Las Vegas, NV 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview 

Las Vegas is more than just the big signs and casinos of The Strip; it is a haven for outdoor adventurers and art lovers. It offers a warm and dry climate for the majority of the year and gets cold enough in the surrounding mountains to experience all four seasons without leaving county limits. Retirees are seeking Las Vegas for its easy access to parks and trails as well as the comforts of small boutiques and local art.

Climate & Geography 

Located in a basin on the floor of the Mojave Desert and surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides, Las Vegas is known for having long, dry, and hot summers. The city averages 310 days of sunshine a year, with 86 percent of sun each day. There are warm transitional seasons and short, mild to chilly winters. 

Though most of the mountain ranges on either side of Las Vegas experience snow, snowfall is rare in the city itself. Snow can accumulate enough on the mountains for skiing in winter and temperatures can dive as much as 20 degrees below the temperature on the ground, offering a break from the heat in the middle of summer.

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment 

Las Vegas has a variety of options for residents seeking the outdoors, including 68 parks. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area borders the western edge of Las Vegas and hosts a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, or even driving through the scenery. On the eastern side is the Colorado River, perfect for kayaking and taking a dip in one of Las Vegas’ many geothermal hot springs. For residents interested in biking, the River Mountains Loop is a 35-mile long circular trail, but beware of crossing desert tortoises.

The city also has an active arts community. The Arts District hosts First Friday Las Vegas every month, a festival for arts and crafts, live music, and food trucks. For those looking for local shopping, Tivoli Village just 12 miles north of The Strip is an outdoor mall featuring a Saturday farmers’ market, salon and spa, and a collection of curated boutiques. 

Cost of Living & Taxes

Las Vegas has the highest cost of living in Nevada, and is much higher compared to the rest of the U.S. This is mainly caused by the price of housing, transportation, and utilities. Costs for Health Care and grocery indexes hover slightly below average.

Nevada does not tax income, making it easy for retirees to enjoy life on a budget and spend more money on entertainment and travel. Property taxes throughout Nevada are lower than the rest of the U.S., and especially low in Clark County. Sales taxes average at a higher rate, hitting 8.25 percent in the city.

Health Care

Las Vegas ranks well in Gallup’s Well-Being Index for Purpose, indicating that residents enjoy what they do every day.

There are several metropolitan hospitals located within and around Las Vegas, two of which are ranked as high-performing by U.S. News: St. Rose Dominican Hospitals–Siena Campus (also ranked No. 1 in Southern Nevada), and Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center. Both hospitals are ranked for their treatment of Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease (COPD).