Reds fans in Vegas?

[Cant Touch This]

After a whopping three days to consider this transfer, I am moving from mid-Michigan to Las Vegas this summer. Before living in Michigan, we lived in Madeira (OH) until the Fall of 2002 when we moved northwest of Ann Arbor.

I am wondering if any of you readers currently live, used to live, or know much about the area. Of course, I will have time to house hunt, etc. - but insiders always know best. I have three kids (7, 4, and 1) so we will definitely be looking for a "family-friendly" community.

Neither my wife nor I have ever lived west of Ohio so there is an expected level of anxiety involved - but also a lot of excitement.

Any words of wisdom or even the obligatory "Vegas, baby" are welcome. I am looking forward to watching many Reds games at my choice of Sportsbooks!

[creek14]

Really take some time to check out the schools. There are a lot of transients who live there and their kids don't speak English and I guess they have to bring the classes down to a level where they aren't totally left behind. At least that's what a friend of ours said - and she was a teacher and then a principal out there. I can ask her what schools are best, if you'd like?

[Redsland]

I know someone who would know. Try e-mailing him:

pete@hitking.com





:)

[Cant Touch This]

Thanks, Creek. Any inside information would be helpful, I'm sure. I'll keep my eye out for Peter Edward, too...;)

[RBA]

Las Vegas is getting pretty spread out. Do you want a long commute? Summerlin area seems like the place growing the fastest. (Nortwest Area)

[remdog]

I spent a weekend in December checking out L.V. in preparation for possible 'career progression'. My situation is pretty much 180 degrees from yours CTT (single, no kids) but I'll pass on some of my thoughts.

First of all, personally, I have very little interest in casinos and 'The Strip'; I'm looking for a 'normal' lifestyle, i.e., comfortable/affordable abode, nearby shopping, parks, tennis courts, restaurants, libraries, etc. So, for two days in December, that's what I was looking to see if I could find.

As RBA said, Summerlin is growing rapidly. It is sort of the the 'Beverly Hills' of L.V. Visually, it reminds me of Palm Springs with close up mountains as a backdrop. I worked some events out there (TPA Championship) and enjoyed the area. Any gambling/casinos activity is very low key. It seems to be an area that is pretty family oriented.

South of the city center I looked at Green Valley/Henerdson. Less expensive than Summerlin but still nice/normal. A very nice shopping area called 'The District' abutts the Green Valley Resort but they seemed to fit together nicely. The mall is open air with its' own streets and a lot of upscale shops but with stores and restaurants that would seem to interest kids too. Above the shops they've built apartments to attract a full-time population and build a neighborhood. On the ground level, a cineplex is located in the Green Valley Resort but, if you don't take the esculator up, you would never know a casino exists there.

I went to a very nice Italian restaurant in Henderson the Saturday night I was there and the food was good, there were families there and the only talk I heard about gambling was two guys talking about betting $10 on one of the football games that weekend.

Houseing in the area was 'inexpensive' from my standpoint but please remember that I live in Newport Beach, Ca so...... :) There did seem to be a good selection of homes/ condos/ apartments available. You can checkout the classified ads at www.lasvegasnewspapers.com.

On a baseball note, Cashman Field is a newer AAA stadium and appears to be very nice. I've worked a couple of events in the convention center that is attached to it but there was never a game scheduled while I was there so my impression is from walking around the stadium while it was empty. Looks like a good take place to take the family for a ballgame (although I have to wonder how comfortable it is in an outdoor stadium in July when the nighttime temp is 97* and the heat from the day is just radiating off the rock that makes up the high-desert floor.)

There are several posters here that actually live in L.V. If they see your post I'm sure they'll give you even better info (which I will be interested in also).

Rem

[Cant Touch This]

REM - Thanks for your observations. Sorry I didn't see your post sooner. I am headed to Las Vegas a week from today (2/7) for a week which will give me time to scout some areas. Summerlin and Green Valley are far and away the most talked about areas to raise families, so I'm sure my travels will put me in both communities next week.

I spend about a week every year in Palm Springs and love it there. If Summerlin is anything like P.S., then I may have to come up with some extra ching to move there...!

The AAA park sounds great as I love to watch minor league baseball and so does my son.

[remdog]

Have a good trip, CTT---I'll be interested in your observations.

BTW, The Strip had snow a couple weeks ago (a once a decade type thing) so don't get rid of your heavy coats if you make the leap. :)

Rem

[RBA]

Have fun in Vegas. If things don't work out there, Idaho is always a great place to hide out in.

[Cant Touch This]

I've been to Idaho. I was in Spokane for a few days so I drove across the border and then turned around and came back. I just wanted to be able to say I've been to Idaho.

I've spent a massive amount of time researching homes and communities in Vegas the past three weeks. It's been enlightening -- I'm really looking forward to seeing some of them in person next week.

Meanwhile, it seems that every station and its sister are airing shows about Vegas and its debauchery - and they all come on while my wife is in the room. Seemingly, she doesn't appreciate those shows...

[RBA]

Las Vegas slogan "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas."

[creek14]

Hey Can't - check your PM's.

[remdog]

Hey CTT, care to post your observations? Or, alternatively, send me a PM with your observations.

Rem

[Blimpie]

Meanwhile, it seems that every station and its sister are airing shows about Vegas and its debauchery - and they all come on while my wife is in the room. Seemingly, she doesn't appreciate those shows...Let your wife know that those people on C.S.I. aren't real! Good luck man--I hear it is awfully exciting out there around NCAA Tourney time (if you are into that sorta thing :mhcky21: )