BajaNomad
Not logged in [Login - Register]

Go To Bottom
Printable Version  
Author: Subject: Las Vegas and La Paz???
Kgryfon
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 624
Registered: 1-27-2009
Location: East Bay, CA
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 10-27-2013 at 03:22 PM
Las Vegas and La Paz???


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!
View user's profile
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
******




Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline

Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja

[*] posted on 10-27-2013 at 03:27 PM


what are your "needs", "wants" and what do you like to do???



View user's profile
bajagrouper
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 964
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Rincon de Guayabitos, Nayarit, Mexico
Member Is Offline

Mood: happy and retired

[*] posted on 10-27-2013 at 03:35 PM


Have you ever been to La Paz before?



I hear the whales song
View user's profile
Alan
Super Nomad
****




Posts: 1626
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 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.



In Memory of E-57
View user's profile
Kgryfon
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 624
Registered: 1-27-2009
Location: East Bay, CA
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 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).
View user's profile
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
******




Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline

Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja

[*] posted on 10-27-2013 at 05:09 PM
Las Vegas


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]




View user's profile
bajadock
Super Nomad
****


Avatar


Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 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]




View user's profile
Kgryfon
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 624
Registered: 1-27-2009
Location: East Bay, CA
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 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.
View user's profile
mtnpop
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 597
Registered: 9-8-2009
Location: Colorado/mulege
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 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....




Common sense is a flower that doesn\'t grow in everyone\'s garden.....

A wise man once spoke nothing.....

Never kick a cow chip on a hot day!!
View user's profile
laventana
Nomad
**


Avatar


Posts: 216
Registered: 8-24-2006
Member Is Offline

Mood: sharing

[*] posted on 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..



View user's profile Visit user's homepage
Kgryfon
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 624
Registered: 1-27-2009
Location: East Bay, CA
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 11-16-2013 at 04:56 PM


Thanks, laventana. I'll do that!
View user's profile
yellowklr
Senior Nomad
***


Avatar


Posts: 507
Registered: 4-14-2006
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 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]




Derek
View user's profile
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
******




Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 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.
View user's profile
Kgryfon
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 624
Registered: 1-27-2009
Location: East Bay, CA
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 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!
View user's profile

  Go To Top

 






All Content Copyright 1997- Q87 International; All Rights Reserved.
Powered by XMB; XMB Forum Software © 2001-2014 The XMB Group






"If it were lush and rich, one could understand the pull, but it is fierce and hostile and sullen. The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez

 

"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt

 

"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them or to them." - Malcolm Forbes

 

"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn

 

"The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer." - Cunningham's Law







Thank you to Baja Bound Mexico Insurance Services for your long-term support of the BajaNomad.com Forums site.







Emergency Baja Contacts Include:

Desert Hawks; El Rosario-based ambulance transport; Emergency #: (616) 103-0262