Calico Ridge vs Lake Las Vegas: Which Henderson Community Fits You?

by Ryan Rose

These two communities sit about 3 miles apart in southeast Henderson. Both offer mountain access and desert beauty. But they couldn't be more different in terms of lifestyle and pricing.

The Quick Comparison

Factor	Calico Ridge	Lake Las Vegas
Median Home Price	$600,000 - $673,000	$800,000 - $1.2M+
Annual HOA Cost	$175	$2,400 - $4,800+
Primary Appeal	Mountain views, large lots	Waterfront, resort lifestyle
Lot Sizes	1/4 to 1/3 acre typical	Varies widely
Community Style	Quiet, residential	Resort, vacation-like
Guard-Gated	Tuscany Village only	Most neighborhoods

Price and Value

Calico Ridge's median sits around $600,000 to $673,000. Lake Las Vegas starts around $800,000 and goes much higher. Waterfront properties push into the multi-millions.

But purchase price is just the beginning. Calico Ridge's main community charges roughly $175 per year in HOA fees. Lake Las Vegas typically runs $200 to $400+ per month. Over 10 years, that difference alone exceeds $30,000 to $50,000.

Lifestyle: Mountain Retreat vs. Resort Living

Calico Ridge feels like a residential neighborhood with mountain views and outdoor access. It's quiet. People live their daily lives here. Weekends might involve hiking at the Wetlands Park or biking the River Mountains Trail.

Lake Las Vegas feels like a resort. The community was designed around a 320-acre man-made lake with Mediterranean-themed villages, waterfront restaurants, and vacation-rental activity. Hotels operate on-site. Paddleboarding and lakeside dining are part of the experience.

Outdoor Recreation

Calico Ridge backs up to the 2,900-acre Clark County Wetlands Park with an extensive trail system. The River Mountains Loop Trail connects to Lake Mead. Chimera Golf Club sits adjacent to the community.

Lake Las Vegas offers water-based recreation: kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing. Two golf courses operate within the community.

If you prefer hiking and biking, Calico Ridge has the edge. If you prefer water activities, Lake Las Vegas wins.

Commute Times

Destination	From Calico Ridge	From Lake Las Vegas
Las Vegas Strip	~20 minutes	~25 minutes
Harry Reid Airport	~25 minutes	~30 minutes
Lake Mead	~15 minutes	~15 minutes

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose Calico Ridge if you: Value larger lots and outdoor space. Want minimal HOA costs. Prefer mountain views over waterfront. Want a quiet residential community. Need strong value per square foot.

Choose Lake Las Vegas if you: Prioritize waterfront living. Enjoy resort-style amenities. Are comfortable with higher HOA fees. Want lake access for kayaking and paddleboarding. Prefer vacation atmosphere over traditional neighborhood.

The Verdict

These communities attract different buyers for different reasons. Neither is universally "better." The right choice depends entirely on how you want to live and what you're willing to pay for it.

Want to tour both communities and see the differences firsthand? Let's schedule some showings. Already own in Henderson? Get a home valuation to see where you stand.

Frequently Asked Questions: Calico Ridge vs Lake Las Vegas Henderson

Q1: Is Calico Ridge or Lake Las Vegas better?

It depends on your priorities. Calico Ridge offers lower home prices ($600K median vs $800K+), minimal HOA fees ($175/year vs $200-400+/month), larger lots, and mountain access. Lake Las Vegas provides waterfront living, resort amenities, and a vacation lifestyle. Calico Ridge suits value-conscious buyers wanting space; Lake Las Vegas suits those wanting a resort community.

Q2: How far apart are Calico Ridge and Lake Las Vegas?

Calico Ridge and Lake Las Vegas are approximately 3 miles apart, making them neighboring communities in southeast Henderson. Both offer outdoor recreation access but with very different community styles and price points.

Q3: Which has lower HOA fees, Calico Ridge or Lake Las Vegas?

Calico Ridge has significantly lower HOA fees. The main Calico Ridge community charges approximately $175 per year, while Lake Las Vegas communities typically charge $200-400+ per month, plus potential SID taxes and resort membership fees. Over 10 years, this difference can exceed $30,000 to $50,000.

Q4: What is the median home price difference between Calico Ridge and Lake Las Vegas?

Calico Ridge has a median home price of $600,000 to $673,000, while Lake Las Vegas starts around $800,000 and ranges to $1.2 million and beyond. Waterfront properties in Lake Las Vegas can reach multi-million dollar price points, making Calico Ridge the more affordable option by approximately $200,000 or more.

Q5: Does Lake Las Vegas have better amenities than Calico Ridge?

Lake Las Vegas offers more resort-style amenities including a 320-acre man-made lake, waterfront restaurants, two golf courses, water sports activities, and Mediterranean-themed villages. Calico Ridge offers access to the 2,900-acre Clark County Wetlands Park, River Mountains Loop Trail, and Chimera Golf Club. Lake Las Vegas has more built amenities; Calico Ridge has more natural outdoor recreation options.

Q6: Which community has larger lot sizes?

Calico Ridge typically offers larger lot sizes, with most properties ranging from 1/4 to 1/3 acre. Lake Las Vegas lot sizes vary widely depending on the specific neighborhood and whether the property is waterfront, but generally tend to be smaller than Calico Ridge lots.

Q7: Are both Calico Ridge and Lake Las Vegas guard-gated communities?

Most of Lake Las Vegas consists of guard-gated neighborhoods, offering enhanced security and privacy. In Calico Ridge, only the Tuscany Village section is guard-gated; the main Calico Ridge community is not gated but remains a safe, quiet residential area.

Q8: Which community is closer to the Las Vegas Strip?

Calico Ridge is slightly closer to the Las Vegas Strip, approximately 20 minutes away compared to Lake Las Vegas at approximately 25 minutes. Both communities are located in southeast Henderson and have similar access to major Henderson amenities and Harry Reid International Airport.

Q9: Can you do water sports in Calico Ridge?

Calico Ridge does not have a lake or water sports facilities within the community. However, it's located approximately 15 minutes from Lake Mead, where residents can enjoy boating, fishing, and water skiing. Lake Las Vegas offers water sports directly within the community on its 320-acre private lake.

Q10: Which community is better for hiking and mountain biking?

Calico Ridge is superior for hiking and mountain biking, with direct access to the 2,900-acre Clark County Wetlands Park and the River Mountains Loop Trail. The community backs up to extensive trail systems and natural desert landscape. Lake Las Vegas is more water-focused and has limited hiking trails in comparison.

Q11: Do Lake Las Vegas homes hold their value better than Calico Ridge?

Both communities have shown strong appreciation, but their value propositions differ. Lake Las Vegas offers unique waterfront lifestyle features that appeal to luxury buyers and can command premium prices. Calico Ridge offers strong value per square foot with lower ongoing costs, making it attractive to a broader buyer pool. Market conditions affect both areas similarly.

Q12: Which community has a more vacation-like atmosphere?

Lake Las Vegas has a distinctly vacation-like, resort atmosphere with hotels, waterfront dining, Mediterranean architecture, and leisure-focused amenities. Many properties serve as vacation rentals. Calico Ridge is a traditional residential neighborhood with a quiet, everyday living atmosphere rather than a resort feel.

GET MORE INFORMATION

Ryan Rose

Agent | License ID: S.0185572

+1(702) 747-5921 | ryan@rosehomeslv.com