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StumbleIn real estate, Las Vegas sitting pretty for weather-weary seniors
Chris Morris / Special to the Sun
Monday, Feb. 15, 2010 | 2 a.m.
If real estate agents are applauding the historic snowfalls pounding the Midwest and Northeast, little wonder.
History tells us that blizzards prompt snow-weary homeowners to move to Las Vegas, and the depressed housing market is making that all the more attractive.
With a 60-percent decline in home prices in Las Vegas since 2006, the valley is certainly an attractive option to homebuyers tired of wielding snow shovels.
Las Vegas has been relying on investors and first-time homebuyers to swoop up a lot of the inventory triggered by foreclosures — but Realtors and housing analysts note it is uncertain how much longer that market can be tapped.
Enter the snow factor.
“We’re expecting the most recent weather along the East Coast will make more people relocate to the Southwest,” said Linda Rheinberger, president of the Nevada Association of Realtors and owner/broker of One Source Realty in Las Vegas. “Some people are fixated on Arizona and New Mexico, but they are open to the opportunity in Las Vegas, especially with the undervaluing in housing. They know they can buy at such a great deal.”
Homeowners looking to upgrade have remained on the sidelines because many are unable to sell their homes after values have declined so much. And there are no jobs to speak of to lure new residents.
That means retirees could be an important piece of the puzzle until the economy recovers. And who hates snow more?
“I believe they could be an even more important component,” Rheinberger said. “Unless we concentrate on job creation, we are forced to consider retirees and people who are not subject to the job market as a crucial part of our economy.”
Rising home prices in the past decade shut out many seniors who might have wanted to retire in Las Vegas. Now they may be ready to pounce, said Bob Hamrick, president of Coldwell Banker Premier.
One analyst suggests people 60 and older comprise 16 percent to 17 percent of the market today. Watch that number rise by as much as half, Hamrick said.
Demographics are on Las Vegas’ side, too.
The first of the Baby Boom generation turns 65 next year and those in a financial position to do so are looking to warmer climates for retirement, said Steve Bottfeld, executive vice president of Marketing Solutions.
“I think seniors are going to be the next wave of buyers,” Bottfeld said. “What you are going to see is a strong movement here beginning this year and peaking in 2012 and 2013. A lot of people are looking east but look at California (instead). There are a lot of people who want to get out of the congestion and want a simpler life. It is a much lower cost of living (in Las Vegas), and most important is the lack of a personal income tax.”
Thirty-two million people will turn 65 from 2010 to 2030 and 30 percent will move at least once during retirement, according to Applied Analysis.
The U.S. Census Bureau projects that from 2010 to 2020, Nevada will see a 61 percent increase in residents 65 and older.
Bottfeld said seniors will be in a better position in the next couple of years with the stock market rebounding. In addition, they can qualify for loans more easily than many other buyers,
“We are the single most underpriced city in the country. A lot of people are looking at us and saying, ‘It is a bargain,’ ” Bottfeld said.
Rheinberger said one reason Realtors nationwide pushed for an expansion of a tax credit of $6,500 for existing homeowners was in part to target seniors who want to move. That extension expires June 30, she said.
“They are less subject to the whims of the marketplace,” Rheinberger said. “They have a stream of income that is defined, whereas those who have to work to support themselves are in a worse position.”
Although Las Vegas will attract a lot of seniors, it won’t be the first choice of many, according to a 2010 Del Webb Baby Boomer survey. It shows about one-third of seniors plan to move to a new home during retirement and 50 percent of those who plan to move will go out of state.
North and South Carolina were at the top of the list of places to move to followed by Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, Arizona and California. Nevada didn’t make the top tier of states.
John Restrepo, principal of Restrepo Consulting Group, said competition among states for seniors will be fierce. The primary attractions include cost of living, entertainment, availability of medical services, weather, tax structure, proximity to family and work opportunities. Southern Nevada rates high for some factors, such as cost of living, including housing prices, entertainment and tax structure, but not so well in others such as health care services and job opportunities, he said.
“But retirees want a complete set of senior-related services and amenities to attract them to a community or region — not the least of which are health care services and even jobs,” he said.
Dennis Smith, president of Home Builders Research, said he is telling clients to watch the trend of seniors relocating, which also will help bolster the new-home market.
He suggests that the housing industry focus more marketing efforts on retirees who eschew Las Vegas because it is perceived as Sin City.
Restrepo said it’s worth discussing whether public dollars should be spent to attract retirees, but his research suggests that middle- and upper-income retirees are sophisticated enough to know the qualities and amenities of the various Sun Belt regions they are considering.
A version of this story appears in the current issue of In Business Las Vegas, a sister publication of the Sun.
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Oh goody. Has anyone mentioned to these weather-weary seniors that our health system in Nevada sucks? Looking the headlines from the Sun in the past 10 days I think I'd rather be snowed in than risk being chopped up by a deranged neighbor while I'm taking a walk or getting killed in a car wreck because some dumbass is in a hurry to get home. We had three days of rain and an average of 150 car accidents each day. Come on out to Paradise everybody!
