Possible Move to LV
 

Retired and active/mobile. Not necessarily interested in a so-called "retirement community" but will not rule one out. I know about the heat in Summer but I prefer dry conditions and would love to have a view. Price range: less than 2 Million. Thanks

Maybe also consider Tucson, which I’d consider a more interesting community, possibly more politically to your liking with view properties in the foothills.

Disclaimer: Hate is a strong word, but I really, really don't like Las Vegas. Relatives lived there for several years, so my family visited many times. By "views" I assume you mean nature and not the odd collection of structures in downtown LV.

I agree with MmePerdu about looking at other possibilities. In addition to Tucson, look into Prescott, AZ, and Albuquerque, NM. I like Santa Fe, too. I think the cost of living is lower in NM, but the depth of healthcare services is better in AZ.

Dukey, I know you're asking about Vegas but I'm going to recommend you look into Marana, AZ. Beautiful community with gorgeous views and sunsets.

Well, as usual, you folks do not disappoint:love: and I thank you for the suggestions which I will definitely look into.

Last year I visited Sedona, AZ for the second time. The red rocks are gorgeous, and the mountain climate is cooler than southern AZ. That would be my pick.

I like Las Vegas for the entertainment. But IMO, the cliche applies: It's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.

My son lived in LV for 11 months. Moved there because of his work, left because my DIL got a promotion. Is there a particular reason why you are considering LV? Some of the other places mentioned are, IMO, nicer, but you travel a lot and if you will be continuing to do that, then proximity to an airport would be a big plus. As an example, Sedona is wonderful, but it's a long drive to the airport in Phoenix. Similarly, the same long drive to good health care. Tucson might offer both of those and it's nice. Not that I'm biased (!!), but San Diego has everything and for that price you could find a very nice house in an upscale over-55 area. Go to realtor.com and check out zip code 92128.

My question was asked by Barbara above. What it is about Las Vegas specifically that is drawing you there? Over the other options like Arizona, New Mexico, California.

Vegas does have some very nice areas - and international flights. I may be wrong, but LV doesn’t really scream ‘Dukey’ vibes to me. Maybe look at Palm Springs or some of the other places already mentioned

ONE reason I was/am looking is the possibility of lowering my monthly costs of living and avoiding "bad" weather.. Yes, proximity to a decent (IMO) airport remains important. I lived in San Diego back when it was definitely "a Navy town" which includes a ferry over to Coronado before there was a bridge and "downtown" was full of Navy "locker clubs." I would go to church up on so-called "pill hill.' Would I live in SD again? Probably yes but there are other personal considerations now which I will not bore any of you with. Once again I am as always grateful for everyone's suggestions.

Dukey, I can't share (or read) it because I don't have an account, but there is an article in today's NY Times about a couple who moved to the Palm Springs area. It might interest you.
Link is here if you can access it:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...nia-homes.html

Hot as you-know-where in the summer, but so is LV, as you're aware. Good luck.

Nelson, I read the piece and thank you for sharing that link. I can relate, mentally, in many ways but the Austin electric bill in the thousands seems ridiculous.

I have quite a few people who love Palm Springs either for vacations or a couple folks who have moved there. But I've no idea how the cost of living would compare to where you are now.

Dukey, I can't get the article but if it says electric bills in Austin are in the thousands, I can tell you that's not good information. I've lived in Austin since 1981 and the highest bill I've ever had was in the 300's. Of course, that was in the hottest part of the summer.

Here's the article, shared, so you should all be able to read it. The electric bill in Austin does seem absurd. The two lower tax bills seem to be too low. They should be at least 1% of the purchase price.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...smid=url-share

There are, in some places, various ways to lower property tax bills. In Florida, we used our homestead exemptions to do so. The two people in the article have what? A second home (assuming they own it) in Michigan. Some folks would kill to be in that sort of financial shape.

My SIL moved to Vegas a few months ago from CO and she's thinking about leaving, mainly because the healthcare isn't very good.

Suggest you take a look at that before you decide.

Thanks for the article Barbara. I just texted a friend who had an 8,500 square foot home in Austin, near Barton Hills. She has since moved, but she said her bills were not nearly that high.

Unless that couple had a mansion, I do not believe they had bills $2,000+/month, even when they weren't there. My friend went so far as to say that sounds like BS, and I agree.

