Has Anyone here retired to Vegas area? How is the experience?

[albireo13]

I have travelled to LV area.
No interest in retiring there.
No thanks.

 

[paul5795]

I have to laugh when people talk about Las Vegas' dry heat. When it's 114 degrees in the summer, does it really matter that the heat is dry? The heat in an oven is dry, but I wouldn't want to sit in it. I like to visit Las Vegas, but I wouldn't care to live there. But that's just me. I don't like hot weather, dry or wet.

This made me laugh, as my wife and I joke about this all the time. Having lived in Las Vegas, Washington DC, and St. Petersburg Florida, I can tell you flat out that I would much rather be in Vegas at 110 degrees and low humidity than Washington DC or St. Petersburg, at say, 95 degrees and high humidity.

Anyways, we lived for three years in Henderson and currently own a house in North Las Vegas that we rent out. I think most of the pros and cons of Vegas have been laid out here pretty well. I will say this, though, the thing I liked the most about Vegas was the proximity to great outdoor activities. Literally only a three hour drive from Death Valley National Park. Less than eight hours to the Grand Canyon south rim, and a bit more to the North Rim (an entirely different experience). And all those National Parks in Southern Utah, less than a days drive away. And Great Basin NP, Valley of Fire, Redrock, . . . . wow, Vegas is just a wonderful location if you like the outdoors. Casinos? Who needs them!!

Also, interesting factoid, Vegas actually has a surplus of water. Clark County sells some of its Lake Mead water rights to LA every year. And Clark County actually pumps excess water into the ground every year, to support the local wells. Our house in northern Vegas is on well water, and that works perfectly fine.

 

[Beachcomber]

My parents retired to Las Vegas in 2000. Dad sold his business $$$$ and wanted a tax free state. My brother lived there and that was also a factor in the decision. They bought a house in North Vegas, (in a housing development), and if you ask me, they all look the same! Thank God for gps. My dad flew to John Wayne Airport weekly (with an aide) for Alzheimer treatments. This was costly for 7 years.

One factor I agree with is the healthcare is not up to par. My wife is an RN and we witnessed some very poor care for their age related issues.

On a positive note, due to the large Philippine population they were able to have 24/7 caregivers and maintain their independence much longer.

They enjoyed their grand kids nearby. Dinner usually consisted of casino or upscale restaurants for lunch, ordering dinner portions for their later meal.

Hope this helps.

 

[Nick12]

My parents retired to Las Vegas in 2000. Dad sold his business $$$$ and wanted a tax free state. My brother lived there and that was also a factor in the decision. They bought a house in North Vegas, (in a housing development), and if you ask me, they all look the same! Thank God for gps. My dad flew to John Wayne Airport weekly (with an aide) for Alzheimer treatments. This was costly for 7 years.

One factor I agree with is the healthcare is not up to par. My wife is an RN and we witnessed some very poor care for their age related issues.

On a positive note, due to the large Philippine population they were able to have 24/7 caregivers and maintain their independence much longer.

They enjoyed their grand kids nearby. Dinner usually consisted of casino or upscale restaurants for lunch, ordering dinner portions for their later meal.

Hope this helps.

That's true of the Filipinos. Some of the most caring folks I've met in the country. Not just in Vegas, but being really awesome home health sides is common in their group.

 

[Rustic23]

We lived there for three years, a very long time ago, think Circus Circus opens when we were there. However, we have been back several times. The product of Vegas was and I think still is, Money, they buy, trade and sell it! There was no other industry of size. The economy went the way of the tourist. Housing was short construction, and the press tightly controller what got out. No story that portrayed Vegas in a negative ever got to the wires, and there was lots of news about drugs being sold on the school grounds in the local papers.

However, the town has energy! It truly is the city that never sleeps. 24 he entertainment, and shopping. Yet, everything has to be shipped in.

This is the one place I would rent for a couple of years. You either love it or hate it. As others have said, there are other areas of NV. I would look at first

Edit: Dry Heat! Your oven is! At Nellis AFB, we could not flying the summer between the hours of 9 to 5. The aircraft got to hot for the ground crews to service them!

