For those of you that currently live in Vegas!?
What would you say to someone wanting to move there in 2009? I hear a lot about how bad the crime is, but not really from locals, so what is your opinion on the crime in Vegas? If I move there am I more likely to die or be robbed? I imagine jobs are not as available as before in previous years, but how long on average would you think it would take a person to get a job in, for example the nightlife/entertainment industry? I currently live in California and it is getting very expensive to live here so my husband and I are looking to move. We want to move somewhere that is familiar to us, not just some random place. We have been thinking about Las Vegas, New York, Georgia or Arizona. Any advice or opinions????
Thank you so much for your time!
I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!!!!
Crime isn’t that bad. I’ve been here for many years and have never had any personal involvement in any crimes. Never been robbed, burglarized, beaten, car jacked, pick-pocketed.. I’ve found it to be safer than many parts of CA and I have spent significant time there too. The general rule of thumb is, “The further away from the strip, the better off you are.” The west and south are the better parts of the city.
The job market is TERRIBLE. Currently Nevada has the 2nd highest unemployment rate (over 8%) in the country, only behind Michigan. And it’s projected to go past 10% in 2009. I wouldn’t come here thinking you can just find a job, please have a job lined up before you come.. even if it’s temporary until you can find a better one.
You can get a nightlife job very fast if they like you or you know someone. They don’t really check references to much, the process is usually an interview or two and if they like you they’ll hire you. Getting hired will be dependent on passing a criminal background check and drug test. You will also need to get 3 work cards. A sheriffs card, health card and TAM card to work in a club. You can get all the cards the same day you go to get them.
Info on all 3 cards, tho it appears to be a little dated..
http://www.jobmonkey.com/casino/html/vegas_work_cards.html
In theory, you can go in for an interview on Monday and be working in the club that weekend.
Most bartenders and cocktail servers are hired for their looks, not how good they can do the job. The saying is, “You can teach the job, you can’t teach the looks.” Many clubs will require you to sign a “looks caluse” and take your picture with it.. It basically says they hired you for what you look like now, if you change too much and they don’t like it they reserve the right to fire you. It’s a very superficial world, but you can make very good money.
I am a 41 year native of Las vegas. I live in Summerlin where its been said to be a better part of Vegas. Well, we have drug deals going on all day from gangs driving around my neighborhood all day and all night. When I have called Metro police to report these things (8 times ) they have driven by one time that I can remember. I have been robbed at gunpoint for my $2500 mountain bike and my $500 oakley watch while riding in the Summerlin area! I will not walk anywhere in this my home town after dark for any reason. As for work, ha. I have been a casino dealer since I was 21 years old, I deal every game known to man, I got laid off 14 months ago and currently have 6 applications on file in 6 different casinos since august. This is the longest I have ever been unemployed since I was 15! The only reason I dont relocate is for my elderly mother who has been here since 1959, and she wont leave. I really hate to give you all of this negative talk but I would hate for anyone to have to deal with this. BTW. growing up here was second to none, it all went to crap in the mid to late 90s.
Good luck!
Vegas is the worse recession ever and unemployment is reaching 9%, casinos are closing in the outer areas, crime is up, prices are terrible, etc.
Unless you have a guaranteed job, you will be on the streets poor!
This is NOT the time to move. We are as bad as CA. State, county, city are laying off. State is in debt. Casinos are in trouble in some cases.
IF you have to move try somewhere else, plez
Don’t do it. The job market is really really bad. If there is a job opening there are 100 applicants for each opening. They will take someone who is very experienced in the field and someone who has lived here for a long time. Just the way it is. You will make a big mistake moving here at this point in time.
The crime here isn’t bad, it’s just like any other large city in America with gangs, drugs, robbery, you name it. What we do have more of however is auto theft and break ins to automobiles.
I have to agree with everyone else who has previously commented, that the job market here isn’t as good as it should be. To get into the hotel industry they’re going to be looking for people who have the qualifications to do the job (as in already had experience at another hotel), so your chances of getting a job in a hotel here are a little slim unless you know someone personally that can get you in. The nightlife industry is always looking for promoters, but I believe even there the market for that has been cut down. It’s hard to get into places such as Tao, Pure, Jet, Tryst, etc. because it usually requires you with previous experience and also knowing someone to get you in most importantly. It’s all about who you know in this town that’ll either make you sink or swim.
Las Vegas is a wonderful place to live overall. Granted that it is getting just a little expensive nowadays, there’s so much to enjoy here like the Springs Preserve, Lake Mead, Red Rock, Mount Charleston, hiking, the desert, and much more to name. There’s just certain areas of town that you should avoid such as downtown or the north-east side of town that has areas that aren’t that great. Other than that, Vegas is great!
Best of luck!
Well I’m a 21 year old living in Vegas alone. There is crime, but it is everywhere right? There are bad areas just like everywhere else. From my experience I can tell you that the North ares is not a good place to live in. I live in Green Valley/Henderson it’s a very dafe area and I love it. Summerlin is also a good expensive area, although they are building new communities around Summerlin and other places. There is a new area I like that is called Mountains Edge, very nice new place. Houses are for sale in every corner many of them in forclosure. Are you buying a house or renting? If you bought a house in my area lets say a 3 bd 2 1/2 bath house with 2,200 sq.ft. then it will range from 200k-on up. Mountains Edge has places starting from 170k.
Employment is very very bad here. Luckily I work for the Government so my job is stable, but many many people are getting laid off from their jobs, including from casinos. My boyfriend just got laid off a month ago and he has been looking like crazy all over the place and has had no luck so far. I strongly suggest you don’t move here until you find a job for sure, maybe rent temporarily.
the crime is only bad in some parts such as north vegas and old vegas…summerlin, henderson, and other parts are really nice ((a bit expensive living tho))….jobs are available everywhere…best buy is always good…you get discounts on nice stuff…new york has pretty crappy weather and its soo crowded…georgia is humid and hot but it could be good…arizona is very hott too…vegas gets super hot too but not for very much of the year….plus the worst weather you will get there is wind.
id say move to vegas