Las Vegas Sucks

big_slacker · 11-10-2008, 08:08 PM

I know we had a recent thread about the economy and what was bad, this isn't entirely related. I just wanted to post a thread about why Vegas sucks.

Where to begin. Vegas exists to extract money from tourists who are convinced there is something more fun about staying at a hotel here (compared to say spain or hawaii or anywhere else that doesn't suck quite as bad) because you can spend more money doing so. There really isn't anything here other than the casinos. And this is supposed to be paradise. Overpriced shopping, overpriced spas, overpriced clubs, you get the idea... The strip just sucks horribly, unless you like paying too much for things, gambling or dealing with drunks, douchebags, fat women (and guys) and people handing you porn flyers.

Now get outside the strip and see the 'real' vegas. One strip mall after another. All have bars with video poker machines, fast food restaurants, nail salons and occasionally grocery stores. Drop someone off blindfolded in the middle of a block and they'd be hard pressed to tell where they were.

The residential neighborhoods aren't better. There is a pervasive blandness to the stucco houses. With a desert to build in you'd think there would be land and uniqueness. However socal developers bought up the land and tried to pack as many houses as possible in their little plots. So you've got house after stucco house 8 feet away from each other, regardless of whether they are $150k or 1.5 million.

Lets move on to traffic. Construction projects here takes YEARS. Literally. And all the major freeways have had projects going on since I moved here. Thats been 4 years or so. So, takes the surface streets right? They're all 45 mph. Everyone goes 50 and UP, way up. Red light running is a sport, as is drunk driving. Not sure about the accident rate, but I'd guess vegas is top 10 in the nation per capita.

Weather. Summer is hellish. Temps all summer above 100 and summer last FOREVER. The rest of the year its windy as hell. When it rains its a torrential downpour that often floods streets.

Crime. Its high and no neighborhood is untouched. Even the nice ones. There was a home invasion robbery a mile from me. Ugh...

Lack of culture. There is just nothing going on besides shows at the casinos. And believe me, its not fun seeing a magic show or aging pop star sitting next to drunken tourists. Like a local music scene? Plays? Art galleries? Museums? Yeah.... Might wanna go somewhere else. The casinos try to build attractions like these but they are sideshows no institutions.

The people. Oh the people. Somehow vegas has managed to attract the most vain, shallow, stupid, soulless people in the united states like a moth to the flame. Go to a party. People here are generally into: Money, the appearance of having money, drinking, changing jobs to make more money, gambling, having more money so they can attract more vapid and attractive members of the opposite sex, and..... how they look. Well, you get the picture. I've been here 4 years and have no close friends. And I'm not anti-social, just out of place because I'm healthy, don't have money as my primary goal in life, don't blow my cash on stupid shit, don't gamble, etc...

What else, the grab bag: Bums, unfinished streets, abandoned construction sites, bee swarming, few twisty roads, limited mountain biking, trash everywhere, no one walks, lack of trees, no good restaurants that don't cost $100+ a person for dinner. I'm probably missing a few things but I guess my manifesto is done for now.

NattyDrez · 11-10-2008, 08:19 PM

All i can say is that sucks bro, and im sorry that you gotta deal with that.

Whyd you move there in the first place tho, im guessing job switch or something?

Mantis · 11-10-2008, 08:26 PM

Too bad this isn't a free country- If it was you could move. Sucks to be you

big_slacker · 11-10-2008, 08:50 PM

Heh, only two posts till that came up. Anyone wanna buy a 170k house for 270k? Any takers? I'm busy extracting myself from that at great cost, but it will be worth it the day I drive out of this pit.

And yes it was a career move. I came from lake tahoe. Good for the career, hard to pick a more night and day environment shift.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mantis

Too bad this isn't a free country- If it was you could move. Sucks to be you

Justin726 · 11-10-2008, 08:51 PM

It's a good place to visit once every few years, but I'm willing to guess it would suck to live there.....especially in summer. I've never been there in the middle of summer. Usually in winter or spring, but even in spring it was getting into the 90's and with all that concrete and asphault it was horrible.

The one cool thing I found on my last trip was the Red Rocks park. I didn't go out there very prepared (with much water) and couldn't do quite as much hiking as I could have. I'd like to visit the park again next time I'm out there.

big_slacker · 11-10-2008, 09:26 PM

I live 15 minutes from red rock. The red rock scenic loop is one of the few decent places for sportbikes here. Its choked with tourists on the weekends but if you go midweek during working hours you have a twisty 13 mile 1 way road. Its got 15-25mph corners that you can scrape pegs on.

