Expert: Richard Reed - 5/24/2006

Question
Hi,

My girlfriend and I are considering moving out to Vegas from Minneapolis and are curious what you would describe life like living on the strip. Obviously gmbling, drinking, and no sleep. I know I have been there before. I am in the Audio Visual industry and my GF is a very sucessful hair stylist. We both agree that moving to Vegas could be an oportunity to further our careers as we feel Vegas is all about entertainment. We plan on moving close to the strip and attemping to work at one of the hotels. What is your opinion of my Vegas assumptions? Is it easy to get a job at a hotel on the strip and how well are the workers paid. And is life on the strip liveable or riddled with crime?

Thank you

AJ  

Answer
Thank you for the question.  Remember the old saying, don't shoot the messenger, well this is the real story of Las Vegas.  I have been in Vegas for 34 years, I am single and we are out in the hot spots nightly.  I live less than 2 1/2 blocks from the Strip.  Vegas has 3,000,000 people a month visit and it is the most searched city name of all cities in the world. . . why, because everyone is going to come here and strike it rich.  

My friend runs the hair salon at the Bellagio.... he told me one time they had 1,500 people apply for hair stylist positions.  So getting a job in a good casino/hotel is very very difficult, even if you are good in your trade.  

With regards to crime, there is very little around the Strip because Metro police do a great job of policing the area.  

The other aspect you need to consider is cost of living near the Strip.  It is not a low cost area, whereas some of the outer areas of Vegas is very reasonably priced.  The high rise condo I live in does not have any open units, however across the street from me they are building new condos and the smallest unit is 550 square feet and has a minimum price of $540,000.00, with an $895 a month association dues.  So you can see, living on or near the Strip is not for shallow pockets.

Now that I may have upset your dream, I will tell you this... This is still the last city in the world that you can make it big if you are great at what you do and you are disciplined.  Many fortunes are made in Vegas, and most of them are lost in Vegas also, but a few do quite well.  I hope you are one of the successful ones.
Best of Luck.
Respectfully
Richard Reed
Insider Viewpoint of Las Vegas
http://www.insidervlv.com
vegas@insidervlv.com