Property tax calculations in Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico are complicated and location dependent. California's calculation is more straightforward, but assessments and taxes imposed by counties and cities vary widely. All four states offer some type of property tax relief to seniors and veterans, but qualifying factors make it tough to actual see any relief. Worth asking about when you start talking with realtors.

The property taxes mentioned in the NYT article for the three Palm Springs area homes are only accurate if the house sells for the listing price. The state's base rate is 1% of the purchase price plus local assessments and taxes, both of which have become popular ways for municipalities to increase revenues.

I agree. It's a lovely area and the summers are milder. Prescott is also a good option but it might be too small. Santa Fe might be more interesting. One can buy a house for $2 million in any of these.

I’m not a huge fodorite but didn’t you post a moving to Ft Lauderdale topic not that long ago and then subsequently a moving to Bethesda (MD) topic? Since the move is likely temporary based on your history, it doesn’t really matter that much.

I just looked at the article again and it seems that they have corrected the tax amounts per property. When I first read it, they were completely wrong, they are more in line with reality now.

It depends on the size and condition of the house you're willing to purchase for $2M. In my SoCal neighborhood, $2M buys you a "tear down" or older property that would benefit from a total remodel.

My SIL lives in a 55+ community in Vegas moving from Oregon. The Mrs. and I do notice she gushes how much she loves living in LV from about October to April. We hear almost nothing from May through September, just an observation.

Dukey, I am confused. I thought you wanted to move to a beach area.
Not much water near LV.

Interesting. You can certainly buy a single family home in nice residential neighborhoods of Seattle under 2 million. I was real estate shopping this summer so know that's current.

Not for Dukey, doesn't fit any of their wants. Just saying here 2 million wouldn't be a tear-down! :-)

There are lots of places where $2M can get you a very nice house. But that's the point of checking websites like Zillow and Realtor to see what that budget buys in what cities/towns/neighborhoods. If weather and "views" are important, they are additional "filters." And, being 74, I would add access to comprehensive health care. I had relatives who retired to a lovely town in Northern California but eventually had to leave because of health issues that couldn't be treated without long drives to San Francisco.

Yes, this.
It is just too hot in summer. And LV is too cold in winter for me to gush about.
Where are there nice views (of nature)? I think it is ugly, beaten down.

In addition to access to medical care, Dukey, you might want to consider ease of transportation. In a new location, will you rely on driving a car for your everyday needs—groceries, veterinarian, concerts? Is it realistic to expect that you will still be driving for the time that you hope to be living there?
When we moved cross-country earlier this year, access to public transportation was one of our concerns. I know not everyone at our age would choose an urban location; it’s working for us. Music, museums, restaurants, family are a bus ride away. Or taxi. Or uber. Or Waymo. We no longer drive a car.

Dukey where would you be moving from? Do you live in Bethesda now? Can you say why you want to leave where you are?? Weather? Financial reasons??
Thanks,and very good luck to you.

Dukey, our immediate neighbor's fave place on the planet is Palm Springs. He is a retired investment banker from London. He's also a serious traveler and member of the Century Club.
He just returned from yet-another trip to PS.
Btw, we once heard an interesting fact about Vegas. It recently ranked #1 as the city where folks with limited education could still expect to find substantial careers.

Good Luck on your search!
I am done. the choices

your memory is quite good. I moved BACK to the Washington, DC, area from Fort Lauderdale after my husband of 49 years passed away. I have been here for three years now and am contemplating what I suspect will be my last move so there are a number of concerns at my present age of 81. My history consists of considerably more than appears on these pages I am happy to say but I appreciate your comments which I am convinced surely must have been offered to be helpful.

Nevada does not have any personal income tax. California certainly does.
Arizona does, but no where near as high as California's.

Just another factor if finances are a consideration.

How is your search progressing?

Although it’s 90% sure we will stay in Switzerland when we retire (hard to believe that with my pension, we’ll be getting paid to live in CH), there are some places in the US that do sound appealing.

Esp the retirement communities that are affiliated with universities. My husband particularly likes this place in Thousand Oaks, CA: uvto.com

He went to high school in Thousand Oaks and still has fond memories of the area. Sunny and warm but not as beastly hot as LV.

Lucky you WeisserTee, getting paid to live in Switzerland!

Thousand Oaks has a great climate but is in the danger zone for wildfires.

I have found memories of growing up in Los Angeles. But I wouldn't expect it to be even remotely the same if I moved back now. Guess I'd say that about anywhere from the distant past. I adored the time I spend in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. But moving back isn't going to reclaim those memories or that time of life. Meant with kindness...

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