Who here lives in Vegas?

[lyonsd]

I'm looking at a job opportunity in Vegas with Harrah's. I never wanted to leave GA, but this opportunity has a potential 6-figure income and in an area I'd rather steer my career towards. Plus, it seems like there might be some fringe benefits to working for Harrah's in Vegas, like free or discounted show tickets, hotel rooms, etc...who knows?

I've been to Vegas a few times, but not since the mid-late '80s, and it has changed a lot. I am familiar with the heat, lack of greenery (at least I won't have to mow a lawn), and cheap food (is it still cheap?). But what about the price of housing (what could I get for $200K), tax rates (I know there's no state income tax, but what about property tax?) and overall cost of living? What about things like schools and the quality of education? And what about higher education facilities (I know UNLV is there - what else?).

I also understand that Vegas is a lot more family oriented than it used to be. So tell me about some of the things to do as a family that Vegas has to offer.

Thanks.

 

[granatl]

Vegas is pretty much nothing like you remember.
By the end of this year, the median price of a home is expected to be $380k. Condos go for about $160k currently. Property taxes are just downright nasty (probably seems that way do to high property values). My tax bill came today as a matter of fact. So here's the info: 3.2812% (schools + state + police + fire + medical + library + county + 911, etc.)
We're having an usual heat wave lately, with temperatures at 113-115 (officially).
Vegas dumped the "Disney" thing like 5 years ago. So it's not "that" family-oriented anymore.
I don't have any kids, but I'm under the impression that education is consider poor (Hey, we were the 49th dumbest state in some poll recently!)
UNLV, University of Phoenix, and Community College. Plus there's things like Devry, Culinary Inst., Art Inst., etc.

 

[SIXBANGR]

Nevada is the fastest growing state in the union for the 18th straight year. Clark county(Vegas) is the 2nd fastest growing county. 100,000 people a year move to Vegas. I moved from there in '01. The house I sold then for $128,000 is worth $300,000 now. Lot of good Buick people there, and a great drag strip. The nascar track ain't bad either.

 

[Snake Killer]

I graduated here and i'm a pretty smart guy.. harrahs is a NICE BIG corporationg that my current instructor at UNLV works for, and the colleges here aint bad either, lots of girls.


I'm sure thats the last bit of info you wanted but hey i'm 20 so I need to be safe of that fact


The shops here are aweosme, the weather is F'n hot, and my car doesnt run at the moment because of bad rings...

I live in a condo and pay 300 a month with 2 other guys, 3 be 2 bath with a 2 car garage, not a bad setup.

 

[slider252]

When I lived in Vegas 5 yrs ago, my car insurance was about twice as much as it is here in NC, and the gas prices there are about $ 0.20 higher there too. My dad still lives there and doubt he will ever move, he loves it. The good news is you will never be bored, something to entertain everyone I miss the desert, the humidity here sucks.

 

[lyonsd]

Vegas is pretty much nothing like you remember.
By the end of this year, the median price of a home is expected to be $380k. Condos go for about $160k currently. Property taxes are just downright nasty (probably seems that way do to high property values). My tax bill came today as a matter of fact. So here's the info: 3.2812% (schools + state + police + fire + medical + library + county + 911, etc.)

Then I suppose my standard of living there will go down, even with a 6-figure income.

 

[lyonsd]

Hmmm...maybe I was wrong in my last post. I found a site that compares cost of living between two places: http://swz.salary.com/CostOfLivingWizard/layouthtmls/coll_start.html

I put in work and live in Atlanta, GA, a salary of $74000, and new location Las Vegas, NV. The results say I would have an increase of $4,854 in disposable net income.

But the flaw is I don't live or work in Atlanta. I live near Gainesville and work in Duluth. I think my cost of living is closer than if I live in Macon, GA. So I put that in and it resulted in a $5000 DECREASE in disposable income.

But I might be making $25k more per year there.