Las Vegas, NV Senior Living

The renowned resort and entertainment city of Las Vegas, Nevada is more than just a party and gambling destination – it's quickly becoming a popular senior living destination as well.The Las Vegas area has a uniquely Western history. It wasn’t visited by Europeans until its discovery by Spanish explorers in the 19^th century, when it was a part of Mexico. The Las Vegas Valley was later settled shortly after annexation to the US in 1855, and was officially incorporated in 1911.The city began to grow first as a railroad town, and then later as a tourist stop for the Hoover Dam. Gambling was legalized in 1931, and when other similar towns made gambling illegal in the 1950s, Las Vegas became America’s prime gambling destination.

Besides the vast multitude of resorts and casinos, not to mention its world-class golf courses, Las Vegas is home to attractions such as the Red Rock Canyon National Conservancy Area, The Smith Center for Performing Arts and the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. Featuring warm weather, a relatively cheap cost of living and plenty to do and see, senior living in Las Vegas is a retirement destination worth considering for seniors who enjoy living in an active city.

Population

According to the 2010 US Census, the city of Las Vegas, Nevada has a population of 589,317with 12% of its residents aged 65 or older. This number is expected to grow significantly as baby boomers begin to retire.

Cost of Living

AreaVibes.com rates Las Vegas’s cost of living index at 98. While this is 3.2% more expensive than the state’s cost of living, it is still 1.7% cheaper than the nation’s average cost of living. For such a vibrant and active city, Las Vegas is a surprisingly affordable retirement destination.

Home Prices

The median home value in Las Vegas, Nevada is $251,300. While this is 5.7% more costly than the median home values in the state, and 25.4% more costly than median home values in the country. *Area Vibes

Assisted Living Costs in Las Vegas

More than just its famous strip of old timey casinos and even older gamblers, Las Vegas really does offer an affordable option for seniors looking for a retirement destination. Assisted living costs in Las Vegas can range widely from inexpensive to luxury living, but a one bedroom facility runs about $3,000 per month. *Genworth Data

Crime Rate

Crime rates in Las Vegas, Nevada have been on an upward trend for the past several years, with both violent crimes in particular jumping in 2006. Unsurprisingly, overall crime rates in Las Vegas are higher than average for the state of Nevada. Currently, average violent crime rates in the city are about 142% higher than average rates in the state, while average property crimes are 33% higher than average property rates in the state. Much of the crime in the “Sin City” of Las Vegas is concentrated in the Strip, downtown and surrounding areas, so it’s a good idea to do some research to find the safer neighborhoods. *AreaVibes.com

Medical Facilities

There are 33 major hospitals in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, with 10 located in the city itself. Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, located downtown, is considered a top-performing medical center for the region. Other Las Vegas Healthcare facilities include Valley Hospital Medical Center, University Medical canter and Centennial Hills Hospital.

Consult a complete list of medical centers and hospitals in Las Vegas.

Transportation

Traveling in and around Las Vegas, Nevada is very easy, and there are many transportation options to choose from.The city is served by McCarron International Airport (LAS), as well as an Amtrak and Greyhound Bus station. Intercity travel is also a breeze here, with 4.8% of residents choosing to commute by the city’s RTC bus system. And thanks to the Mojave Desert’s warm, sunny climate, walking and biking can be done year-round.

Additional Resources:

Resident Reviews of Las Vegas, Nevada
"Las Vegas is a great place to live as a senior for a few reasons. Mostly its because it’s a “young” city. It has a youthful personality if you will. There are always people visiting from everywhere and I think that gives it a fresh feel. The 2nd reason is that there aren’t a lot of cities that have half the attractions that Las Vegas has. There is always a show to see. For a retired couple its perfect. Last week we went to see a stand up comic and the week before that we saw a dancing act that was just wonderful. We don’t like to gamble much and everyone seems to think that’s the only thing to do here but that’s just not true. Of course there is gambling and it is fun from time to time, but there is so much more to the city then that." - Paul Witree, 11 year Las Vegas Resident