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Suzanne Ross is helped Friday by Rene Gray at a local U-Haul store. Ross says she’s moving to Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., because she couldn’t find a permanent job here.
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Bob Bower, left, checks on a truck at the U-Haul store Friday for Larry Rhodes, an airplane mechanic who says he's being transferred because travel is down.
Sun Archives
- Measuring population in moving boxes (8-4-2008)
- Slowdown offers Nevada a chance to look inward, plan for long term (12-27-2008)
- Nevada falls to No. 8 in population growth (12-22-2008)
Building engineer Tyler Young moved to the Las Vegas Valley 22 years ago from Tucson. And now he’s returning home.
Young, 56, said he quit his job at the College of Southern Nevada because he grew tired of months of dealing with hostile managers and regular news of salary freezes and layoffs.
“If I’m going to be looking for another job, I’m going to live where I want to live,” Young says. “You need to go to a place where you can better yourself and have a future. Here, it’s just going down.”
Young is part of the new migration trend: Clark County is now losing population, according to county officials — 10,000 from July 2007 to July 2008, based on the number of empty houses and apartments.
U-Haul measures the trend a different way: Are there more trucks coming to town or leaving? In 2007, outbound U-Haul rentals just barely outpaced those arriving here, the company said. In 2008 the number of outbound rentals was 1 percent greater than that of those arriving.
Among those renting U-Haul equipment in recent days to leave town was Larry Rhodes — but it wasn’t his choice. He’s lived in the valley for 15 years, working as an airplane mechanic, and doesn’t want to move. He and his wife planned on retiring here.
But Rhodes, 59, said he is being transferred to Riverside, Calif., because air travel to Las Vegas is down. And if he wants to be employed next month, he has to move.
“You just have to deal with it,” Rhodes says crisply. “That’s all you can do.”
A lot of people who left town in U-Hauls were construction workers at Echelon, Boyd Gaming’s partially built $4.8 billion resort that was mothballed Aug. 1 for want of financing.
Over the following three weeks, Daniel Lazo recalls, construction workers flooded the U-Haul store he works at in Henderson. They were all antsy to find a new town flush with jobs. There weren’t enough trucks at that store to accommodate all of those aching for a one-way ticket out of Dodge, he says.
“If you’re a working man, you go where the work is,” says a 45-year-old woodworker, picking up a 40-foot trailer at a U-Haul store in North Las Vegas. He refused to identify himself, saying he feared retribution from his union.
He said he’s angry at Las Vegas, casino executives, just about everyone, because of the economic climate that is forcing him to move his and his wife’s belongings back to Chicago, four years after they moved to Las Vegas. They bought a home and have a few thousand dollars saved, he says, but he’s given up any hope of a future here. “I still have some money, but I’m not going to give it to this place,” he said.
Dan Harden, 30, a pipe-fitter who has been without work for four months, hoped to be among those abandoning Las Vegas, where he’s lived for seven years. He planned to move into a house with his mom in his native Los Angeles — until she lost her job. Their plans had to be scrapped. So he’s renting a trailer to move his belongings from an apartment he can no longer afford to an apartment he’ll share with a friend.
In the meantime, he’s still looking for a job.
Suzanne Ross, 56, on the other hand, is making a clean escape. She moved to the valley in March after getting caught up in the housing bubble that burst in Southern California. She chose Las Vegas because of its promise of jobs. But she couldn’t find a permanent job, just temporary positions at call centers — so temporary, she says, that two-month gigs were reduced to four weeks.
“I’m used to having a steady job,” she says. “But that’s not happening here.”
And so Ross found herself at a U-Haul south of the Strip, signing papers to rent a 26-foot truck. She’s moving in with her sister in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
As she left the building, she turned back to the U-Haul staff and customers waiting on line. “Have a happy new year!” she said cheerily. “Gotta be better than last year.”
