I think I might. Someday.
Or I would at least like to give it a try and see what is is like for a year. I can also envision being bored with it after a while, so I think it would make sense to rent an apartment or condo for a few months, or even a year, to really be sure, before buying something. (I also don't think I would sell the current house, which would give me the freedom to NOT make Vegas permanent).
From a number of hours of web surfing, it looks like a good 2+ bedroom apartment would be $ 1000 or more per month. I would want resort style amenities, club house, nice pools, etc.
One thing that comes to mind is that kind of $, over the course of a year, would equate to quite a number of hotel nights, for the ones I couldn't get comped or at a deep discount. But that would be a pretty nomadic lifestyle, at least more than I think I would be happy with.
To cut expenses, an option would be to talk my brother into splitting the rent with me, but I have a suspicion that Mrs. Q would veto that arrangement.
So, it's been fun to think about this, but for right now this is just dreamin'. I'm not ready to wrap up my career in the cubicle farm just yet.
Quote: mason2386I intend to retire in a little over 7 years and plan to retire in Las Vegas. World class food, museums, international airport, incredible entertainment and oh yeah, the gaming that is offered for entertainment. Plus the cost of living is a hell of alot cheaper than where I reside now.
Don't know where you live now but the cost of living isn't cheap in Vegas.
OK, that was just an impression, so I looked at some site, 130 cities 'in the Americas' ranked by consumer price index. No doubt other sites would give different rankings.
Vegas was ranked 58 out of 130, not as bad as I would have guessed.
Hamilton Bermuda - 1 (no wonder the food is so expensive there, and often inedible)
Caracas Venezuala - 2 ( maybe because you have to hire private security?)
Honolulu, NYC, Ancorage, Frisco, Stamford Ct, and DC are 4-9. What the hell is w/Stamford?
Seattle and Cleveland 13 and 14. Cleveland?
Boston 21, Philly 24, Knoxville Tn 17, Knoxville?
Miami 40, Chicago 57, Los Angeles 96, 96?
Detroit 81, I thought they would pay you to move to Detroit, +EV I thought.
Dallas is stuck in the 69 position ;-) Atlanta 75, Tampa 76
Maybe I need to check out a couple of other sites but
Remember, Vegas is in the frikken desert!
For example, the average driver in Maine pays just $889 per year for car insurance, while a driver in Detroit, the nation's priciest city, pays a whopping $5,941 per year. But Detroit isn't the only place in the U.S. where people need to empty their wallets to cover their cars.
http://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/auto-insurance/5-states-with-high-auto-insurance-rates.htm
If you have options it's a terrible Idea IMO. Get a summer rental in Lake Tahoe or something.Quote: JohnnyQSo sure, Vegas is a Nice Place to Visit, BUT would you actually want to Live there ? ? ?
I think I might. Someday.
Or I would at least like to give it a try and see what is is like for a year. I can also envision being bored with it after a while, so I think it would make sense to rent an apartment or condo for a few months, or even a year, to really be sure, before buying something. (I also don't think I would sell the current house, which would give me the freedom to NOT make Vegas permanent).
From a number of hours of web surfing, it looks like a good 2+ bedroom apartment would be $ 1000 or more per month. I would want resort style amenities, club house, nice pools, etc.
One thing that comes to mind is that that kind of $, over the course of a year, would equate to quite a number of hotel nights, for the ones I couldn't get comped or at a deep discount. But that would be a pretty nomadic lifestyle, at least more than I think I would be happy with.
To cut expenses, an option would be to talk my brother into splitting the rent with me, but I have a suspicion that Mrs. Q would veto that arrangement.
So, it's been fun to think about this, but for right now this is just dreamin'. I'm not ready to wrap up my career in the cubicle farm just yet.
The summers here suck, every time you go outside it's torture. The scenery sucks, the traffic is getting bad. You may need to learn Spanish.
If you have lots of money and love to gamble all day, bet sports and seek a party/nightlife and don't care about the outdoors, it's a great place.
If something has the option to make a good living in Vegas and you can live in a nice community I say go for it. If they enjoy gambling to much then I say stay away especially if they play -EV stuff.
