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

[Dtail]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick12 Add the love bugs that destroy the paint of the car if not removed literally daily.

Yup, I saw a couple of them yesterday.

[flyingaway]

If you don't like casinos, or want to work in casinos, why do you want to be in Las Vegas.
Someone earlier mentioned that a serious gambler should not move to Las Vegas. I have been considering move there just to play slots in casinos.

[Teacher Terry]

I moved to Reno 23 years ago for my career and love it. It has a mild 4 seasons and many years snow that melts when the sun comes out daily. Housing prices keep rising because of Californians fleeing. The downside is the smoke from the surrounding states fires. Lots of things to see and do.

[SunnyOne]

ShokWaveRider - do you mind providing names of the highly rated healthcare facilities? If off topic here, I can send a PM? but maybe others want to know...so

[Katsmeow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingaway If you don't like casinos, or want to work in casinos, why do you want to be in Las Vegas. Someone earlier mentioned that a serious gambler should not move to Las Vegas. I have been considering move there just to play slots in casinos.

When we considered it there were a lot of reasons. Now, I actually do like casinos/gambling to a mild degree. That is, I play some of the table games but not for high dollar. If I lived in the LV area I would probably go there occasionally but not every day by any means.

Things I liked about the area:

1. The climate was acceptable to me. Yes, yes, I know how hot it is in summer but being from Texas that was acceptable to me. Basically, I wanted something in the more mid to southern half of the US.

2. The cost of living was acceptable to me. The cost of houses was acceptable. In fact, both were better than most places.

3. Southern California was a place we rejected basically due to excessive costs of housing and natural disaster risk. However, it is a nice place to visit. it is easy to do so from LV.

4. Travel costs to and from LV are generally low. Our family mostly lives in Texas (although it is scattered in many places). It would be cheaper for them to visit us and us to visit them if we lived in the LV area than most other places out of state from where we were.

5. There is a lot to do in LV even if you are not gambling. There are shows to see, wonderful restaurants to eat it, lots of retail, etc. I liked that idea of always being able to go and do something not that far from where I live. Again, I wouldn't do that everything day but I like the idea of having the option always.

6. The size of LV was acceptable. While we probably would have lived in Henderson, I like the idea of being in a large Metropolitan area. While not huge (by my standards) it was acceptable. And, because of how it has developed, LV itself has many of the entertainment, food, and retail amenities of many larger metropolitan areas.

[Prague]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katsmeow When we considered it there were a lot of reasons. Now, I actually do like casinos/gambling to a mild degree. That is, I play some of the table games but not for high dollar. If I lived in the LV area I would probably go there occasionally but not every day by any means. Things I liked about the area: 1. The climate was acceptable to me. Yes, yes, I know how hot it is in summer but being from Texas that was acceptable to me. Basically, I wanted something in the more mid to southern half of the US. 2. The cost of living was acceptable to me. The cost of houses was acceptable. In fact, both were better than most places. 3. Southern California was a place we rejected basically due to excessive costs of housing and natural disaster risk. However, it is a nice place to visit. it is easy to do so from LV. 4. Travel costs to and from LV are generally low. Our family mostly lives in Texas (although it is scattered in many places). It would be cheaper for them to visit us and us to visit them if we lived in the LV area than most other places out of state from where we were. 5. There is a lot to do in LV even if you are not gambling. There are shows to see, wonderful restaurants to eat it, lots of retail, etc. I liked that idea of always being able to go and do something not that far from where I live. Again, I wouldn't do that everything day but I like the idea of having the option always. 6. The size of LV was acceptable. While we probably would have lived in Henderson, I like the idea of being in a large Metropolitan area. While not huge (by my standards) it was acceptable. And, because of how it has developed, LV itself has many of the entertainment, food, and retail amenities of many larger metropolitan areas.

You articulated a lot of reasons that we put LV on our short list. Now we just need to verify a few items mentioned by some folks on this thread:
1. Access to quality healthcare access
2. how they would sustain the no/low tax if the demand for entertainment/large gathering goes down as potential "new norm"
3. Crime

[wompo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prague You articulated a lot of reasons that we put LV on our short list. Now we just need to verify a few items mentioned by some folks on this thread: 1. Access to quality healthcare access 2. how they would sustain the no/low tax if the demand for entertainment/large gathering goes down as potential "new norm" 3. Crime

My wife and I moved to Las Vegas (north west) 2 years ago. We love it here. Year round great places to hike and other outdoor activities. Airport has direct flights to many locations. Only been to strip once and we don’t really gamble so I don’t know much about that.

1. Our healthcare on bronze ACA plan is 900.00 a month with 16500 OOP. Don’t use it much but the few times we did we were satisfied with the care we received. (58 yo) had colonoscopy and such and doctors seem good.

2. I guess they would raise taxes on other things or adopt income tax. One sticker shock we had moving here was cost of auto insurance.

3. At least around where we live I don’t worry about crime any more than I have any place else I have lived.

[Gumby]

You do know it's in the middle of a desert, right?

[Katsmeow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wompo 1. Our healthcare on bronze ACA plan is 900.00 a month with 16500 OOP. Don’t use it much but the few times we did we were satisfied with the care we received. (58 yo) had colonoscopy and such and doctors seem good.

