, stealing the bosses liquor, or doing something else to seek gratification, let alone to make up a story that you are. But that's what goes on in nearly every other part of this country except possibly for LA or SF. I've seen people whose lives became miserable due to the petty whispering that goes on, not only in small towns, but big cities as well. Especially on the east coast and in the mid west. That is something that is rare here. Maybe because people in glass houses??? I don't know.

You may call Las Vegas sin city only after you become a resident. That's because you'll know it's just a marketing tool, and hardly true, but you will be allowed to joke about it if you live here. Like calling yourself an ethnic name only if you are of that ethnicity. For now, you can't make covert slurs like that without our tuning you out as being naive and/or jealous.

The more churches and schools per capita was true up until maybe 20 years ago, but not sure it holds up today. I don't think anyone has done a study on that for a long time. We probably grew too fast to keep up with that particular stat. We do have a lot of both though. We have one of the largest school districts in the country. I think it's fifth if I remember right. Anyway there are about 300,000 school kids and we build a bunch of new schools every year. I see lots of new churches too.

[sierramadre44]

Basically, Vegas is what you make it. It has no identity... so to speak.

I have spent minimal time in FL and mostly in Panama City. We did a trip once all the way to the Keys, which was fun. FL does have a lot of critters and some with big teeth.

I saw more rattlers (alive and dead) in TN than I've ever seen in Vegas. You have to realize that "Vegas" is a concrete jungle, unless you are hiking or otherwise walking in the desert surrounding it. Sidewinders are more prevelant I think. I've seen one in 10years and it was just crossing the road in a fairly remote location at the time.

The Gila Monster is a concern, but I've never seen one of those either. They are protected by State law and you may not capture or kill one without permit. But, I will have to say that if a Gila monster decided it was havig a bad day and was intent upon bitting me, I would be hard pressed not to change its mind.

As for the rep "sin city", yeah, well, that is advertising and only applies to visitors. A lot of people also believe that prostitution is legal in Clark County too. It isn't. Now, if you go to Nye County, different story.

You won't find too many skeeters in Vegas like FL either unless you live near standing water or someone's foreclosed house with standing pool water. But, Clark County is proactive in making nice fish ponds with live minnows in the water to eat the larve. Not sure who is going to clean up the dead fish after the skeeters are gone. LOL

Yes, there are Churches, Synagoges and Mosques too! Personally, I haven't noticed as many places of worship here in Vegas, except for LDS, as I saw on almost every corner in Nashville.

As for the timeshare salespeople... ROFLMAO!!! Good one!

Vegas is a decent town for a young, no strings, over 21 male or female. Older, with children and/or other baggage no so much... IMHO.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by sierramadre44

Basically, Vegas is what you make it. It has no identity... so to speak.

I have spent minimal time in FL and mostly in Panama City. We did a trip once all the way to the Keys, which was fun. FL does have a lot of critters and some with big teeth.

I saw more rattlers (alive and dead) in TN than I've ever seen in Vegas. You have to realize that "Vegas" is a concrete jungle, unless you are hiking or otherwise walking in the desert surrounding it. Sidewinders are more prevalent I think. I've seen one in 10years and it was just crossing the road in a fairly remote location at the time.

The Gila Monster is a concern, but I've never seen one of those either. They are protected by State law and you may not capture or kill one without permit. But, I will have to say that if a Gila monster decided it was having a bad day and was intent upon bitting me, I would be hard pressed not to change its mind.

As for the rep "sin city", yeah, well, that is advertising and only applies to visitors. A lot of people also believe that prostitution is legal in Clark County too. It isn't. Now, if you go to Nye County, different story.

You won't find too many skeeters in Vegas like FL either unless you live near standing water or someone's foreclosed house with standing pool water. But, Clark County is proactive in making nice fish ponds with live minnows in the water to eat the larvae. Not sure who is going to clean up the dead fish after the skeeters are gone. LOL

Yes, there are Churches, Synagogues and Mosques too! Personally, I haven't noticed as many places of worship here in Vegas, except for LDS, as I saw on almost every corner in Nashville.

