8 Friendly Towns To Retire In Nevada

With no state taxes on income or Social Security in addition to the warm and dry climate, Nevada has increasingly become a more popular place to retire to these days. But one other factor that you might not have considered is the overall friendliness of towns and communities.

Fortunately, with the Silver State being a good retirement spot all around, it's easy to find small towns with great communities and events that ensure you have plenty of things to do in your retirement. From birdwatching at Gardnerville's most unique event to seeing the most colorful hot air balloons rise into the sky at Pahrump, you'll find no shortage of community connectivity and friendliness.

Below is but a small sample of the unique and welcoming communities that you could end up with.

Boulder City

Builders of the Hoover Dam and a city that prohibits gambling, Boulder City is a tranquil community with sights to explore and an all-around great place for those wanting to stay active. One great event that binds the community together is the Best Dam Wine Walk, which occurs every second Saturday from September through April. Each of the walks has its own unique theme too, making for an amusing evening.

The aforementioned Hoover Dam is an iconic spot to relax and unwind, but there's also the Boulder City Hoover Dam Museum, which gives you a glimpse of the Boulder Canyon Project through the eyes of the men and women who participated in the project. And if you're feeling especially adventurous, you can discover the American Southwest skies with Scenic Airlines, which tours Grand Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon West Rim, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and more.

Fernley

Pretty close to Reno and nestled against the eastern foothills of the Virginia Range, Fernley has a balance of small-town living, great affordability, and community connectivity. One of the all-time favorite pastimes is gathering at the Fernley 95A Speedway, where numerous off-road motorsports events take place. From go-karting to hosting the National Sprint Car Racing Series, you'll find no shortage of thrills.

Another big pull is the nearby Pyramid Lake, one of the few lakes that stands on an Indian reserve. You'll need a permit to fish there, but the view of the lake and the surrounding area is beautiful enough to unwind and take in the sights. And if you're a fan of art, you could consider the Main Street Art Park, a paved walkway that wanders through several artworks that were featured in the past at Burning Man events from locals. One that stands out is the Bottlecap Gazebo, designed as a social meeting place to foster interaction and connection with others. The leaves of the gazebo were formed by taking thousands of recycled bottle caps that were smashed, drilled, and strung together with wire.

Gardnerville

With a rustic feel and mountain vistas, Gardnerville is perfectly located to be unforgettable for visitors and retirees alike. The small town with its flowery streets was designed to be walked through, and the century-old buildings make it great for window shopping. If you love arts and antiques, the Carson Valley Arts & Antiques Trail will take you through a wide variety of art galleries and antique stores that stretch beyond Gardnerville.

Another unique experience is the Eagles & Agriculture event, celebrating the return of bald eagles and other birds of prey to the Carson Valley. Expect birdwatching tours in the daytime and evening soirees with the freshest of local fare. Alternatively, the Carson Valley Days is a celebration of the town's heritage since 1910. Held in Lampe Park, it features carnival rides, live bands, a horseshoe tournament, eating contests, and the annual Carson Valley Days Duck Derby.

Laughlin

Surrounded by eight different resorts, Laughlin is an exciting resort town resting along the Colorado River and is surprisingly affordable to retire to. Even if you're not big into gambling, Laughlin has a lineup of community events, entertainment, and sights for everyone. One of Laughlin's many recurring events is their L.A. Comedy Club, which features a hilarious lineup of top comedians working with other lineups of high-energy acts and live rock and country performances.

Otherwise, other casinos feature their own regular events and performances, ensuring there is never a dull moment. Outdoors, the Colorado River itself provides opportunities for retirees to enjoy boating, jet skiing, and fishing. There's also a paved Riverwalk that runs along the casino row, making it perfect for scenic walks by the water. And if you're looking to unwind, the Jean Jeffery Salon & Day Spa can rejuvenate you and offers a wide array of blissful treatments.

Mesquite

North of Las Vegas, you'll eventually find the town of Mesquite sitting amongst the Virgin River Valley. With nothing but scenic vistas and flat-top red mesas, this friendly town is complemented by the seven golf courses and high-class resorts in addition to being close to national and state parks. For the retiree that loves golfing and the outdoors, you'll find it hard to turn this town down.

A lot of the town's major events include golf tournaments, such as the Nevada Open Golf Championship, a 54 hole event with a cut after 36 holes, which allows players to play one round at two golf clubs in the area at least. Meanwhile, the resorts host numerous events, including live performances, comedy, and the occasional unique event. An example is the Mesquite Motor Mania, one of Mesquite's highly anticipated events that draws thousands of spectators as over 900 vehicles are on display for this classic car show event.

And if you don't want to play some rounds of golf at the various clubs, the Gold Butte National Monument, alongside other natural wonders, is close by. In the case of Gold Butte, it includes 350,000 acres of rugged and remote desert landscape. There you can find unique geology, rare and endangered species of plants and animals, and more that stretches over several ecozones.

Pahrump

To the west of Las Vegas is a town known for open spaces, ample adventure, and enough tranquility to relax and unwind: Pahrump. Being close to Las Vegas, the small town tries to not be outmatched with its unique events and community spirit, and it does a great job at that. The iconic Pahrump Hot Air Rally In The Valley draws thousands of visitors over the Valentine's weekend for its fun Valentine's-themed festivities.

This includes its famous colorful hot air balloon launches, live entertainment, vendors, and wine gardens at its Petrack Park. For a slower pace, the handful of golf clubs offer leisurely golf and good scenery, such as the lakeside track at Lake View Golf Club. Alternatively, Pahrump is home to a few local wineries, like Sanders Family Winery, which provides a convenient place to appreciate the southern wineries as well as attend wine tasting events.

Yerington

The friendly vibes from Yerington are given off immediately by the agricultural look and feel of the place. With a little over 3,000 residents, this community-focused town is perfect for those who want to really know their community and enjoy a slower-paced life. You can expect a lot of local events like the annual Night in the Country music festival on top of seasonal fairs that bring everyone together to enjoy live music, good food, and good company.

For a bit of privacy, the Walker River State Recreation Area is the ideal spot. From wildlife viewing to camping, hiking, and biking, the area is a prized spot for backcountry recreation. Otherwise, small community-driven centers and museums can be found around town. The Yerington Theater for the Arts & Jeanne Dini Cultural Center is one such place, a former grammar school building turned into an arts-hungry rural collective that hosts events and spreads the joy of art and theater to the community.

Fallon

Fallon has a rich history dating back to Native American settlement in the Lahontan Valley and today attracts residents with its affordability, abundant outdoor activities, and small-town charm. Some of the big events of Fallon celebrate the outdoors, with Fallon on Ice offering a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink for the community to use from mid-November to mid-January.

On May 1, Fallon also celebrates the Spring Wings Bird Festival, a birding event in Lahontan Valley and Stillwater Wildlife Refuge that includes a birding scavenger hunt, photo contest, and a Big Day birding competition. And if you're a lover of arts, the Oats Park Art Center is a multi-discipline community arts center featuring the Barkley Theatre, world-class performances, film screenings, author readings, visual arts galleries, and a cafe.

From taking in the wetlands of Fallon to Mesquite's unique landscapes surrounding the Gold Butte National Monument, Nevada has a lot of unique natural beauty to it. And when that's combined with the close-knit communities like in Yerington and Gardnerville that are cultivated through community-driven centers and unique events, you can find friendliness and a community no matter where you go. So why wait? Venture out to these towns, attend some of the unique and iconic events, and see how it feels for yourself.