http://bgamall.hubpages.com/hub/Las-Vegas-What-Are-the-Pros-and-Cons-of-Living-in-the-Entertainment-Capital-of-the-World My little window for you guys who are curious about Las Vegas.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Living in the Entertainment Capital of the World
By bgamall4 Follow Wed, 22 Aug 2012, 4:40pm 6,435 views 71 comments
In Reno NV 89502
Watch (2) Share
Quote
Permalink Like Dislike « First « Previous Viewing Comments 32-71 of 71 Last » See most liked comments
|
Premium member bgamall4 is moderator of this thread. |
Follow
Befriend (2)
13 threads
34 comments
Las Vegas, NV
Automan Empire says
But you never know what you're going to see!
On a visit here way back (late 90's?) I saw a woman, older than dirt, bombing across a street near the Strip against the light in a mobility scooter, holding up her hand to stop traffic. She was hooked up to an oxygen tank - drink in the cup holder and a coin bucket in her lap.
I seem to remember her holding a cigarette, too, but I'm probably exaggerating the memory - after all, that would have been dangerous.
Follow
Befriend
1 comments
elliemae is pretty much spot on.
In Vegas, like most large urban areas, if you're wealthy you can afford to live nice. If not... then not so nice.
This is particularly true when it comes to housing, even in one of the most price-depressed cities in America.
As for the heat, try exiting a climate-controlled casino to walk smack into a warming oven set at 115 degrees - IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
Surreal to experience once...
...but not necessarily how you want to live.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
tugtug says
You pay to go to a sauna. This is free. And again, two falsehoods. It does not take great wealth to live in a nice area. And it is cooler up the plateau of the valley, to the 3000 foot level. That is 900 feet above the valley floor.
Follow
Befriend (7)
29 threads
1,211 comments
31 male
Premium
zzyzzx says
I wouldn't say never. I haven't been since the end of may, and that's because the place is falling apart. Was down for the super bowl before that, and it was literally a ghost town.
Where do you go for fine dining and night life?
My favorite place to eat is the White House, but that's a friggin hoagie shop.
Harrahs pool jumps of, but not so much outside of sat nights
I wasn't impressed with the Revel at all
Everyone always scoffs at The Tropicana, but that's my favorite place to go. Especially since the Revel brought in the burlesque club theme, The Trop monkey see'd monkey did their ass, and opened up a small burlesque-esque section themselves down where they closed off their access to the boardwalk. Tropicana also has that whole area with the clubs, if its up to me I go there and stay there, but if I'm tagging along a crowd, ill venture around the rest of the town.
Borgata is hands down the nicest casino, but its also a crowded trade, and rightfully expensive
What fine dining and night life am I missing? (Their strip clubs might be the worst in the world, if that's your cup o tea)
Follow
Befriend (7)
29 threads
1,211 comments
31 male
Premium
For those crying about the vegas heat, you've obviously never lived somewhere with relentless humidity. 90 and humid is unbearble, and it gets up towards 100 sometimes. When its muggy like that, you can't barely escape the sweat, even inside conditioned air.
100 degree dry heat isn't as bad as it sounds. Relative to anywhere humid, its pleasant
Id be hard pressed to believe that they don't have a fairly serious crime problem in LV, just by the nature of the town (drunks and degenerate gamblers, hustlers and snake oil salesman)
As to this notion that because something is illegal (prostitution on one side of an imaginary county line), that it doesn't exist, stop being silly. There's prostitutes working every inch of that town 24/7/365
Follow
Befriend (25)
413 threads
6,980 comments
Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
Automan Empire says
You carry a cooler in your car. Sure, it's a bit cooler in the Northwest. But it's still fucking hot, unbearably fucking hot. A dry heat is still heat - and when it's still in the high 90's at night there is no relief.
The prostitution is there - but it's not an issue. Just as any other city, there are prostitutes. Vegas is no different, although most of the street walkers are downtown. Every hotel has a bell desk with a list of prostitutes. they're lying if they tell you they don't.
bgamall4 says
There was a huge storm yesterday, and one area of vegas received 2" of rain. That caught up the rainfall for the year. The problem is that it didn't have any opportunity to soak into the ground, because it all fell at once. And let's not forget that a young man is presumed dead due to the torrentail rains.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/aug/23/search-back-henderson-teen-who-fell-flood-control-/
Also, Vegas is serious about seeking other water sources. They have a multi-billion dollar pipeline project that is projected to provide water to an additional 300,000 homes. They are building a new, deeper pipe to suck water out of Lake Mead because the other one is too shallow. And it's also in the area where the sewage is dumped. But these are very expensive projects, and the money to fund them all simply isn't there right now.
