Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Retire in Boulder City, Nevada?
Overview: Set in a desert landscape punctuated with buttes and culverts, friendly Boulder City is 25 miles to the southeast of downtown Las Vegas and about five miles to the west of sprawling Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the nation.
Boulder City was originally built as housing for Hoover Dam workers in the early 1930s, and much of its economy still depends on tourists who come to enjoy the reservoir. Gambling, a staple in other Nevada communities, is banned, thanks to Boulder City's early roots as a company town. The city is proud of its heritage, and its Old Town district is small but charming with beautifully restored Depression-era buildings, old fashioned shops, artist galleries and touristy eateries. There are groceries and hardware stores and such, but large retailers are limited. Most serious shopping is done in nearby Henderson. Between the reservoir, three golf courses and endless bicycle trails found in desolate Bootleg Canyon, Boulder City is a great spot for an outdoor-oriented retirement.
The annual Boulder City Fine Arts Festival is held every April, and the College of Southern Nevada has a satellite campus here. Desi Arnaz, Jr.'s renovated Boulder Theatre is home to ballets and fun Chautauquas. Housing is a mix of older, modest neighborhoods with some trees and newer areas with Xeriscape landscaping. Million dollar homes are available, too.
Population: 16,000 (city proper)
Age 45 or Better: 54%
Cost of Living: 14% above the national average
Median Home Price: $330,000
Climate: The climate is hot and dry. Summers are long with temperatures in the 90s and low-100s. Winters are dry and mild, with temperatures in the 50s, 60s and 70s. On average, the area receives 5 inches of rain per year.
At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients? Yes
At Least One Hospital Accredited by Joint Commission? No, but St. Rose Dominican Hospital, nine miles away in Henderson, is accredited.
Public Transit: Yes
Crime Rate: Well below the national average
Public Library: Yes
Political Leanings: Liberal
College Educated: 28%
Is Nevada Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? Yes
Cons: None
Notes: Growth is tightly controlled because Boulder City owns much of the surrounding land. The area is susceptible to drought, but the water level in Lake Mead is higher this year than it has been the last few years. The seven states, including Nevada, that depend on the Colorado River, which feeds Lake Mead, are working to conserve water usage from the river. Boulder City can feel a little isolated but overall has a nice reputation (and "snowbirds" love the area).
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes, although the drought situation should be considered.
Nevada:
The Sagebrush State entered the Union during the Civil War on October 31, 1864. It was the first state to ratify the 15th Amendment and give African American men the right to vote. Gambling may be Nevada's claim to fame. The state has approximately one slot machine for every 10 residents. Las Vegas has more hotel rooms than any other city on earth.
Although Nevada is the home of Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and Lake Tahoe, water is a scarce commodity. The landscape can be characterized by alkalai sinks and sage brush. Nevada's named mountain ranges include the Battle, Monitor, Sierra Nevada, and Snake chains. Winters in Northwest Nevada can be cold. Summers in the south can be inhospitable.
Nevada is the largest gold producing state in the nation. Copper, silver, and mercury add to the state's wealth. Tourism, however, drives the state. Gambling taxes are its chief source of revenue.
Stats:
Population - 2,940,058
Persons 65 years old and over - 15%
High school graduates, persons age 25+ - 85%
Bachelor's degree or higher, persons age 25+ - 23%
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin - 28%
White persons, not Hispanic - 55%
Median household income - $51,824
Median home value - $173,700
Social Security taxed? No
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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