Have to Learn the Hard Way?
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3/29/2010
I just found this site and am so relieved to have done so! I have lived in Las Vegas after relocating from beautiful Phoenix a year and a half ago. In Phoenix/Scottsdale I was a Bodyworker, Yoga Guide, etc. I moved here to expand my business through the major resorts so I could spend more time with my then 3 year old who has ailments and is often in hospital or ill. I was losing money in Arizona that was difficult to recover due to my child's long illnesses. I thought coming to a 24 hour city would help my bottom line and permit me to maintain my dedicated role as a mom. I couldn't have been further from reality in thinking this...and expecting this as a solution.
What I found instead is there lies a terrible desire to take advantage of those who are unaware of the real truth that exists in Las Vegas. It is truly weird to be in a place where everyone who is not in a hub or can be identified as being such becomes a part of the food chain in zombies eating humans kinda way. It really is like being in a horrible nightmare or ghoul and gobblin movie!!
Here is a contrast so as to have a fair understanding of what I'm talking about: I am 44 currently, with a five year old child. I also have a 21 year old son who moved here last May/June. I am an entreprenuer having raised 2 children to full adulthood with an above middle class lifestyle I supported alone. When I had my youngest child, I relocated here for the reasons mentioned above. Other things motivated me as well, none having to do with the Sin City lifestyle as I don't drink, party or gamble...just work and take care of my child.
I relocated here, stayed in an upscale, business hotel for safety, security and health accomodations of my small child. I did plenty of research on my computer and saw signs at that stage I thought due to the economy (2008, a very bad year). I found a place after two months plus of searching daily (thought I'd be in the hotel for no more than two weeks), accepted a contract and moved in. This was where the nightmare began. I won't give many details, but will say when people are accomodating in Las Vegas it is not due to professionalism. Many people warned me of this as I made my way to the state and during my time in the hotel (a very bubble-safe state to exist in, which is why many visitors don't understand that Las Vegas is only a place to visit or work if that work ties you to a casino). I just didn't get it. This is not a place to "start over again" or "get back on your feet" by good ole fashioned hard work and dedication! It is a place to become disinfranchised about your dreams, especially if you can't even protect a small child from harm.
After spending two and a half months paying upwards of $250 per night costs of hotel, my child and I moved to the superb of Lake Las Vegas. I quickly found out what a huge slot machine all of Las Vegas is. People here literally want to rob you of all you have both morally, socially and economically if you don't have a hub to protect you (mob mentality???). Once it is seen you are alone EVERYONE (not kidding here with the generalization which includes those in a position to help and professionals whose decrees should prevent this) will use whatever position they have to take advantage of you. I finally wised up, moved out of the beautiful, safe, brand new neighborhood (a resort community whose many part time residents would sometimes arrive to find moving vans had pulled up, used the realtor's key to access, and hauled off their property contents of upscale furnishings and possessions) after finding out the licensed realtor representing the place purposefully leased me a contaminated, foreclosure. My money disappeared and the Realtor's Board could do very little about it. A dominoe effect of many, many hospital visits (Don't even get me started on the fact your average visit to an emergency room will result in many, many tests with no hospital admission where hospital admission is necessary. Like in the scenario with my small child), another hotel stay and luckily finally connecting with an angel (no, not from or living in Las Vegas) who helped us find a safe place to live. I consider myself, blessed and fortunate. Nevertheless, I want out (I found this site when searching for deep demographics on Austin, TX as I here it is very family friendly, but I may go to a rental in Colleyville, TX which is where my sites were set pre-Vegas. So any feedback on these two places would be helpful).
My 21 year old, on the other hand, he did it the right way. He came to Las Vegas at my request with hopes of an opportunity to make a fresh start. And fresh start he has because he's young, unattached, hard worker and able to easily integrate. He found a job in auto sales with same day work upon arrival. He's the youngest sales person on staff. He's number three in his store. Not willing to live by Mom's rules (at 21 who is) after a few months of needed support, he found a place down the way with a security gate and other youngsters of his demographic. He parties nightly, works 12 to 16 hour days and has little need to think about anything more than minding the size of his bank account and the many blings of materialism he can now afford. Bingo, that's the action in Vegas if you can be either very young or very old. If you need to think about the IMPACT of lifestyle, are a woman with responsibility or want a better lifestyle than a 900 square foot condo, better watch out!
Oh, before I go as I could write a book on this stuff, I'd like to mention the attitude towards women here. This a sdrawkcab (backwards) society with the morality rating of Sodom and Gomorrah! I am a Bodyworker who has struggeled financially because not being able to be tied in to a hub like my son (He works, plays and hangs with his co-workers and has no need for any outside influences. I tell him constantly how lucky he is. My son has picked up on the attitude of not working with or trusting anyone outside of his hub, including me, the woman who helped him get there) I've relied 99% on myself. I've closed off trying to connect with associates in my field because many have turned to the oldest profession as people don't respect education, training or background here. I am constantly pressured to cave in as well. I even stopped going outside because if you are a woman walking down the street alone OR with my child, men drive by soliciting you OPENLY! This has happened from Summerlin to my little condo outside of Summerlin. If you cannot get in with a hub (mob mentality???) to protect you and your status, it is open season! This is the way it is all over the world, not just Sin City as there is safety (representation) in numbers. What is different here is that a person doesn't usually become fodder for the natives like being overtaken in a zombie film!
Eventhough I am down, it was my choice to come here. And with bad comes good...if you let it. So at least I have used my confinement to strategically think to reinvent myself into a more positive scenario. Life is what you choose it to be. I chose Vegas, but I don't have to let that choice cripple me. So I am in search of a more family oriented city because my baby needs good schools, which they don't have here unless you pay for private schools which I'm willing to do, but not with all the negatives stacked against me. I want a more entreprenuerially spirited place.
I only write these things because I hope those with an option can hear what I did not when people who actually lived here would tell me over the Inernet not to trust anyone. I thought using professional services would help, but the smash and grab mentality of Las Vegas rots through to the core! Make sure you are well represented from where you choose to live to what store to buy from because here natives cloak up in many guises from hotel managers to auto repair techs. BEWARE they are like trolls transformed into LOOKING like Prince(cess) Charming, but the environs of Las Vegas will never leave their ugly little spirits. EVER! They take great joy and pride in robbing whomever they think is in position to be taken advantage of AND I think they have a "get back at the outsider's" (non-natives) mentality. I could go on but I won't as I know I deserve better and realize most here either accept or they leave. Two months of trying to be a "native" I was told if I don't like it to just LEAVE! That, in lieu of having my rights of citizenship honored. That was from a state representative, lol! Guess what, I'm finally taking their advice. After all, I am an AMERICAN citizen and will take my right to live wherever the he*% I choose in these 50 United States. Just hope my desire to not give up keeps me from choosing another "Vegas". I'll take the blame, I just don't have the moxie to live here. Cause there is absolutely nothing wrong with hurting small children, robbing the goodness of folks or being more than a casino zombie for the man, lol! Las Vegas! They aren't kidding when they say, "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas"! It really shouldn't, someone ought to expose this abominative bull!!!
Nicole | Las Vegas, NV