Moving to Vegas

Well, it appears we are moving to Vegas in late June to support our oldest sons decision to go to the IADT to finish his B.A.

Wondering if any of you could give me some suggestions on what part(s) of town would be fine to live in. We are a family of four, myself, the wife, 19 yr old son, 12 yr old son.

Trying to find a nice school, and a lesser crime area. I am very familiar with Vegas, but not in a way that I could make the decisions easily.

I know many of you live here, and any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Welcome, in advance.

There are two primary upper-middle to upper-class suburbs -- parts of Henderson, and the west side, which is generally referred to as Summerlin, but the area around Summerlin is fine too. Let me say that everyone in Henderson will say Henderson is better, and everyone in Summerlin will say Summerlin is better, and I am no exception. I live in north Summerlin and think it is as about good as Vegas gets. Henderson it too cookie cutter for me, and is also hotter in the summer. Summerlin is closer to the mountains, and thus higher in elevation. If you're planning to go with the public schools I would research test scores for each one, and get zoned for one with a good middle and high school. Here in Summerlin you would want to be zoned for Palo Verde H.S..

If you want to chat in person about it your next trip, let me know.

There are basically two choices: Henderson/Green Valley and Summerlin. Both were constructed by the Powers That Were to be a bit of Kansas City transplanted into the evil cesspool of Las Vegas: parks, schools, paved sidewalks, libraries, etc.: in short, all the things that Las Vegas residential neighborhoods at the time lacked. But the big seller was supposed to be: NO STEENKIN' CASINOS. Existing residential neighborhoods were already polluted by casinos big and small, so Green Valley, Silverado Ranch, and especially, Summerlin, were supposed to be stand-off enclaves where you could only see the casinos from a distance, at night.

I remember looking for a house in Silverado Ranch and the realtor being obliged (by law!) to show me a map of nearby casinos with concentric circles around them, like nuclear weapon blast zones. The idea, I guess, was that I needed to be warned if the house I was interested in was too close to the corrupting influence of casino gaming (and this included the video poker machines at the local 7-11).

The fight to exclude casinos from Summerlin has been sort of successful, with only Suncoast, Rampart, and Red Rock Resort impinging on the periphery. Green Valley lost its casino virginity to Stations, which owns and operates Sunset Station, Fiesta Henderson, and Green Valley Resort. Silverado Ranch has South Point, M, and Silverton.

Now why does this matter? IMHO, it's actually a good thing to have a locals' casino nearby, because they offer cheap dining and entertainment options (other than ganbling, that is). You can always take the tribe to a buffet for a cheap dinner out, and the best movie multiplexes are located inside the casinos. Whether you embrace the gambling options, abhor them, or something in between, is up to you. Many locals actively seek out the best gambling and the best deals, and look upon it as just another form of entertainment. You can get that entertainment very cheaply if you so choose--but there are the obvious dangers, as well.

As far as terrain, climate, amenities, etc., I would pick Summerlin hands down. Its higher elevation means that it will be 3-5 degrees cooler in the summer, as well as benefiting from downward air flow from the Spring Mountains. It is the most accessible of the three areas, with the new 215 beltway having been completed, and of course, the famous Freeway to Nowhere (Summerlin Parkway) provides easy access from the south. Be careful, though, that you stay INSIDE the beltway, and SOUTH of Durango Rd. Many new(-ish) developments say "IN SUMMERLIN" when they are about as far out of town as it is physically possible to get.

Green Valley would not be a bad option, and I would choose Silverado Ranch/the southwest last, as it's not yet adequately developed.

Wiz, MKL:

Thanks for the advice. Those are kinda the two areas we have been checking out. The school my son will be attening is in Henderson (the older part I think), but either way would be fine.

I agree with wanting a locals casino close (have lived in Reno for awhile). Concerned a bit that the cheap food options at the casinos are dying out (used to love the 99 cent meals at the Caravan Cafe in the Sahara), but there are probably many good family dining options not 'seen' from the strip. But a fair book being close is a must!

A good school district is a must with my little guy starting 8th grade in the fall, but we would like to be relatively close to the cultural options (he is quite the little Thespian).

We haven't decided yet if we want to buy or rent. I am sure that both options will be readily available this summer.

Thanks for the comments and if you have more, please keep them coming!!!

Quote: Wizard

Welcome, in advance.