Impeach Harry Reid. After listening to him on "Meet the Press" last Sunday he should be thrown out of office. Instead of him talking about how he's going to take care of the United States ' problem with illegal aliens in our country taking away good American jobs, he tells the nation that he and his good friend John McCain are going to bring back and pass a new immigration reform because there are millions of undocumented workers that have suffered long enough and deserve to become citizens. Instead of talking about all the American Citizens who are on the bread lines(over 75,000 in Clark County alone), he talks about how he wants to help people who are here illegally and have broken at least one, possibly many laws.
Let's see Harry is a Senator of , uh,...Nevada; the United States. He was voted in by the citizens of , uh,...Nevada; the United States. His job is to protect the citizens of, another hard one, the United States(of course he represents the citizens of Nevada, yuck). It is time to impeach our elected officials who have shown time after time where their loyalties lie. When they keep proving that they refuse to help the citizens who put them into office its time to vote them out. Hey Mr. "I bought a piece of land and sold a piece of land", I hear they are looking for a few good politicians south of the border. They need leaders who really care for their citizens. If you need help with a plane ticket I know thousands of unemployed construction workers and back of house casino workers that would be more than happy to scrape what is left of their savings to get you out of the United States and to an area where you belong.
I feel for these people because I was one of them just 45 months ago. I was a real estate agent and as soon as the market cooled there just wasn't enough business for me to support myself so I had to leave Las Vegas. I really miss it.
I have a feeling Vegas is going to empty out as fast as it filled in. People need jobs and the $8 and $9 and hour jobs that seem to be all that's available just don't pay the rent.
Echelon and Manhattan West shutting down and it looks like the Review-Journal is just a few weeks away from shedding a bunch of jobs seems to be the tipping point that is making people move away.
I just don't understand why the 56 yr old and the 45 yr old cannot land a job. I hear tell that Wal-Mart is hiring in that age group.
Perfect opportunity for Vegas haters and carpetbaggers to get out of town. You can't leave fast enough for some of us. I'll say it again: The economy has a silver lining, and Las Vegas chasing away some of those who came here just for the money is part if it. I'm sick of hearing people say, "I hate this city but I can't leave." YOU are the ones who take more than you give, YOU are the ones who make life here unpleasant for the rest of us, YOU are the ones the economy is chasing away. Good bye and good riddance.
They think there are more jobs elsewhere? Things are tough all over.
Hey, I've got a great idea - why don't you all come to Detroit and build cars - Oh thats right , you drive Toyodas and Hondas - go to their plants in the south and get a job. You supported them by buying a foreign car, now maybe they will support you. I would sure like to come to Vegas again in the spring for a vacation, but I work for one of the Detroits big 3 and we'll see if we are still in business. We even once considered retirement in Vegas but I don't know at this point in time. I really want to thank you all for buying foreign products and supporting the economy in Japan - maybe they will support your economy
Hi All,
My husband and I are moving to Henderson this year from Atlanta, GA. We are from Memphis, TN and we left Memphis for Atlanta 9 yrs ago. I was hired with a pharmaceutical company and we were living the best life in Atlanta, until 2006. Now I believe not only the economy is driving us out of here but I have been looking for a permanent job for 2 yrs and contrary to my belief I believe the Katrina Victims flourished this state and took over and took a lot of jobs (back in 2006). So now it's not only competition it's the economy. But no matter where you live there are problems and some people still have their jobs and lifestyles, however the most of us don't. So I believe you have to move to a new scene when you have tapped out where you are. SO for the ones that are moving....move...we are moving to...to Henderson. Life is what you make it no matter where you are. We visited LV back in 2004 on a free vacation and fell in love with the tranquility of God's creation...we do not gamble and did not gamble on a vacation there. We left LV and went to Calif and then to Hoover Dam...I mean (once again) life it what you make it. I must admit we were making good $$ in Atlanta both of our salaries together was at least 90k a year and now it's down to 32k...no we do not go out to eat, go to florida, go outlet shopping...but we still have each other and lovin' it. And once we get to LV we are going to love it too.