I would point out that it doesn't snow in Hell either. If Vegas is going to start on another national push about how great it is to live here, like it did in the 90s, then they'd better get their house in order. The sun may shine every day but that's not fixing our dysfunctional state and local governments, improving literacy rates (you kind of like to think that your nurse should be able to read), or lowering unemployment.
I happen to be one of those who was lured out here in the 90s by all of the hype. No one mentioned back then that Las Vegas was going to top the "worsts" lists for just about everything you can imagine and race to beat Mississippi for the crummiest education system in the world.
So yeah. Good luck with that.
The cartoon is cute though. Chris Morris's fun illustrations are always great.
So then get hell out,it only took you twenty years for you find out you don't like Nevada. Don't let the door hit you in the the a_s.
bye bye "sportyyetpratica"
Sportyyetpractical, if you hate Las Vegas so much, why don't you just leave? Go to a place where there no car accidents or murders. Are you trying to claim that nurses in this town can't read? Or are you mad because some of them are hispanic or black?
Oh & don't tell the seniors that they have to pay HUGE tax increases to enjoy the sun. Most people can't move because the economy took most of the MONEY with it when it tanked.
Lv is a money hungry sponge. No plans for Water yet???????????
"Or are you mad because some of them are hispanic or black?" The original poster didn't mention anything about race. Why did you, lv55?
There is no mention of Race ..... Why do people try to get The race card going?
Don't forget all those "early bird" dinners!
I agree Nevada is a good option for a retiree. Low taxes and inexpensive housing.
Note to builders, stop building all 2 story homes. Seniors hate that!
"...a 60-percent decline in home prices in Las Vegas since 2006..."
The banks lost the notes and their foreclosers stole those homes based on a stand-alone security instrument. The U.S. Supreme Court declared that situation to be a legal nullity in 1872!
Our institutions failed us, People -- Big Finance/Wall Street, the federal regulators who were either bribed or warned off doing their jobs, and those who head the federal government itself (bailouts and other stupid policies). Pandering to the banks who now control this country is not what we elected them to do.
At some point the People are going to get fed up with suits feeding on us and fight back. When??
"The paper bubble is then burst ... there will be a general revolution of property in this state." -- Thomas Jefferson by letter to John Adams, 1819, from "The Works of Thomas Jefferson" Vol. 12
REALTORS ARE COMMI$$IONED $ALE$ PEOPLE.
THEY ONLY WANT WHATS BEST FOR THEMSELVES.
NOTHING MORE.
THEY COULD CARE LESS IF THIS PLACE HAS NO WATER, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, TONS OF ILLEGAL ALIENS, OR MONEY TO PAY FOR ANY OF IT.
ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS CONVINCE SOME 'RETIREMENT RUBE'
THAT THIS 'DETROIT OF THE DESERT' IS HEAVEN ON EARTH....?
HOW DO YOU SPELL 'REALTOR'?
C-O-R-R-U-P-T L-O-S-E-R B-U-M
My parents just moved here from St. Louis and bought a Del Webb home for 160k cash. They've got $5,000 a month in disposable income.
Bring on the retirees!
xcb
Your parents are lucky; most seniors are not in that position. Hope they don't have gambling problems!!! That $5000 a month in disposable income will be given to the casinos instead of towards their healthcare, etc. (and your inheritance!!) And as many have said - not too many good programs in Las Vegas or NV for seniors as there are back "east".
PS Also - if you weren't living in Vegas - chances are they never would have moved. Seniors will not move away from their families REGARDLESS of how much snow there is!! Maybe the boomers might, but anyone over 65-70 - that'll be a hard sell.
A caution here - taxes - property and otherwise. The low prices may look good, but this state has no income tax, and like anywhere else, the politicians have to get their money somewhere. With the reduced visitor flow, taxing them isn't working out so well, but that hasn't kept the pols from jacking up sales taxes.
I retired to Mesquite before the boom and enjoyed the ride up in home values - until I had a deja vu California pre-Prop 13 feeling - taxes were escalating to the point I was going to be squeezed out. That may happen again if and when housing rebounds.
I got out of Dodge and went across the line to Arizona (stay in the northern part).
Sportybutpractical needs to get out of NV. Whine Whine Whine. If you don't like it leave because many of us LOVE IT here.
Once again, no one seems to address the issue of poor healthcare in Nevada. I'm sorry to say this, but I think I would rather deal with the snow for 3 months, then to have to deal with some of the worst healthcare and poor education of this state. No offense, but the Midwest and East Coast excel in healthcare. Sometimes, when houses are cheap to buy, you really get what you pay for.I'm sure the greedy investors are just licking their chops on real estate scams for these poor seniors. Sorry Nevada!!!!
Joy, you don't need to push, people are leaving on their own. Then the residents in smaller numbers can pay all that TAX on their own.. Jeez can you imagin the warmth you will feel when you cut the check you can't cover.Propert taxes are on the rise..