There are two primary upper-middle to upper-class suburbs -- parts of Henderson, and the west side, which is generally referred to as Summerlin, but the area around Summerlin is fine too. Let me say that everyone in Henderson will say Henderson is better, and everyone in Summerlin will say Summerlin is better, and I am no exception. I live in north Summerlin and think it is as about good as Vegas gets. Henderson it too cookie cutter for me, and is also hotter in the summer. Summerlin is closer to the mountains, and thus higher in elevation. If you're planning to go with the public schools I would research test scores for each one, and get zoned for one with a good middle and high school. Here in Summerlin you would want to be zoned for Palo Verde H.S..

If you want to chat in person about it your next trip, let me know.

Wiz, I would be delighted to chat about the options in person. I will PM you the next time I will be in Vegas with some time to hang.

And....Thanks!

Well I live in Henderson, great place to live as far as the Vegas Valley goes. What you should be looking for is the kind of HOA you are buying into, as they can make your life miserable, also what the school you child would be going to! They just changed the law on that one where you can enroll your child in a different school, but you have to provide the transportation!

Henderson is in the black, right now, where they took steps before the recession to remain that way, they have plenty of parks, recreation & leisure activities!

Check out; http://cityofhenderson.com/

Housing is cheap right now, and its a good time to buy if that's what you want to do! My advice is to check out the area you want to move to before you plan to move here.

You can PM me I would be glad to talk to you about your move, and as the Wizard said if I was moving here it would be ether Summerlin or Henderson, do not let anybody talk you into N. Las Vegas
We almost made that mistake, and that would have been a disaster as far as I am concered!

Quote:

Henderson it too cookie cutter for me, and is also hotter in the summer. Summerlin is closer to the mountains, and thus higher in elevation.

Note that you can get the same elevation in Henderson as Summerlin, I live on Black Mountain, and we are 12 miles off the strip!

Quote: avargov

Well, it appears we are moving to Vegas in late June to support our oldest sons decision to go to the IADT to finish his B.A.

Moving to Hendertucky is one matter.

Moving there to "support our son's decision to go to school" seems strange. If he is 19, he wants independence from his parents. And uprooting your family to "support his decision" seems strange... PayPal works wherever there is an internet connection with no regard to whether it is close or far from this fashion school.

The Las Vegas area has high unemployment and high numbers of mortgage problems... many places do.
Vegas has been described as Los Angeles with Casinos. Perhaps its an accurate description, perhaps not.

Much of Vegas has various Home Owner Associations wherein retirees with nothing else to do want to nitpick about your grass height, paint color, parking, muffler quality and guests. Gated communities can be prisons or they can be an oasis.

I've heard that Summers are brutal there and that Winters are cold and windy and light-depriving.

Electric bills are high all year round and astronomically high in June, July and August.

The school system is bad, but then again they all are!

Now if you are moving to Vegas to be near a casino, thats different!

Good luck.

Quote: FleaStiff

Moving to Hendertucky is one matter.

Moving there to "support our son's decision to go to school" seems strange. If he is 19, he wants independence from his parents. And uprooting your family to "support his decision" seems strange... PayPal works wherever there is an internet connection with no regard to whether it is close or far from this fashion school.

The Las Vegas area has high unemployment and high numbers of mortgage problems... many places do.
Vegas has been described as Los Angeles with Casinos. Perhaps its an accurate description, perhaps not.

Much of Vegas has various Home Owner Associations wherein retirees with nothing else to do want to nitpick about your grass height, paint color, parking, muffler quality and guests. Gated communities can be prisons or they can be an oasis.

I've heard that Summers are brutal there and that Winters are cold and windy and light-depriving.

Electric bills are high all year round and astronomically high in June, July and August.

The school system is bad, but then again they all are!

Now if you are moving to Vegas to be near a casino, thats different!

Good luck.

Thanks for your input. We have been looking at Vegas for awhile. Employment is not an issue, I can live anywhere in the western 11 and have my job. I will actually be home more since I get through LV 3 times a week, but only once a month in Reno. Casinos do not matter, since I live a mile from one now.

My son is a different story. There are only 3 schools that we could find that offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in recorded music. He is finishing his freshman year at Texas Tech and wants to get away from performance and.composition. IADT doesn't have housing. He would not be able to go to school full time and afford to live. We don't mind the move at all, especially to help my boy get through his degree.

Thanks again for your ideas and input...

Quote: FleaStiff

Electric bills are high all year round and astronomically high in June, July and August.

The school system is bad, but then again they all are!

Now if you are moving to Vegas to be near a casino, thats different!

Good luck.

Bottom line for Vegas is, if you've got money and can live like you want, its great. Otherwise its the ugly child that only a mother can love..

Quote: FleaStiff

Electric bills are high all year round and astronomically high in June, July and August.

The school system is bad, but then again they all are!

Good luck.

