Vegas is a scum pit. It embodies everything that is vile and disgusting about America.
If I had 3k to spend I'd go to Mexico. Not T.J. Mexico, southern Mexico. Guatamala, Honduraz... some places like that. You can make it down there for cheap if you had the heart, and then your money would last you a while if you have the brains once your there. As far as getting back... why would you want to?