Live/Work in Nevada, visit California?

[curiousmind]

I am a consultant currently in California, but have been tossing around the idea of moving to Nevada, becoming resident of, and doing my work from there.

Demographics:
Early 30, single, no children, no properties, IT consultant

Motives:
1. Why live in high state income tax just for a spot to work when Nevada for me is equal in terms of work environment
2. Scavenge in a super flooded market like Vegas
3. The distance would provide me a better platform and buffer to determine what extracurricular activities with friends I participate in(less wasting time)

Why would someone want to work in California if they don’t need to? If they don’t have to commute, they could trade the time of the typical daily commute and make a drive to and from somewhere like Vegas every weekend if they needed some San Diego fun.

Is this an objectively wise decision since 80% of my time during the week is not enjoying surf and Mexican food? Am I missing something? I feel like I am in the prime of my career in a unpredictable market where I should be maximizing savings/lowering cost – and California state income tax to me seems like a luxury cost that I shouldn’t be indulging in until I’m older or more successful.

[sdduuuude]

My brother did it for a couple years. He worked 10 hour days and did 8-on in LA, then 6-off in Vegas. Had a little apartment in LA.

Try Tacos El Gordo in Vegas and you should be OK.

[blahblahblah]

Incline Village is nicer, fly in/out of Reno. I have considered this as I pay a lot of CA tax. But I like the sunshine too much so here I stay…

[jstoesz]

If I were in your shoes, I would forget vegas, and go to Carson city/east shore tahoe.

Cheap, beautiful, and fun. Vegas in my estimation has little going for it, and the traffic to get back to CA is pretty crappy.

[curiousmind]

[quote=CONCHO]Incline Village is nicer, fly in/out of Reno. I have considered this as I pay a lot of CA tax. But I like the sunshine too much so here I stay…[/quote]

Did you mean the ocean breeze? 😉 Thank you, checking out Incline Village now. I’m not a big fan of Vegas activities (other than being near Lake Mead I guess).

[UCGal]

If you spend your life indoors, it makes sense.
Vegas is nice for periods in the spring/fall/winter. But too hot for my tastes in the summer.

It’s not too bad right now (high 80’s)… but the over 100’s in the summer… nope, wouldn’t want to live there.

[curiousmind]

[quote=jstoesz]If I were in your shoes, I would forget vegas, and go to Carson city/east shore tahoe.

Cheap, beautiful, and fun. Vegas in my estimation has little going for it, and the traffic to get back to CA is pretty crappy.[/quote]

These look like better places.. but I’m afraid of flying, so I have to weigh in the stress of that when considering these 🙂

[curiousmind]

[quote=UCGal]If you spend your life indoors, it makes sense.
Vegas is nice for periods in the spring/fall/winter. But too hot for my tastes in the summer.

It’s not too bad right now (high 80’s)… but the over 100’s in the summer… nope, wouldn’t want to live there.[/quote]

Most of my time during the week is indoors. Actually come to think of it most of my life is indoors! : | I think it’s going to stay that way for the next 5 years or so. Just need a 24 hour fitness to mitigate.

[blahblahblah]

I meant to say I like the sunshine without having to endure 110F heat. I also like the walkable neighborhoods near downtown, little shops, restaurants, all that stuff that we have here but not too many other places do. Certainly Vegas doesn’t although I confess I do like the malls there. But at some point you have to start wondering if all of that tax is worth it.

Washington state also has no state income tax. Florida and Texas don’t as well but only crazy people would want to live there.

[curiousmind]

[quote=CONCHO]I meant to say I like the sunshine without having to endure 110F heat. I also like the walkable neighborhoods near downtown, little shops, restaurants, all that stuff that we have here but not too many other places do. Certainly Vegas doesn’t although I confess I do like the malls there. But at some point you have to start wondering if all of that tax is worth it.

Washington state also has no state income tax. Florida and Texas don’t as well but only crazy people would want to live there.[/quote]

The main reason I am in California is to be near friends and family. So when I pull up a map I’m looking for places that <8 hours driving travel.

If I had no issues flying, it would be WA(or WY if I was more enterprising) for sure.

Happy not to hear(yet) that just because I was born in California, or set foot in California that I am in someway forever indebted to the state!

[davelj]

I’ve discussed this issue before. I’m going to try to move to Mexico next year, although it could be 2013 (it’s always more complicated in practice than on paper) before I can pull it off. I’ve got a (consultant) friend who did it years ago. I’m with the original poster, if you’re single, no wife, no kids, and have a lot of work flexibility (e.g., consultant, fund manager, etc.) I don’t see the point in maintaining CA residency and paying CA taxes.

[CDMA ENG]

I’ll tell you why not to live there.

Quality of people.

Not that Vegas doesn’t have some fine citzens, it does, but per capita… I have never lived anywhere where I was more cynical about befriending someone as that town. If surrounding yourself with people that you love and trust is a big factor in your life then stay out of the town. Easy money, fast lifestyle, and other vices, have created a town of shysters, thiefs, and people of lesser quality. Again there is good to be found everywhere… But in a town like vegas it is far more difficult. The reason I settled in San Diego was because of the people. I have been very fortunate with the ppl I have met here and it is the largest reason why I stay… Despite the expense… And the Tacos El Gordo… And being in close proximity to SDDuuuude…

The short of it is… Vegas Sucks! Go to Phx if you really want Cheap. 1/2 Day drive to SD, 3 hours to the Mountain and Flagstaff… Cheap housing… Nice people… More things to do and good mexican food.

CE Former Vegas Resident.

[curiousmind]

[quote=davelj]I’ve discussed this issue before. I’m going to try to move to Mexico next year, although it could be 2013 (it’s always more complicated in practice than on paper) before I can pull it off. I’ve got a (consultant) friend who did it years ago. I’m with the original poster, if you’re single, no wife, no kids, and have a lot of work flexibility (e.g., consultant, fund manager, etc.) I don’t see the point in maintaining CA residency and paying CA taxes.[/quote]

Now that would be somethin’! Not to open a debate, because I can see the irrational fear aspect of it.. but just as a PSA – there was two things in the ‘POPULAR POSTS’ section Borderland Beat blog post recently that are the most barbarically insane disgusting thing I’ve ever heard of.. way worse than the standard stuff. Those details have me pretty much certain I will never be able to go to Mexico again.. wish I could 🙁

[curiousmind]

[quote=CDMA ENG]I’ll tell you why not to live there.

Quality of people.

<...>

The short of it is… Vegas Sucks! Go to Phx if you really want Cheap. 1/2 Day drive to SD, 3 hours to the Mountain and Flagstaff… Cheap housing… Nice people… More things to do and good mexican food.

CE Former Vegas Resident.[/quote]

Good information, thank you.

Posting AZ tax brackets for reference:

Tax Bracket (yearly earnings) Tax Rate (%) [1]
$0+ 3%
$10,000+ 3%
$25,000+ 3%
$50,000+ 4%
$150,000+ 5%

CA:
Tax Bracket (yearly earnings) Tax Rate (%) [1]
$0+ 1%
$7,168+ 2%
$16,994+ 4%
$26,821+ 6%
$37,233+ 8%
$47,055+ 10%
$1,000,000+ 11

source:
tax-rates.org

[scaredyclassic]

NM?

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