In the dumps of Vegas
Ashley Powers has a great story in The Times about the big hit that
the properties on the Strip are taking in the downturn. Those resorts are
learning that they will have to drop room rates drastically to survive the
recession and become affordable to middle-class folks again.
But what is disturbing at the top is devastating at the bottom.
Some of the saddest scenes in this city can be found at weekly rental motels. My guess is that with some rooms on the Strip going for less than $40 now on weeknights, even the extreme bargain shopping tourists who sometimes ventured this route in the past (according to Web reviews) are not staying here anymore. This is where you stay when the alternative is being homeless. I say here because I am living through New Year's Eve in a rundown weekly motel for a cover story for Las Vegas Weekly (where I am on staff). This will be a very different experience than the one I had last year staying at the Luxor while blogging for the Buffet in real time. About all this place has in common with the Luxor is a bar with video poker and slots on property. In the photo above are the dumpsters at the property where I am living. I have to walk to them a lot because there is no trashcan that comes with the room. I don't think I ever even saw a dumpster inside the Luxor. They are generally kept in the service hallways where guests never enter. My room at this place, on the other hand, does not have a bed sheet or towel as linens cost $80 extra on a room that is about $200 for the entire week. I am actually on the Boulder Strip for this holiday season. Here my 5-year-old Honda is considered a standout luxury vehicle and gets a lot of attention as if it was a Bentley pulling up to valet at Wynn. One of my neighbors, for example, likes to throw his body against the car to expertly set off the car alarm. Fun.
This place seems a world away from the other Strip on Las Vegas Boulevard. In fact, it is one of the few places I have been in Vegas where I can not see the Las Vegas Strip. I am used to orienting myself by the Strip's well-lighted presence throughout the valley. Those lights can't be seen here. If the recession in Vegas has a bottom, I am now visiting it. Sadly, I am seeing a lot of children around here (never with parents) who aren't just visiting but growing up among this.
It is very sad that a lot of those children will grow up never being able to look longingly at the glowing neon lights of the Strip, beckoning like the shore lights of the great gatsby, no visual incarnation of the dream to be a poker dealer or cocktail waitress to lead them through the dark dark night.
Posted by: Mike G | December 28, 2008 at 02:32 PM
How very sad this article is; however I did laugh at the idea of your neighbor throwing himself at your car.
Posted by: Aurora Snow | December 29, 2008 at 04:44 PM
In 1997 my wife and I tried to make a go of it in Vegas and spent about 6 weeks in those weekly motels. Starting out on the strip and ending up on Boulder Hwy. I can tell you it is sad, but sadder still was when our savings ran out and we ended up getting a job running the Oasis Motel on the strip, and living there, for about 6 months.
So much sorrow in the "Adult Disney Land" (as my father used to call it).
While, we didn't have kids yet, my wife was pregnant at the time. We got out before our son was born. I just couldn't let Mother and Child stay in that environment.
At the time, I talked to a writer from the Weekly about coming in and working the counter for a night for a story. It never came about. I am glad you are doing this now.
Love the blog!!
Kris in Portland
Posted by: Kris | December 30, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Read your article in the Las Vegas Weekly website. Enjoyed it alot and I highly encourage others to read about a Las Vegas that you don't see when vacationing here.
I must admit that I thought I recognized those dumpsters and I was sort of correct where you were at. I live on the east side also, but north of where you were at, so I know the neighborhood you speak of, but didn't realize it was that down-and-out.
You can't blame the police for being surly and suspicious of everyone (not to mention the strike against you that you were a reporter and he didn't like reporters). It's just the nature of the place and it beats you down. When that desk clerk mentioned that no one likes to talk about being poor, that is so true. And I could tell from the article that little adventure had an impact on you...when you mentioned you had to get away and go back home for awhile...your little piece of sanity.
Anyways, not sure if this is the proper forum, but I did enjoy the article. Shows the difference between tourism and just everyday life which you were pointing out. It will open up eyes not only for tourists, but those that live here and don't see that side of the economic scale.
Posted by: ColinFromLasVegas | January 08, 2009 at 02:24 PM
Colin knows where you live. Duck n roll Richard.
Posted by: Debbie | January 08, 2009 at 10:46 PM