As for the timeshare salespeople... ROFLMAO!!! Good one!

Vegas is a decent town for a young, no strings, over 21 male or female. Older, with children and/or other baggage no so much... IMHO.

Good post. I agree with everything but the Vegas identity. Vegas has one. It's just hard to pin down. And it might be different for everyone. Sort of like a religious experience.

Re: Gila Monsters. I've been hiking in the desert for most of my life and I may have seen one but not not sure it really was. It is my understanding that; a. they are not aggressive; and 2. you almost have to put your finger in its mouth and let it chew to be poisoned by one. It doesn't have fangs, it chews.

Have never seen or heard of a Buzzworm in the city. That said, I hope I turn on a light before stepping out into the dark garage. Saw too many snakes in Texas curled up on doorsteps.

[vamping]

Originally Posted by DavieJ89

where in florida did you live? if you're saying the gulf coast that is a very conservative part of the state

i live in orlando which is moderately progressive

its funny to me that vegas is sin city but i heard there are more churches per capita then anywhere else in america

I lived in St. Petersburg. I am ok with conservatism, but I found it to be more extreme there than what I thought it would be. Vegas is great because you have the mobility and diversity to make it what you want it to be, which I did not find to be the case for me in St. Pete.

[hockeygirl4]

I lived in Western New York all my life, and upon moving out here, I was skeptical on the "west coasters". I had always believed West coast people were snobby, spoiled, too laid back to work kind of people. While I've found some in Vegas that fit that description, most of the people I meet out here are from all parts of the U.S. My softball team alone, has only 1 true Las Vegas native. Others are from Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Georgia, Ohio, Oregon, etc... People living out here seem to be very motivated to get out and do things, whereas my home town, the weather pretty much ruins that chance all the time. I mean 4-5 months of cold weather with either rain or snow mixed in, doesn't give you a lot of opportunity to get outside and enjoy the town. Here, the weather is so much more favorable that you can pretty much get outside every day.
As far as the poisonous snakes, spiders, bugs, etc...in a year of living here, I've yet to see a scorpion, snake, or lizard. Correction, I saw a little gecko type lizard cross my bike path once, but that was it. We did have a black widow living at the bottom of the steps of my apartment building, but someone had it exterminated. While it was living, you could step right over it, and it would either cower back under the step or corner of the building, or just remain still. And the snakes...lol, I laugh because everyone (including myself before I moved here) thought there were snakes all through the town. Just picture tourists on the strip stepping over rattlesnakes! lol

A lot of newbies, myself included, are worried about the heat that everyone talks about. Coming from the east coast, I rarely used air conditioning because I froze so much in the winter, why bother freezing in the summer too? Get out of the house and enjoy the 2-3 months of nice weather. I was nervous about my electricity bill this past summer which was my first and honestly, my highest bill was $89.00. I kept my A/C at around 85 during the day, and 80 overnight and it was comfortable for me. Next summer may be a different story as I will be acclimated to the weather a bit more, but when it was 113 degrees, 85 feels pretty good! lol
I would not change my lifestyle now for anything!

I have been here a little over a year, am buying my first home, and love this city. I'm happier, healthier, and love it!

[MomMom]

Originally Posted by DavieJ89

I don't plan on coming to Las Vegas in the very near term.

I am planning on moving somewhere different, I love where I live now (Orlando, FL) but I want a change and I want to go somewhere I've never been before.

From what I have been told, Vegas is a lot like Orlando. In the sense, both cities are big time tourist destinations (and fierce competitors for conventions I might add) The traffic is pretty bad in Orlando as it is in Vegas or so I'm told. Both cities are the hardest hit by the real estate crash, both cities are very racially diverse, and the crime is pretty high too, and both get scorching hot in the summer time (though Vegas gets it worse, dry heat or not heat is heat)

Perhaps I shouldn't move to Vegas. because I'd be dealing with the same issues as I'm dealing with here in Florida. Perhaps I'm just young and wanting to get out and explore the world. I havent left Florida since 2006, and have only left Orlando twice since then! I guess I feel trapped here.

