I'm about 3 1/2 years out from retirement and currently live in N. Ca. Can't stay here when I retire as housing is just too much. Most of my family
is here, though, so I don't want to go too far but still maintain a US presence for health insurance, etc. I'm looking at Las Vegas as the US
presence, and La Paz in Baja (1/2 and 1/2) for the life style (fishing, scuba, snorkeling, beaches, camping, etc.)
Does anyone here live full or part time in LV or anywhere else in Nevada? How do you like it? What do you like or not like about it? I've been
there a bunch of times as a tourist, but never from the perspective of possibly living there. Here's what I see online:
No state or inheritance tax
high property crime in certain areas of LV
Low housing costs
Airline hub so cheaper flight prices and lots of flight options
Easy 1-day drive to LA, N. Ca, San Diego, other CA locations
4 day drive to La Paz
Friends and family will want to come visit because it's "Las Vegas"
Lots to do/see, concerts, etc.
Anything to add? I plan on going to actually check it out as a potential place to buy a house next summer, but thought I'd check here first since you
are all such a regular fountain of wisdom and knowledge. The on-line message boards about Las Vegas are mostly about gambling or grumbling and not a
lot else. Not really interested in living in a retirement community.
Thanks in advance!bajaguy - 10-27-2013 at 03:27 PM
what are your "needs", "wants" and what do you like to do???bajagrouper - 10-27-2013 at 03:35 PM
Have you ever been to La Paz before?Alan - 10-27-2013 at 03:37 PM
What seasons do you plan on spending where? I live in snow country so its La Paz in the winter for me because summers in the mountains can't be beat.
If you are planning to leave LV in the summer you might consider the Pacific side such as Todos Santos which is only about 45 min via a 4 lane
highway from La Paz.Kgryfon - 10-27-2013 at 04:45 PM
Yes, I've been to La Paz several times and plan to rent there before buying...but this post was asking about the Las Vegas half of the plan, in case
anyone has any experience living there. I'm trying to find my stateside home base.
I've got pretty simple needs/wants that can be met pretty much anywhere, as I am a pretty solitary person. I like to go to
concerts/festivals/listening to live music/night life on occasion (Las Vegas). I like water activities like boating/fishing/snorkeling/scuba
diving/beach lounging (La Paz). I like good food and drink and friends. I was thinking Baja in summer when the water is warm enough to not need a wet
suit, so that would mean Las Vegas in winter. LP is cooler than LV in summer, and vice versa so that makes sense, too. I can go visit my family over
the winter holidays easier from LV. Winter temps in LV are similar to where I currently live; summer temps in LP are about 10-12 degrees higher (but
still lower than LV).
Las Vegas
bajaguy - 10-27-2013 at 05:09 PM
I have lived in Nevada since 1974, generally in the Carson City/Reno/Lake Tahoe area. From 1998 to 2002 I lived in Winnemucca, NV. Due to 25 years of
State employment I have been all over Nevada including southern Nevada.
If you like rural areas within 60 minutes +/- of LV, I would suggest Pahrump in Nye County. Lower taxes, lower insurance rates, no smog requirements,
cheaper housing costs. Pahrump has become a bedroom community of Las Vegas, easy access to I-15 and southern California. You can still get a place
with acreage.
If you want a small town feel within a short driving distance to the "strip", I suggest Boulder City. Originally a government town when building
Hoover Dam, Boulder City has no casinos. Close to the desert and Lake Mead with all water sports. In Clark County....higher taxes, higher insurance
rates, more expensive housing and vehicle smog requirements. 60 minutes to Laughlin on the Colorado river
Closer in to the "strip" is Henderson. Big city with all of the big city amenities (and problems). Also in Clark County, between Boulder City and main
"Las Vegas" (and the 'Strip"), see the comments regarding costs as in Boulder City (above).
N/East of Las Vegas about 60 miles on I-15 is Mesquite. Several golf courses, many snowbirds. Still in Clark County. Almost on the state line with
Utah. Closest "big city" is st George, Utah
If you don't need much to be happy, can do without the glitz, be close to LV and enjoy a cheaper cost of living, I would suggest you check out
Pahrump.
All locations are about 4 hours +/- to the sothern California area (Los Angeles, Riverside, Ontario), 5-7 hours from various points in the San Diego
area.
[Edited on 10-28-2013 by bajaguy]bajadock - 10-27-2013 at 06:00 PM
Interesting topic because of everyone's unique situation related to finances, family, friends, pets, climate, maintaining a second home and so much
more.
My friends and I were discussing our home base in Baja and where would we like to establish a new residence in any of the 48 states. Colorado would
be my obvious choice, as I lived there most of my life.
But, with rents so inexpensive, I prefer not to maintain a second house. Having freedom to travel and rent anywhere, anytime works for me.
Looking at rentals in Barcelona and Northern Italy for extended vacations.
Bajaguy's analysis emphasizes the bigger points related to Kgryfon's Las Vegas/Nevada topic.
If I were USA-based and looking for a winter location, La Paz would be high on my list.
Curious how others are handling 2nd homes. Or 3rds, 4ths, ...
[Edited on 10-28-2013 by bajadock]Kgryfon - 10-27-2013 at 07:30 PM
Thanks, Bajaguy, that was very informative. Bolder City looks interesting but no decent homes in my price range currently. Lots in LV proper, though.
Bajadock, I'm not ready to commit to buying a second home in La Paz; I intend to rent and see how it goes. But I will need a home in the US at least
until I make my final plans. I can't explore any options, or even retire, unless I leave California.mtnpop - 10-28-2013 at 09:34 AM
everyone has their own story.... sometimes ours is "pain inna butt"
we have a mtn home in Colo. that we go to for around 4 months in the summer and spend the rest of the year.... winter... in Mulege, BCS...
Maintenance on two places 'the older you get' becomes more of a hassle or anyway for us... but the good times seem to outweigh the bad...
We like the Mulege area even tho its cooler in the winter than we would like.
we are not in a resort or city situation and rather enjoy that... still close enough to do those things...
at 8000 feet in the colorado mtns its nice in the summer months except for the fire watch.....
full timers here call us snowbirds even tho we spend the bulk of our time in BAJA..
research the options and then enjoy yourself....
good luck with your plans....laventana - 11-15-2013 at 08:39 AM
I am a nevada resident lived in Boulder City right on lake mead and live 30 miles south of LaPaz. feel free to contact me and I can answer any
questions with my humble opinions..Kgryfon - 11-16-2013 at 04:56 PM
Thanks, laventana. I'll do that!yellowklr - 11-16-2013 at 05:51 PM
I had the same idea Las Vegas/La Paz
my wife is afraid to live so close to all the $$ pits
La Paz or Mulege we are both good with but still looking for the "home" base
[Edited on 11-17-2013 by yellowklr]Bajahowodd - 11-16-2013 at 05:56 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by yellowklr
I had the same idea Las Vegas/La Paz
my wife is afraid to live so close to all the $$ pits
La Paz or Mulege we are both good with but still looking for the "home" base
[Edited on 11-17-2013 by yellowklr]
But Mulege and La Paz are like apples and oranges. The contrasts are so many, I'm not even going to list them.
It would be like NYC and Lake Placid.Kgryfon - 11-17-2013 at 07:28 PM
Bajahowodd, What other places are you considering besides Las Vegas? I'm not too worried about the casinos being near by - to me, gambling is fun
about once a year, if that. I have a sister, however, that is downright scary in a casino!
