[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

What the he** are you talking about? First of all...what? Why do we care? Secondly, we already have one of the largest senior populations in the country, not to mention all the snowbirds that spend winters here. But how is it that people can't get their head around the concept that attracting more customers is the only way for businesses to survive? Why is advertising your product a bad thing? If we don't "attract more tourists" we'll soon fail. Then we'll be advertising our businesses ...for sale.

I’m not sure who you’re directing your comments to but I may not be correctly interpreting what you’re saying. Why shouldn’t LV be attracting both boomers AND tourists? If you’re saying that Las Vegas has enough seniors and only needs more tourists to survive, then it really doesn’t make sense.

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

Well, first of all, keep in mind that you're comparing entire states to the city of Las Vegas. (Because, after all, who's going to retire and move to Pahrump.) I'd bet that if you compared city to city among the states, that Vegas would be on the list.

Good point, I thought that too after I posted what I did above. Most retirees will consider southern Nevada, though. Usually not Reno or the small towns in northern NV. Southern Nevada still has the lure of decent weather in the winter. However, I’ve heard many fellow boomers that don’t want to spend all year in southern Nevada because of the hot summers. I think might be the lure of California and some of the other more popular states because of the more moderate temperatures year around? Southern Nevada has a huge snowbird population though …not like Arizona or Florida but I’m sure it has to be right up there pertaining to snowbirds.

And I personally several who moved from northern states to Pahrump to retire. All told me that the lower land costs and not being in Clark county were the main reasons to locate there. And one mentioned the cooler summers, lower cost of living, and less congestion which are all pluses for retirees.

[Okey Dokie]

Mr. Dokie and I have been snowbirding in LV since January 3 and it's been a great experience. The weather has certainly been pleasant enough - maybe not southern Florida warm, but we're not paying $3,500 a month as we might have had to in Fla, either. Although permanent relocation here is not an option (because of family) I think the summer weather would be a deal breaker for us anyway.

If we don't come back next winter it will only be because we want to try out other destinations. We've had a great time and it's been very interesting to see "real life" Vegas. Now I just have to find time in the next week and a half to finally get to In n Out Burger!

[tijlover]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

But I do wonder why Las Vegas should rightfully be on the list?

Being our summers are slightly cooler than the retiree-paradisical Phoenix/Tucson area, can't we at least be tied with them?

Given the cruel winter that has plagued the Carolina's (top of the list) and Tennessee this winter, what are we lacking here? Lots of annoying insects in the summertime, high insufferable humidity, snowstorms, fear of hurricanes in late summer in the Carolina's?

In a later post, you mentioned our hot summers as a deterrent to seniors moving here. This is one area we need a better defense plan and advertising campaign. Too many people are overly focused on numbers and not the feel effect, combining heat and humidity.

And, in many cases, it'll be like talking to brick walls.

I've all but exhausted myself, when having a phone conversation with a relative back East, trying to convince these misinformed idiots that I'm more comfortable in June at 105 degrees with 10% humidity, than they are at 90 with 80% humidity. They just can't get that through their thick skulls!

I'm just tired and worn out with those attacking Las Vegas and our "hot", uncomfortable summers and we let them get by with it!

[dynimagelv]

But it's a DRYYY heat

[scirocco22]

Yup, I know exactly what you're sayin', tijlover. I keep telling folks from where I'm originally from that I'm much more comfortable in 110 degrees when the humidity is below 15% than I am when it's 85 with humidity above 85%. They look at me like I'm nuts and say, "well, 110 is still hot no matter how many times you say 'it's a dry heat!" ...they just don't seem to understand and they're missing the point altogether. It's a comparative thing.

But I should talk, I usually am gone most of the summer.

[KidsinVegas]

Blame? LV has a lot of negative press... water, job loss, crime.

Seniors want safety, recreation, health care. All areas that here in Vegas are not that great.

If you knock down the buildings and look around you see a whole lot of nothing. A very hot dry empty desert.

Now contrast that to the Carolinas... Florida and even Arizona. Much more pleasing to the eye.

[jjameson922]

What is pleasing to one person's eyes is not what is pleasing to another person's eyes. I will grant you the moss draped trees in the Carolina's can be pretty but they don't compare IMHO to the varying shades the moutains that ring the valley take on. The only place in the entire country I have ever wanted to retire to is Las Vegas. I'm not interested in the high humidity of the areas you mentioned nor the critters and slimmys that live in the water climates. Nor do I want to battle hurricanes and tornados. I seriously believe the average tourist that comes to Las Vegas, maybe 3-4 times in their lives, never takes the time to venture beyond the Strip. If you suggested retiring there to them, they would tell you they had no intention of ever living in a casino hotel. The media constantly features the Strip and all it glamour and people do not consider retiring there because they never learn there is any more to the city than that. A fantastic advertising campaign pointing out no state taxes,
very low property taxes, wonderful weather, a buyers real estate market, the beauty of the city and the vast array of wonderful restaurants and shopping and an overview of some of the great retirement communities with all the amenities and social opportunities they offer would I'm sure, be a major wake up call to many.

[jjameson922]

Another thought I just had is if someone could convince the city to invest in a large advertising program to promote the benefits of retiring in LV., it would be such a win-win because they would be working to attract a population that does not need jobs. Jobs are scarce there; retirees do not need them and yet these very people with their good incomes would be excellent consumers for all the local businesses.

[Swigchow]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

As the article implied, good health care services. The perception by many of my out of state friends is that Nevada has a very poor choice of physicians and hospitals that cater to seniors ...and the well to do in Las Vegas have their surgeries and important appointments with specialists done in socal. Not entirely true but that's the perception by some.

Hey, we agree on something!
One of the primary drivers for senior relocation is adequate and accessible health care, both of which are questionable in Las Vegas. I know many who will visit Las Vegas, or might be snowbirds for a couple of months, but would not leave their primary Seattle residence due to health care.
I have read on another thread that for a city the size of Las Vegas that it does not have a professional sports team. The real travesty is that it doesnt have a medical school!

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by Swigchow

The real travesty is that it doesnt have a medical school!

It doesn't even have any colleges, if you have any standards at all.

I stopped for a late lunch at the M Resort on my way back from Henderson (Anthem). It was right before one of their daily drawings. Man, the smell of BENGAY coming from that crowd was overpowering. They have a pharmacy inside the casino gift shop. Probably a smart idea, seniors can get their prescriptions filled, and throw some money into a slot machine while they wait.