Nevada is a fantastic state to retire in for a wide variety of reasons. The state does not have any income tax, and the tax requirements for seniors are very appealing. More retirees are finding out how great living in Nevada can be. Most cities here have warmer weather, but the mountainous areas still give ample opportunities for winter weather sports like skiing.
Read on for our top 10 list of the best places to retire in Nevada.
1. Mesquite
The small town of Mesquite has a large and active senior population, and the area has fine golf courses and clubs, pristine nature areas, a fine arts center, good restaurants and markets like La Mexicana Market and Peggy’s Diner a ’50s style diner.
Mesquite lies along the Arizona border, boasts a town hospital and numerous medical centers, and offers a laid-back lifestyle with lots of nightlife and casino action with access to Las Vegas just 80 miles away. Go fishing in beautiful Hafen Park or take a nature walk in scenic and shady Hillside Arboretum which has picnic tables.
Highlights
- Read and enjoy nature at Mesquite Library with picnic areas
- Jensen Trailside Park – nature trails and pets welcome
- Golf at Wolf Creek Golf Club and Falcon Ridge Golf Course
- Virgin Valley Heritage Museum – learn about this geographical area
- Enjoy Mesquite Motor Mania – annual classic automobile show and events
- Try your luck at luxurious CasaBlanca Resort and Casino or place bets at Dotty’s
- Mesquite Fine Arts Center
- Hit the Skydome Lounge at CasaBlanca Hotel – live music nightly
- Mesquite Fitness Club can help you stay fit
- Green Valley Ranch Spa & Salon – upscale services
- Gold Butte National Monument nearby
2. Gardnerville
Gardnerville is a lovely small town located in western Nevada. This city draws many retirees, and it currently holds the highest number of retirement communities per capita along with having excellent and plentiful medical centers. Gardnerville has its own local gambling casino and offers lots of outdoor recreational areas with scenic nature views.
Shop Gardnerville’s unique specialty and gift shops like Cheshire Antiques and This and That Market or enjoy cold brews at Nevada Ugly a local bar with pool table.
Experience horseback trail riding at Gina Hery, or head to the quaint Sidewalk Photo Gallery for a fun afternoon. There are many reasons to consider this your idyllic retirement city.
Highlights
- Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center
- Lampe Park – playground and several sports fields
- Lake Tahoe Air Balloon Rides – about 45 minutes away
- Carson Valley Golf Course
- Find fresh local produce at Heritage Park Gardens
- Sharkey’s Casino – gambling opportunities
- Sheraton Creek Equestrian Center – horse and pony trail rides
- Chocolate Shoppe by Sweet Images – decadent chocolate creations
- Heirloom Antiques – rare vintage finds
- Mainstreet Sidewalk Gallery
3. Sparks
If you prefer being near to a larger city with all its alluring amenities but desire a more suburban homelife, consider Sparks. This suburb of Reno has much to offer without having to leave the town limits.
There are several local breweries, fantastic dining venues, spectacular outdoor recreation opportunities and affordable shopping at the local outlet shopping malls.
Sparks also has a nice-sized retiree population and is tax friendly for seniors too. Find good food, a great community, fabulous area attractions all with a quieter and friendlier atmosphere but not too far from the city lights and non-stop action. This city was once among the railroad town stops.
Highlights
- Revision Brewing Company
- Nugget Casino Resort – gambling and luxury hotel accommodations
- Outlets at Legends Sparks – upscale outlet shopping mall
- The Sparks Heritage Museum
- Rail City Casino – good food, drinks, gaming and gambling
- Peg’s Glorified Ham ‘n Eggs – local family restaurant
- Niko’s Greek Kitchen – authentic Greek dishes
- The Generator – local creative arts space
- Western Village – casino with 4 bars
- Wild Island Family Adventure Park – open seasonal
- Sparks Marina Park – nature and water recreational opportunities
- Red Hawk Golf and Resort
4. Fallon
Located about 53 miles east of Reno, Fallon has a friendly senior population of about 14% and growing. There are some excellent medical practices and facilities in the area, and this is home to the popular tourist attraction named Grimes Point Petroglyph Trail. This trail boasts Native American ancient rock carvings and artwork with some being about 8,000 years old.
