Who From This Site Lives in or Around Vegas?

[JoyceAula]

Just curious how many folks live in Vegas. 
Would you still move there if you hadn't already moved?
Would you recommend the area to someone wanting to get away from the cold east and Midwest winters?
How about expenses?  Home and auto insurance, license plates? utilities?
Would you consider solar energy panels? (don't see a whole lot of them)

Thanks for any and all replies. 

[thermonuclear]

I love Vegas. I wish I could have moved here sooner.

The bad aspect of Vegas weather is the extreme heat in July and August, but I find it very enjoyable the other ten months. It's sunny throughout the year, with only rare precipitation to disrupt outdoor activities or travel. Windy days are common, which could be an annoyance. If I ever lost patience with the hot summers, I think I could be comfortable in Reno/Sparks, but that area has "too much winter" for my preference.

I rent my condo, so I can't comment on ownership expenses, but I've read that housing prices are still well below 2008 peak bubble levels. It's definitely cheaper to live here than in any of the major west coast cities.

Annual vehicle registration is probably about 2% of MSRP for a new car, then lower as a vehicle ages.

My monthly electric bill is consistently under $100, but I don't have a house, and I do economize. I rely a lot on electric fans during the summer. I think the dry conditions help keep things comfortable.

[StatFreak]

Thermo, you forgot auto INSURANCE. The registration is average but the insurance is off the charts. Those living in places like NYC will find our prices a relief. Those in most of the country will cringe.

I was recently quoted over $2000 a year for full coverage of a used Toyota Highlander worth about $20k. That can be lowered to about $1500 with a Henderson address, which is one of the reasons people move there, I'm sure. That's for a clean record over 50 yrs of age.

The rest of the costs are affordable and manageable but I too rent, so I also can't comment on ownership costs.

My electric bill peaked at $61 this year with the thermostat set at 77°. It's never been over $100, even when prices were higher and I kept it cooler.

Those who are looking to buy a single family home should get xeriscaping to avoid having to water. That gets expensive and it's the single largest waste of water in the valley. The casinos don't come close. Your cooling bill will be a lot higher than mine or Thermo's.



On living here, I'm mostly with Thermo. Outside of the excessive heat of midsummer and the wind, the weather here is good for outdoor activities most of the year. There's never a shortage of things to do, both man made and natural. The southwest Utah canyons are nearby and there are lots of camping and hiking opportunities. For those who like to ski, we have Mt. Charleston where one can visit and then return to a snow-free city. We have the ever-shrinking lake for those who like boats.

I would caution those with the gambling gene or those who like their alcohol to proceed with caution. This is not the place to live if one has either of those vices.

[thermonuclear]

Thermo, you forgot auto INSURANCE.

I skipped it because I figured my situation may not be representative, but my annual cost is under $1,000. I have a very clean record, a long history with the company, and low mileage. The insurance company furnishes a device for my car that tracks my activity.

In my experience, Vegas local drivers are not as bad as their reputation, but if you drive near the Strip, you'll need to avoid disoriented tourist drivers.

I would caution those with the gambling gene or those who like their alcohol to proceed with caution. This is not the place to live if one has either of those vices.

Certainly true, but if you choose and are able, you can avoid the degeneracy by staying near the affluent areas typically on the extremities of the valley, 

[JoyceAula]

Thanks guys!  I had heard that auto insurance was insane, I guess that is a good reason to only have one vehicle.

[knagl]

Wow, that's crazy on insurance, and not something I would have thought about.

[StatFreak]

I skipped it because I figured my situation may not be representative, but my annual cost is under $1,000. I have a very clean record, a long history with the company, and low mileage. The insurance company furnishes a device for my car that tracks my activity.

In my experience, Vegas local drivers are not as bad as their reputation, but if you drive near the Strip, you'll need to avoid disoriented tourist drivers.

