Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 27

Thread: No reason to go to Las Vegas anymore

  1. #1
    I've pretty much seen the sights that interest me.

    The climate is miserable.

    The food, while often very good, is too expensive and not that much better than what I can source locally: I am not a gourmet.

    Other than Cirque performances the entertainment is not interesting to me, and Cirque travels to stumptown on occasion; we have some decent comedy clubs as well.

    I don't drink, so the availability of free alcohol while gambling means nothing to me.

    I now have casino gambling opportunities available locally comparable to those in sin city.

    Strip casinos now charge resort fees and parking fees.

    Airfare and rental car expenses are always a factor.

    So really, why bother?

    Been there, done it.

    But the city's history still fascinates me, as does its continuing evolution as America's glory hole.
    Last edited by MisterV; 08-09-2018 at 07:46 AM.
    What, Me Worry?

  2. #2
    Have to agree with V. The changes over the last 20 years have taken away much of what was once the draw. Free rooms and entertainment, free, or at least cheap meals, gambling, sex if you were so inclined. Although suffering through long winters here I like the weather in Las Vegas, and that includes summer if you're not stupid about it.

    But whereas I used to go to Las Vegas 10-12 times a year, I now go between 0 and 2 times a year. Too expensive; comps have almost disappeared; but most of all I can't stand the people anymore.

  3. #3
    I moved to Vegas for reasons other than gambling. In fact I haven't been to the Strip and the Caesars properties since New Year's Eve.

    I came here to escape California’s high prices, congestion and taxes.

    The weather here in Vegas during the summer is no different than the weather in the San Fernando Valley of LA. Both places are above 100 degrees. Vegas is colder in the winter.

    There is no state income tax in Nevada. The sales tax is lower. Gas is at least fifty cents a gallon cheaper. My one bedroom apartment in LA cost $2,000 a month, my two bedroom in Vegas costs $1,100 and is in a safer area.

    I'm amazed that the same grocery products cost about 30% less in Vegas.

    And in the locals casinos there is 8/5 Bonus Poker at 25-cents and you won't find that in California. Oh, and it's real craps here.

    Of course I'm not addressing the concerns of the tourists. I hope the tourists keep coming. They keep my taxes low.

  4. #4
    I can understand how a retiree would prefer living in Las Vegas as compared to LA, but what if a person is just starting out and wants to find a good job, settle down, and raise a family in a place with a good quality of life?

    By report the public school system in Las Vegas is among the worst in the US
    What, Me Worry?

  5. #5
    This is Barney,

    Mr V is most very much right with post. No reason for the LID and me to go back to the Las Vegas anymore. We use to go quite often to the Vegas in the 40s,50s, thru 2010 but they got the shits for the comps and fees and such and we are treated like kings thru out the mid west casinos and the LID can get his craps and video pokers fix there with most greatest free foods and rooms and free plays while old Barney here can get my slut machine devices and casino dates cravings satiated.


    Thank you very much

  6. #6
    Depends what you're looking for.

    If you're retiring, Vegas is not a bad bet.

    Compared to other major cities, Vegas is quite a bit more affordable for those on fixed incomes like Social Security. One bedroom apartments can be leased for $600 - $1000 a month with some utilities included.

    Food is cheap and there's gobs of deals for seniors that you will not find in other cities.

    In short, it's inexpensive here and there's always tons of stuff to do.

    If however you're looking to start a new life here, you might find the employment opportunities a bit scarce. Also, pay is lower here. That's a wash though because the cost of living is also low. Your job might pay $2000 more per month in Los Angeles, but your rent and cost of living will be $2000 more as well.

  7. #7
    I bought a home i reno to escape the insanity of california having their hands in my wallet.

    However if I find the cheapest gas in reno which is costco(if the the cheapest..then close enough).....its 15 cents a gallon cheaper than I pay in the bay area in Ca. I buy gas in ca and reno every weekend so I am well aware of this.

    The home I bought as new construction 10 years ago cost 200k, it has a big backyard and front yard and 2 car garage....very reasonable compared to the ca experience.

    I dont see a real difference in food and merchandise. The chains like safeway have exactly the same food prices. In fact the circular i get in ca weekly, is exactly the same as the circular in reno...exact same prices. Also costco has the same prices, and walmart/target as well. Sales tax may be a tad cheaper.

  8. #8
    Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson View Post
    I moved to Vegas for reasons other than gambling. In fact I haven't been to the Strip and the Caesars properties since New Year's Eve.

    I came here to escape California’s high prices, congestion and taxes.

    The weather here in Vegas during the summer is no different than the weather in the San Fernando Valley of LA. Both places are above 100 degrees. Vegas is colder in the winter.

    There is no state income tax in Nevada. The sales tax is lower. Gas is at least fifty cents a gallon cheaper. My one bedroom apartment in LA cost $2,000 a month, my two bedroom in Vegas costs $1,100 and is in a safer area.

