Living in a tourist destination means you're frequently expected to provide answers to visitors...with zero information to go on...
This is a work of opinion and humor. If it doesn’t apply to your situation….fantastic! For Part One of this article, visit here.
Earlier this week, I encountered a message posted on a Vegas fan group. It was a seemingly innocuous question, but the ramifications were anything but. The person asked, "What is the best place to live in Las Vegas?". Simple, right? Well....yes. Simple-minded.
The reason for my reaction should be obvious: how can anyone, especially strangers on a Facebook group, provide answers on what is best for you? We don't know what you do for a living, your economic status, whether you have children or a spouse, or your tastes. Nobody but you has details on how you want to spend your free time, whether you have pets that will need outdoor recreation, etc.
The list goes on and on about what makes a person's life unique. Nevertheless, as Vegas locals (i.e. "authorities"), we are constantly asked extremely vague questions by those who are planning to either visit or relocate. However we answer, we face their wrath if they follow our advice...with unsatisfying results.
If you want answers, provide a list of your requirements and expectations, please. Here's what we mean:
What hotel should I stay in?
How the bloody Hell does anyone know where you should stay besides you? Where have you stayed in the city before? What activities are on your schedule? Do you want to stay on the Strip, Downtown, or the surrounding areas? What is your daily budget? Do you want to stay someplace new/fancy, or one of the historic resorts? What amenities (pools, nightclubs, spa/salon, pet-friendly, business center) do you expect to use?
Now that you've given some information, you're just getting started. Are you traveling alone or with a family/romantic partner? Will you have a car? If not, you may want to be along the monorail route or near public transportation. Do you have tickets to a sporting event or show? All of these details factor into your choice of destination. So don't just ask "Where should I stay?". It's a stupid and meaningless question.
What show(s) should I see?
Another common question. It's not so absurd if asked by a person whom you know well, like a friend or relative...someone familiar with your interests. But people lay that incredibly pointless question on strangers.
Here's the proper way to get advice on entertainment:
I enjoy rock tributes. Which have you seen and would you recommend a certain one?
Would I get more bang for my buck from Criss Angel or David Copperfield?
Which Spiegelworld show is more acrobatics than jokes?
Am I more likely to get audience attention from Chippendales or Thunder From Down Under?
Do you have to be a big Beatles fan to enjoy Cirque du Soleil's LOVE?
What is YOUR favorite show...and why?
See how different it is to ask a question that provides vital information? It's not that difficult. "What show should I see?" when there are over one hundred playing every single night is a VERY DUMB QUESTION.
What restaurants should I eat at?
Dude, seriously! What do you FEEL like eating? Have you been aching to check out a celebrity chef establishment? Are you interested in casino restaurants or perhaps you want to venture out to Chinatown? Are you curious about drag brunches or mystery dinner theater? Are you wondering where to find the remaining buffets? Does your budget call for fine dining or casual cafes?
Give us something to work with, or the answer may be "Denny's".
I'm moving to Las Vegas. What area should I live in?
Circling back to where we started...the granddaddy of dumb-ass questions. "Where should I live?". Well, the answer from me would be "Anywhere but my neighborhood". I don't need clueless people on my street.
For the final time....what exactly do you need to be happy? Where will you be working? What is your income level? Do you plan to rent or purchase? A house, townhome, or apartment? Are pets and children part of the equation? Do you have a vehicle or will you rely on public transportation? And so forth.
Unless you've received a military or employment transfer, it's unwise to relocate to a new city/area without performing research first. Schedule several "intel-gathering" visits before deciding to move. Don't make the grand mis-assumption that tourist areas represent residential neighborhoods. Look into the politics, demographics, schools, growth potential, and crime rates.
Once you've gotten a grasp of the different regions and what they offer, it's time to contact a realtor. Now this is something that almost any local can assist you with. Even lifelong residents know people in the field. Speak to a few of them if necessary, and have an in-depth conversation with your professional realtor. They will assemble a list of homes to visit, based on your requirements, and start your journey to becoming a Las Vegas resident.
In times of uncertainty, it's easy to throw queries into the universe and hope that an appropriate response falls back to Earth. But as they say...
This is a work of opinion and humor. If it doesn’t apply to your situation….fantastic! For Part One of this article, visit here.
Earlier this week, I encountered a message posted on a Vegas fan group. It was a seemingly innocuous question, but the ramifications were anything but. The person asked, "What is the best place to live in Las Vegas?". Simple, right? Well....yes. Simple-minded.
The reason for my reaction should be obvious: how can anyone, especially strangers on a Facebook group, provide answers on what is best for you? We don't know what you do for a living, your economic status, whether you have children or a spouse, or your tastes. Nobody but you has details on how you want to spend your free time, whether you have pets that will need outdoor recreation, etc.
The list goes on and on about what makes a person's life unique. Nevertheless, as Vegas locals (i.e. "authorities"), we are constantly asked extremely vague questions by those who are planning to either visit or relocate. However we answer, we face their wrath if they follow our advice...with unsatisfying results.
If you want answers, provide a list of your requirements and expectations, please. Here's what we mean:
How the bloody Hell does anyone know where you should stay besides you? Where have you stayed in the city before? What activities are on your schedule? Do you want to stay on the Strip, Downtown, or the surrounding areas? What is your daily budget? Do you want to stay someplace new/fancy, or one of the historic resorts? What amenities (pools, nightclubs, spa/salon, pet-friendly, business center) do you expect to use?
Now that you've given some information, you're just getting started. Are you traveling alone or with a family/romantic partner? Will you have a car? If not, you may want to be along the monorail route or near public transportation. Do you have tickets to a sporting event or show? All of these details factor into your choice of destination. So don't just ask "Where should I stay?". It's a stupid and meaningless question.
Another common question. It's not so absurd if asked by a person whom you know well, like a friend or relative...someone familiar with your interests. But people lay that incredibly pointless question on strangers.
Here's the proper way to get advice on entertainment:
Dude, seriously! What do you FEEL like eating? Have you been aching to check out a celebrity chef establishment? Are you interested in casino restaurants or perhaps you want to venture out to Chinatown? Are you curious about drag brunches or mystery dinner theater? Are you wondering where to find the remaining buffets? Does your budget call for fine dining or casual cafes?
Give us something to work with, or the answer may be "Denny's".
Circling back to where we started...the granddaddy of dumb-ass questions. "Where should I live?". Well, the answer from me would be "Anywhere but my neighborhood". I don't need clueless people on my street.
For the final time....what exactly do you need to be happy? Where will you be working? What is your income level? Do you plan to rent or purchase? A house, townhome, or apartment? Are pets and children part of the equation? Do you have a vehicle or will you rely on public transportation? And so forth.
Unless you've received a military or employment transfer, it's unwise to relocate to a new city/area without performing research first. Schedule several "intel-gathering" visits before deciding to move. Don't make the grand mis-assumption that tourist areas represent residential neighborhoods. Look into the politics, demographics, schools, growth potential, and crime rates.
Once you've gotten a grasp of the different regions and what they offer, it's time to contact a realtor. Now this is something that almost any local can assist you with. Even lifelong residents know people in the field. Speak to a few of them if necessary, and have an in-depth conversation with your professional realtor. They will assemble a list of homes to visit, based on your requirements, and start your journey to becoming a Las Vegas resident.
In times of uncertainty, it's easy to throw queries into the universe and hope that an appropriate response falls back to Earth. But as they say...
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