 

[Librarian]

Vegas has had the #1 spot for us

Tho we continue to look at other options.
Why?
DH LOVES to golf.
Reasonable cost of living
Love the weather--I can sit on my patio for coffee/cocktails ALL YEAR ROUND (well, almost)--cannot do that in Nebraska...
Love the nearby natural features. Love to hike, boat, etc.
Love the international airport
Love the proximity to CA--I'd love to live there but not comfy w/ housing prices.
Love the cultural offerings--shows, dining, sports, arts.

As said, health care is less of an issue now.

All large cities have crime--make smart choices to minimize risk.

 

[samm]

...The product of Vegas was and I think still is, Money, they buy, trade and sell it! There was no other industry of size. ...No story that portrayed Vegas in a negative ever got to the wires, ....

I agree with your views on the media.

Do not expect balanced coverage from the NV media. Nevada's largest circulation newspaper, the Review-Journal, IS OWNED BY A CASINO GROUP! (LV Sands Corporation).

I took media class at UNLV where a retired reporter told us that the Review-Journal had an expose written about Steve Wynn in the 1990s and that the editors killed the investigation when they saw the draft results. The truth was revealed only recently by an out-of-state newspaper.

On February 6, 2018, Wynn stepped down as CEO of Wynn Resorts amid accusations of sexual misconduct including harassment, assault, and coercion.

 

[Chuckanut]

Retiring to Las Vega also means retiring to Nevada.

How is the corona virus shutdown hitting Nevada tax revenues? Those casinos are/were a huge source of tax revenue, correct? Will they need to raise other taxes to make up for the loss? Are they cutting the budget? Is there any rumbling to impose a state income tax? Or raise other taxes?

I ask the above because corona virus in my state is becoming a reason to add a state income tax. Toss in the recent forest fires and they also want a new carbon tax. Of course, there is no talk of reducing any other taxes to compensate for the new ones.

 

[Sunset]

Retiring to Las Vega also means retiring to Nevada.

How is the corona virus shutdown hitting Nevada tax revenues? Those casinos are/were a huge source of tax revenue, correct? Will they need to raise other taxes to make up for the loss? Are they cutting the budget? Is there any rumbling to impose a state income tax? Or raise other taxes?

I ask the above because corona virus in my state is becoming a reason to add a state income tax. Toss in the recent forest fires and they also want a new carbon tax. Of course, there is no talk of reducing any other taxes to compensate for the new ones.

I notice lots of folks wonder if States with zero income tax will increase/add State taxes due to covid-19, yet this will affect all States & Cities.

Unless a State has been taking in surplus money in previous years, that they have been banking for a rainy day, they will have an increase in debt.

I wonder how many other States (even ones with high taxes) and Cities will feel the need/desire to raise taxes due to the drop in revenue from Covid-19.

 

[samm]

How is the corona virus shutdown hitting Nevada tax revenues? Those casinos are/were a huge source of tax revenue, correct? Will they need to raise other taxes to make up for the loss? Are they cutting the budget? Is there any rumbling to impose a state income tax? Or raise other taxes?

Tax base is VERY dependent on gaming & tourist-related taxes. See chart.

Tax revenues are certainly falling and governmental layoffs are being considered or implemented.

A state income tax may well be required to balance the budget.

https://guinncenter.org/photo-essay/nevada-budget-overview-2019-2021/

 

[ivinsfan]

Retiring to Las Vega also means retiring to Nevada.

How is the corona virus shutdown hitting Nevada tax revenues? Those casinos are/were a huge source of tax revenue, correct? Will they need to raise other taxes to make up for the loss? Are they cutting the budget? Is there any rumbling to impose a state income tax? Or raise other taxes?

I ask the above because corona virus in my state is becoming a reason to add a state income tax. Toss in the recent forest fires and they also want a new carbon tax. Of course, there is no talk of reducing any other taxes to compensate for the new ones.