    I'm amazed that the same grocery products cost about 30% less in Vegas.

    And in the locals casinos there is 8/5 Bonus Poker at 25-cents and you won't find that in California. Oh, and it's real craps here.

    Of course I'm not addressing the concerns of the tourists. I hope the tourists keep coming. They keep my taxes low.
    You're understating the heat in Vegas during the summer.

    It's far worse than the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, except perhaps the period from about August 15-September 15, where Southern CA typically experiences its hottest weather, and Vegas starts to slowly cool down.

    In July, Vegas is routinely over 110 degrees, and it remains around 100 degrees as late as midnight. LA doesn't do that, even in the hottest parts. Even during heat waves, LA cools at night.

    Winter weather in Vegas, while mild compared to much of the US, is considerably worse than LA. Most days don't reach 60 degrees, and there's a frequent wind which makes it feel a lot colder, especially at night. There are actually years where New Year's Eve in Vegas is colder than in Times Square (though this isn't common).

    The fall and spring weather in Vegas is actually beautiful, and is actually nicer than LA. But that can be said of a lot of the country.

    As someone who lived in Vegas almost a decade, here are the pros and cons I noticed:

    Pros:

    - More things open 24 hours (though not as much as there used to be)

    - More high-end dining choices concentrated in a small area

    - Access to the highest number of casinos in one city, and the most advantage play opportunities

    - No state income tax

    - A lot of friends/relatives from other states will visit, making it easy to see them every so often (though I guess this could be a minus for some people)

    - Lots of concerts & other entertainment venues concentrated in a small area

    - Aside from the summer, weather is nicer than most of the US

    - Lower cost of living than California (though other places in the country are substantially lower)

    - If you're a single guy, it's in Vegas culture for younger women to date older men, and not always for money

    - Easy access to hookers and Asian "jerk shops" if you're into that (I'm not)


    Cons:

    - Brutal heat from June-August

    - Bad public school system (doesn't matter if you don't have kids)

    - Relatively few career opportunities if you don't work in gaming (for a city of that size)

    - Remote. People don't think about this, but Vegas is far from EVERYTHING. Los Angeles and Phoenix are the closest two major cities, but both are around 300 miles away. Aside from Henderson and Boulder City, which are part of greater Vegas, there are no other cities for 100 miles in any direction (aside from tiny, inconsequential towns).

    - Health care is horrendous. Most doctor's offices are consolidated into large groups which treat you like a number, rush you through, and often misdiagnose you. I've heard horror story after horror story regarding Vegas health care, and have had some negative experiences myself.

    - Bad traffic for a metro area of fewer than 2 million people.

    - Lots of dysfunction and addiction issues, especially revolving around gambling. This is rarely talked about, but living around it for many years depressed me.

    - Obnoxious tourists are everywhere near downtown and the strip, and they're also terrible drivers

    - No MLB or NBA team, and up until 2020, no NFL either.
    Check out my poker forum, and weekly internet radio show at http://pokerfraudalert.com

  9. #9
    Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson View Post
    I moved to Vegas for reasons other than gambling. In fact I haven't been to the Strip and the Caesars properties since New Year's Eve.

    I came here to escape California’s high prices, congestion and taxes.

    The weather here in Vegas during the summer is no different than the weather in the San Fernando Valley of LA. Both places are above 100 degrees. Vegas is colder in the winter.

    There is no state income tax in Nevada. The sales tax is lower. Gas is at least fifty cents a gallon cheaper. My one bedroom apartment in LA cost $2,000 a month, my two bedroom in Vegas costs $1,100 and is in a safer area.

    I'm amazed that the same grocery products cost about 30% less in Vegas.

    And in the locals casinos there is 8/5 Bonus Poker at 25-cents and you won't find that in California. Oh, and it's real craps here.

    Of course I'm not addressing the concerns of the tourists. I hope the tourists keep coming. They keep my taxes low.
    You're understating the heat in Vegas during the summer.

    It's far worse than the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, except perhaps the period from about August 15-September 15, where Southern CA typically experiences its hottest weather, and Vegas starts to slowly cool down.

    In July, Vegas is routinely over 110 degrees, and it remains around 100 degrees as late as midnight. LA doesn't do that, even in the hottest parts. Even during heat waves, LA cools at night.

    Winter weather in Vegas, while mild compared to much of the US, is considerably worse than LA. Most days don't reach 60 degrees, and there's a frequent wind which makes it feel a lot colder, especially at night. There are actually years where New Year's Eve in Vegas is colder than in Times Square (though this isn't common).

    The fall and spring weather in Vegas is actually beautiful, and is actually nicer than LA. But that can be said of a lot of the country.

