Location Help!

hammered

Good Afternoon Boardsies,

I'd really appreciate somebodys help here... Basically, I've been offered a job with RiRa Irish Bars and Pubs on a J1 Visa for a year

They have 12 locations across the US, and I must choose my top 3 locations, but I don't have a clue where to start!! Las Vegas sounds cool, but maybe it would be totally unbearable for 12 whole months. The other locations are scattered across the East Coast.
I would really appreciate your input and any experiences you had in the locations, or facts you know about them. I want to enjoy the 12 months, get away from recession, but also some sort of 'normal' life!

Here's a list of the locations they operate in, if anyone can be bothered checkin' them out:
Arlington, Virginia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Bethesda, Maryland
Burlington, Vermont
Charlotte, North Carolina
Evansville, Indiana
Las Vegas, Nevada
Louisville, Kentucky
Portland, Maine
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Providence, Rhode Island

silja

Las Vegas does sound cool, and it's not that expensive. plus there are cheap flights to almost all over the USA if you want to go on short trips. But what do you like? Ie during your time off, do you want night life (Atlantic City, Las Vegas), quiet country walks (Portland, Providence), museums and history (Arlington, Bethesda)?

hammered

hey,
i agree las vegas sounds amazing.. i was there last year and absolutely loved the place, but maybe its a surreal life. what do you do when you just want to chill out?!

i guess im just a normal early 20s male.. i like some nightlife, some pub scene, some chill-out time, maybe just a normal city? i do admit las vegas is probably leading in my head, but i dont want to go over and get bored of the crazyness.

cheers for the help

feathz

Atlantic City could be a good option! It has the casinos and all that jazz (while probably not even half as good as the vegas ones), but you have the option to head down to the beach whenever you feel like it too! you could always get cheap flights at the end of your time there and visit some of the other destinations before you head home!

Besides...I'm going to AC, so it's guaranteed to be awesome! =P

cheesehead

Obviously this is an extremely subjective answer, but I would pick Burlington.

Downsides: Cold winter, fairly isolated "small" city (if you're looking for a larger 'critical mass' city - it's not Burlington. People move from larger cities to live in Burlington. Can be somewhat expensive. Not many jobs (but you have that covered).

Upsides: correct demographics for a twenty-something male. Home to the University of Vermont, think Galway-UCG. Very "progressive" town. If you like the funky, hippy feel - you'll like Burlington. It's former mayor, Bernie Sanders, is currently Vermont's US Senator and the first Socialist ever elected to the US Senate. They call it "The People's Republic of Burlington". Unlike Las Vegas (which I personally feel has all the "soul" of a suburban strip mall), Burlington has some "soul" to it. Very nice physical setting with much outdoor activity available. It's not Atlantic City - this is a good thing (and I'm a New Jersey native). Given the choice between a year in Atlantic City and Burlington, to me this is a no-brainer (and I love the Atlantic Ocean).

Again, this is an incredibly subjective opinion based on my likes/dislikes. Continue to do your research (as you are doing). FWIW, I personally would avoid AC/Evansville/Las Vegas. I would strongly consider Burlington and Arlington (located right next to Washington DC (which I like alot) and again the right demographics for you). I would be OK with the other choices.

Anyway, "Bloom where you're planted!" Good Luck with your decision. Should be a great year wherever you end up.

CaliforniaDream

I live in Vegas.

It doesn't get old. When you're here, you don't go to the strip unless it's for work or someone is visiting you. But to have all that entertainment on your doorstep is amazing. You'll never be bored.
When you want to chill out you relax at home where you live.
Go for a hike in the mountains, rent a boat on Lake Mead, play football in one of the many parks, go running on a trail, lie by the pool in your apartments, go for a quiet drink in the 24hr bars, go bowling, play bingo, see a movie, go shopping, see a show, concert, comedy club, go to the gym, sleep.
What do you like to do and I'll tell you where you can do it.

Summer here is hot. 40+degrees but no humidity.Winter is cold but no snow to worry about. If you do want snow, drive 40mins to Mt. Charleston. It gets windy every now and then but rain is not a common thing.