This area Vegas has really been hit hard..countless jobs lost. Will they come back, who knows. But I would expect higher taxes, less services and maybe increasing property crime.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Even if Nevada ends up with a state income tax our property taxes are incredibly low. Our house is appraised at 371k and our yearly taxes are 770. The formula takes into account how old your house is.

 

[ragabnh]

Henderson is very safe and is in the top ten cities in the US safetywise.

I have been living in Henderson since 1995.

 

[samm]

Even if Nevada ends up with a state income tax our property taxes are incredibly low. Our house is appraised at 371k and our yearly taxes are 770. The formula takes into account how old your house is.

Terry: I vote to increase your tax rate to mine

I think all taxes will have to rise: property & sales taxes are easiest to increase because they are already in place.

Clark County is losing a massive amount of sales tax revenue, hotel tax rev., entertainment ticket taxes & car rental taxes.

The combined 2020 sales tax rate for Clark County is 8.38% -- The Nevada state sales tax rate is currently 4.6% & the Clark County sales tax rate is 3.78%.

 

[Librarian]

I've done a lot of research on neighborhoods

What area(s) did they start in and why did they move?

I also spent a lot of time driving around these neighborhoods in June.

NW Vegas is desirable--Summerlin, Sun City
Henderson is also a very popular area, which is SE Vegas, and a bit less expensive.
I was told by locals to avoid NE Vegas (I've been to a casino up there; I kinda get it just on that one visit) & directly East of the Strip. The LV Country Club is NE of the Strip--some cool houses but apparently surrounded by sketchy areas.

As far as the heat--we are from Nebraska. I'll take dry heat ANYDAY over humid heat. Plus I'm OVER winter.

We have done over 100 trips to Vegas in nearly 30 years. Yes, we gamble (mostly poker). But we have met numerous couples who have retired there who also gamble. They LOVE IT. Gambling is part of your budget just like anything else--an entertainment expense. I realize not all people can do that, but we are confident in our plans.

 

[Golden Mean]

I have to laugh when people talk about Las Vegas' dry heat. When it's 114 degrees in the summer, does it really matter that the heat is dry? The heat in an oven is dry, but I wouldn't want to sit in it. I like to visit Las Vegas, but I wouldn't care to live there. But that's just me. I don't like hot weather, dry or wet.

Another thing to note is that any day that has a high of about 105 or less, once the sun goes down, is really comfortable. 85 and dry here at night is way way different than 85 and humid at night like when I lived in Memphis,TN. The outdoor restaurants can also spray a fine water mist that cools things down quite a bit. Can't do that in a humid environment.

Also, Summerlin tends to be about 5 degrees or so cooler than the valley/strip.

 

[paul5795]

Even if Nevada ends up with a state income tax our property taxes are incredibly low. Our house is appraised at 371k and our yearly taxes are 770. The formula takes into account how old your house is.

Can you post a link to the tax formula? My house is appraised at slightly more than yours, but my Clark County real estate tax is quite a bit more than yours.

 

[paul5795]

I also spent a lot of time driving around these neighborhoods in June.

As far as the heat--we are from Nebraska. I'll take dry heat ANYDAY over humid heat. Plus I'm OVER winter.

Amen to both the dry heat and being OVER winter.

We have done over 100 trips to Vegas in nearly 30 years. Yes, we gamble (mostly poker). But we have met numerous couples who have retired there who also gamble. They LOVE IT. Gambling is part of your budget just like anything else--an entertainment expense. I realize not all people can do that, but we are confident in our plans.

Yup, gambling is entertainment, and can be budgeted for. I play both poker and advantage BJ, and so have a "negative" budget over time and many visits. I would love to move back to Vegas permanently, but the wife says no.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Paul, I would assume it’s on the Washoe County website.

 

[paul5795]

Paul, I would assume it’s on the Washoe County website.

Ah, you don't live in the Vegas area. Since real estate taxes are local, your tax rate in Washoe is bound to be calculated differently than my rate in Clark County. Thanks anyways.