I also mountain bike out in that area (cottonwood, blue diamond, cowboy trails) a lot as well as some hiking.

If it wasn't for my wife and the red rock area I would be in a deep depression here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin726

It's a good place to visit once every few years, but I'm willing to guess it would suck to live there.....especially in summer. I've never been there in the middle of summer. Usually in winter or spring, but even in spring it was getting into the 90's and with all that concrete and asphault it was horrible.

The one cool thing I found on my last trip was the Red Rocks park. I didn't go out there very prepared (with much water) and couldn't do quite as much hiking as I could have. I'd like to visit the park again next time I'm out there.

SAHTT · 11-10-2008, 09:33 PM

Should have stayed in Tahoe buddy. My friends try to get me to go to Vegas all the damn time. I've only been a few times and unless you are a drug/gambling addict it isn't all that fantastic.

naibaf · 11-10-2008, 09:39 PM

word, vegas sucks. can't wait to get outta here.

Justice06RR · 11-11-2008, 01:16 AM

good rant. i was there in 04. fun place to visit but not to live. hot as ballz too.

ithicaplasma · 11-11-2008, 01:21 AM

Living in Vegas has to blow. The weather is insane and there really isn't anything around other than the strip.

Now don't get me wrong I love the strip, I love that you can drink and smoke like an adult without being harassed by the cops or breaking some retarded anti-fun law. The whole place is a giant party but after 2 days or so I'v had enough. Wouldn't want to live out there, housing prices are dropping why not move out here to southern caly

RayOSV · 11-11-2008, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justice06RR

good rant. i was there in 04. fun place to visit but not to live. hot as ballz too.

+1000 Tahoe has it's pluses and minuses (snow) as well. Cities that are primarily entertainment meccas usually aren't that fun for residents. Las Vegas is an extreme case. Orlando also comes to mind, but at least they have some industry other than Disney etc.

I have a cousin (pharmacist) who's lived in LV for years and is raising a family. Her parents moved there and only lasted about 6 months.

If you're in the gambling business, there aren't too many places that have job opportunities.

WhisperQuiet · 11-11-2008, 06:17 AM

after reading that, i have to agree. the only real attraction to vegas now is the motto, "what happens in vegas, stays in vegas"

I know this for a fact, and i'd love to tell you about the twins....but I can't

Lowlypawn · 11-11-2008, 07:41 AM

Well let’s see, I’m a native of Vegas and since it’s all I really know take my opinion with that in mind (but it’s not like I have never left Vegas).

Strip: Hell I almost never go but once every few years (and I only live 10 minutes from the strip) A few casinos are ok to go see a movie, eat or shop during the week. A few shows and exhibits are worth seeing. Just don’t gamble and you will be fine.

Weather: It’s not that bad. I did new home construction and worked on water main repair for a combined 15 years. That’s jackhammering, shoveling and swinging a hammer in 115 degree heat. You learn how to deal with it but I think its better then cold and snow for 5 months. Rain??? It USE to rain and flood, but it hasn’t rained good for a few years from now. I agree the wind dose kind of suck. All and all the weather is ok (I wear shorts all year long) and you can do trackdays practically all year long.

Traffic: I agree it blows! Vegas is in a perpetual state of road construction, I have no idea why… 1990 was the last year traffic good…

Crime: Getting worse but I would say it’s on par with any large city of similar size.

The good: If you like movies there are a ton of theaters, lots of concerts and in fairly small venues like House of Blues. Lake Mead is ok to boat or sail (fun to water ski twice a year), hiking at Red Rock and Mt Charleston is not bad. Mt biking in boulder city is nice. Fair number of car shows here. The main reason I live in Vegas is my career and family but I don’t think it’s quite the hell hole as depicted. It’s just like any major city with its usual problems.

Sorry you are so screwed on your hose. I bought my current house 8 years ago and it’s still worth what I own. I would have a nice amount of equity but divorce you know.

FizzerMeTimbers · 11-11-2008, 07:58 AM

OP: that's how I always imagined Vegas. Never had any desire whatsoever to go there.

dsmgixxer · 11-11-2008, 08:18 AM

ive been to vegas once. it was fun for vacation but i agree i wouldnt want to live there. way too hot for me to put up with on a regular basis. plus i dont really gamble. i just go to party, eat, watch a few shows and shop. the occasional bachlor party is always fun too.

i really dont have any desire to go back anytime soon.