If you plan to move to Hawaii, the electric rates are even higher and the school system worse.

I recommend Vegas for the casinos and general lack of mosquitoes and rain.

(spent much of my life in Florida and Texas)

Quote: rxwine

I recommend Vegas for the casinos and general lack of mosquitoes and rain.

Agreed.

Sounds like you would enjoy the move to Vegas anyway but perhaps all you really need is what used to be called a Kiddie-Condo, that is a small condominium near a college that serves as equity rather than merely paying a college's dormitory charges.

Since the school has no housing, perhaps there are other similarly situated students and an investment in a small apartment complex in the area might be a wise way of giving your son his desired housing and also keeping the place rented to other students so that you gain a good rental property.

So, the wife and I, plus the two boys appear to have secured an apartment in Henderson. It is on S. Eastern. Perhaps some locals could verify that that is a fair area to live in. It appeared to be pretty swell looking at the neighborhood and such and researching on the internet. Will be in town on the 29th to actually set foot in the place and sign the lease.

Wiz, or an other locals, if you would like to meet for lunch or dinner on the 30th or 31st of March with my wife and I, please PM with any ideas.

Thanks board for your replies.

Henderson is the second biggest city in NV, and S. Eastern run for about five miles, so you aren't giving us to much to work on. So please give us an address if you want to know about where you are going to be renting.

superrick

Quote: superrick

Henderson is the second biggest city in NV, and S. Eastern run for about five miles, so you aren't giving us to much to work on. So please give us an address if you want to know about where you are going to be renting.

superrick

Sure Rick, it is at The Summit and Sunridge at 11000 S. Eastern. You probably know right where that is. Not the swankiest place, but seems to be solid for the price.

Quote: avargov

Sure Rick, it is at The Summit and Sunridge at 11000 S. Eastern. You probably know right where that is. Not the swankiest place, but seems to be solid for the price.

For the benefit of others, here is a map link.

That is a pretty nice part of town. I still like the west side better, but that would be a good place to start. If you can come out to the Suncoast or Red Rock for lunch sometime I'd be happy to welcome you.

When we come in at the end of the month we will be staying at The Orleans (hard to pass up 3 nights for $29.34 total (and no resort fee)), so if you happen to be available on those days.....and BTW, we did look at a house that "appeared" to be in the Summerlin area, up on Desirable Ct. The name of the street nearly had me. However, we chose Henderson, and that place, because it is only about 2.5 miles from where our son will be going the school. Tried to make it as easy as possible on him with $4.00 gas right around the corner. I think I have him convinced on putting the Ford Ranger away and getting a good bike, or Vespa.

That is not a bad part of town there is plenty of shopping, you can get on the 215 with no problem, but the exits will back up depending on the time of day, Like any place I would rent and check out other areas around town, I live about 7 miles from there. You have over 75 miles of bike trails in Henderson, if you are into bike riding.

You should be fine with where you are renting, wish you luck!

PM me if you need any help finding anything.

Superrick

Thanks Superrick. I am sure that I will need to PM you on occasion. Fortunately, I am almost always gone so it is the wife that will have to deal with the 215. I did notice on Google Earth that there is a Joey's NY Pizza right around the corner. Ate at the one way south on LV Blvd last summer and was a pretty good pie. What else does a man need besides a good pie and a cold beer!

I've been reading thru this and I'm hoping for your son's success. The question that popped out to me was could your son have relocated to LV or Henderson without the family going also? Sort of like what happens when many children go off to college.

If you do stay I'm predicting that you will eventually end up in Summerlin.

Quote: RobSinger

I've been reading thru this and I'm hoping for your son's success. The question that popped out to me was could your son have relocated to LV or Henderson without the family going also? Sort of like what happens when many children go off to college.

If you do stay I'm predicting that you will eventually end up in Summerlin.

Yes, he could have relocated by himself. Kinda like he has done for the past year in Lubbock, TX while attending Texas Tech. However, Vegas is a location that we have been looking at for quite a while. Now seems to be a good time to do it. It won't hurt that he can stay at home (thus reducing my cost), and the climate will be very good for my wifes condition (at least that is what the doctors say).

Perhaps we will end up in Summerlin. Of course, that would be more of a choice that my wife would make, since I am rarely home.

And thank you for the kind words about my boy.

avargov

I thought that you might like to see this story that came out today!


Henderson residents give city high marks but worry about economy


This story is brought to you By Dylan Scott and the Las Vegas Sun;


http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/mar/15/henderson-residents-give-city-high-marks-worry-abo/

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We all know what else a man needs but If I answered I might get booted. LOL