Im sure veryone in LV feels the love your talking about Joy.
why would any senior moved here it crappy program for senior. didn't article said we are number in senior suicide. our governor do not like senior citizen
We are running out of water.. OH JOY!
Well lets take a look over the last few years:
1. Billions of dollars has been lost in IRAs.
2. Foreclosures are hitting everywhere even the senior citizen.
3. Taxes are on the rise as in you cannot spend your way out of debt.
4. From reports home values in Vegas will continue to drop therefore where is the incentive to buy.
The desire might be there but it takes money to do it and money is not in great abundance for seniors.
If wishes were horses all men would ride.
My husband and I currently reside in Tennessee but have vacationed at least once a year in LV for the past 20 years. Not just the strip area, but beyond to the beautiful amenities the valley holds.
Beginning in the fall of 2008, we watched the LV home market. With no real estate background, we did our homework by comparing area sales, created excel spreadsheets on selling trends, we followed foreclosures, scoped out the zip code area we liked best, and found the community with all our required amenities. In the fall of last year, we paid $90K cash for a condo in the northwest LV area. We still reside and work in Tennessee and plan to continue to do so for at least 5 - 7 more years. But, we're excited to have our "permanent-get-away" decided and buttoned-up. We feel fortunate to have bought something now at rockbottom price, rather than 5 years from now when the market has come back around. We're not looking for a huge return on our investment; you've got to be kidding yourself if you think it's going to bounce back to what it was. We like the area - so we invested. As I write this, Mother Nature has thrown us another snow storm in Tennessee. The third MAJOR one this season. Am I one of those future snow-birds ready to take flight to a warmer, sunny, God-kissed mountainous area? You betcha! 3 Days of rain out of 365? yeah, sportybutpratical, I can live with that. Bring it on!
The snow would have to be 20 ft deep for 10 months at a time before I'd move to a sh__hole like Vegas. At 65 I'd kinda like to be able to see 70.... Excuse me but I'll take Reno any day.
Vegasbound..ever think what kinda shape LV is going to be in 7 yrs?There is a SLIGHT WATER issue here, so you may want to pray for rain.. more than 3 days worth.
Oh lordy... people who bash Vegas should move to greener pastures. Until my water bill reaches the $200 a month I pay for electricity, I don't think we have a water crisis. Heck, I have grass and a pool. I still am out only $45 every month in the summertime.
It is my opinion that these nay-sayers would complain no matter what city they are in. Quit your b*tching and pack up your stuff.
@sportyyetpratical,
The only person stopping you from leaving is you.
vegasbound
You live in Tennessee!!! For goodness sake - how much snow do you REALLY get???? TN is a beautiful state. With water that's not going to run out in your lifetime. If those of us in the upper Midwest had "MAJOR" snowstorms 3 times a year like YOU had - hell it would be a piece of cake!!!!
I hope your condo isn't in the 89131 zip code!!!
My guess your condo is worth less than $90,000 now but it does depend where it is located. I lived in the Summerlin area and back in the summer of '08, condos were going for $90,000 in beautiful gated communities. But as long as you don't have to live there all the time, I guess it was a nice investment.
"Until my water bill reaches the $200 a month...."
LOLOLOL It's not THE cost, silly!! It's having enough water to actually pay for whether it's $45 a month or $200 a month!!!
PS So YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE WITH GRASS!!!! SHAME ON YOU!! IT'S THE DESERT...... RESPECT IT OR ELSE.......
@Serpent,
Water is an issue for, not just Las Vegas, but the entire Southwest. That's a market of approx. 40 million people, a huge demand that will create huge supply. Such is capitalism.
@vegassucs,
"no one seems to address the issue of poor healthcare in Nevada"
Not true. Larry Ruvo does (and Goodman, Reid, many others), and the Cleveland Clinic has arrived in Las Vegas, with more to come... We will get world class medical care in Las Vegas. The days of the snake charmers are numbered.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jan...
Seniors are welcome unless.... THEY TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND NOT TAX US FOR THEIR MEDICAL CARE!!
Det_Munch, once there is a real shortage in water you can bet that your water bill will rise, it's simple economics of supply and demand. Until that happens I feel confident that we will have enough water to support Las Vegas just fine. The typical water bill in Las Vegas is probably 25% of what you would pay in New York.
We plan to move to Vegas in a few years also. Propery taxes are much lower there even though the auto ins. is higher. The weather is better too, less rain and dampness and more sunshine.
Propery taxes are much lower there even though the auto ins. is higher.