    As someone who lived in Vegas almost a decade, here are the pros and cons I noticed:

    Pros:

    - More things open 24 hours (though not as much as there used to be)

    - More high-end dining choices concentrated in a small area

    - Access to the highest number of casinos in one city, and the most advantage play opportunities

    - No state income tax

    - A lot of friends/relatives from other states will visit, making it easy to see them every so often (though I guess this could be a minus for some people)

    - Lots of concerts & other entertainment venues concentrated in a small area

    - Aside from the summer, weather is nicer than most of the US

    - Lower cost of living than California (though other places in the country are substantially lower)

    - If you're a single guy, it's in Vegas culture for younger women to date older men, and not always for money

    - Easy access to hookers and Asian "jerk shops" if you're into that (I'm not)


    Cons:

    - Brutal heat from June-August

    - Bad public school system (doesn't matter if you don't have kids)

    - Relatively few career opportunities if you don't work in gaming (for a city of that size)

    - Remote. People don't think about this, but Vegas is far from EVERYTHING. Los Angeles and Phoenix are the closest two major cities, but both are around 300 miles away. Aside from Henderson and Boulder City, which are part of greater Vegas, there are no other cities for 100 miles in any direction (aside from tiny, inconsequential towns).

    - Health care is horrendous. Most doctor's offices are consolidated into large groups which treat you like a number, rush you through, and often misdiagnose you. I've heard horror story after horror story regarding Vegas health care, and have had some negative experiences myself.

    - Bad traffic for a metro area of fewer than 2 million people.

    - Lots of dysfunction and addiction issues, especially revolving around gambling. This is rarely talked about, but living around it for many years depressed me.

    - Obnoxious tourists are everywhere near downtown and the strip, and they're also terrible drivers

    - No MLB or NBA team, and up until 2020, no NFL either.
    I agree with all of the above. I will also ad to one of the "cons" which also apply to reno where i currently live part time.

    The entertainment is a "lite" verson .
    "broadway plays" are drastically cut down in time.They are usually musicals like Spamalot, Jesery boys, Mamma Mia....so you tend not to notice

    Performers are told to keep the shows down to a certain time. The casinos want people out on the gambling floor asap.

    I have seen Sienfeld in NYC, SF and at caesars .....and the show in vegas had a different vibe and was shorter.
    have seen Penn and Teller in NYC, SF and Rio......the same for them

    Performers in vegas know that especially the people in the front, they may not be fans. They may be high rollers or friends of high rollers who just want to take a break. They are more likely to talk throughout the performance. I ran into front row table seats at Resorts International in AC in the 80s for Rodney D.....I think Iwas the only one at the long table that really wanted to be there/ Everyone was drinking and talking.

    But at every other venue...the performer knows that everyone is a fan, and that the people in the front paid alot for those tickets. Its a different vibe. I definitely notice it.

    a combo of them needing to shorten their show for the casino, combined with the different type of audience(drunk , drinking, noisy, uninterested,) that subconsciously gives a different vibe emitted from the performer. Not on purpose...just an organic different vibe.

    The good thing is that for the lesser show you can get reduced price tickets on the same day at various locations if available. More than half price with the fee added...but still a good price.

  10. #10
    100% agree that Vegas isn't Broadway.

    It actually annoys me.

    I can accept the fact that the Vegas versions of Broadway shows typically don't have the star power of their New York counterparts. Fine. I don't need to see big name actors, as long as the no-name ones I'm watching are talented enough for their roles.

    But I hate the abbreviated versions of these shows. I want to see as close to the real thing as possible, but as you said, the shows in Vegas seem more like one activity for the evening, whereas on Broadway, the shows are THE activity.

    I also agree that few people in Vegas even realize they're watching abbreviated versions of these shows.
    Check out my poker forum, and weekly internet radio show at http://pokerfraudalert.com

  11. #11
    I miss and mourn the lack of world class talent in the Las Vegas strip show rooms.

    The quality of entertainers has certainly slipped since the last millenium.

    Gone are the rat pack, Carlin, Dangerfiled, and their contemporaries: now we have ... who, exactly?

    Take away the props and for the most part it's all hat and no cattle.

    But it isn't just Las Vegas: the entertainment paradigm itself has shifted.

    They say "life is change."
    What, Me Worry?

  12. #12
    There are still famous headliners in Vegas -- mainly musicians who take up residence at one of the major strip properties.

    I do wish I could go back in time to see some of the old school performers there. I was too young to have seen some of them, and others I just didn't catch before they died.
    Check out my poker forum, and weekly internet radio show at http://pokerfraudalert.com

  13. #13
    Originally Posted by MisterV View Post
    I can understand how a retiree would prefer living in Las Vegas as compared to LA, but what if a person is just starting out and wants to find a good job, settle down, and raise a family in a place with a good quality of life?

    By report the public school system in Las Vegas is among the worst in the US
    Very few people have the luxury of picking a city to live in before finding a job. You find a job first and then do the best you can living where that job is.

