Moving to Las Vegas

[gomerpyledc]

Hi guys, I'm not completely sure if this is the correct forum to ask this. I'm thinking of moving to Las Vegas to start playing professionally but I need some advice on where to look for housing (i.e. what part of the city/neighberhoods are safe or worth the price). Maybe it crazy to think this, but are there perhaps apartments of poker players looking for roommates etc? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Larry David]

You will find roommates easy enough once you're a regular at a casino. There will be other people your age starting out staying in something like a Budget Suites or at the hotels, that is looking to now move in an apartment. If you have a car, there are tons of living complexes in Henderson which is where I am currently staying for very cheap. My roommate and I each spend $425 a month on rent for a good, spacious place. I have also been offered to move into nicer homes more recently closer to the strip. I am probably leaving Las Vegas soon anyway for other plans, but just letting you know my story.

[TheMetetron]

Look for something in either Green Valley or Summerlin.

I'm moving there in a month or two into a 1 bedroom apartment for about $900/mo.

I've briefly considered getting a roommate, but probably not unless I knew the person (especially if they are a poker player for a living). If they were a dealer or valet or something, I'd be more inclined to believe they could afford the place.

[tek]

Mat, we need an "I'm moving to Vegas" forum /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[bav]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi guys, I'm not completely sure if this is the correct forum to ask this. I'm thinking of moving to Las Vegas to start playing professionally but I need some advice on where to look for housing (i.e. what part of the city/neighberhoods are safe or worth the price).

[/ QUOTE ]

There are several web sites out there with apartment reviews. I've noticed many of them are filled with "my apartment was broken into twice last year, and my 1992 Chevy was broken into 3 times even though there's nothing in there to steal" stories. Doesn't leave a person with warm fuzzy feelings.

The closer to the strip or (shudder) downtown you are, the more numerous those stories seemed to be. But I've talked to several folks who live in apartments within walking distance of the strip who've never had problems, so YMMV.

I settled on a house just north of Green Valley and in the last year the only "crime" I've noticed was a little graffiti spray painted on a utility box on our block. The commute to the strip is about 15 minutes (less if the lights are mostly green and traffic is light).

[Brudder Andrusha]

I settled on a house just north of Green Valley and in the last year the only "crime" I've noticed was a little graffiti spray painted on a utility box on our block.

Looks like a job for CSI to prove correctly...

[pipster]

I am doing the same thing in March, from my research housing is fairly reasonable (I am from Atlanta so YMMV) at around 800-1100 for a 2 bedroom apartment. It seems closer to the strip is more expensive, and more dangerous (unless you get into one of the nice secured complexes). All the advice so far in this thread is good Henderson, Green Valley, Summerlin. I am leaning towards Henderson because I know some people in that area.

My plan is to find something cheap until I get settled in and get to know the area. Either a furnished room, furnished month to month apartment, or extra room at a friends (obviously my preference if his wife will allow it. She thinks you can't win playing poker ever).

When are you heading out there? PM me, I would love to hear your plan and compare it to mine... maybe we can work out some way to help each other.
[ QUOTE ]
Hi guys, I'm not completely sure if this is the correct forum to ask this. I'm thinking of moving to Las Vegas to start playing professionally but I need some advice on where to look for housing (i.e. what part of the city/neighberhoods are safe or worth the price). Maybe it crazy to think this, but are there perhaps apartments of poker players looking for roommates etc? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[/ QUOTE ]

[Larry David]

You guys need to all get together and buy/rent a house or luxury condo from me.

[A_C_Slater]

minor hijack:

Would it be better to move to Vegas or California for professional live poker play? And why would one be better than the other?

[TheMetetron]

[ QUOTE ]
minor hijack:

Would it be better to move to Vegas or California for professional live poker play? And why would one be better than the other?

[/ QUOTE ]

Live play? California.

Online? Depends where you want to live. For now, I like keeping an extra 9.3% of my wages and screwing tourists.

[NotMitch]

[ QUOTE ]
You guys need to all get together and buy/rent a house or luxury condo from me.

[/ QUOTE ]

How much does $300,000 get you for a house/condo in Vegas? Im starting to look into buying something and since I cant afford anything here Vegas seems like a good alternative.

[TheMetetron]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You guys need to all get together and buy/rent a house or luxury condo from me.

[/ QUOTE ]

How much does $300,000 get you for a house/condo in Vegas? Im starting to look into buying something and since I cant afford anything here Vegas seems like a good alternative.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not much.

Maybe a small 2 bedroom or a 3bedroom in a crappy location. I'd want $400k to buy a decent house there.

[Larry David]

High 3's to low 4's for something decent.

[pipster]

Are the games really better for mid-high limit in California? I am sure once you factor in cost of living and taxes Vegas would be a better choice, but pure game selection California is better? Hmmmm

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
minor hijack:

Would it be better to move to Vegas or California for professional live poker play? And why would one be better than the other?

[/ QUOTE ]

Live play? California.

Online? Depends where you want to live. For now, I like keeping an extra 9.3% of my wages and screwing tourists.

[/ QUOTE ]

[pipster]

Not to completely hijacked this hijacked thread... but how does buying a house/renting a condo/etc work when you have no documented income (aka a poker pro or even a dealer working for tips mainly)?