Don't think the property taxes won't go up. In case you didn't realize - Nevada has a budget problem as do other States. It's only a matter of time before the real estate taxes in NV rise along with other things that will be implemented to make up for the budget deficits. Las Vegas has lost a lot of people due to job loss, foreclosures, etc. The State is not getting enough revenue because of this. Until things get better in Vegas - and that's after it gets better in the rest of the country - Nevadans will see things change in the future.
ahh...don't go buy that new BMW just yet, realtors.
it's a very different world for newly retired seniors than it used to be regardless of the "spin" in this "article".
seniors used to sell that 20 and 30 year equity in their homes, cash out that 401(k) and use THAT money to buy and move to a new place in the sunbelt.
many seniors have very little equity in their homes, their 401(k) isn't much, they're supporting their unemployed children and grandchildren.
combine that with the bad healthcare, high insurance and energy costs, unemployment (quality of life), and increasing crime in vegas and that's going to keep many of them in ohio and indiana.
sporty, i'm with you. the "just leave if you don't like it people" obviously have jobs that pay well enough to save so they can live without working for months or more. they aren't teachers, that's for sure. they probably do some job that's truly important to society, like parking cars or serving food.
well, if i'm ever in a position to leave, i sure will. go replace me with somebody who doesn't even have the skills to teach what i teach. you'll have another lousy teacher who shouldn't have a degree or a license. continue to tear apart education; it's just what las vegas needs to surpass detroit and d.c. as the nation's top ghettos. i'm sure the seniors will love living in the hellhole it is becoming.
vegasbound317"
"we paid $90K cash for a condo in the northwest LV area"
You both made real bad choice to buy in that part of town and you didn't do your homework, this area is becoming another North Las Vegas, if you two were smart you best sell before too long as the liberal base gang banger freeloaders are migrating into your community and will desecrate the area just as they have their own community.
I feel sorry for the older people who might be looking to buy here; they're going to be taken advantage of by the desperate real estate agents looking to make a sale at any cost. Buyers beware, real estate agents are just like used car salesman, they'll tell you whatever you want to hear and prey on your weakness all in the name of the almighty buck!
Please its 2 hot is a low life construction worker that can't compete with illegals. You lazy white trash are worse than the gangs!
Nick, lol, You must be a young one or in school still.
As a practacing RN and a person who has had Brain surgery and Cardiac issues requiring critical care attention,I can personally testify to the strength and marvelous medicine practed in Las Vegas. Sunrise and Spring Valley are terrific hospitals and helped save my life.
There is no better state in the Union then Nevada for Health Care and medicare coverage with both Senior Dimensions and Senior Horizions.
Comment removed by moderator. Comment contained vulgar language and name-calling.
Geez, health care is great, water is affordable & in overabundace,lake mead is overflowing with 3 days rain, employment is not a problem,someone needs to tell the Sun & Gov offices to stop printing the opposite. You people living in a BOX? The defecit is going to be paid by someone. That someone is YOU moving there to support the defunct system.
Another item to consider when buying these "cheap" houses anywhere is that while the price might seem great, many assessors are still valuing the homes at the previous higher cost. The argument I hear is "Just because you bought at a distressed price doesn't mean all the surrounding homes are valued at that lower rate."
And the emloyment benefits are also not a problem, plenty of tax dollars flowing in to the city. Im calling the bank & tellng them everything is ok.. I want to get a loan to buy my next home lowwwwwwww.
@Serpent,
With your attitude, I'm sure you'll be just as happy in any other state, any other country, as you are here... U-haul is ready, when you are...
I also have a pool and grass. And no, I did NOT turn off my sprinklers during the rain.
All I had to do was read down to the 5th paragraph where the Pres. of the Nevada Assoc. of Realtors is quoted that the snow back east and in the mid west is going to bring folks to Vegas to buy houses. These used house salesmen (realtors)are biased and just throw anything out there that sounds good to them. There have been snow storms back east and in the mid west ever since Vegas has been around so now that's supposed to make a difference? Remember that most folks back there need to sell their houses first. Another puff piece by and for the real estate industry. Oh please!
Sidney, perhps you didn't read my complete posts. If I had the money to move, I would be GONE.
My attitude...?? Im a realist, not a dreamer that a near bankrupt state is going to put in a magic water pipeline into LV.
Mountain Breeze, don't make too much sense..Most here wouldn't understand common sense.
Vegas rocks.
Moved here over a year ago to Seven hills, Henderson from LA County (Redondo beach). No regrets. Cleaner, no traffic, no crime, gangs, etc...
There are crappy area's, like any city, just stay southwest Henderson or summerlin.
"Don't think the property taxes won't go up."
Does that likelyhood mean that property taxes aren't going to rise in other states Det-munch?
There's a bunch of posters on this site that cannot wait to bash LV and its potential future at every opportunity but always make up some sorry excuse when asked why they don't leave.
My wife and I moved here from Iowa 4 years ago, rented for 3 yrs. and bought a home lawt year for less than half of its purchase price of the previous yr.
Our property taxes in Iowa [which have gone up since we left] were 3800 dollars .. we are paying 2100 here.
The last yr. we lived in Iowa we paid over 7,000 in Iowa state income taxes plus Iowa's sales tax is 6% ... you can add in another 1% local taxes and the local government is weighing adding another 1% tax for the schools.