Happy New Year
Sorry buddy but don't blame other people who want to buy a foreign product for Detroit's own problems. I'm buying the best product out there with MY money. I've rented so many GM/Chrysler vehicles and they just don't compare. Build a better vehicle!!!
Jeez, people need to really look in the mirror.
Vegas is and looks to contiune to be a GREAT opportunity for people with drive and a can-do attitude to be successful.
People who burn out here are the ones who come here thinking this place is the utopia of the easy ride or have out of control addictive personalities.
Nothing in life is free, any of you bitter people who moved here KNEW there was gambling and this city is all about tourism. We are in a down cycle and those who are excited about leaving should really never have lived here in the first place.
You cannot blame this city because it didn't deliver on some premise that you are handed a good paying job and a house the moment you set foot here. Life just doesn't work that way.
Hope your home towns are what you remember of them; not the reality they are which caused you to move here in the first place. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence for some folks...
Neither Party wants to address the illegal immigration problem - both seem to want to reward the illegal act of 'sneaking' into this country without proper documentation - make these people citizens because they 'deserve' it? R U Kidding me Harry Reid?? why is it that other countries seem to look out for their own so much more than this country does? I have read articles where other countries will deny citizenship to any they feel might be a potential 'financial burden' to the countries own citizens - that's what I call taking care of ones 'own' first - why shouldn't the citizens of this country be looked after first?
I agree with RPJ. I was born and raised here in Las Vegas and I'm sick and tired of hearing about people that move in to this town and then can't quit complaining once they do. Las Vegas has its problems just like every other large city in the US does. Get over it. I've been away for a few years going to grad school in Texas and I can't wait to come back to my hometown. Viva Las Vegas!!!
Wrong, gq.
You are wrong.
I tried day in and day out to find a job...ANY job in Vegas for about 4 months. When I only had enough in my wallet to get back to St. Louis to live with my parents, I had to go.
It has nothing to do with my "can do" attitude. Yes, I even tried Wal-Mart and I couldn't even get hired THERE because that's where everyone else went to get a job.
So, not everyone that "burns out here" ends up leaving. People are having to leave because there's simply not enough jobs and they are moving back home to live with family and friends just to have a roof over their heads.
Agreed stevem. I don't hear of a lot of people coming here for the automatic house and the automatic high paying jobs. People came here in the 90s/2000s because it was a boom town. It had relatively cheap houses for sale, lots of jobs with lots of upwards mobility, and the glamour of Vegas. When the financial crunch hit, none of those were as easy to come by as they were. Hence, people left. While some were flippers or people following the flavor of the month, most were hard working Joes/Janes trying to live.
I find it especially dim to view all who leave as burnouts gq. Quite frankly if you're an alkie or strung out on meth, you probably CAN'T leave because you are too poor to do so. Try and not blame everything on the booze and drugs. Sometimes life happens, unfair as it is.
Yup, the mirror doesn't lie. I need the illegals to pay my social security - the ones who are leaving town aren't helpful to me. God bless all of his children. Be happy! Tomorrow is another day and another opportunity!
No Name City, No Name City, you're reckoning day is near!
"your"
I traveled for 30 years-construction management jobs. 14 states. More apartments than I can remember. Phones calls on Friday-"Be in BF Egypt on Monday". That's the career I ended up with-travel or be laid off. Often wished I could have stayed in some of the nice places like Austin or San Francisco. But it paid well-I retired to Henderson at age 58. Bought a nice house before the boom-I like the desert. Couldn't care less about the job situation here. IMHO, unless you are lucky enough to get a County or City job, and don't mind turning into a useless work-evading layabout, there is no permanent job security in any City anywhere. Every Town or City I worked in over the years has had its ups-and downs. If you won't move to where the work is better than here-sorry, but you'll definitely have bad times with the good. Best of luck....
