After living in Las Vegas for only 19 months I still have a few tips and facts I feel anyone visiting or living in the valley should know. 

First of all, don’t let them fool you; dry heat is still HOT. 115 degrees is not comfortable, under any circumstance, so find something to do indoors. Drink lots of water, but don’t drink the water. There is a reason why on every corner, at every grocery store and gas station, there is a self-service machine to fill jugs with filtered water for 25 cents per gallon. Save your quarters, you will need them. 

It does not rain here very often, but when it does, it pours. Drivers have to use extra caution because the oils that build up on the roads when it is dry, turn to something resembling ice in the rain. There are billboards and TV ads telling drivers not to drive through water over the street. This is a valley, after all, and the water from the hills around us flows to us, even if it isn’t raining where we are. Many improvements have been made in the last decade to improve the flow of water, or hold it to slow the flow to Lake Mead . I have been here for two monsoon seasons, and haven’t seen a monsoon yet. Certainly I will see one someday. If you are here during the summer months, just be aware that conditions can change quickly, and you want to know what to do.

Growth has been good and bad for the Las Vegas area. It has created a lot of jobs in construction as well as the service industry. But it is having a difficult time keeping up with the unchecked population growth. Many services are sorely lacking. There is a dire need for quality medical care. New hospitals are being built but can’t be staffed, especially by Registered Nurses. It can take a long time to see a specialist because there are not enough of them.  There is also a dire need in the valley for school teachers.

It is easy to navigate this city, but study and carry a map. Avoid so-called freeways and, except in the early morning hours, avoid the strip at all costs. Have an alternate route to any destination because accidents are prevalent and cause major backups. Eastern and Rainbow are good North-South routes away from the strip. And along the I-15 corridor, Dean Martin (aka Industrial) is an excellent alternative, as is Koval which runs parallel to the strip from the Tropicana as far North as the Wynn. There is a new exit from I-15 at South Point Casino, which is perfect for getting on Silverado Ranch Blvd. which will take you East as far as Eastern Ave. You can also get on Dean Martin from here if the Interstate is not moving well Northbound. From Dean Martin you can get on East-West routes such as Tropicana, Flamingo, and Sahara. Observe all school zone speed limits and be aware that several schools are open year-round.

Pedestrians are urged to use special care, especially on the strip. You are basically invisible. No, I did not say invincible! Pease obey the walk / don’t walk signs and cross only at intersections. Speed limits are rather high on wide roads in most areas, and jay-walking can be deadly, which is why you could get a ticket for doing so.

By the way, CSI has it wrong. It is LVMPD, not LVPD. The “M” stands for Metropolitan. The metropolitan area of Las Vegas is rather vast. There is a shortage of police in the valley, and they are always recruiting. One crime which gets a lot of attention is vehicle theft and break-ins. Always lock your vehicle, and keep anything of value in the trunk, or out of view.

This IS Sin City , and there are many “Gentlemen’s Clubs” and adult book stores, although most of them are off the strip. Be advised, though, prostitution is NOT legal in Las Vegas . Also, Sex Offenders will not find a haven here. Laws and the LVMPD website make it very difficult to hide.

Not unlike other major cities, there are those who will try to take advantage of you. Another cliché that holds true: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The "free" shows being offered up and down the strip require attendance of a Time-Share sales pitch, which will occupy a few hours of your vacation. I will leave it up to you if it is worth it. Same-day, half-price show tickets at several outlets are generally, but not necessarily a good deal. Coupons are plentiful in the many magazines for tourists. 2-for-1 offers are the same as half price, but read the fine print. There may be a drink minimum, or other stipulations.

Despite some negativity you may have sensed above, I love living in Las Vegas. I am not rich, and I probably won't get rich here, but I survive as well as I did in Seattle, Denver, Jacksonville, Houston, and any of the many East Coast cities in which I have lived. Sunshine never gets old. When it does rain, it is enjoyable to sit out on the balcony and watch and listen to the rain, lightening, and thunder.

I was lucky enough, though patience was required, to get a good (albeit low-paying) job at The Orlean's, a Boyd Casino. I enjoy my job, and the management has been very friendly and helpful. My first job ( I will not name the employer) paid better, but the working conditions were horrible. Also, I had to make two flights at my own expense to get the job. First for the interview, then for the background check. While I am on the subject of employment, be sure to check out my page on tips on getting a job in Las Vegas, with quick links to many employers.

UPDATE: Jan 08 - I have since been terminated (Nov. 16, 2007) from the Orlean's after running out of Leave of Absence.  I have a condition called Symptomatic Torsion Dystonia (The word torsion is used in reference to the twisting element of dystonia. It describes muscles contracting against each other.)   It has started to act like Parkinson's, although the tremors in my back make it impossible to walk, or even stand for more than a few seconds.  I am on Short-Term Disability until Feb 10, yet I have been unable to work since early October.  Long Term Disability was denied due to a preexisting condition.  Since my first visit to the Doctor in Las Vegas, not one thing has been done to help with the pain, the tremors, the depression and anxiety, or to find a way to get me able to work. If you have a chronic illness, especially Neurological, DO NOT move to Las Vegas unless you have insurance or money which will let you go to L.A. for treatment.  There are virtually no Movement Disorder Specialists in the Valley, and the few that exist are too overwhelmed to give satisfactory treatment, especially if you are in a rush...

UPDATE: MARCH 08 - I no longer have a Neurologist, as his only plan of action since I first met him, was Botox.  As it turns out, and the Doctor knew this whole time, Botox is not FDA-approved for the Lumbar region of the back, so my insurance said no.  I got a referral to Pain Management, and, as instructed, I called them 5 days later to make an appointment.  I was told the doctor was reviewing for  my referral for relevance.  Call back in 3 to 5 business days.  I am not dealing with a bank here!!! They denied the Botox, and won't give me Narcotics because with all my other meds it could slow my respiration too much.  What is there to review?

UPDATE: JULY 08 - Got a new Neurologist, am now going through the exact same process as in March.  This time, though, I am told Health Plan of Nevada DOES NOT HAVE Pain Management which deals with movement disorders anywhere in Las Vegas.  Have been told they will find one out of their Network.  Will believe it when I see it.  The referral was in May.  Fortunately, since I am still unemployable, Social Security did come through with my Disability.  And it only took three months!  Amazing.    

 I am quickly becoming a strong advocate of the American's With Disabilities Act, as I encounter one obstacle after another trying to get around on buses, sidewalks, doors to businesses, etc.  Not to mention, a great many people go out of their way to avoid a person in a wheelchair or a scooter.  I have had people let very heavy doors, that pull to open, close right in front of me.  There are those considerate people that don't park in handicap spots when they don't need it, and that will hold a door that is supposed to open automatically, or businesses that actually have counters that I can reach, where I can actually see the person to whom I am trying to speak.  To those of you (and you who know who you are), Thank You.

Gambling is not the only thing to do in Vegas. A hobby (you can guess mine) is good to have. There are many free things to do in this town, although you will probably have to enter a casino. There are massive aquariums, wildlife, beautiful gardens, and even parts of the brand new Springs Preserve (the birthplace of Las Vegas) are free. There is a lot of history here, and don't miss the opportunity to see Hoover Dam and Boulder City. Of course, there is every kind of entertainment, for any taste. There are shows and concerts every day.  If gambling becomes a problem for you, seek help sooner rather than later.  Call 1-800-522-4700.  Gamble with your head, not over it.