I'm not saying that Vegas is a horrible place to live - but it's not the paradise that you have represented. Compared to Detroit or Chicago (having a stellar year for murders), Vegas is great. But compared to many other cities, Vegas is a place where there are no jobs, the majority of the housing is upside down, and nearly all my clients have severe financial problems. Even the wealthy ones are experiencing downturns and cutting back on expenses. And my clients come from all walks of life, because severe illness doesn't choose people according to their economic situation.
Mandy Lifeboats says
My point is that there are cities where you can walk around at night. The majority of Vegas isn't one of them.
Follow
Befriend (25)
413 threads
6,980 comments
Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
I posted this in the other forum, where the OP has posted his story quoting Mandy Lifeboats:
You forgot to mention the brown haze that hangs above the city. Your original thread stated that the skies are clear - but they're not. As you drive into Vegas, it's obvious. At night you can't see the stars due to the light polution.
Vegas isn't a mecca - it's a city where people come hoping to make a living off of tourists. It's been hit very hard by the recession and your article is biased. There's good & bad - but mostly bad at the moment. The city of North Las Vegas is broke and it's in a bad way.
It'll take years to recover. I don't hate Vegas, but it's not the paradise he's making it out to be. The best thing about it is that there is world-class entertainment within 20 miles. The worst thing is that most locals can't afford to see it.
Follow
Befriend (4)
330 threads
917 comments
elliemae,
Reading everyone's comments on Patrick.net is "world-class entertainment". LOL
Follow
Befriend (25)
413 threads
6,980 comments
Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
HEY YOU says
And it's affordable...
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
elliemae says
And read my response there. I said that the dust on I15 has nothing to do with Summerlin and the western parts of the city. Don't be fooled.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
elliemae says
I would rather be a little strapped financially in Las Vegas than in the Bay Area.
Unless Helocs come back in vogue, you can't get the value out of your house in the Bay Area without selling. And renters have issues of high rents there.
If you have a business in Las Vegas, you can make a lot less to survive than in the bay area.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
HEY YOU says
You are all generally so entertaining. :)
Follow
Befriend (25)
413 threads
6,980 comments
Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
bgamall4 says
If I gave a shit enough, I would take a photo of the haze the covers the entire valley - yes, even the north west - as you drop down off the mesa from I-15 north.
Your article is very biased, and is a thinly veiled attempt at journalism. If it's indicative of the content of Business Insider," the name of that site should be changed to reflect the bias.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
elliemae says
Yeah, I am biased because I like Las Vegas. So sue me.
In other words, it is my opinion. If you don't like Vegas why do you drive in from the north? And where I live is not really smoggy, and the air is good for a big city.
Follow
Befriend
485 comments
Los Angeles, CA
I've had to visit Vegas about a dozen times a year for the last 8 years of my life as part of my work.
LA and NYC still have far superior nightlife, and SF and NYC have far better food culture. I still can't get over how friggin expensive everything on the strip is--$15 for a drink, $65+tip for a mid-range restaurant. Nutzo. I suppose if you aren't from a big city, The Strip must seem like The Shit. I manage to have a decent time for 48 hours, then it gets boring and claustraphobic.
There is not much local flavor, either. Almost soulless, in fact. Most of the non-Strip culture you see comes in the form of (assumed) meth addicts roaming the street in broad daylight, homogenized empty strip plazas, and a noticeable air of general un(der)employment.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
Philistine says
Sigh, another pundit who posts before he reads my articles.
Follow
Befriend (25)
413 threads
6,980 comments
Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
bgamall4 says
One goes where the work is. Has nothing to do with "like." My industry has jobs here, but many people in Vegas don't have jobs.
bgamall4 says
bgamall4 says
You don't write articles; you write opinion pieces.