I can't comment on the other places on the list because I haven't spent enough time in them.

hammered

i'm loving all this information, and its serving to be a great help! i'm continuing to weigh up my options and looking up the individual premises and stuff...

burlington sounds cool, something to think about.... i like the sound of the laid back approach, ill research it
vegas is forever tempting....

if it was vegas, do you live far from the strip? would i need a car to get around?

CaliforniaDream

I'm a 20min drive with traffic and lights to the Strip. Most places are 20mins.
You need a car to get around. Public transport is useless here. But you can pick one up for cheap. Just check Craigslist.

As I said, you'll probably only go to the strip for work. When you live here you'll realise the difference in price for everything on and off the strip.
I can drink for 8hours if I want to and it'll cost me $30.
On the strip, $30 will get you 2 drinks. 3 if you drink something cheap.
Restaurants up their prices by about 20% minimum on the strip. Even simple things like pharmacy prices are cheaper off the strip.

You really have no need to go there during your off time. Every neighbourhood has more than enough to keep you occupied.

Let me know what you're interested in and I can tell you if Vegas has it.

avalon68

Burlington is a really cool place, plus if you would like to try winter sports this is the area to be I lived in Providence for a while, even drank in RiRas there I liked providence, Its a small university town (Brown - Ivy league), so accommodation is expensive if you want to live in the downtown/Thayer area - The bar itself was a busy spot when I lived there, Its situated on the river, and they have several events a week along the river in the summer - waterfires etc, which brings in a good crowd. The mall there is awesome if you like to shop. However, certain areas are VERY dodgy after dark there (the college side is fine, but other areas are a bit rough). Its pretty close to boston though which is nice......I think I would choose Burlington over Providence......much more trendy, happening place New England is a nice region to live in - you actually get seasons! Winter sports are great, summers are hot.

Fr Tod Umptious

cheesehead wrote: »

Obviously this is an extremely subjective answer, but I would pick Burlington.

Downsides: Cold winter, fairly isolated "small" city (if you're looking for a larger 'critical mass' city - it's not Burlington. People move from larger cities to live in Burlington. Can be somewhat expensive. Not many jobs (but you have that covered).

Upsides: correct demographics for a twenty-something male. Home to the University of Vermont, think Galway-UCG. Very "progressive" town. If you like the funky, hippy feel - you'll like Burlington. It's former mayor, Bernie Sanders, is currently Vermont's US Senator and the first Socialist ever elected to the US Senate. They call it "The People's Republic of Burlington". Unlike Las Vegas (which I personally feel has all the "soul" of a suburban strip mall), Burlington has some "soul" to it. Very nice physical setting with much outdoor activity available. It's not Atlantic City - this is a good thing (and I'm a New Jersey native). Given the choice between a year in Atlantic City and Burlington, to me this is a no-brainer (and I love the Atlantic Ocean).

Again, this is an incredibly subjective opinion based on my likes/dislikes. Continue to do your research (as you are doing). FWIW, I personally would avoid AC/Evansville/Las Vegas. I would strongly consider Burlington and Arlington (located right next to Washington DC (which I like alot) and again the right demographics for you). I would be OK with the other choices.

Anyway, "Bloom where you're planted!" Good Luck with your decision. Should be a great year wherever you end up.

Another plus for Burlington is that it is relatively close to good big cities like Boston and Montreal.

hammered

Burlington is now top of my list!

I've come to terms with the weather I think, will I cope?!!

Do you guys think I would find accommodation easily enough at a reasonable price - apartment / room / house share?

Once again, thanks for all the info.. keep it comin'!

I have to give my top 3 locations so I better not get my hopes up too high just yet, gotta be positive though!

Manic Moran

Las Vegas, Nevada

Seriously, you have to ask?
That place never gets old for me. Plus, getting to other interesting and nice places (SF, San Diego, Tahoe) is easy and cheap.

Arlington is going to get you the military and government contractors.

I'd put Louisville over Evansville.

