Book calls Henderson high-priced for seniors

By Timothy Pratt

Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004 | 11:05 a.m.

A book rating places for senior citizens to retire says Henderson offers one of the worst cultural environments and highest costs of living in the nation.

On the other hand, if seniors coming here want to work, there are jobs available to them. And the climate's not that bad, especially if you have arthritis.

But overall, the new book -- "Retirement Places Rated" -- ranks Henderson 53rd among 203 communities in the nation, down from number 3 the last time the book was published, in 1999.

"I was shocked to see how expensive it was to live (in Henderson)," said book author David Savageau, who has written the same guide for 20 years.

"Just five years ago, Californians would come and see it as a bargain," Savageau said.

"Now it resembles California and the East Coast -- and the housing is not all that great shakes, either," he said.

The book's results contrast with Henderson's reputation as a magnet for all populations, including seniors, with its ranking as the third-fastest growing city with a population above 100,000 in the nation, according to July 2003 Census estimates. About 10 percent of the city's estimated 215,000 residents are 65 and over.

But Savageau said he thinks the boom won't last.

"I think the people coming in are somewhat in denial," he said.

"They just want to get in on the boom while they can."

The guide is based on individual scores and rankings for six categories -- ambience (which includes good restaurants, the performing arts, outdoor areas and historical areas), cost of living, climate, personal safety, services and the economy. Those categories are then used to come up with overall rankings.

In cost of living -- which includes home prices, property taxes, and average homeowner costs -- Henderson ranked 162 out of 203.

For Bob McCune, former president of the Silver-Haired Forum, a Congressional lobbying group for seniors -- that ranking wasn't surprising.

"We're attracting the upper-income seniors more than blue-collar retirees," McCune said. The politically active 76-year-old has lived in Green Valley for 16 years and said he has seen the community change during that time.

"The days of the $3.95 buffet are gone, and houses at $375,000 ... are not cheap," he said.

But others were taken aback by the guide's results.

"Those results are surprising to me," said Allison Copening, director of public relations for Pulte Homes/Del Webb.

Her company's two communities in Henderson -- Solera at Anthem and Sun City Anthem -- are home to about 9,000 seniors. The average sales price in Solera is $380,000; at Sun City, it's $490,000.

"Obviously we selected Henderson as a place to build because we think it's a great place for seniors ... with its climate and amenities," she said.

Over at the Henderson Multigenerational Center on Green Valley Parkway Wednesday afternoon, Maury Finsten, 84 and Lewis Sterlacci, 69, also took exception to the guide's ranking of Henderson.

"I think they gave it (Henderson) a bad rap," Sterlacci said.

The husky retired construction boss had just finished an afternoon of chess with Finsten. He moved to Green Valley from Sacramento, Calif., five years ago, which he admitted was a better time to buy a house.

The guide's low rating for ambience -- 200 out of 203 -- really ticked him off.

"You can get your culture here, but from different places," Sterlacci said.

"You can go to the Bellagio and see the atrium, for example.

"Here, casinos give you culture, believe it or not ... the lack of public things; corporations and casinos have picked it up for you," he said.

Finsten, who moved to Green Valley 2 1/2 years ago from Thousand Oaks, Calif., is a retired civil engineer.

Both Sterlacci and Finsten came to the valley to be closer to family.

But they both said they like living here.

"I'm a bit of a gambler," Finsten said. "I play bridge and other table games," he said.

Sterlacci said he enjoys eating out.

"The best chefs in the world are coming here," he said.

But Savageau said that baby boomers entering retirement age are looking for characteristics they may not find in Henderson.

"They tell me they want walkable cities, with bookstores, sidewalk cafes, a true, authentic town, rather than something that grows out of nowhere," he said.

The book's author said the increase in the cost of living lowered Henderson's ranking greatly from its 1999 spot. The top ranked area was Florence, Ore., a coastal community southwest of Portland. Las Vegas and other larger metropolitan areas were not included in the guide. But there were a number of new cities added this year with higher scores than Henderson in ambience and services, helping push Henderson farther down the list.

"How the mighty have fallen," Savageau reflected.

Sterlacci had a different take.

"If they don't like it," he said, "don't come."