Fallon also has a variety of recreational centers and activities both outdoors and indoors along with hosting several annual community events that are always fun. The Hidden Cave is just a piece down the road and is a must-do activity.
Then, camp, ride ATVs or just gaze up at the beautiful night sky at Sand Mountain. Lake Lohontan has fewer crowds than the nearby Lake Tahoe and still offers boating, fishing and more.
Highlights
- Outdoor and water adventures at Lake Tahoe and Lake Lahontan
- Do some whiskey tasting at Frey Ranch
- Stillwater Wildlife Refuge – nature and local birds and other wildlife
- Churchill County Museum
- Drive the “Loneliest Road in America” – US Route 49
- Alkaline Salt Flats – natural local wonder
- Oats Park Art Center
5. Paradise
Many retirees have discovered that they can live close to all the excitement and fun of nearby Las Vegas while enjoying a peaceful and comfortable lifestyle living in Paradise, Nevada. This town is also known as The Strip, and residents can enjoy all that this tourist area has to offer.
This is a tax-friendly area for seniors, and there are many great dining and shopping venues located within walking distance of many friendly and quiet neighborhoods. Paradise is considered one of the state’s leading financial and cultural centers.
Highlights
- Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck
- The Strip – restaurants, nightlife and other attractions
- Shark Reef Aquarium
- The Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
- Grand Canyon Rim Tour – see caves and breathtaking landscapes
- View the beautiful Botanical Garden
- Take a night tour on a Double Decker Bus
- Strip Ultra Limousine Tour – see Paradise’s famed attractions
6. Carson City
The capital city of Nevada is Carson City, and many retirees are moving here to take advantage of the town’s smaller size but still close to many larger city attractions in Reno and Virginia City (speaking of Virginia, see the best places to retire in this state here).
The senior population here is typically active since the area has many outdoor nature areas where almost every type of outdoor recreation can be enjoyed year-round.
Carson City is situated close to the Sierra Mountains and Lake Tahoe which provides scenic views and lots of things to do.
The city also has a large art and cultural community with many indoor events and things to enjoy like antique shopping, fine dining on foods from many different locales and museums, local breweries, historic homes and landmarks and so much more. George Ferris, the inventor of the Ferris Wheel, hails from this region.
Highlights
- Nevada State Museum – see ancient pre-historic bones, area historical treasures and more
- Visit the Nevada Railroad Museum – see old locomotives and take a train ride on a vintage model
- Carson City Mint – housed in the Nevada Railroad Museum
- Tour the Carson City Capitol Complex and State Buildings
- Visit the historic Governor’s Mansion
- Walk the Victorian era Kit Carson’s Trail – Victorian homes and other landmarks
- Enjoy the Carson Comedy Club and Carson Nugget Casino
- Fuji Park – beautiful nature park
- Red’s Old 395 Grill – eat terrific barbecue dishes and decorated with vintage wagon wheels
7. Yerington
Yerington is a sparsely populated small town that is considered one of the state’s gateway cities to other popular attractions. This town has sweeping views of the nearby mountains and offers residents a friendly and relatively quiet lifestyle that still has many charms and a few cultural attractions.
This city is home to many nature parks where outdoor recreational pursuits abound. The crime rate is lower here, and this attracts many retirees who prefer a more active lifestyle. There are some historic buildings and homes from the Victorian era, and Yerington has some of the best fishing in the state at the nearby Walker River State Recreation Area.
There are also some popular music festivals here that draw big name entertainers. Yerington is also an excellent spot for OHV riding.
Highlights
- Valley of Fire State Park
- Lyon County Museum
- Enjoy scenic outdoor pursuits in Great Basin National Park
- See local marsh birds and wildlife at Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Fort Churchill State Historic Park in nearby Silver Springs
- Buckland Station – also in Silver Springs known best for pony express history
- Lyon County Courthouse – historic building
- Anaconda Copper Mine – old mine and lake
8. Boulder City
Located just a short distance from Las Vegas, Bolder City itself does not allow gambling. That doesn’t stop retirees from choosing this retirement spot, as they can quickly get to some of the best gambling casino’s without having to put up with the noise and crowds while they are at home.
