Retirement

Silver is once again playing a hand in the economy and lifestyle of the Reno/Tahoe area. But instead of coming from the mines in Virginia City, it’s arriving as a silver wave of retirees who’ve discovered that the area is the perfect place for their retirement. After spending their working years fighting traffic and breathing smog, they think they’ve died and gone to heaven in this natural mountain/desert environment. Washoe County, which includes Reno, Sparks, and Incline Village, has seen more than 23 percent growth in seniors in recent years. And as more baby boomers retire in the near future, demographers say Reno/Tahoe can expect an even greater number of retirees to make their homes here.

It’s not hard to understand why so many people choose to relocate here. If they’ve visited before (which most have), they’ve probably fallen in love with the gorgeous scenery and the unlimited opportunities for recreation. And then there’s the weather: four distinct seasons, all of which are relatively mild. The average high temperatures in the Reno/Sparks area range from around 90 degrees in July to 45 degrees in January. Average lows range from about 18 degrees in January to 47 degrees in July. Because they are located on the leeward side of the Sierra Nevada range, Reno and Sparks have very low humidity in summer and moderate humidity in winter. Snowfall usually runs around 27 inches a year. Lake Tahoe, however, has a colder and much wetter climate. Unless Reno experiences a winter inversion, temperatures around the lake are usually 5 to 10 degrees colder than in the leeward valleys. And even though the sun shines 274 days out of the year at the lake, annual snowfall at lake level averages 125 inches, with 300 to 500 inches falling in the surrounding mountains.

Many retirees are attracted to Nevada for financial reasons because the state has no income tax and no inheritance tax. They also find they can buy more house for their money in Nevada than in some other states, such as California. Last but not least, Reno/Tahoe is senior-friendly and welcomes newcomers with open arms.

Because they lead such busy lives, the word “retirement” is a misnomer to most Reno/Tahoe retirees. They’ve traded their three-piece suits for jogging outfits and are just as likely to leave home each morning with a pair of skis as a briefcase. When they’re not pursuing their favorite outdoor sports or hobbies, you can find them volunteering, taking classes, or even developing new careers. They live life with gusto and seem bent on making the most of their golden years. If retirement to you means a life full of new challenges and adventures, Reno/Tahoe offers a plethora of options. In this chapter I tell you about the enriching opportunities you’ll find for education, employment, entertainment, and volunteering.

If you’re considering retiring in the Reno/Tahoe area, it’s important to know the differences between living in the small mountain towns at Lake Tahoe and living in urban Reno or Sparks. While the small communities at the lake offer a comfortable laid-back lifestyle, they aren’t large enough to provide the variety of services that are found in the Reno/Sparks area. But because Reno/Sparks are less than an hour drive away, even if you live at the lake, you can take advantage of some of the senior services in Reno/Sparks. Your best sources of information about what’s offered at the lake are the senior centers I tell you about in this chapter.

In addition to having fewer services, full-time residence at Lake Tahoe can present problems in the winter because of snow removal. You should also know that some financial advantages available in Nevada are not offered by California and that housing at Lake Tahoe is usually more expensive than in Reno or Sparks. In general, the people who retire successfully at Lake Tahoe tend to be self-reliant and financially independent individuals.

To find out about senior issues and events, you can read the Senior Spectrum newspaper, which is available free at newsracks in the area.