Philistine says
I drive around all day. Even your precious Summerlin is filled with repos, shopping plazas with empty stores, and there is a general air of under employment. I meet people who are very poor and people who are very wealthy - but mostly people who are struggling financially. The Vegas economy is in the toilet - it is overbuilt and the place has a long way to go.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/aug/30/sheriff-warns/
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/sep/02/teachers-union-remains-firm-belief-district-has-mo/
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/may/25/city-brink-rise-and-ongoing-fall-north-las-vegas/
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jan/11/unnished-summerlin-mall-monument-recession/
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/sep/06/queen-versailles-serves-indictment-years-false-pro/
http://www.vegasinc.com/news/2012/aug/23/analysts-see-potential-dark-cloud-las-vegas-econom/
http://www.lvrj.com/news/police-make-arrests-in-serial-cellphone-robberies-168839836.html
bgamall4 says
He doesn't need to read your "articles" to become informed. There are many real articles out there that offer information that supports his opinion.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
elliemae says
You didn't seem to have a problem when I wrote my opinions about the housing bubble and crash. And I am not a reporter, so what I write is my opinion. I am not hiding that fact, Ellimae. elliemae says
That is true, but they are going to be developing more stores, near Hualapai and Sahara.
Las Vegas does not give up. That is what I like about the city. The New York lady I talked to yesterday lived in LA, but her parents retired to Las Vegas. She moved to Summerlin and loves it. And her Westie looks like my Cairn Terrier. :) And she went back to LA and was put off by the pebbles hitting her windshield because some roads are getting bad. Roads in Las Vegas are excellent.
And, BTW, Summerlin shopping center is a victim of banksters and hot money pulling back, not of the demographics of Las Vegas.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
And Elliemae, if you earn your living from Las Vegas and are here all the time, why bite the hand that feeds you? What do you do here anyway?
Follow
Befriend (25)
413 threads
6,980 comments
Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
bgamall4 says
I am not biting that hand that feeds me. I'm responding to opinion pieces that you quote as articles about how awesome Vegas is. It's not the slice of heaven that you represent it to be, it's a city that has been hit hard by the recession and is a long way from recovering.
The crime rate, the urban blight, the large area that isn't all that safe, and the fact that the predominant industries of tourism, construction and real estate were hit very hard a few years back are reasons why it has a very long way to go. Also, the lack of water and continued financial problems for the city, surrounding cities, county and state are all examples of why Las Vegas is hurting and continues to hurt.
It might be better than New York in some people's opinions, but that doesn't make it better. They need jobs and new industries.
Follow
Befriend (3)
12 threads
600 comments
Notably Hot Days in Las Vegas History
117 degrees: July 24, 1942, and July 19, 2005
116 degrees: June 15, 1940, and Aug. 3, 1979
113 degrees: Sept. 1, 1950
109 degrees: May 23, 2003
103 degrees: Oct. 1, 1978
— National Weather Service
Automan Empire says
Follow
Befriend (3)
12 threads
600 comments
The air is cleaner, much cleaner than LA. The hottest days are in the summer, too hot to be out doors. But the rest of the year is great. There are nice communities and affordable homes that blow away any homes in LA for the price and ease of care. I have lived in both and LV IS HITTING THE EASY BUTTON. LA is much harder and incredibly dirty. I can see mountains 360 degrees . In LA I can see mountains on "A GOOD AIR DAY" which is infrequent at best. I like both places but don't have to stress so much to bring home the groceries in LV. In LA it is Fn hard to move about the streets. I do enjoy both places but LV beats LA for a comfortable life.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
elliemae says
You never explained what brings you to Las Vegas so often. Come on, without that information we can't discern your agenda. It is pretty clear you have one.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
KILLERJANE says
Still cooler than Palm Springs, which I like as well. But it is hotter. Nice winters in Palm Springs though.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
KILLERJANE says
Thank you for coming to my defense. :)
Follow
Befriend (3)
99 threads
464 comments
Pro - Great party scene Con- No Jobs! Funnily enough.
Follow
Befriend (25)
413 threads
6,980 comments
Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
elliemae says
Summerlin is to the right of this photo, which stretches from the far Northwest including Summerlin, the Lakes, Desert Shores, etc. all the way to the center of the valley. This was taken this morning on my way in.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
elliemae says
There has been ZERO dust in Summerlin this summer. This photo from the 15 is way far from up the hill in west Las Vegas. I have seen dust around the M as well going out toward California. That is simply not reflective of the neighborhoods I have spoken about. Nice try though. Had you been up in Summerlin that day you would have understood what I am talking about.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
Here is a picture of Summerlin.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
Here is a picture of the Lakes.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
Here is a picture of Peccole Ranch.