Boulder City has some wonderful retirement communities, and there are also many terrific medical centers here as well.
Boulder City also has a fair amount of specialty shops, fine dining options, several museums, local brews, cultural attractions and great neighborhoods. This region also is home to the Hoover Dam, near to Lake Mead and many other outdoor locations that provide plenty of activities throughout all seasons.
Highlights
- Hoover Dam
- Goatfeather’s Emporium – vintage and collector’s finds
- See spectacular views along Historic Railroad Hiking Trail
- Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area – Native American artifacts and petroglyphs in nearby Henderson
- Nevada Southern Railroad Museum
- Papillon Helicopter Tours
- The World-Famous Coffee Cup Cafe
- Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum
- Boulder City River Riders – Day Tours on Colorado River in Black Canyon and Lake Mead
- Gunship Helicopters
9. Henderson
The charming city of Henderson is the second largest city in the state, but Henderson retains a small-town vibe that attracts many to retire here. This spot is just a short drive to the famed Las Vegas Strip and spending your golden years in this place has many advantages.
These advantages include lots of outdoor pursuits in stunning scenery, a warm and close-knit community, access to big city shops, restaurants, cultural draws and beautiful golf courses to suit every golfer.
This gorgeous desert region is a terrific place to go birdwatching or see endangered birds and wildlife in their natural habitat. There are many hiking and biking trails to explore, and some luxurious spas and casinos are in this town as well.
Seniors will find the new Henderson Hospital to be quite innovative along with other nearby medical facilities should medical care be needed.
Highlights
- Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve
- M Resort Casino
- Clark County Heritage Museum
- Lion Habitat Ranch
- Rio Secco Golf Club
- Lake Las Vegas and Lake Las Vegas Resort Spa
- Lake Mead Recreational Area and The Bowl of Fire
- River Mountain Loop Trail – hiking and biking trails through the Mojave Desert
- Big Horn Tours – tours of the Grand Canyon
- The District at Green Valley Ranch – retail and dining venues
- Parisian Day Spa
- Gold Mine Tavern – great bar with live music
10. Elko
In the northeastern portion of Nevada lies the quaint town of Elko, long considered a gateway community to the gorgeous Ruby Mountains and the legendary western culture of cowboys and Native Americans.
Many retirees have flocked here for the town’s charming qualities with the larger city lifestyle just a short drive away. The natural scenery here is picturesque and sometimes stark in its contrasting beauty.
Elko has a large artist community, and this is evident in all the many murals seen on walls throughout the downtown area. There are many cultural attractions here too that seniors tend to adore.
These attractions include several area museums, live performances, community events, historical landmarks and outdoor adventures to partake in throughout the entire year that includes skiing in the winter months.
This is a diverse city that boasts some of the most delectable food dishes from many different cultures. The city has a highly rated hospital and other prestigious medical facilities along with tax incentives for seniors.
Highlights
- Gold Dust West – an Elko casino that has delicious gourmet food and drinks
- Ruby Views Golf Course – work on your game skills
- Telescope Lanes – bowling
- Visit Angel Park – lovely green space of over 5 acres with picnic areas and playground
- Red Lion Hotel and Casino
- Take a scenic drive down Cowboy Corridor
- Watch live shows at The Stage Door Elko
- Wild Horse Reservoir State Recreation Area – camping, hiking and more
- California Trail Interpreter Center – fascinating exhibits of local area history
FAQs about retiring in Nevada
1. Is Nevada a tax-friendly state for retirees?
A: Yes, like the state of Delaware, Nevada is known as one of the best tax-friendly states for those of retirement age. This means that social security benefits, income, retirement account withdrawals along with public and private retirement pensions are not taxed.
2. Are there cities in Nevada that offer more cultural attractions and events?
A: Nevada is a mix of small, mid-sized and larger cities, and even the more rural towns are within a short drive to big city draws. In addition, most of even the smaller towns have their own local artist communities and subsequent cultural amenities like museums, theaters, access to good live music and more.