It is better to live central as there really isn't much happening in the suburbs.
Quote: stephen.hall
It is better to live central as there really isn't much happening in the suburbs.
I think that is the whole idea of suburbs. :)
I love Vegas. Been here 6 years and not leaving anytime soon.
Despite the data that 2F is looking at, cost of living in Vegas is cheaper than most places. And if you are coming from California, Chicago, or some of the east coast big cities, you will find cost of living MUCH cheaper. If you are buying a home, much cheaper than most other markets (for an equivalent property). If you are renting, rents have increased in past couple of years but still lower than most other markets. Just be sure you are picking a decent area as there are many low rent districts throughout the valley and they are low rent for a reason.
My first 2 and half years here, I was in a high rise condo a block off mid-strip. That is pretty exciting for a while (I was in my mid/late 20's at the time), but it does grow old after a while. I now live in Vegas's version of the suburbs about 8-9 miles from the strip in a single family home.
Obviously weather is an issue, HOT in the summer, but nice the other 9 months. I guess if you work or have to spend a good deal of time outside, summers would be unbearable. I don't HAVE to spend time outside and between AC everywhere you go, and my swimming pool, I don't even find summers that bad anymore.
On the negative side, Vegas is a big city and we have a lot of crime. We also have a lot of homelessness. All big cities do. I came from Philadelphia, but Vegas homelessness seems to be much worse. There is actually several levels of homelessness here. Hardcore homeless literally sleeping on the streets, and then a more 'transient crowd' that bounce around between shelters and the many, many weekly rental type places.
Quote:BUT would you actually want to Live there ?
Cutting to the chase, Vegas is an armpit,
you don't want to live there unless you
have to. It has no redeeming features
at all. It's hot, it's ugly, it has huge crime,
it sucks. The only people who like it
make money from the casinos. If that's
not you, look elsewhere.
You're welcome.
Since I spend a fair amount of time working on and repairing cars at home, I need to live near a city that has good choices for auto parts, machine shops, and repair.
Skiing is important, so I need to live near mountains with ski areas.
A variety of used book stores is a necessity, as is very good health care.
Gambling
You can find that pretty much anywhere.
Hiking/running. Red Rock Casino is near some great hills (when not boiling outside). UNLV track. Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon (the amazing slot canyon whose photos are all over the Internet), etc... nearby.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antelope_Canyon
Top 10 shows are fantastic. Some of the best dancers in the world (e.g. danced at Royal Ballet of London).
Gymnastics clubs. Aspiring acrobats/dancers need to keep in shape. Hard to find places in the US which still allow the over-21 set (liability issues).
Professional dance studios. Best place in US outside New York & Los Angeles...
Rent (or house prices) cheap.
Only 3-5 hrs from Los Angeles & Palm Springs.
Haven't rockclimbed in Vegas, but Joshua Tree is near Palm Springs.
Very cool. IF I were to stay in Vegas for an extended time, I would like to see and do all the coolest things within several hundred miles. The list I am sure would be pretty long, North Rim, Zion, Bryce, etc. In fact, I have been to all 3 of these, but only for a few days.Quote: mamat
That is similar to my timetable, more or less. I like the idea of an extended stay but not being tied down to it. Best of both worlds ? ? ?Quote: mason2386I intend to retire in a little over 7 years and plan to retire in Las Vegas.
A complicating factor is that I would like Mrs. Q to retire a few years after me (she is a few years younger than me). She has a pretty good job where we currently are. I'm not sure it would make sense for her to change jobs.
Live will not be like a vacation. That is what to remember. You do not say what you want to do for a job there, I assume you have that in mind.
There's always been a big Cleveland-Vegas migration for some reason. Now there are FOUR direct flights per day on four different airlines from CLE-LAS. (Southwest, United, Frontier, and Spirit).
Sounds like Washington State is perfect for you. Maybe Denver. BTW, I visited Vancouver for the first time last month. I think it is the closest thing to utopia on the North American continent? (Never been to Seattle or Portland).Quote: MrVI suppose it depends in part what you are used to, and what you want out of a home town.
Since I spend a fair amount of time working on and repairing cars at home, I need to live near a city that has good choices for auto parts, machine shops, and repair.