In spite of the bad economy I feel Vegas has a lot of potential for somebody young and motivated to make something of themselves, whether its big or small. Which makes Vegas Orlando's ideal sister city. Both cities have unlimited startup potential for practically any sort of business.

I may come to Vegas this coming spring, or summer. Not so much to gamble or drink (wont be old enough till December 2010) But I'd like to explore the city and see what it offers local residents, and if it's reallya place I'd like to move to in the future (perhaps 2-6 yrs down the road)

So tell me about Las Vegas, what is it like for locals?

Having spent quite a bit of time over the summer in Orlando, let me offer MY opinion.

I liked Orlando, it's beautiful, with water everywhere, nice homes/condos/apartments/business buildings/shopping centers. People live there and call it home so it must be a nice place to live.

Las Vegas and Orlando are tourist destinations. That's about where the similiarities end. There is less traffic in Las Vegas than in Orlando, we have no toll roads here either, yet in Orlando, seems like everywhere we went, we had to pay a toll to use the highway.

OK, the heat. There is definately a different heat between the humidity and the dryness of the desert. We were in Orlando for a month, between May-June, with temps in the 90's and humidity almost as high. It was suffocating, there was no way to be outside and "dry off" even in the shade.

Give me dry desert baking oven heat anyday, over the humidity and "sticky" feeling of Orlando weather.

I saw more bugs in Orlando than I have in years. We have bugs here too, but man, there seemed (to us) to be even more in Orlando.

The weather. I could never get used to those afternoon downpours. The day would start off just gorgeous, like I'm used to here at home! Deep blue sky, golden sun...and then humidity and by 2:30-3:00 pm a thunder and lightning rain storm to beat the band. And I mean rain, not like what we get here, but torrential wind blowing downpours!! A couple of days there I felt like we were having a $%$#@ hurricane!! And they last for hours or days!

The people in Orlando. Friendly and somewhat diverse, a very definate Hispanic influence, but somewhat more conservative (at least to us) in Orlando. Orlando just seemed like more of a "family" type place to me (my opinion) and a couple of the natives we met had moved there ages ago to work at Disney.

Las Vegas has a strong Hispanic influence as well, but to me (my opinion) it just seemed like the Las Vegas resident population is far more broad in race, ethnicities and religions. Living here for so long, Las Vegas definately has the "live and let live" attitude, where pretty much no one cares what color you are, who or what you worship or what you do when your doors are closed. I can't judge Orlando on those issues, because we weren't there long enough to get a good idea of how it is to live there, but the couple of natives we were with, seemed to think that Orlando was far more conservative and family atmosphere-ish over Las Vegas as well. That might have been just their perception of what they think living in "Sin City' is all about as well.

Restaurants...better choices (and more of them) here in Las Vegas, with far more convenient hours. In fact, conveniences here in Las Vegas out number those in Orlando greatly, such as restaurant/store hours and the proximity of shopping/dining places to your home.

Orlando is far bigger in geographic size than Las Vegas, so things are more spread out than here in the Las Vegas valley.

Orlando and Las Vegas sister cities? Ummm. no way Davie. There is a different "feel" between the two cities and they are nothing alike. Las Vegas doesn't close up at midnight, with not a soul in sight until morning. It just seems that Orlando pulls in the sidewalks when the resorts close for the night (and earlier)

I remember going to Wal-Mart, it WAS a 24 hour one, it was 9:30 pm on a Thursday with not a soul in the store and no one in the parking lot either. Surprising to me, considering I could go in any one of our Wal-Marts, any night of the week and see folks in there at 1:00 am doing their weekly food shopping. Casino hours and different shifts make this a truly 24 hour town.

So I have to ask you, if you truly like where you live now, why move? No where else is going to compare to where you are

Perhaps you just need to get out in the world a bit more. Orlando seemed like a real "family" type place, with so many resorts and hotels devoted to families with children.

Visit Las Vegas and see it for yourself. Come to play and act crazy and have fun and do all the things you can't do "back home," as a young person should when they come here. You can then return to the place where you love living now feeling refreshed and eagerly anticipating your next "Vegas vacation"

Much good luck to you!