Iowa largely missed the recession and housing didn't really go up or down but Iowa has the same budget issues that we have in Nevada ... the gov. cut the state budget 10% last yr. and is asking another 10% for the current yr..
The problem is not with the over 60 crowd moving in it is when one of them dies and leaves the other to fend for themselves. I lived in south Florida (Fort Lauderdale) during the 1980's and what I seen as a young person was quite disturbing. Many single old people trying to deal with day to day issues with no family and becoming dependent on public services like transportation and other things. A recent study shows 26% of all empty homes and condos in Florida were from a retiree who moved there from the north or other parts of the country and had to move because the loss of a loved one. The increase need for nursing homes, retirement centers and assisted living communities grew drastically, which put a burdon on the tax payer because most of these people were left without any support from family or their community.
All one needs to do is visit places like Cape Coral, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, Phoenix, and other retiree destinations to see what is occuring. I would watch what you hope for when it comes to attracting seniors because there is so much more than the money they bring, there will be an increase in needed services.
p
Mountainbreeze
I like the word puff,most Realtors no nothing about the houses they sell or care.All they care is about the money.I have a friend 90 of age and she is a Realtor,she would not know the differnce between a stick or block home so what does that tell you.They should tell you the facts and do not puff the house up.This is not Ebay,these are peoples lifes.
Several companies in the area of Iowa that I used to live in are hiring new employees.
The former Argi-processors [closed after they were caught employing over 300 illegal aliens] in Posteville Iowa are hiring .. starting pay is 6.25 per hr. for the 1st 3 months , then 7.25 plus benefits for those retained.
North Winn. school district voted to raise the starting pay for new teachers to 21,000 per school yr..
Acument global technologies in Decorah Ia. is currently desperate for new hires... 2nd and 3rd shift starting at just over 9 bucks an hr. plus shift premium.
Opportunities are knocking for those who are tired of Vegas!
pmmart
Things are more expensive in Iowa then they are here in Illinois, including Walmart. Tell us about the welfare system in Iowa please. I heard it was overburdened. But that may be just "talk" from a neighboring state.
You make valid points and it looks good on paper but explain, too, that in some parts of Iowa - you don't need to make $50,000 a year!!
SO the teachers make $21,000 a year - what's the drop out rate in Iowa? Same as Clark County where the teachers make more money? I doubt it. My guess is the kids actually are literate and finish school instead of dropping out to become cocktail waitresses and bouncers at the fancy clubs on the Strip.
Those hourly rates - the $8-9 - seems the going rate for the small midwestern towns especially in the farm communities. However, if you are in a professional job, you'd be making about $14-18 an hour, sometimes more, at least in the more populated "citified" areas. I've gone on interviews where the pay is $18 an hour so it all depends where you live and what you do.
I suppose if I was from some small farming community in Iowa, Vegas would be the end all! Utopia on earth.
PS Iowans don't know how to drive either!!! The older they are, the worse they are!! And then they move to Vegas.....
You both made real bad choice to buy in that part of town and you didn't do your homework, this area is becoming another North Las Vegas, if you two were smart you best sell before too long as the liberal base gang banger freeloaders are migrating into your community and will desecrate the area just as they have their own community.
For once I agree with itstohot. Those nice people didn't exactly say where their condo is but for $90,000, my guess it is not in Summerlin. I have friends who live in an adult community way on th west side, almost to the mountains. Fantastic adult community and NOTHING in that community is under $250,000 and that is for a small 2 bedroom townhome. Their HOA dues are high, but from what I saw, it was worth it. The foreclosure rate is next to nothing if there is one at all. We learned from our mistake - buying without really living there for awhile - and we regret it. Neighborhood turned into a gangbanger heaven and was once a beautiful little gated community where now the homes are worth HALF of what we paid. You just have to be care. Research on line doesn't mean a damn thing. You ahve to see it.
"suppose if I was from some small farming community in Iowa, Vegas would be the end all! Utopia on earth."
Det.
If you substitute hell for utopia you could come closer to my comparision... but ... one cannot compare the two as different folks like different things/ways of life.
You state [correctly] about the drop-out rate and the "8/9/dollar an hr." for Ia. but an 87% graduation rate for Ia. shouldn't equate to a low paying job...but... it does.
However ... you missed my point, which is that the daily complainers on these pages DO have job opportunities ... they just need to apply [for] themselves!
can someone please explain to me the concept of saying your realtor is somehow accountable for the value of your home?
can't afford a $200,000 home?
then don't BUY a $200,000 home and somehow spin it like your realtor is to blame when it gets foreclosed.
saying that realtors drive the cost of homes up is like saying the girl at starbucks raises the price of coffee.
if 100 people go into starbucks today and BUY a frap-a-sugar-chino for $4.00...then THAT'S what the market IS for that product.
if 100 people bought a 1200 sq. ft. house in summerlin for $300,000 in 2006...then THAT'S what the market value is for that product.
don't like the price of homes...then don't BUY a home.