Skiing is important, so I need to live near mountains with ski areas.
A variety of used book stores is a necessity, as is very good health care.
Gambling
You can find that pretty much anywhere.
Quote: teddysWhat, you're not absolutely in LOVE with Northeast Ohio? It is the best place on Earth! ;)
There's always been a big Cleveland-Vegas migration for some reason. Now there are FOUR direct flights per day on four different airlines from CLE-LAS. (Southwest, United, Frontier, and Spirit).
Sounds like Washington State is perfect for you. Maybe Denver. BTW, I visited Vancouver for the first time last month. I think it is the closest thing to utopia on the North American continent? (Never been to Seattle or Portland).
You're making me terribly homesick. I had a home in Vancouver WA for over 4 years (the first home I ever bought...and the mortgage was at 13.5%! The late 80's....wow.). I have enjoyed living many places, but never liked one better than Vancouver.
Best tasting tap water anywhere. Cheap electric because of the Bonneville Power Dam. Fabulous view in the foothills of the Cascades/Mt.St.Helen, overlooking the drop down to the Columbia Gorge. Best library system anywhere. Great people, many still my friends 25 years later.
I hear it's grown. Not sure if that's a good thing. But would still recommend it as a fantastic place to live.
Quote: teddysWhat, you're not absolutely in LOVE with Northeast Ohio? It is the best place on Earth! ;)
There's always been a big Cleveland-Vegas migration for some reason.
I am one of those statistics. I grew up 20 miles outside Cleveland and have been in Vegas for over 20 years now.
I mean AC has an ocean, but a bunch of Yankees.
Gulf Coast is nice, as long as you don't mind losing everything you own every few years in a hurricane!
There's Macau, but that's complicated for a bunch of reasons.
What we need is a couple of casinos here in good old Atlanta, we are getting closer.
Maybe you should check out Vegas after all......
Quote: EvenBobCutting to the chase, Vegas is an armpit,
you don't want to live there unless you
have to. It has no redeeming features
at all. It's hot, it's ugly, it has huge crime,
it sucks. The only people who like it
make money from the casinos. If that's
not you, look elsewhere.
You're welcome.
Nobody 'thanked you'.
You seem to have a real hard time with the fact that others don't see things as YOU do. Take New York City and I am talking Manhattan, not the one of the boroughs. There are people that say "I could never live there" and there are people that say "I would never live anywhere else".
I can appreciate that you find beauty in natures setting of trees and streams and snow (yuk) covered everything. I miss some of the green and wish we had more. But there are places, you just have to look a little. One of my favorite spots is the campus of UNLV, green and real trees (not palm).
But at the same time that you appreciate some of the greenery of nature, you seem to miss the beauty of canyons, and the painted desert and some of natures other finest works that are here or nearby, calling them ugly. And let's not forget, we have mountains, visible from all over the valley and less than an hours drive. They are topped with snow 4-6 months a year and the ski resort is open at least 4 months a year.
As for me, I find beauty in not only nature, but I love the city. I am a city boy at heart. And Vegas is quite a city. Unlike any other. I love the excitement (although I do like retiring home a little ways away from the center of it all), I love the Neon. I love the history.
I remember the first time I flew into Vegas, I believe my third year as a professional card counter, just about a decade ago, looking out the plane window and seeing the lights, my excitement was that of 100 little children on Christmas morning. And when I set foot on the ground, even right there at the airport, I knew I was "home". It took a couple more years for that to officially happen, but there was never a doubt.
You do know I was talking about the other Vancouver, right? The REAL Vancouver. ;)Quote: beachbumbabsYou're making me terribly homesick. I had a home in Vancouver WA
Seriously, that is so confusing, couldn't they have come up with another name?
Lorain/Elyria? Painesville? I'd want to get out of those places, too.Quote: DRichI am one of those statistics. I grew up 20 miles outside Cleveland and have been in Vegas for over 20 years now.
Quote: teddys
Lorain/Elyria? Painesville? I'd want to get out of those places, too.