Follow
Befriend (25)
413 threads
6,980 comments
Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
bgamall4 says
You are correct. This wasn't dust, because it wasn't windy. It was the smog that I saw yesterday, when the photo was taken, and that I see many other days driving in/out of the valley.
bgamall4 says
Not that it really matters, but it's really not "way far" up the hill - it's six miles from the Craig road exit. However, if it had been "way far" up the hill, it would have been a wider shot of the smoggy Vegas Valley is all.
bgamall4 says
I was in Summerlin "that day," which was yesterday. I was all over the NW and even the center of Vegas. It was smoggy all over the Valley - and it wasn't windy until later in the day. I see this kind of skyline more often than not.
I love your pretty pictures. However, did you drive around yesterday taking them or are they photos you've got sitting around for such an occasion?
We can go back & forth, me with photos I actually took and you with stock marketing photos of the areas that you love. Truth vs. Propaganda...
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
elliemae says
It wasn't smog. It was smoke from fires from California. And it was reported on the news: http://www.8newsnow.com/story/18602497/breaking-news-smoke-in-the-las-vegas-air
You owe Las Vegas an apology, Elliemae. :)
I edited the post to reflect the Sept 2012 smoke report.
And, btw, Ellie Mae, air in Summerlin and the Lakes was still pretty clear, even with the smoke. Smog never seems bad in these areas at all. I walk all the time here.
Follow
Befriend (25)
413 threads
6,980 comments
Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
Excuse me while I beat my dead horse. No - it wasn't pretty clear, as I was there and my clients had to stay inside. And it's not pretty clear there the rest of the year.
The horse ain't getting any deader, tho. Vegas is a struggling city that isn't paradise. And my arm is getting tired.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
elliemae says
I have not run across your dead horse in this beautiful city. If I do I will call the authorities. Again, you don't say where you drive or why you are in Las Vegas. As far as it being clear in the Lakes, Peccole Ranch and Summerlin, except for the smoke days it was very clear. I live here. I am from Reno. I know clear.
Follow
Befriend (25)
413 threads
6,980 comments
Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
The truth is that I've said, over & over, why I'm in Vegas. I also told you in this post that I drive all over the NW. And I'm glad you know clear.
It ain't Vegas. Write all the opinion pieces you want - and quote yourself - it ain't clear. I'm not going to continue to tell you why your opinion is very one-sided and certainly not worthy of quoting as a reason why vegas is a great place to live. Other people have also posted their opinions as to why Vegas isn't the great white hope you present.
It's a depressed city full of people who are upside down in their homes, high unemployment, no water, and government entities who are desperately trying to figure out how to pay the bills.
That includes, by the way, the school district, which has shut off air conditioning when school isn't in session to save money (classroom pets would die, so no pets...) and they've had air conditioning units that stopped working:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/sep/05/air-conditioning-troubles-have-schools-doubling-da/
With all of the stories that I quoted that show how badly Vegas is hurting, I'm surprised you continue to insist that it's so wonderful. Especially since I didn't write the articles and they're from real news sites. Not made-up stuff by a guy on the interwebs.
I'm done with this discussion - there's the truth, and then there's your opinion with a huge gaping hole in the middle.
Follow
Befriend (25)
413 threads
6,980 comments
Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
I know I said I was done... and I really meant it. Until these two stories:
http://www.vegasinc.com/news/2012/sep/12/nevada-foreclosure-rate-back-rise/
http://www.lvrj.com/business/fewer-las-vegas-households-using-banks-financial-institutions-169592736.html
33% of LV households use payday loans, prepaid debit cards, check cashing services in addition to their bank account.
6% use only payday loans, prepaid debit cards, check cashing services and money orders.
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
elliemae says
Median income in Las Vegas is 53k per year. Median income in St George is 46k per year. I hate to see the payday loan business there!
Come on Elliemae, Las Vegas is more like Beverly Hills than it is like Tennessee and St George. All the Clampetts know that!! :)
Follow
Befriend (14)
751 threads
2,585 comments
63 male
Las Vegas, NV
bgamall4's website
Premium
And come on Elliemae, Las Vegas is the brightest city from space on the face of the earth!
http://www.ledhut.co.uk/blog/the-worlds-brightest-cities-from-space
Follow
Befriend (25)
413 threads
6,980 comments
Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
bgamall4 says
We aren't comparing Vegas - a shithole full of unemployment, smog, crime and many other social problems - and a smaller town in rural Utah. We're discussing that your posts about Vegas are - and continue to be - incorrect and lacking in substance.
bgamall4 says
That's nothing to brag about - it's like being the fattest kid in school - you can be seen in the middle of the field from the top of the bleachers...
http://www.lightpollution.org.uk/index.php?pageId=8