I bought my vacation home in Vegas around 9 months ago just across the street from Summerlin. I didn't want the maintenance fees of Summerlin. I got a place for $120,000 that had sold at the peak for $250,000. My property taxes are now based on the $120,000 assessed value; so much lower than past. It is 10yrs old, free standing, gated, pool, small yard, ranch, 2 car garage. It is ideal for a retired person,but I am 10 yrs from that day. I have been coming to vegas for 20 years and love the mountains and lakes. I ski, bike, boat, and hike. Vegas has nice clean new suburbs that seem to be functioning fine or just like most other suburbs. Retirees can homestead a second home in Vegas...unlike California or Florida where your property taxes will be double that of Vegas. Until you live in a high cost of living state ..... know that Vegas is cheap taxes in comparison....and your roads are beautiful....
vegasbound317...great job in getting your place for a good price. I am sure it is in a nice location near the mountains. The biggest obstacle to buying a place is having the downpayment and you got it paid for now....worry free vacation place. You are rare. Most people don't have the 25% downpayment which is a minimum requirement to buy a place in Vegas; so Vegas won't get flooded with California investors....most got burned in past investments. Prices won't skyrocket soon, but life is about having fun with your family and friends....and Vegas is a nice place to do that. Retirees will come...
Sydneyspritzer, you really need to give more evidence than a propaganda page that the LV Sun prints. The LV Sun also said 2 months ago that the housing market and unemployment numbers were better. Please , don't be a fool and believe this. I did my research on hospitals from the Midwest ,East Coast, west Coast, Nevada still lags behind the rest of the country Why don't you google it instead of believing what the Las Vegas papers tell you. By the way, girlfriend had appendix surgery recently, guess what the ratings were for survival for all of LV hosptals, (Average- 3stars) For the crap of it, I google hospitals in Chicago, New York, San Antonio, I found 4-5 star ratings at least 90 percent of the time. Like I said, I you want to retire in the sun, be ready for lousy healthcare. Its a fact and you can look it up on any Non-Nevada backed source. Sorry!!!!
@Serpent,
EVERY state in the union is in trouble. There's unemployment everywhere, and it's not going to get any better because you keep saying the sky's falling, the well is running dry. Carl Icahn just bet $157 million on Las Vegas, so who's right? You or Carl? Sometimes our attitude is the only thing we have any control over. We're better off turning lemons into lemonade. Griping just eats you up, but upbeat people achieve more, live longer, get hired sooner...
@vegassucs,
Oh, you sound like you have the spirit that won the West! You see opportunity everywhere, don't you. You must be a riot to hang out with. Phone must be ringing off the hook with all the calls from Las Vegas' most beautiful women.
You may suck on the past, buster, but this is what's coming. This is the future of health care in Las Vegas, at 888 W. Bonneville Ave. It's already open, and there's more to come.
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/news/2009/...
I plan on moving to Vegas before too long. Just remember to have that pump shotgun handy once you're here. Probably will ask LarryVegas what zipcodes are best for retired folks. As for health care, will go to Nellis. The price and quality of care can't be beat.
For those who are thinking of moving to Vegas:
Avoid: Anything North of 215 and East of Buffalo, it's riddled with liberal freeloaders. There are a few nice communities but not to many, the areas are older and are becoming infested with section 8, Obama freeloaders and illegal immigrants. Avoid the North if at all possible North Las Vegas is infested with Obama supporters and are migrating to the Northwest. Many homes and communities are becoming or have become infested with illegal immigrants, gang bangers, and less desirable people who will eventually destroy the region.
Henderson has many areas have nice areas from Green Valley Parkway west then up St. Rose Parkway all the way to the hills of Southern Highlands, Summerlin, Queens Ridge, and a few other areas in and around these areas. Mountains Edge is a nice community providing you're not abutting up to the Arlington area, this area is becoming riddled with section 8 and less desirables who promote I want more freebies (good investment area for rental returns though), just not a place to live if you want normalcy. Also avoid any place East of Rainbow off Blue Diamond -- section 8 and less desirables infesting quite a few of the areas.
Good deals can be found, just spend sometime in the community before you buy, look for the signs and you'll see the infestation of people slowly moving into the community. If there is a few of them, the rest will flock overtime. Metro can't do their job to curb Obama followers, they're hands are tied as a result of Rory Reid and the rest of the liberal leaders who run Clark County. They've allowed the infestation to spread from North Las Vegas into too many other areas of Clark County to ensure their district contains enough of their voting pool to get reelected into office.