Great guess. Lorain. A very depressing area.
a) Even as a "Tourista", I prefer better gambling AND better amenities slightly off-strip, like the PALMS. Or further like RED ROCK.Quote: AZDuffmanI have heard locals avoid the Strip except if they work there for the most part.
You do not say what you want to do for a job there, I assume you have that in mind.
b) As far as WORK is concerned, I would work on my tennis game perhaps, or take up golf, or find a 50+ C League for Ice Hockey (definitely not in Face's league). Some hiking, maybe some skiing in the winter. Who knows. Just exploring. Lots of cool things to see and do outside of Vegas too, North Rim of the Grand Canyon comes to mind. Season football tix for UNLV ?
Quote: JohnnyQ.... Season football tix for UNLV ?
That is cruel, why would you wish that upon anyone.
Quote: DRichAnother reason to not live in Vegas is that it gets much colder than most people imagine. As I type this it is 54 degrees and my fingers are a little numb while typing.
Why? are you sitting outside typing?
54 degrees at 6:30 am during a bit of a cold spell, isn't really going to generate much sympathy for us, DRich. Lol
(BTW it is only 48 degree on my thermometer and it's an hour later. What section of the valley are you in?)
Quote: teddysYou do know I was talking about the other Vancouver, right? The REAL Vancouver. ;)
Seriously, that is so confusing, couldn't they have come up with another name?
Customer: "How far to Vancouver?"
Me: "Washington 3 hours , BC 2.5 hours"
Vancouver, Wa. has had a minor influx of Russians (thanks to those danged Lutherans), and with the gentrification of the old Portland ghetto by the hipsters, there are a few more blacks in Vancouver than before.
Vancouver, Wa. would be a good place to live and work: good schools, clean air, great water (you nailed that one, BBB), close proximity to Portland, and no state income tax: there is a sales tax but that is easily avoided by driving a couple of miles across the majestic, beautiful Columbia River to Portland, as Oregon has no sales tax.
No place is perfect, of course.
In chosing metro-Portand I passed on Boulder/Nederland and Taos, two other places I enjoyed in my earlier travels.
"Gotta find a place to take a stand, and take it easy."
About 50 miles from Vancouver B.C. Bellingham WA is one of the most beautiful places.Quote: teddysYou do know I was talking about the other Vancouver, right? The REAL Vancouver. ;)
Seriously, that is so confusing, couldn't they have come up with another name?
Lorain/Elyria? Painesville? I'd want to get out of those places, too.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Bellingham+Washington&num=100&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMIyIjHt_3-yAIVQ8BjCh3jrQjJ&biw=1067&bih=527
https://www.google.com/search?biw=1067&bih=527&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=Chununut+drive&oq=Chununut+drive&gs_l=img.3...426570.443287.0.444243.36.24.1.0.0.0.172.1898.15j6.21.0.ekpsrh...0...1.1.64.img..27.9.685.YGWNJ7o91kc
Quote: kewlj
(BTW it is only 48 degree on my thermometer and it's an hour later. What section of the valley are you in?)
I must be dyslexic. It was 45 degrees this morning not 54. I am in the Green Valley area.
Quote: jjjooogggThere is only one Vegas.
what about the one in New Mexico?
Quote: aceofspadeswhat about the one in New Mexico?
Ha ha.
Quote: jjjooogggHa ha.
:-)
Quote: kewlj... you seem to miss the beauty of canyons, and the painted desert and some of natures other finest works that are here or nearby, calling them ugly. And let's not forget, we have mountains, visible from all over the valley and less than an hours drive. They are topped with snow 4-6 months a year and the ski resort is open at least 4 months a year.
Yeah, but 65% of you is water, and we have that =p
Seriously. I thought Vegas was very interesting visually. I ain't never seen nowhere so flat, or a place I could see so far. The vast valley, the mountains in the distance. But there was just so much I didn't see. Like a hill. Or water. Or grass. Or an animal. Or even one solitary tree. That boggles my brain so hard.
If I ever lived there, I'd be jacked head to toe from the 45,000 miles I'd put on an ATV a year, and I'd be broke within three months from feeding all my guns. Those two things are just about the only parts of "me" I could bring there. I can understand the draw for an urbanite, but what do your hicks do? Just shoot stuff and cook meth all day?
