Nevada, the 7th largest state, was inducted into the union in October of 1864. Though not always known for its place in history, Nevada was the first state to change the 15th amendment, in 1869, giving African American men the right to vote.
Nevada is legendary for its opulent casino community, but it is also home to the famous Area 51, which was established by the CIA in 1955. Though Area 51 is the birthplace for Archangel-12, one of the first stealth planes, it is also believed to be an extraterrestrial research lab.
Though Nevada has a significantly small population in relation to the states’ physical size, it did experience a population growth spurt in the early 2000s. Over the last several years, it has become home to many retirees.
There are several factors to contemplate when deciding on the right place to retire. And the truth is, not every state is the right one for everyone, and thank goodness for that since it would get pretty crowded.
Many retirees take into consideration factors such as where their family and friends live, the medical facilities available in the area, crime, taxes, and cost of living. All of these elements are important. However, there are some other things to think about like:
- Weather
- Entertainment
- Access to airports
- Public transportation
We understand finding the ideal place to retire is a difficult choice, which is why we have done our best to outline the major points of each of the top five cities we’ve chosen.
Nevada has a few significant reasons for being an excellent place to retire. First are the taxes. Nevada does not tax:
- Social security benefits
- Income
- Withdrawals on public or personal pensions
- Withdrawals on retirement funds
The second reason Nevada is a great retirement destination is because of the weather and abundance of available outdoor activities. Nevada is full of great places to explore, such as Cathedral Gorge State Park, Great Basin National Park, and many more.
Another reason why Nevada is the ideal place to retire is due to its urban culture and nightlife. Though Nevada is synonymous with casinos and gambling, it also has a multitude of shows, theater, and art galleries.
Where to Retire in Nevada
- Las Vegas
- Henderson
- Carson
- Mesquite
- Gardnerville
Las Vegas
- Percent of Senior Population 14%
- Overall Population 644,644
For those seeking a place to settle down amongst the bright lights and activity of a bustling and ever-growing city, Las Vegas may be the best place for you. If you are retired but wouldn’t mind picking up a part job to stay busy, the tourist industry of Las Vegas is always hiring.
Plus, if you are looking for a city with a vibrant urban culture full of Michelin star restaurants, art galleries, and live performances, Las Vegas is the city for you.
Even if you never bet a dime, Las Vegas will never get boring. Some of the great things to check out in the area are:
- Live performances like the Cirque du Soleil, a comedy show, or magic show with David Copperfield
- Hike Red Rock Canyon
- Museums like:
- The Mob Museum
- Natural History
- Springs Preserve
- Madame Tussauds for an outdoor gondola ride
Plus, if you have friends and family from out of town, there is so much for you to show them when they are in town. And the McCarran International Airport is conveniently located in Las Vegas, making picking up guests or getting away on vacation a breeze.
Though Las Vegas is full of wonderful attractions available at all hours of the day or night, it does have one significant drawback, which is their higher than average crime rate. But of the many Nevada cities, it does have a fair number of medical facilities, with an average of 3.37 per 1,000 residents.
Henderson
- Percent of Senior Population 17.9%
- Overall Population 310,390
Henderson isn’t just the second-largest city on our list; it is also the second-largest in the state. It is also no surprise that it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US with its beautiful desert landscapes and mountain views. Additionally, its proximity to Lake Mead doesn’t hurt either.
Another very appealing aspect of the city is that it is only five short miles from Las Vegas, giving its residents the distance from the bright lights, but with easy access to the convenience and excitement of the city.
Living in Henderson allows you to enjoy the suburban and urban life all within easy distance of two fabulous parks. For seniors looking to enjoy nature as much as city life, both the Sloan Canyon National Conservation area and Red Rock Canyon will help keep you active. These parks offer not only amazing views but also miles of hiking.
Because Henderson is close to Las Vegas, it too has a higher crime rate, though it is slightly lower than what you will find within the Las Vegas city limits. However, it is also within a short drive of several full-service hospitals.
Carson City
- Percent of Senior Population 19.2%
- Overall Population 55,414
Carson City is the capital of Nevada. It is a fraction of the size of Las Vegas, but it still is home to several significant attractions as well as several casinos so you can still enjoy the comforts found Las Vegas like:
- Fabulous restaurants
- Amazing live entertainment
- Dancing
If you favor spending your days outside, Carson City sits on the left shore of Lake Tahoe. Additionally, Carson City is also within easy reach of Tahoe National Forest, where you can enjoy camping and hiking. Plus, the city is near enough to the mountains you can enjoy your winter days skiing the slopes.
If you enjoy history and art they have several amazing museums and galleries to choose from like:
- The Nevada State Railroad Museum
- Nevada State Museum
- Charlie B Gallery
- Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery
- Benko Art Gallery
Though Carson City isn’t known for its high senior population, it does support several senior communities, as well as a high number of recreational facilities.
Although it has an active casino community, it doesn’t share the high crime rate in Las Vegas. And though it may not have as many medical facilities as its larger city counterparts, it does still have 2.02 medical centers per 1,000 people.
Mesquite
- Percent of Senior Population 38.2%
- Overall Population 19,079
Mesquite is located along the Arizona border and enjoys the same dry heat as it’s southern neighbor.
If you couldn’t already tell by the senior population listed above, Mesquite is a very popular town for retirees. Mesquite prides itself on being a “low-key Las Vegas.” In addition to the casinos in the area, Mesquite also has several resort-style golf courses.
So, for the golfers looking to retire to an area with vibrant greens but without the luxury prices, Mesquite golf courses might be able to make that dream come true.
Plus, because of the year-round warm weather you never have to worry about the offseason, since golf is a sport enjoyed all year long. And though Mesquite is a smaller community, it is home to the Mesquite Sports and Event Complex, which hosts several major events throughout the year.
For those who prefer to be able to get around on foot, Mesquite is appreciated for being a very walkable community. You can stroll the town for exercise, errands, or for when you feel like going out for the evening.
Though Mesquite fashions itself as a low-key Las Vegas, it is not for Urbanites, as the slower pace will not be enough to keep you entertained. However, if you prefer the smaller town feel, but with the conveniences associated with casinos, Mesquite could be the ideal place to settle down.
Gardnerville
- Percent of Senior Population 20%
- Overall Population 6,148
Founded in 1879, Gardnerville is the smallest town on the list. Gardnerville is located near the California border and has a magnificent view of the western mountains.
We know not everyone who moves to Nevada is looking for the busy city life of Las Vegas, which is why we thought the small town living of Gardnerville would be appealing to many potential residents.
One of Gardnerville’s most attractive attributes is its low tax burden of 15.6%. Additionally, it also has a high number of retirement communities and recreational facilities.
Gardnerville is less than a half-hour drive from the ski slopes, and only 30 minutes to the shores of Lake Tahoe, making it the ideal town for active seniors who love the outdoors. In addition to skiing and boating, Gardnerville is also close enough to several parks great for walking or bicycling.
But one of the many gems of Gardnerville is the number of medical facilities in the area. Gardnerville has 2.48 medical facilities per 1,000.
Unfortunately, one of the drawbacks of Gardnerville is the cost of housing, which is higher than average. However, it is significantly safer than the larger Nevada cities, which seems like a fair compromise.
So if you would like to enjoy the quiet country life and take advantage of Nevada’s tax laws, Gardnerville might just fit the bill.
If none of these cities appeal to you, there are plenty of other states that you can consider, like Florida and New Mexico.
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