@tdkarabatsos
Nice "Paint Your Wagon" reference.
revbobdobbs: The Dude, Walter, and I see a lot of undeniable parallels. Have you noticed that the bait money for getting "tugged" has gone up to a grand? Wow, the Chinese must be getting ready to devalue the yuan.
I would like to respond to several of those who posted comments before I "log" in with my 2 cents.
First to Charmeal: I would love to follw-up with you in say 2 years and 5 years (or sooner if you like...LOL) and see how life is going with only 32k for two adults. Now...you are not telling the "full" story. But that is ok. We all have secrets and I am guessing that you have more money "some" place else. Because, I have too lived in both places (The South and Vegas) and I can tell you that you can live a lot cheaper in the South! There is no way to compare~and feel free to keep in touch by email:
wannabe1indc@yahoo.com We could also share "secrets" about Vegas.
Now I will tell the world until the day I die, that I LOVE the desert~and if I get lucky enough one day (no pun intended) I too will come back there. But either I will be "fully" retired or come back with 32K and a few more "secrets" in the bank to support me.
Now for SteveM.
Like him I too left Vegas at the end of August in 2008. I to search for well over 6 months for a job that paid more than $8-9 per hour. I found one (company named withheld for my "protection"- (see secrets above...LOL) for $10.00 an hour~ And was told by this company that I was being paid GOOD MONEY FOR VEGAS! Now I have a Degree and enough "education", but that wasn't enough.
I also am and was and have been drug free my entire life~Served my community as a medic for 10 years (medically could not serve in military)
not a point on my driver's license...well you get the idea...oh yea..and I could and can still sell ice to a polar bear~ But yet that was the best that I could find. I would go down to the big "strip" resorts for job fairs or return calls and there be 1000+ other people in line!
Or I was told that I was not quite what they were looking for...(guessing not young enough)
Anyway, bottom line is....not all of us who left and who will be leaving Vegas...were drug users, alcoholics,gambling addicts, sex addicts...
I hate to say it...for Vegas standards...I WAS BORING! BEFORE THE LAST JOB...I HELD A GREAT 8-5 MONDAY THRU FRIDAY JOB~PAID TAXES, SHOPPED AND SPENT MONEY ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY. EVEN GAVE MONEY TO THE HOMELESS ON THE STREET. Hell, I even knew the names of my neighbors and the neighbor animals and watched them and their house when they were gone and they for me. Just like what every "GOOD" adult should be.
But VEGAS you gotta pay us good adults at least "living" wages for Vegas. Come-on...not to much to ask for is it?
SO JUST REMEMBER THAT NOT ALL THAT LEAVE ARE ANY DIFFERENT THAN YOU? OR MAYBE THEY ARE...I'LL LET YOU DECIDE.
Dave from DC
Dave and Steve,
Well, what can anyone say to two guys who claim they couldn't survive in Vegas? It's all about expectations, brother. My wife and I worked full time jobs all the way through college, only to graduate and then get jobs in our chosen careers for less than we were making at our "college" jobs. My first post-graduate Vegas job was - oh, surprise! - $9 an hour, starting at the bottom. My wife? She left a management job to get her first post-graduate job ... At minimum wage plus tips. But we didn't run away or whine that we needed more! More! More! Instead we worked our butts off, learned all we could, and live the great American dream in the city that best allows that to happen. The fact that Vegas chased you two away means you just weren't meant to make it here, and that's okay. But don't hate the city just because you aren't Vegas material.
Where did I say I hated Vegas?
I lived and worked in Vegas for 7 years and I did quite fine there until the company I worked for closed.
That has nothing to do with my ability or if I was "meant" to live there or if I was "Vegas material", you moron.
And if "Vegas material" means driving a huge truck with "Tapout" stickers on it and watching UFC fights, then I am glad I'm not.
RPJ, you could wake up tomorrow and have your job gone. Don't think it can happen?
Well, about 500,000 people in this country didn't think so either.
This is a sustained economic downturn. It is not he fault of immigrants. It is not Harry Reid's fault.