Sydney, you sound more like a drag than i do. Your getting a little defensive there, are you not? You are probably one of the people blaming Obama for all the states problems. Yes, I said states problems and Nevada has plenty of them. The worst thing I did was live in this pseudo pathetic town. Californian investors, L.A gangbangers, lack of four seasons and intelligence for that matter, Leaving was the best thing I ever did. Like I said before, one clinic is not gonna change the states reputation for not being taken seriously! After-all, since your ranked at the bottom, maybe this Cleveland Clinic will bump Las Vegas into the 45th worst instead of the 49th, ha ha! Keep em coming spritzer, I'm sure you are one of the many unemployed here and I'm sure you have all night-, oh and probably day as well :)
i retire in six months and vegas has a lot to offer. two main concerns are the one horse industry, gambling, and the water system. prices for housing in vegas are as cheap as florida. both states have no state income tax and cater to seniors. still researching so no decision as yet.
By the way Sydney, which woman are you talking about that don't call me? Is it the topless, crack smoking, uneducated, white trash from Arkansas your talking about? Maybe its the pseudo-faux pas rich women that drive BMW's but live in a sugar-shack.
@GrandmaCrabby- You are so correct!!!! I really hope that anyone who reads the comments on nearly EVERY LVSUN article realizes it's same 5 negative people spouting their negativity....over and over and over again. It's like they are all cheerleaders for things to fail. Our world won't get better until we band together, instead of tearing each other apart.
vegasbound317
" We feel fortunate to have bought something now at rockbottom price"
Prices are far from bottomed out.Secondly the undervalued homes here arent really that undervalued,most of the builders only had 50% of the selling price into the whole project anyways
I challenge anyone to show me a bonafide 1 million dollar home here,as far as quality of construction is concerned
90% of all neighbourhoods in las vegas are cookie cutter pieces of crap with no acreage,no yards,bathtubs for pools,and families of 13 living across,kiddie corner,and down from you.
peace out
I just read all the comments, and have a few comments. I moved to Henderson in 2001, retired 2 years later. View of the Strip, 143K total. Before the boom. Have never had a complaint about my house. Nevada builds to California building codes, which are much stricter than say Texas, where they don't even have inspections outside the city limits. My house is on a cul de sac, very nice. Taxes are incredibly low. Remember, when you withdraw from your IRA, Nevada doesn't get a dime. Sales tax is high, but heh?-other than your car and maybe a mattress, you've got Amazon.com, and you will save a bundle.
Nevada has a great highway system, the roads in Henderson are all timed for traffic. No potholes. New Senior Center.
Problems? Too many cops and overpaid firemen. Stupid City trying to spend our money on foolish redevelopment projects. Luckily, the City is now broke, but they can't charge us for it. Nice.
Overall, seniors, Nevada is OK. Wouldn't want to look for a job here, pitiful wages with employers who will kick you to the curb in a NY minute, where the Steve Wynns and Jim Murrens are actually from. Just be sure to pick the right place to live. I think Summerlin is too close the NLV gangbanger hell hole. Henderson is nice, just some white trash on Boulder Highway. If you have mucho bucks, try Boulder City. Nice place. Best of luck..
@Vegasbound
Congratulations, my family resides in the NW side of town, nice area. 89129 zip code. They have been living there for almost 17 years and loving it. Stay put!!! By the way I reside in the area of the Lakes which is also a nice part of town not far from NW. Welcome to Las Vegas!!
After living in Texas for 62 years, I come to LV to get away from the heat. I don't think so. Plus the libertarian political climate is also too hot for me. There are 15 of them that share on every article published by the SUN. I have been here too long to make politics the center of my life.
Libertarian nut job, see its2hot above. He has the ability too completely analyze the demographics of Vegas and direct to the Aryan nation sections of town.
Hahahaha. My my my. Angry much? However I will say that a crummy city is a reflection of it citizenry.
Whining? Hardly. Pointing out some harsh realities? Definitely. Here are some happy headlines for you:
Las Vegas Sun Articles
Jan. 14, 2010 Nevada records nation's highest foreclosure rate in 2009
Feb. 2, 2010 Higher education faces greatest financial state of emergency in decades
Feb. 8, 2010 Grim numbers show Nevada leads nation in suicides over 60
Jan. 2, 2009 Graduate rates too low, dropout rates too high
Oct. 2, 2008 Report: Dropouts more likely to become criminals
Jan. 6, 2009 Nevada drops to 42nd least healthy state
Sept. 18, 2009 Las Vegas jobless rate soars to record 13.4 percent
Sep 30, 2009 Making sense of the county's tragic month of murder-suicides
Forbes Magazine: America's Most Dangerous Cities
No. 4 Las Vegas, Nev. (4th! We were robbed. Why not No. 1! Must be Obama's fault!)
(Las Vegas-Paradise, Nev., metropolitan statistical area)
Population: 1,834,533
Violent Crimes per 100,000: 887
Oh and my point was made perfectly clear by most of the posts above. If I were a person of color and saw the banter about what a "good" zip code is I would definitely think about going somewhere else.
And, I know, I've said it before and I'll say it again, nice spelling and grammar people. No wonder you love it here.
"There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Hahaha!