From the research and feedback I received from other forums centered on Las Vegas, there isn't any issue for routine care and every day procedures (like a colonoscopy). The problem is more with things that require specialists particularly higher level care and that some procedures are just not done in Nevada. So if I needed an organ transplant I would have to go out of state. Or if I needed cancer care beyond the most basic I would want to go out of state. Or lots of other things. We don't have any of those kinds of problems yet but we could develop them and getting older this was the one area where so many people told us Las Vegas (Nevada in general) was subpar. I think it is improving, but I don't know how long that will take.

[timo2]

I lived in the area in LV the 1980's. It's a nice place to live. There is a lot to do if you don't gamble. When I lived there, there was a clear distinction between the tourist areas and the local resident areas. There are even casinos termed 'local casinos'. When we visit we like to go back to the 'locals' casinos. They are much friendlier, IMO.

[ShokWaveRider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunnyOne ShokWaveRider - do you mind providing names of the highly rated healthcare facilities? If off topic here, I can send a PM? but maybe others want to know...so

Where did I mention "Highly Rated Facilities"? I said the service was outstanding in comparison to NV and AZ. Based on input from friends that moved to both locations from California. Example; appointments with any specialist or doctors all within days of calling. Often next day, certainly within a couple of days. I am not sure you would find any complaints from those who live in the desirable areas in Florida, we certainly don't.

Check the Specialists in St. Johns County Florida. Most are world class. Cardiology, Gastric, Ocular, Orthopedic, Mayo Clinic, You name it, they are all here. Best of all in our particular case they are all within a 10 mile radius. Makes moving from here a real challenge as I am reliant on good cardiologists and good hospitals.

[RobLJ]

We moved to Reno from Houston to retire 5 years ago (well, I semi-retired working online part-time until May). But we're hikers, active in the Sierra Club, and my house is 1/2 mile from the river to fly-fish and skiing is 30 minutes away.

Reno is warming, though; average temperatures are up 5 degrees or so from the average of the last 70 years. July through August was in the 90's, mostly high 90s (it is a dry heat). I drive to El Cerrito and take the BART to watch Oakland/Astros when they are playing and once in a while to catch the Giants. It's about a 3 hour drive, so San Francisco is easily reachable for Big City events like opera, etc. We've been camping all over the state this summer, since we bought a state parks pass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by samm +1 Good observations on Reno advantage over LV. Reno also has other lakes, access to mountains, and easy access to CA. When the eviction moratorium ends in NV (and mortgage forbearance) there will be big problems. Very high unemployment due to shutdown. If tourists do not come back fast this will be a very bad fall.

[Nick12]

Vegas has a nice Chinatown in the suburbs.

[SunnyOne]

Where did I mention "Highly Rated Facilities"?

I apologize if I misunderstood.

[Teacher Terry]

We live in Northern Nevada. Vegas is too hot and big. Plus I find it ugly.

[dixonge]

We have some friends who moved from Seattle to LV (Henderson area I believe) a few years ago upon retirement. Close to his daughter. Recently found out they will be moving back to Seattle in a few years, heat being the main factor cited.

[Prague]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wompo My wife and I moved to Las Vegas (north west) 2 years ago. We love it here. Year round great places to hike and other outdoor activities. Airport has direct flights to many locations. Only been to strip once and we don’t really gamble so I don’t know much about that. 1. Our healthcare on bronze ACA plan is 900.00 a month with 16500 OOP. Don’t use it much but the few times we did we were satisfied with the care we received. (58 yo) had colonoscopy and such and doctors seem good. 2. I guess they would raise taxes on other things or adopt income tax. One sticker shock we had moving here was cost of auto insurance. 3. At least around where we live I don’t worry about crime any more than I have any place else I have lived.

I am a bit concerned about the hot temp in the Vegas area. Do people just stay indoors most of the summer? How is the pandemic going to impact the area over the long run? Looks like it was built to gather crowds - not just the casinos, but the shows, and exhibits. Do you thin the real estate market there is somewhat overheated now given all the exodus from CA?

[wompo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prague I am a bit concerned about the hot temp in the Vegas area. Do people just stay indoors most of the summer? How is the pandemic going to impact the area over the long run? Looks like it was built to gather crowds - not just the casinos, but the shows, and exhibits. Do you thin the real estate market there is somewhat overheated now given all the exodus from CA?

The heat has not really bothered me like I thought it would. Just a couple months of really hot weather. I lived in the northeast and I found winters worse than the summer heat here. Since I’m not working I can be in the mountains in 30 minutes from my house with great temps any day I want.

Real estate is probably overheated but I don’t really think much about it since I plan to be here for the long haul. Lots of new developments being built up north of city where I live.

I don’t really know how the pandemic will impact the area if at all in the long run. Short term pain I’m sure but things will most likely go back to something close to pre pandemic in the next year or two.

[FreeBear]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wompo The heat has not really bothered me like I thought it would. Just a couple months of really hot weather. I lived in the northeast and I found winters worse than the summer heat here. Since I’m not working I can be in the mountains in 30 minutes from my house with great temps any day I want. Real estate is probably overheated but I don’t really think much about it since I plan to be here for the long haul. Lots of new developments being built up north of city where I ... .

+1

Ditto except in Tucson!

Surprised to find I can tolerate the heat and get out year round. Ac for the rest

[gooddog]

I know several people who have retired to LV. All of them are happy with it, but almost all of them bought a house - sold it, and bought another one in a different part of LV. They have all settled in the far north of LV.