[ QUOTE ]
You guys need to all get together and buy/rent a house or luxury condo from me.

[/ QUOTE ]

[bav]

[ QUOTE ]
Not to completely hijacked this hijacked thread... but how does buying a house/renting a condo/etc work when you have no documented income (aka a poker pro or even a dealer working for tips mainly)?


[/ QUOTE ]

What's not documented about it? You DO report all of your income to the government, don't you? Tips and gambling income? If so, you show your 1040 to the bank along withe the last two or three monthly bank statements which should show money coming in and expenses going out. The loan officer snaps to attention and says "yes sir, that $200K poker income you show each of the last 3 years will do nicely".

A year or two ago I happened on a letter written to a financial columnist asking almost the same thing. It was something like "my husband makes over $80,000/yr but about $50,000 of that is tips so we don't report it--now the bank won't give us a loan and I don't think this is fair."

That couple needs to pray the bank doesn't report 'em to the IRS for coming in claiming to have $50,000/yr in unreported income. If you're cheating me, the honest taxpayer, by not reporting your actual income, I'm not really too worried about how you can document said unreported income so you can get a mortgage.

[pipster]

That actually makes a lot of sense... no paycheck stubs/W-2's from the employer. But you are paying uncle sam for the money you made, the mortgage company will believe you as well as uncle sam did.

No documented income = no taxes = no loan. Presto chango.
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Not to completely hijacked this hijacked thread... but how does buying a house/renting a condo/etc work when you have no documented income (aka a poker pro or even a dealer working for tips mainly)?


[/ QUOTE ]

What's not documented about it? You DO report all of your income to the government, don't you? Tips and gambling income? If so, you show your 1040 to the bank along withe the last two or three monthly bank statements which should show money coming in and expenses going out. The loan officer snaps to attention and says "yes sir, that $200K poker income you show each of the last 3 years will do nicely".

A year or two ago I happened on a letter written to a financial columnist asking almost the same thing. It was something like "my husband makes over $80,000/yr but about $50,000 of that is tips so we don't report it--now the bank won't give us a loan and I don't think this is fair."

That couple needs to pray the bank doesn't report 'em to the IRS for coming in claiming to have $50,000/yr in unreported income. If you're cheating me, the honest taxpayer, by not reporting your actual income, I'm not really too worried about how you can document said unreported income so you can get a mortgage.

[/ QUOTE ]

[MrMon]

There is such a thing as a "no doc" loan, but you'll pay through the nose for it. Don't ask me how it works, I just know they exist.

Also, the more you put down, the more likely it is you'll get the loan. Put down 50% on anything, the bank will jump at the chance to finance you, documented or not. You default, they have very little risk.

[Larry David]

[ QUOTE ]
Not to completely hijacked this hijacked thread... but how does buying a house/renting a condo/etc work when you have no documented income (aka a poker pro or even a dealer working for tips mainly)?

[ QUOTE ]
You guys need to all get together and buy/rent a house or luxury condo from me.

[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm going to be assuming my clients don't practice tax evasion which should solve this problem simply enough.

[Christmas Steve]

A great way to look for apartments, roommates, and even temporary/sublet housing is on the craigslist.org website:

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/

It's free to post ads and to respond to them. Posting ads is completely anonymous, unless you choose to reveal any personal info. On the other hand, be careful if you dive into the Personals section, as YMMV...

In fact, you can use the craigslist pages for other major cities if you decide to locate in NoCal or SoCal instead of LV for your live play.

Good luck to you, and finish off this thread by letting us know what you end up doing.

[Matt Williams]

<hijack>

You are going to look pretty silly with a name like Christmas Steve in July.

[BigPoppa99]

Was looking at some apartment complex's in the Henderson area. Was actually looking through the listings on apartments.com and saw some of the Camdem Properties. Any one live in one or know about it?

[TheMetetron]

I considered moving into camden fairways. Was just too overpriced for what it was though IMO.

I can give you some recommendations via PM if you want since I just went through this process.

[TheMetetron]

[ QUOTE ]
Was looking at some apartment complex's in the Henderson area. Was actually looking through the listings on apartments.com and saw some of the Camdem Properties. Any one live in one or know about it?

[/ QUOTE ]

After receiving your PM, there is no way you could have moved into Camden Fairways on your $900/mo budget.

[BigPoppa99]

I actually was not only looking at the fairways properties but all of them. There were 4 different camdem properties I was looking at. Legends, Pallisades, Fairway, and Commons. It was 900 for rent only.

Thanks again

[TheMetetron]

[ QUOTE ]
I actually was not only looking at the fairways properties but all of them. There were 4 different camdem properties I was looking at. Legends, Pallisades, Fairway, and Commons. It was 900 for rent only.

Thanks again

[/ QUOTE ]

Hint: They tack on all sorts of crap. Water/trash, as well as more $$$ for views, upstairs, etc. And there isn't a lot availab,e hence, not much choice.

Also, Legends is a senior community. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[SenecaJim]

[/ QUOTE ]


Also, Legends is a senior community. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

So this is where you're finding all those tourists to bang? /images/graemlins/smile.gif