I have no huge opinions on the other places. Vermont and New Hampshire have the lowest crime rates in the country though, if that's important to you. (Funny how they're both places that lots of people carry guns)

Hey, CD, you around end July/Early Aug? I'm in town for near two weeks.

NTM

cson

My 2c from being a visitor to Vegas; make sure you can handle heat cos it is insane out there. I've never experienced anything like it.

silja

Ok based on what (little) I know of you and what I know of the locations, I would recommend your three to be: Las Vegas, Burlington and Bethesda. The reasons for the first two have been covered, I think Bethesda deserves the third spot because it has a friendly Irish community, but not too many, it has great public transport (no need for a car), it has a vibrant, multi-cultural community- paertly thanks to the Naval Hospital- but is also very American, and you have quick access to Washington DC and all the culture, museums and nightlife there, as well as the Reagan International airport (cheap flights home).

Killer Wench

hammered wrote: »

Good Afternoon Boardsies,

I'd really appreciate somebodys help here... Basically, I've been offered a job with RiRa Irish Bars and Pubs on a J1 Visa for a year

They have 12 locations across the US, and I must choose my top 3 locations, but I don't have a clue where to start!! Las Vegas sounds cool, but maybe it would be totally unbearable for 12 whole months. The other locations are scattered across the East Coast.
I would really appreciate your input and any experiences you had in the locations, or facts you know about them. I want to enjoy the 12 months, get away from recession, but also some sort of 'normal' life!

Here's a list of the locations they operate in, if anyone can be bothered checkin' them out:
Arlington, Virginia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Bethesda, Maryland
Burlington, Vermont
Charlotte, North Carolina
Evansville, Indiana
Las Vegas, Nevada
Louisville, Kentucky
Portland, Maine
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Providence, Rhode Island

What are you interested in?

I would say:

1. Charlotte - great college town
2. Atlanta - great sports city and a key spot if you are into urban music and culture
3. Arlington - DC suburb, 'nuff said

avalon68

hammered wrote: »

Burlington is now top of my list!

I've come to terms with the weather I think, will I cope?!!

Do you guys think I would find accommodation easily enough at a reasonable price - apartment / room / house share?

Once again, thanks for all the info.. keep it comin'!

I have to give my top 3 locations so I better not get my hopes up too high just yet, gotta be positive though!

It gets pretty cold here - it hit -35oC one day this winter, but, its not like being at home - nothing closes, everyone can still drive around and the roads are pretty much perfect 90% of the time. And you wont mind the snow too much anyway if you get to go skiing/boarding/sledding/skating.... Id advise you to look for a share though - whatever about the rent, the heating bills this year were ridiculously high (for me anyway! And I barely use it). You should also budget for a car if youre coming to New England - there is some public transport about, but it really isnt sufficient, and its a beautiful area to drive around.....and bike around in the fall and summer.

hammered

are you looking for a roomy avalon68?!

i like the sound of atlanta killer, sounds really cool. but then again, so does burlington, even though -35 degrees scares the bejaysus outta me!

i emailed the company and asked for advice regarding these places, so ill get some feedback from their experiences too..

would it be better to stay in a hotel for the first week or so, and then decide the area i want to live in, or have that all organised before i go?

cheers

avalon68

hammered wrote: »

are you looking for a roomy avalon68?!

Im actually in New Hampshire, but Im pretty close to Burlington so I know the area. I had accommodation sorted before getting here, but I think youd be better staying in a motel for a few nights and actually going to view a few places...also remember, if you are renting an apartment, it will probably be unfurnished.........I got a bit of a shock when I got here and there wernt even lightbulbs! So budget for furniture too! Easiest way is to get your place, your american bank card and order online from walmart etc., cos its a pain getting stuff delivered - they really expect you to hire a UHaul and bring it yourself.......which is fine....if you have a US licence - which you wont for a while!

ken123tony

Hiya. I was just wondering did u go on the job and wat location did you go to?

I'm asking this cause I was offered a job with them too.

Can u tell me what ur wage and living expenses r..

Thanks

InTheTrees

I bet he picked Vegas...