Living in Las Vegas
05-05-2014, 11:24 PM
Dude, Vegas is near impossible without a car. The only way local transit would work out is if you were lucky and lived on a good bus line.
It's pretty hard for me to judge how nightlife is off the strip for someone who doesn't have a lot of "ins." For me it's amazing, but we do lots of good house parties and local spots, and I have a blast, but a lot of the reason has to do with who I'm with. I grew up in Vegas so when I go back home I don't have to plan anything, my friends always have cool stuff going on. If you aren't local I don't really know how it is to find the good local spots. If you meet the right people, Vegas can be a fucking blast, but in a totally different way than people who go for a bachelor party know of. Also, the downtown area is becoming pretty cool. More bars and lounges, not really many clubs, but I was impressed when I went back. It is a little hipster, but shit, where aren't hipsters taking over anymore? Another fun spot is town square. There are a few good bars in that area. Most other stuff outside of the strip, town square, or downtown is spread out all around town, and logistics suck. Most of my friends just drink and drive, which I'm against and don't do period, but it's very hard to avoid in Vegas if you don't live by the strip, and cabs are expensive. A cab from where I normally am to the strip is right around $50, but to be fair I'm kind of on the outskirts of the valley. Spring valley isn't a terrible location. Depending on where in spring valley you're probably looking at a $15-20 cab from the strip. From downtown maybe $25-30 if I had to guess.
Regarding high season, it's also hard for me to tell, as I moved away before I turned 21. I moved back for 6 months after I turned 21 but I had no wheels (and like I said, it was nearly impossible to do anything, especially because of my location). Even when I do go home now I rarely go to clubs on the strip.
I'm pretty torn at the moment on whether to move back to Vegas or Miami. The way I see it, here's how I'd break down the difference between the two for me personally.
- Vegas I have closer and funner friends all around. Seriously, I haven't met a group of people that are so fun/wild/crazy as my vegas friends. Also, my best friend in Miami moved away. A lot of what made miami nightlife great involved this kid. I'm sure I'd be able to figure it out, and still have plenty of good friends, but to be honest, Miami isn't the easiest place to meet people. People are mad flakey and let's face it, Miami is one of the most superficial places on earth. Not saying I'm above all that, or that my friends in Vegas aren't a bit superficial either, but I already have all I need friend-wise in Vegas. When G talks about people getting eaten by the sharks in Miami, well in Vegas, my group of friends ARE the sharks. In Miami I have pretty good "ins," but Vegas I can't be phased! If you want to know what's going on that night in Vegas, we're what's going on! I'm starting to get passed that phase in my life though. When I go back to vegas I have trouble keeping up with my friends. My hang overs are so bad these days, that unless something really worth it is going on, I'd rather just save my money and do something else instead of go out and get obliterated. My friends in Vegas will literally drink all weekend, from the time they get off on Friday to the time they go to bed Sunday. They are alright during the week though.
- Regarding women, Miami wins HANDS DOWN! Vegas isn't bad at all, but Miami is THE BEST (at least in the states). I'm huge into Latinas and Vegas comes up way short, with too many fat Mexicans.
- For work, Vegas wins. I'd be making mad money, but Miami still isn't bad and I think Miami would be easier for me to focus on my long term goals better. Vegas I'd be making bank but stuck at a job working 40 hours a week. But it's also much easier to save money in Vegas as it is MUCH cheaper than Miami.
- Vegas weather SUCKS, Miami is nice most of the year, and even in the summer, Miami wins over Vegas, at least for me.
-Miami terrain is WAY more my style. The desert is basically my least favorite place to live and the ocean is my favorite. Miami wins here by a long shot.
- For food Miami wins for me just because it has more selection in general, though Vegas is close behind.
- Miami, way easier access for traveling to virtually anywhere else internationally. The only one ups vegas has are Australia and Asia, which neither I'm very interested in.
Another big deciding factor though is I think I'd be able to focus more on my goals in Miami. In Vegas I feel like id work, and then get distracted and go out and rage with my friends when I had free time. Seriously, these guys are fucking maniacs!
Don't know how that got into a big Miami vs vegas sheet, but if you're familiar with Miami that may help.