I am the father of a young adult living in Las Vegas. I am a senior, she wants me to move there. Should I?

Question

What makes this hard is I miss my daughter and would like to live near her, but not in Las Vegas. , I am a widower and have no friends or relatives where I now live, although I do like my home and home area. Here there are many educational, cultural, sporting and other activities. Many are free. I have a nice home and don't mind living alone (I enjoy it). I am not lonely, most of the time, and keep busy in my retirement. The pluses to moving are: my daughter is my only child and wants me there and wants to help me as I get older. I am a widower and could move to an adults only community to meet more people. Inportant to live near her, as I get older. Housing is a little less expensive there; the weather is tolerable; there are places to visit (public library and casinos).

The negatives: Casinos and gambling (money and wealth - lack of or too much) seem to be the only things valued in Las Vegas, the weather is terrible - broiling hot in summer and cold in winter. Not much to do.

Answer 1

I've been living in the area over 25 years. I moved here in my early 40s after retiring from the Navy. I look at the casinos the way that people in Michigan look at the car plants: they are the factories. Nothing more. Nothing less. And the bulk of them are zoned into three areas. Most of the casinos are not in Las Vegas. The famous Strip is in Winchester and Paradise. I live 15 minutes due east of Bally's Hotel and Casino. It might as well be in a different state. Once you get five blocks either side of the Strip you are in middle America.
The weather is only really hot for three months out of the year. But, we have 347 days of sunshine a year. Right now the entire northeast is buried, freezing and will be iced-up soon. My biggest problem is taking care of the leaves falling from the mulberry trees. Winters are generally in the fifties during the daytime, falling to near freezing at night.
We have more senior centers and senior activities than you could ever imagine. I have three centers with a ten to fifteen minute drive from my home. Inexpensive bus tours galore to points in the area and throughout the West. A Senior Citizen monthly pass on the transit system is $20 a month and that gives you unlimited ridership on a 51 route system, ten routes of which run 24/7. Tuition for all courses at the university and the community college is free for those 62 years of age or older.
We have a huge library system and those who have cards from the local library district can use the university's library as well. In addition, every concert, play and musical offered at the university's performing arts center or the City of Las Vegas' recreation facilities has senior citizen discounts.
I live ten minutes by freeway from our minor league baseball park, thirty minutes from Lake Mead and forty five minutes from the lodge and ski facilities on Mount Charleston. Plus, I live less than 15 minutes from the airport and can use my flight privileges on a major airline due to my daughter being a flight attendant with that carrier.
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I couldn't ever imagine having to return and live there ever again.

Answer 2

Depends on where you live now. But unless you live on the beach in Fla. you would LOVE VEGAS!
There are tons of Seniors who
have retired there. Free gourmet food in the casinos
every night, free swimming
(somewhere) every day.
A massage in the spa, a game of golf, some fishing at
the lake. the Senior women
are not like the rest of us.
These women are ex-showgirls, these women
are the creme dela creme.
if you want the old fogey
life, they have that also.
Card parties and potlucks
at any church or community
center. No gambling is necessary, just go in the lounge and sit awhile and
see all the lounge acts.
you can even get into the big
shows for free if you know how. you can even get a job
if you want to work. They always need somebody to
empty the ashtrays and keep
the toilet paper full in the restrooms. I mean, lots of
people think retiring in Vegas
is the ultimate. Oh, they
also have great basketball and
airfares are cheap into S.F.
or L.A. or Reno or SLCity.
Send us a card.

Answer 3

go live near your daughter. you'll enjoy it.Maybe she needs her Dad, and maybe the "I want to help you when you're older" is just a rue to get you there. Las Vegas is not only Gambling and it need not effect you. Believe it or not I went to a Casino today with a friend and didn't gamble one penny. you don't have to be involved with the gambling if you don't want to. There ARe other things you can do in winter , it's never so cold that it snows, and when it's hot in summer it's like any other hot city, you wear light clothing, and you put the air conditioning on, most places have a pool, so you can use it to keep cool. what have you got to loose? you'd have a lot to gain by moving near your child.

Answer 4

I agree about the weather thing. Would never live in Vegas even if you gave me a free house. Is there somewhere nearby that you might be happy? Closer than you are now but not Vegas? Is your daughter planning to stay in Vegas long enough to warrant your moving?
Edit: Harley Lady-I just saw your answer after I had posted. Great minds think alike!!

Answer 5

I also am the Father of an adult child living in Henderson, NV, She and her husband would like to have me move there also, but I, like you, have a nice home and my mother is still living at 92 years old, in her own home. I am a widower, and promised my mother I would not move and leave her alone. The plus side to all of this is they are only 2 1/4 hours away so I see them and my four grandchildren often. Besides property is expensive there.

Answer 6

It should not be your daughters call, it is your call.
You say you are comfortable and content where you are at.
I did like what "desert" had to say about Vegas, sounds like there is plenty to do there in Vegas. I do worry about the crime rate there, they say Vegas has a huge crime rate.
On the other hand, it may be wise to go ahead and move and adjust to the city before you actually need any help, while you are still healthy enough to make the move. This will allot you the time to get to know the city, find out where all the attractions are.
We just moved from Louisiana back to Texas, that move left me in alot of pain which has taken weeks to adjust to, I am still trying to regroup, but thankful to be back in Texas.
Good Luck, it's a huge decision, not one to be taken lightly.

Merry Christmas

Answer 7

Well, I am a little biased... I recently moved from southern california to northern california.. (Im 35). My parents (in their early 70s) and 2 sisters & their families all live in so cal. I really would like to have my parents nearby ( move to northern cal). One of my sisters wants to move here as well, and the other would if it was not for taking a large pay cut.
My parents can afford to live where they want.
The do have activities they participate in with other seniors.. (cards, bowling) but really have no close friends.
I would love to convince them to move. I plan on having children soon, and would love them to be a part of that.
However, they are comfortable where they are and afraid of change.
For you, I would move. Have you explored some of the communities just outside of las vegas? I think you might find an area with activities similar to those you enjoy now.

Good luck.. Im sure she misses you like crazy, as I do my parents.

Answer 8

Why does your daughter want you there? Is it because she feels an obligation to help care for you when you need it?
I believe I am responsible for my own care. I don't want my kids sacrificing time with their families to take care of me. I helped my Alzheimer mother. I don't want my kids to make that sacrifice. Oversee my care--yes. Help me find care---yes. Visit---yes. Help me get out and to provide some stimulation---yes.
Aren't you responsible for making your own friends?
Personally, I think it's unfair to put all that on your daughter: your social life, your care, etc.
I'd visit often, stay in my home if Vegas didn't particularly call me, make some friends and develop a life where I am.
Just my opinion and obviously it's different from most of the other answers.

Answer 9

Is your daughter really happy in Las Vegas. Is she planning to STAY there? What do YOU really want to do? When my husband died in 1998, my daughter wanted me to move in with her, and my brother and s-i-l wanted me to move in with them. I stayed in my own home and don't regret it one bit.

I would say, stay where you are for now. You sound happy where you are. Start volunteering to meet more people. You won't regret it. If the day comes when you need to be closer to her for health reasons, etc. then make the move if it seems best.

I'm sure you miss your daughter, but you can always visit her right? And she can visit you too.

Answer 10

If you had family and friends where you are, I'd be saying "don't go !", but since you are on your own, I think if I were you I'd go. I'm sure that you would find plenty to do there, and would make some friends if you want to. And you'd be with your daughter, which is always a blessing.

Go with your heart, and best wishes.