We cannot eliminate recession, but we can make Nevada a better place to live. If we had a working social safety net, we could limit the negative impact on families and individuals. If we had educational opportunities, we could divert some of the unemployed to programs that would provide future employment - and encourage investment from other sources.
We could build a sustainable desert community that does not live on boom-and-bust revenue from tourism and gambling. The question is whether we have the political backbone to do that, or whether we will, instead, continue to pander to those industries and lobbyists whose short-sighted public policies, designed to maximize short-term profit over sound social and environmental policy, have dug us deep into the caliche.
Detroit union workers produce junk cars.
If you aren't young and pretty, chances of landing a quality job in Las Vegas are slim, at best. Don't give me this crap about getting an education and working hard to improve yourself. With idiots running this town, your resume means nothing. How else would a drunk get to be mayor?
Born here 60 years ago. Seen it grow and grow and GROW. We ran into trouble when our county pol's eyes glazed over when they heard the term "tax revenue base", and allowed the unlimited commercial and residential growth decisions (insane 'variances' to statutes for one) that would provide them with the bucks to make this DESERT icon some kind of a lush, green utopia with no thought to infrastructure maintenance or future of available natural resources, i.e., WATER.
So here we are in the deepest economic downturn since the last Great Depression, and it's still sliding.
When it's all said and done; the commercial vacant space, the weed-overgrown empty neighborhoods with one or two occupied houses on a street, and most of all not just one of three abandoned golf courses at Lake Las Vegas but their million dollar foreclosures, maybe, just MAYBE, someone making the decisions about the future of this valley will not be so short-sighted.
Try applying at some security companies - as long as you have a clean background check and are drug free and have a HS diploma - my company is crying for help all the time so I don't understand why some are finding it hard to get a job. It's not the best paying job - the so-called benefits really suck but it's a paycheck.
dbltrbl hits the nail on the head. This town is run by the state/city unions and their publicly elected butt-boys. In Henderson, they achieved the impossible-they ran out of projects to approve. So they laid off the inspectors, checkers and so forth. Right? As my old boss said years ago, "They'd stamp your d**k to keep their sorry jobs." Nah, see the article where they were all melted into the "Redevelopment Agency", whatever that is. So now there will be even more public "workers" acting like they have a real job, when in truth they should be out on the street, looking for work. For sure, if this economic free fall continues, it will be hilarious to watch them stick it to their co-workers to keep themselves working, since their greatest fear is having to work in the DPS-the "Dreaded Private Sector".
The greedy casino executives will soon remember where they started from, before the greed set in.
Vegas is a tough job market to be in during an economic downturn given that its revenue is tourist-dependent. This is NOT a major city with plenty of diversity in job fields. This is a small town with employment concentrated within casinos and builders/developers. A lot of people who moved here saw opportunities in those areas but when that's gone, perhaps it is time to move on. A lot of the jobs available now are low paying which a lot of people can't survive on. Unfortunately, a sad reality is a lot of people live paycheck to paycheck, with no safety net, no savings of any kind, which makes it even more difficult to survive a recession. Good luck to everyone looking for a job!
TO: wannabe1indc@yahoo.com
Believe me if you Believe in "YOUR" beholder anything is possible. I am truly living on 32K a year...I may be late on some bills but nothing has been disconnected. Some things don't get pd but some do. I have done "some" research in LV about living arrangements however, I am renting and did sell our home to prevent foreclosure and had a little money after that...but that was long gone in 2006. But you have to have faith and all else will fall in line. And I would be more than happy to keep in touch with you via email...'cause I am a true consumer and always looking for a deal. I need to know all of the ins-outs in your town...cause I am sure I am going to need it. But thanks for your comment.
Giving handouts to street beggars only exacerbates the problem - there are shelters for those who are truly homeless - and places to get a meal - the people begging on street corners are most likely drunks and druggies - I don't know about anyone else but I work too darn hard for my meager paycheck to share it with some lazy bum on the street who only wants to buy a beer or their next fix.