"With a 60-percent decline in home prices in Las Vegas since 2006"
- Mark Szczygiel
sportyyetpratica
You sound so negative and so like the guy that
started shooting in the court house not too long
ago. I think it's time for you to leave! Go
where you can be happy!!!! It sound like you no longer
like Las Vegas.
:)
My neighbors have been here for over 2 years.
They don't need jobs or much health care.
They are moving to Florida in April.
Clark County government officials have to get out of the Las Vegas Fog and start improving education, health care, infrastructure just to name a few.
Instead the local politicos are giving away taxpayer money to the monorail and land developers.
This place will never change. Too many well-connected, rich people are heavily invested in the status quo.
Sorry folks the neighbors are leaving for Florida and I'm leaving for an out of state grad school.
After looking out my current living room window and just seeing snow for the last 2 months - I sure as hell miss my view from my Vegas apartment patio - the mountains, palm trees, the sunrise, the sunset, the 3 swimming pools. Everything.... If the unemployment numbers were not so hideous in Vegas and I would have found a job, I NEVER would have moved back east!!!
Well, Det_Munch, just think though, in about 2 months, your gonna be glad that you are at where you are at. I'm sorry, but Midwest summers are nice and tolerable, not 5-6 months of 95 plus heat here in Nevada. There has never been a concluded study to confirm that excessive heat is therapeutic. Also, here is alittle something to chew on. Non-Vegas biased source of course,
Retirement is about living happy and you might notice that Las Vegas is not near the top of the pile.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/2010...
vegassucs
You know, one of the things I AM looking forward to is spring and summer again! You know, when it smells good - In spring, the flowers and trees and in summer - the smell of freshly cut grass and the summer rain storms when it doesn't smell like wet cement afterwards like it does in Vegas!!!
Also, being a born and raised Chicagoan, I cannot wait to see Lake Michigan again up close and personal with the boats on the lake and that absolutely magnificent skyline from one of those boats!
Hey dipper... Boy, I did not have a clue you were that old. If I had known, I would have been nicer to you. Maybe. Are you taking any medicine for your dementia?
Oh oh... Does your retirement mean we will be hearing more from you on this site???
People have to understand Las Vegas isn't the only place to gamble anymore. I've been to Indian casino's as nice as any casino here in Vegas. There are 487 Indian casino's in the USA and 48 states that have gambling. Fifteen years ago this wastn't the case, but now it's a reality. Don't tax use your mind for new ways to improve visitors. Las Vegas could be a mix of Amsterdam and Vegas. At least it's an idea that would work.
I would suggest voting for new representation.
Vegas weather is wonderful sure hot for 2 or even 3 months but then again, it is summer and it is supposed to be enjoyed this way be it in the pool, at the lake or up in the mountains where it is 20 degrees cooler. Spring time is beautiful everything and everywhere you have trees and shrubs blooming, same with summer time everything is blooming and thriving, Fall is nice much similar to Spring while Winter is so short and it is bearable. Hospitals are brand spanking new if not only a few years old with the latest medical equipments and in every corner of the city.
I could go on and on but for those who only see the negative side I'd say what are you guys waiting for just leave and let us who love this city enjoy it. By the way the city of Las Vegas is also a very CLEAN city. My friend who used to reside in Boston love how are city streets are so well kept and I agree, even in the not so desirable place in Vegas it is still clean.
After having lived in Las Vegas for 0ver 23 years and family living in NW side of town for 17 years to me the area that are most desirable are in Summerlin, Peccole Ranch, The Lakes, Desert Shores, Sun City Summerlin, NW side of town closest to Red Rock Canyon and the area leading to Mt. Charleston. Even the newer area in Blue Diamond closer to Red Rock Canyon is a nice location. All areas I've mentioned are only a half an hour ride away to the Strip but it feels like it is in a different city on its own. The closer it is to the Strip does not equate to being a desirable place in my opinion. Lake Las Vegas is nice but way too far in my opinion same thing with the NEW North Las Vegas which is in the area of Aliante Casino, it is nice but too far a drive in my opinion.
jbkayaker
I agree on your selected locations. When we lived in the "New" north Las Vegas, I didn't like driving home by myself since I had to drive down MLK and it was damn scary at night. One time there literally was not one other car in sight (I have to admit, with caution, I blew thru 2 red lights and didn't care if I got stopped by the cops!!) Our second house was in the NE part of NLV, brand new area, and that was better but still a good 30-40 minutes away from work and for going down to the Strip. When I then moved into my apartment near Summerlin Pkwy and Buffalo, it was only a 15-20 minute drive to the Strip!! And much safer when going home at 2:00 in the morning!!! (And it was only 10 minutes door to door to my favorite casino - The Rampart!!)
fed raising rates today expect kaos in housing and commercial and other area. i see a big dropped in housing.
I've lived in MN, IL, MO, TX, & AZ. I'll stay in NV now where I consider it to be the best with all things considered. If you want rain, go to southern MO. You'll get plenty but you'll also get the high humidity, mosquitoes and chiggers to go along with it.