[chefdom]

Can anybody give me insight in to the job market in vegas. Is it only casino jobs are there private restaurants. I know that there are great restaurants in the casinos but I know nothing of the city and what the market bears. Anybody know about the neighborhoods, schools housing? I've been an Executive chef for five years and also have chef de cuisine experience (2.5 years) in a hotel but nothing even close to the size of a casino. Any help in this area would be greatlt appreciated.

[CrazyTATT]

One of my best friends is out in Vegas, SHE LOVES IT! But it is hard.....long story short, P.M. me and I'll pass along her info...she will tell you all about it.

There are some top notch, top chef funded, restaurants out there. It is a great place to visit, but work, I don't know...I have the same experience as you Chefdom, and have worked all over, I know lonnnnnnnng hours are a must, but I am talking uber long hours out there, and NO LIFE AT ALL(unless you can work GREAT with a hangover). Like I said, P.M. me for more info.

[AprilB]

I live halfway between LV and Death Valley about an hour out.

First off: Heat
It's already creeping over 90 on days and it's hotter in Vegas with all the asphalt and traffic. It easily clips 115 on certain days during the Summer. Yeah, they say it's 'dry heat' but it's still friggin hot.

Downside. Traffic is insane. People who drive in Vegas are generally insane. You have to consider the lookieloos and rubberneckers and tourists that haven't a clue about the city so they're lost and ... well, you get the idea.

Housing is exxxxxpensive. Plus there are 'neighborhoods' you don't want to be in, which generally constitutes most of the affordable housing. Unless you want to do what a lot of people do and commute an hour + one way from here. It's considered a rural bedroom community of Vegas at this point and growing rapidly. (Pahrump) I'm astonished at how many people actually do commute. "Rush Hour" is an almost constant line of headlights and taillights up the hill. Plus houses on a fair chunk of land are still within reason depending on what you are willing to settle for. But there's the commute.

That aside, I wouldn't let the sheer size of casinos put you off. Yes they're generally bigger, but you wouldn't be running the whole shebang all by yourself. (even though sometimes it feels like it) In addition it's actually more like a lot of little venues inside one big casino. Unless you're talking one of the buffets. For instance, Emeril has a couple of restaurants here in the MGM and Venetian (I think it's the Venetian) So in effect (I was gonna say 'essence' but thought that might be tacky) you're probably working the same number of covers you would in any of the places you've worked in the past. There is so much variety here you can pretty much pick and choose what type, what size and what shift, plus restaurants aren't necessarily limited to casinos even though it may seem like it.

I can't help you with the school situation. I know what they're like out here (I've got a 14 yo) and opted to homeschool.

Well, that's my input. Which I could be a little more specific, but hope this helps in any event.

April

[chefdom]

My wife would kill me if I ever even brought that one up. She was garde manger chef in the hotel we both worked at and has been temporarily retired since we've had our 2nd and 3rd child. She is dying to get back to work but that's another story. I'm interested in hearing as many opinions as I can find on this sight. I'm in a good situation because we have been renting my in laws house with the option to buy if we want or they can sell this house and give us the "rent" we've been paying and put it towards a down payment for a house. They actually live in Vegas 10 mins from the strip. So we have a viable option but want to know all I can. Thanks again.

P.S.-- do you work in a casino or a private restaurant?

[Steve A]

Chefdom,

I was in las Vegas a couple times the previous summer for various reasons. As for schools, I know this: They are looking for teachers. Does that tell you anything? The school age population is growing by leaps and bounds. I do remember a few news reports about additional schools being built, but at what stage they are in the process, I couldn't tell you.

Las Vegas is one of the nation's fastest growing cities. With that in mind, schools are a very important subject in the city with the locals. I suggest you check out their newspapers LV Sun or LV Journal Review and contact the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce or North Last Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

Ciao,

[chefdom]

web links were great. there is so much info about the city, just have to sort through it all.