JNN, if you are definite about LV, you have made the right decision. It does get cold in LV during the winter months but the sun still shines most every day and it's always clear enough to see snow capped Mt Charleston which is about a 45 minute drive away, so I advise that you bring your skis to partake in the winter activities just a hop, skip, and jump away.
Also (and let's see how many of these Las Vegas dudes and dudettes agree ... but) one of the best places to eat in this town is the small restaurant at ELLIS ISLAND where the daily specials are some of the best meals in this town and only about $5.99. Add a few bucks more and you can fine dine on a pretty damn good Prime Rib or a damn decent steak.
I take people there all the time and I have yet to hear anyone complain. It's not a fancy place by any means but it is one of the local's preferred casinos and they really like to treat you right.
One major suggestion is to sign up for a Player's Card at each of the casinos and make sure you give them your local mailing address... then expect a good number of Toofers, most of which will be difficult to turn down. Free money and free meals in this town are an every day experience and greatly appreciated by the locals.
As far as the local gyms go ..... Your best bet is to sign up with the Las Vegas Athletic Club which are scattered throughout the valley and when you join one, you can use them all. Current price is $22 a month.
Or you can join a new outfit that has taken over the old Gold's Gym location on Sahara (I think) which they advertise at $10 per month but there are some additional fees that they don't mention in that ad.
Gold's Gyms are also scattered throughout the valley but are not as popular as the LVAC's.
There are a good number of decent rental units all over town, but I'd suggest that you consider some of the low rise condos in the vicinity of The Palms Hotel/Casino. I think that Go4it used to rent in that area so he could offer more info on that subject. It's just about the closest to everything in this town.
The Strip itself is a decent place to visit and check out the action but not too wise a place to spend your hard earned money. It can be real inexpensive living here if you are wise to the ways of Las Vegas living. And you can go broke within a matter of days if you're too damn stupid to adjust a lifestyle.
And it's a damn good feeling to realize that I can hop in the car and be in Los Angeles within a matter of five hours when and if I get a rushed call to help with a legit movie.
And to end it up ..... relatively speaking .... there is no other place in the USA that offers 1/2 the fun that this town offers. ANd offered at half the price of Florida and Southern California.
And it'll more than likely stay that way until the eastern edge of the Pacific meets the western edge of this hell raising town in the Mojave Desert..
ANd many say that's gonna happen soon ...... so it might be wise to bring your flippers and a snokel or two!
Other than that... all is well!
