[movin1]

I'm trying to convince our HOA to hire a company to do at least the front yards of all the homes. Too many people don't trim their landscaping. Many hire a company to do their homes so some look good, some look pretty bad. The HOA says they have rules, but I don't see them being enforced.

[Cold Warrior]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

I note from TV shows like House Hunters that more HOAs include doing all the lawn work around SFHs and THs and not leaving it up to occupants, as many occupants are renters with no lawn/garden gear. As more people rent SFHs and THs this trend should expand, and I like it. A lot.

I'm sick of having one full garage space (or plug-ugly yard shed) filled with thousands of dollars of power tools, hand tools, fuels, chemicals, spreaders, nippers, clippers, chippers, rakes, hoes, shovels, hoses, nozzles, sprinklers, ladders, gloves, goggles, knee pads, batteries, chargers, ad nauseam. Multiply that times tens of millions of SFHs in America's massive suburban wastelands and pretty soon we're talking some serious beer money, not to mention all the noise every weekend as millions of Harry Homeowners play the role of Marvel Comic's latest super hero "Property Maintenance Man."

What I meant was that ornamental lawns are being replaced by artificial grass. This is encouraged now

Upgrade existing grass to water-smart landscaping and receive $3 per square foot of grass converted to xeriscape

but may become mandatory soon. FWIW the artificial lawns look much better than the real ones.

[himain]

Up your budget by a couple hundred grand and you'll be fine

[Cold Warrior]

Remember to up your income by a couple hundred grand also.

[Chappy2017]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

I note from TV shows like House Hunters that more HOAs include doing all the lawn work around SFHs and THs and not leaving it up to occupants, as many occupants are renters with no lawn/garden gear. As more people rent SFHs and THs this trend should expand, and I like it. A lot.

I'm sick of having one full garage space (or plug-ugly yard shed) filled with thousands of dollars of power tools, hand tools, fuels, chemicals, spreaders, nippers, clippers, chippers, rakes, hoes, shovels, hoses, nozzles, sprinklers, ladders, gloves, goggles, knee pads, batteries, chargers, ad nauseam. Multiply that times tens of millions of SFHs in America's massive suburban wastelands and pretty soon we're talking some serious beer money, not to mention all the noise every weekend as millions of Harry Homeowners play the role of Marvel Comic's latest super hero "Property Maintenance Man."

I had to laugh at this, as it was a picture of me. When I moved here 5 years ago, I got rid of my hedge trimmer, blower, rake, shovels, mower, hoses, and extension cords. I gave them to a friend who just bought a house. I said I won't be needing them, so I thought. I ended up buying all, except the mower. Five years later I ended up hiring a yard Maint. co. Best 100 bucks a month I spend. No letters from the HOA, telling me to trim a tree.
I don't think the OP's lower end of the budget is realistic, nor the utilities, not to mention car insurance. It is just the two of us, 1811 sq. ft. 240.00 for HOA, 100.00 for yard Maint. Gas, Elec, and water are about 300.00 and we are conservative. Car and house insurance, 130.00 and that is for just liability. Our food runs, 300.00 per week, not including beer and wine. We use Uber if we are going out, but the last fill-up was 5.37 a gallon.
Then there is the entertainment and that is up to you, but it is Vegas. I was going to start a go-fund-me for my entertainment, YES I AM JOKING. I have had people actually believe that.
When you live in Vegas, it is about enjoying the life you experienced as a tourist. The fewer hassles, the better! If you don't need the money, forget starting a small business. The Airb&b sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. If you travel, try looking at the high-rises, Martin, Turnberry, Ogden... Lock it and leave. We live in a 55+, guarded and gated and I feel safer here, than I did in the small town, of Kerrville, Tx.
When you move to Vegas, you want fewer complications and time to enjoy those things you did when you visited as a tourist.
People on this site will be brutally honest and that is why five years here and I LOVE it even more! It may be my age (60), but I lost my wanderlust. If I had another 60 years, I want it to be here. I am a Native Texan!