Quote: FaceYeah, but 65% of you is water, and we have that =p
Seriously. I thought Vegas was very interesting visually. I ain't never seen nowhere so flat, or a place I could see so far. The vast valley, the mountains in the distance. But there was just so much I didn't see. Like a hill. Or water. Or grass. Or an animal. Or even one solitary tree. That boggles my brain so hard.
If I ever lived there, I'd be jacked head to toe from the 45,000 miles I'd put on an ATV a year, and I'd be broke within three months from feeding all my guns. Those two things are just about the only parts of "me" I could bring there. I can understand the draw for an urbanite, but what do your hicks do? Just shoot stuff and cook meth all day?
Hicks have a terrific time out west. Plinkin' cans, big game hunting, four-wheeling, race car driving, making apple cider (hooch), gambling both formal and informal, camping, hiking, dirt bike riding, spelunking, rock climbing, white-water rafting, drinking, tail-gating, snow skiing, panning for gold, partying for lots of reasons. I've done all of these except elk-hunting, but my first boss out there was a regular (requires a yearly license). Sure, you have to travel a bit for some of them, but you're much less regulated in nearly all of those, and it's all around you. I'm talking more about Washington State/Oregon than Las Vegas, since I haven't lived in LV, but it's a great place as well.
Quote: beachbumbabs
Hicks have a terrific time out west. Plinkin' cans, big game hunting, four-wheeling, race car driving, making apple cider (hooch), gambling both formal and informal, camping, hiking, dirt bike riding, spelunking, rock climbing, white-water rafting, drinking, tail-gating, snow skiing, panning for gold, partying for lots of reasons. I've done all of these except elk-hunting, but my first boss out there was a regular (requires a yearly license). Sure, you have to travel a bit for some of them, but you're much less regulated in nearly all of those, and it's all around you. I'm talking more about Washington State/Oregon than Las Vegas, since I haven't lived in LV, but it's a great place as well.
West, sure. Other than the lack of air, Wyoming is pretty much Nirvana. I'm just trying to think of what I'd do had I accepted the job there and I'm not coming up with much. I also suspect the "off season" would mirror home. But when the weather is too bad in our off season, I still have hockey, maybe even fishing. What do you do when it's 120* out? I ain't got nothing. And between hockey and fishing, that's a good 80% of my yearly entertainment, which costs about $200 plus gas and gear. So say $1,000 a year. That's one elk hunt, or 1/5 of an ATV, or 4 trips to the slopes, or ten laps at LVMS, or 2,000rds of .223. Or, or, or. Not "and".
Where's the free fun? Wiz's bike trails is something. I'd skate it. Where's the fishing? Are there adult rec leagues for football / baseball / hockey? Anything specific to there that I might not realize? What do you do for just day to day entertainment that isn't casino or TV or costs more than $20?
This is a 5 min walk from my back door. I can think of ten things that cost no money, and I probably spend over 200 entertainment hours a year here. Knowing what little I know, I'd rather spend the rest of my life on 2 of these acres than having the full run of the Vegas valley.
Quote: FaceI'd rather spend the rest of my life on 2 of these acres than having the full run of the Vegas valley.
There's always something to do winter
and summer in the NE USA. MI is
called the Winter Wonderland because
winter sports are so huge here. Vegas
is good for gambling, not much else.
Quote: Face
Where's the free fun? Wiz's bike trails is something. I'd skate it. Where's the fishing? Are there adult rec leagues for football / baseball / hockey?
I'm not trying to sell anyone on Vegas, but yes we have adult leagues for all the common sports. I have two friends that play in hockey leagues here. One is in an over 55 hockey league. Softball, soccer, bowling, pool, and golf leagues are popular.
We have this little lake called Lake Mead that people fish in. There are also four or five small lakes in the parks that are stocked.
I am not much of an outdoor guy but I do play golf twice a week 11 months of the year.
I can't argue with the Upstate NY lakes; I grew up in Minn (land of 10,000 of them), and I miss northern lakeside living. Florida doesn't compare, even with the beach less than 2 miles away. But it's not all desert.