I have AAA but have shopped around. I haven't had a ticket or accident in something like 9 or 10 years. I've forgotten when I got my last ticket. I typically loathe companies infringing on my privacy but might look into what type of discount I could get by using a tracking device.

My choice right now is to wait until I can pay cash for the car and avoid the insurance problem as I've done in the past. The legal requirement of liability only isn't nearly as expensive, although it's still almost four times what I had paid in SoCal.

I would caution those with the gambling gene or those who like their alcohol to proceed with caution. This is not the place to live if one has either of those vices.

Certainly true, but if you choose and are able, you can avoid the degeneracy by staying near the affluent areas typically on the extremities of the valley, 

Well, not really. Reading between the lines, I was referring to those with addictions. There are large casinos within a mile or two of almost everyone in the valley and smaller local places all over, and none of them close. There are no "last call"s because liquor is served 24/7. Liquor might be the more serious of the two vices, depending on a person's affluence (ability to withstand ongoing gambling losses.)

For those who just enjoy either activity, then self-imposed moderation is certainly possible and there is a lot more to Las Vegas than the casinos. Of course, they can't be beaten for cheap breakfast options. Where else can you get an omelet made to order with your choice of sides, coffee and OJ for under $2, or $6 for non-gamblers?

As you well know, aspiring AP's will need large bankrolls but I've met quite a few older couples who have made a retirement job or pastime playing together. Many of them have been at it for years. My personal observations suggest that it's a great way for these couples to have a regular activity in which they mutually participate and keep their minds sharp. Of course, both spouses must be on board.

[Voice of Reason]

Any ideas about the crime rate and thoughts about how to compare crime rates from location to location?

[The Crazy Brazilian]

Would you consider solar energy panels? (don't see a whole lot of them)
Thanks for any and all replies. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-city-of-las-vegas-is-now-powered-entirely-by-renewable-energy_us_58594291e4b0b3ddfd8ea4e8?

[thermonuclear]

Any ideas about the crime rate and thoughts about how to compare crime rates from location to location?

I've seen Las Vegas listed as having some of the highest-crime ZIP codes, but to me it feels like a typical big city. Here's a crime map from a few years ago:



Try to stay near the green, and avoid the red. The tourist centers are red, but you don't have to live there.

Well, not really. Reading between the lines, I was referring to those with addictions.

Yes, the entire valley is saturated with gambling opportunities, but in the "green" areas, the freak show is mostly confined to the casinos and gaming parlors, IMO. The ordinary retail establishments and residential neighborhoods are enjoyably civilized, as would be expected in any area with granite countertops and programmable thermostats. Addicts will encounter their own difficulties in any environment.

Advantage play does still exist, and seniors benefit from age-targeted promotions, but opportunities overall have continued to slide downhill as good games are removed while casinos improve their ability to identify players of good games. Meanwhile, air quality in Vegas casinos remains problematic. 

[Voice of Reason]

Downtown sure looks dangerous on the map.

[JoyceAula]

Would you consider solar energy panels? (don't see a whole lot of them)
Thanks for any and all replies. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-city-of-las-vegas-is-now-powered-entirely-by-renewable-energy_us_58594291e4b0b3ddfd8ea4e8?

I'm looking at individual housing. Your article is about the city of Las Vegas as a municipality.

[thermonuclear]

Addicts will encounter their own difficulties in any environment.

I'm considering starting a thread discussing addiction, but I'm afraid I may be addicted to starting threads.

By some measures, nearly all adults exhibit some type of addictive behavior. Can I protect myself by eliminating temptation? That seems to be the public policy approach. Socially unfavored addictions are either outlawed or heavily taxed. But I suspect most addicts are able to find a harmful behavior among the remaining available options.

[MissL7777]

I live in Phoenix.  My auto insurance is a heck of a lot less.  My summer electric bill is more. 

[StatFreak]

...  My summer electric bill is more. 

Keep in mind that a detached home will have much higher usage than an apartment or condo. Our rate hovers around 10¢ to 11¢.