Retiring In Las Vegas: A Guide To Make An Informed Decision
If you’re considering retiring in Las Vegas, there are a lot of added benefits that go along with it. Las Vegas draws retirees for reasons beyond the weather such as: no state income tax, no tax on Social Security or retirement income, and a wide range of 55+ communities across the valley. Here’s what to weigh as you plan the move.
For many people, retirement is also about choosing a place where everyday life can be shaped around the lifestyle they want. The Valley offers everything from quiet suburban neighborhoods and established adult communities in Las Vegas to golf, dining, entertainment, outdoor recreation, and easy access to Harry Reid International Airport.
The valley also gives retirees very different areas to choose from, whether you prefer being closer to the activity of central Las Vegas, or even farther out in communities such as Summerlin, Henderson, or the northwest valley. That variety makes it worth looking beyond the obvious financial advantages, and considering which part of Las Vegas best fits the way you actually want to spend your retirement.
Some Of The Best Places To Retire In Las Vegas
Sun City Summerlin and Sun City Anthem are the two best known age restricted, active adult communities in Las Vegas. Each has their own amenities, clubs, and price points. There are also Smaller 55+ developments in Las Vegas that exist throughout Henderson, such as Green Valley Ranch, and Centennial Hills, in the Northwest part of the valley. Listed below we’ve outlined these areas as some of the best places to retire in Las Vegas.
Sun City Summerlin
Sun City Summerlin is a large 55+ community located along the western edge of the Las Vegas Valley, near the foothills of the Spring Mountains. The community is made up primarily of single family homes and is well established. It has mature landscaping and views that vary by location throughout the development. Its location puts residents close to shopping, restaurants, medical offices, and many of the other services found throughout Summerlin.
The community is particularly known for its extensive recreational facilities. Residents have access to multiple golf courses, recreation centers, swimming pools, fitness facilities, sports courts, walking areas, and a large number of clubs and organized activities. Because of its size, buyers can also find a fairly broad selection of home styles and price points within the community.
Sun City Anthem
Sun City Anthem is a 55+ community in Henderson, and is positioned in the elevated Anthem area near the southern edge of the Las Vegas Valley. Its higher elevation gives portions of the community expansive views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Its location provides convenient access to shopping, restaurants, healthcare, and everyday services.
The community includes single family homes along with extensive recreational and social facilities. Residents have access to clubhouses, fitness facilities, pools, sports courts, walking trails, clubs, classes, and organized activities.
Sun City Anthem can be particularly appealing to retirees who want an active adult community, while also preferring the Henderson side of the valley.
Green Valley Ranch
Green Valley Ranch is an established master planned community in Henderson, rather than a single 55+ development. This makes it a different option for retirees who may want to live among residents of different ages, instead of choosing an exclusively age restricted community.
The area includes a mixture of single family homes, townhomes, condominiums, gated neighborhoods, and communities designed for older adults.
One of Green Valley Ranch’s biggest advantages is how established the surrounding area already is.
Conveniences such as shopping, restaurants, parks, entertainment, grocery stores, and everyday services are readily available throughout this part of Henderson.
This location can be a good fit for retirees who want suburban living with plenty of things nearby, without necessarily making an active adult community the center of their retirement lifestyle.
Centennial Hills
Centennial Hills is in the northwest portion of Las Vegas and offers another alternative for retirees who do not necessarily want to live in one of the valley’s large traditional retirement communities. The area has developed considerably over the years and includes single family neighborhoods, gated communities, condominiums, townhomes, and options suitable for buyers looking for lower maintenance living.
Compared with some of the more centrally located parts of Las Vegas, Centennial Hills can have a more suburban, less congested feel while still providing access to shopping, restaurants, grocery stores, parks, and other everyday necessities.
Its northwest location also places residents closer to the routes leading toward Mount Charleston, and the outdoor recreation available beyond the rest of the developed valley.
Healthcare Access When Retiring In Las Vegas
The valley is served by several hospital systems spread across different areas: Sunrise Hospital and University Medical Center (UMC) are the major names on the east and central side, with UMC serving as the valley’s Level I trauma center.
Valley Health System operates hospitals in Summerlin, Henderson, and Spring Valley, and Dignity Health’s St. Rose Dominican network has campuses in Henderson, and the southwest valley as well.
Coverage is solid overall, though it’s still worth researching whether any specialists you rely on are in a network before committing to a neighborhood far from your preferred hospital system.
Nevada Retirement Taxes And Advantages
When retiring in Las Vegas, or anywhere for that matter, you want to make sure to do your due diligence and see how the taxes are structured. No state income tax means your pension, 401(k) withdrawals, and Social Security go further here than in many other states. Property taxes in Nevada are also relatively low compared to the national average.
For retirees moving from a state with higher income or property taxes, those differences can have a noticeable impact on a retirement budget. Nevada also does not impose an estate or inheritance tax at the state level, which may be another consideration for retirees thinking about longer term financial and estate planning.
Taxes, however, are only one part of the cost of retiring in Las Vegas. Housing costs can vary considerably depending on the neighborhood and type of community you choose, and HOA fees are common in many master planned and 55+ communities. Homeowners should also consider insurance, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and other everyday expenses when comparing Las Vegas with their current location.
Before deciding whether or not retiring in Las Vegas is the right decision for you, it can be helpful to compare your actual retirement income and expected expenses rather than relying on a general cost of living comparison.
Everyone’s financial situation is different, but Nevada’s tax structure is one of the reasons Las Vegas continues to be considered by retirees looking for a place where they can enjoy their retirement income while still having access to the amenities of a major metropolitan area.