  14. #14
    If you're basing life in Vegas on the weather and the shows you're being myopic. Every city has its own weather drawbacks and are you really going to a show seven nights a week?

    What you really want is a place to live that is safe and affordable with easy access to civilization which includes stores, services, products.

    Everything I need is within a 2.5 mile radius of where I live including stores, movies, hospital, even three large casinos and dozens of restaurants and two major shopping malls. I use less than three gallons of gas a week.

    Not everyone will find this to be perfect but in LA it took me 45 minutes to go anywhere.

  15. #15
    there are alot of places to, live in this country other than LA....if LA is the only comparison then i would pick vegas as well if I was at this stage of my life....not working. But if you have a real good paying job in vegas I would hate to be in that position because if things change at your job and you want to make a change or you are forced to make a change.....its harder in vegas than in a major city like SF or LA or NYC.

  16. #16
    Originally Posted by MisterV View Post
    I miss and mourn the lack of world class talent in the Las Vegas strip show rooms.

    The quality of entertainers has certainly slipped since the last millenium.

    Gone are the rat pack, Carlin, Dangerfiled, and their contemporaries: now we have ... who, exactly?

    Take away the props and for the most part it's all hat and no cattle.

    But it isn't just Las Vegas: the entertainment paradigm itself has shifted.

    They say "life is change."
    its seems the "extravaganzas" have replaced individuals partially by design and partially by necessity

  17. #17
    Originally Posted by LarryS View Post
    there are alot of places to, live in this country other than LA....if LA is the only comparison then i would pick vegas as well if I was at this stage of my life....not working. But if you have a real good paying job in vegas I would hate to be in that position because if things change at your job and you want to make a change or you are forced to make a change.....its harder in vegas than in a major city like SF or LA or NYC.
    I thought living in West Kendall, a part of Miami, was the perfect place to live. But I moved from there in 1987 and I'm sure it is not the idyllic place it was. Florida does offer a lot of the advantages of Nevada including no state income tax, low cost of living, and low home prices. But the population boom since 1990 is a problem now. On the flip side the cocaine cowboys aren't shooting up shopping malls or dropping off bodies on street corners now the way they did in the 1980s.

  18. #18
    florida also has beaches and therefore sea breezes in some areas to help with the heat. Also more industry. It also has john patrick which is a selling point, but I am not sure for how much longer.

  19. #19
    Back to the original topic

    I think the internet has something to do in part with individuals acts not beinng a big draw in vegas. Because back in the day, you couldnt at will see Sinatra in concert at home. Now you can pretty much pull up any performer and watch video after video of them.

    with comedians there seems to be a glut of fair or good ones...and no real superstars that can fill a "big room"....EXCEPT FOR SEINFELD.

    I have seen in vegas, Rudner, Carrot top, george wallace, slayton,brenner,louie anderson.....all in smaller type rooms. Only seinfeld was in a large multi thousand seater. Dangerfield and carlin used to fill the large rooms. Eddie murphy did for a short time.Perhaps Pryor as well for a short time. Dice Clay actually filled large arenas for a while. But now there are just a bunch of comics that you can pull up and watch an hour or 2 on the net that are good or average.

    Oh yeah..steven wright played the orleans once i saw him there....its kind of an in between size. Larger than most that i saw the other comics.

    With the internet there isnt the "newness" or the "uniqueness" of seeing someone like sinatra in the day when you only got to see him a couple times a year sing one song on a variety show. So those shows would be packed.( and the rooms werent as big as you might think by todays stadards)

  20. #20
    Yes, the internet allows instant, free access to the type of entertainment that you once had to pay to see in nightclubs.

    But the dearth of top-tier talent is based on another factor, namely: people have many more entertainment options than they once did.

    Look at the decline in old school entertainment activities which has taken place: auto racing is in the shitter (NASCAR is a ghost of its former self, same with Indycar); people don't read books much anymore to amuse themselves; church attendance is down, etc.

    Lots of folks play computer games as well.

    The explosion of i-phones and other such electronic devices and gaming consoles gives the masses to ability to achieve immediate gratification at little or no cost, so there is less demand for and less money to pay for top-tier entertainers anymore.

    We continue to evolve ...
    What, Me Worry?

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Is there a reason to take all GGWU points as free play?
    By Alan Mendelson in forum Total Rewards and MLife
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-26-2016, 01:25 AM
  2. Replies: 2
    Last Post: 09-23-2013, 12:56 PM
  3. What's the reason for building credits on vp?
    By slingshot in forum Las Vegas
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 08-21-2013, 05:11 PM
  4. Replies: 23
    Last Post: 04-07-2013, 03:26 PM
  5. Do we really need to watch live TV anymore?
    By Alan Mendelson in forum Movies, Media, and Television
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 10-27-2011, 01:01 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •