22 years old looking to move to Vegas, can it happen?

Advertisements

SandraDee,

You sound like a smart - albeit overthinking - person. I'm sure you know how to Google info on Vegas. Nonetheless, I saw your post and, since I have opinions on everything <g>, I'll add some of them.

Vegas was, when I moved here in 1978, a nice town. Now, with nearly 2 million people residing in the Valley, it has become a completely different city. Out-of-control real estate (and renter's) prices, crime, utility bills, insurance premiums, and traffic. And, sadly, the worst is yet to come: the population is expected to double in the not too distance future! Lord only knows what this place is going to be like in another 10 years.

I don't (yet) totally hate Las Vegas but do understand it's not the little town it once was. You mentioned you'd never go back to So. Cal. Well, sorry to tell ya but So. Nevada is very rapidly becoming just like So. Cal. The Californians have brought their gangs, their politics and their traffic. Again, Vegas ain't like what Vegas use to be.

That said, here are some comments on what others have posted here:

The Lakes is an OK part of town. (I remember the day when it was considered way, way out there -- but not any more.) Near Citibank, yes. Plan on at least a 30 - 45 minutes drive to UNLV.

Regardless of what others have said, I would never, ever consider living in the Maryland Parkway area.

Rent, anywhere in Vegas, is not inexpensive. What rented for $600 - 700/mo not so long ago now rents for $900-1000. The property is not any better. Acutally, it's older. It's just more expensive. And the worst part is it's only going to get worse (more costly) as the population increases.

I live in a one bedroom, 750 sq. ft., apartment. I've lived here for 15 years -- since the building was (almost) new. I pay $750/mo. which I consider to be a great deal as they are renting the same apartment to new-comers for $900. My apartment is on the top floor of the building and faces west. (Think HOT in the summer.) My electric bill is $50 - 60 in the winter and, when the heat and air conditioner kick in in the summer, is $160-180. Oh, and Nevada Power (the electric company here) just received a 10% increase so I'm planning on even higher bills this summer.

As you may know, insurance rates vary from area to area. One good, simple way to get a "picture" of an area is call your insurance agent. Have him compare your rates in zip code "12345' vs. "56789".

Lastly, take a look at this link:

Demetrio Roldan

Yeah, it's a link to a real estate agent. But there is some good info there.

Read the short article but then, more importantly, look at some of the links provided (on the right side of the page). In your case I think you would be interested in the Education, Crime and Demographics links.

I hope my comments are somewhat helpful. And, as I always tell those I contact ... don't move to Vegas. We already have too many people living here!

Sandradee, thanks for asking the question! I just gradauted from college in Maryland and I'm going to pharmacy school in a year and I might applylg somewhere in Nevada if I don't get into the University of Maryland one.

But I would live in Kentucky over Maryland any day. We're overrun with New Yorkers and illegal aliens, the culture ain't what it used to be 20 years ago when we were really laid back and friendly.

Coming from the guy who just graduated college and is probably around 20 years old?

Hi Sandra,

I Googled myself as I do every so often and found my site was linked to in this forum. As a Realtor, I probably can help you out with some advice if you haven't moved already. If you rent from a private owner in a condo complex (try looking at craiglist...there are lots in there), I would suggest the Residences at Canyon Gate if you want to live near The Lakes. Just stay near or west of Ft Apache Bl. The complexes any farther east are a little older and tend to be more run-down.

If you are going to be going to UNLV, I would most definitely suggest Sedona on the Boulevard which is located at the southern end of the strip and is where many, many UNLV students live. It's about a 10 minute drive to the campus (just hop on the airport underpass) and the community is nice, guard-gated, and has many good amenities. And your Del Taco and Jack in the Box are only about 2 blocks away! You can rent a 1-bedroom in there for about $750. If you pay more, you're being ripped off (unless you've got an incredibly upgraded unit near the pool).

Sedona is nice, I live across the street from it, it is very quiet, but i don't think its guard-gated...i also dont know where this Jack in the Box is either, but then again, I can't stand Jack in the Box...Sedona is also near a Roberto's...

They have just hired new management at Sedona and are now enforcing a more strict guard gate. The JITB is on Silverado Ranch & Bermuda across the street from the Neighborhood Walmart. How can't you love those two greasy tacos for 99 cents in the middle of the night? I'm not sure what's in them, but they're good! LOL.

oh, on that same corner will be a Dunkin' Donuts and a fresh&easy...