The Homestead is a vibrant and welcoming community that offers compassionate staff support, engaging activities, and a warm, clean environment enriched by shared values, making it an ideal choice for individuals seeking a nurturing and uplifting assisted living experience.
Friendly Staff
Oakmont of the Lakes
Las Vegas
4.7 from 84 reviews
$2,695 to $3,795 per month
Oakmont of the Lakes offers a beautiful environment, compassionate staff, engaging activities, and high-quality amenities that enhance residents' well-being and foster a vibrant community.
Great Staff
Oakmont of Las Vegas
Las Vegas
4.7 from 76 reviews
$2,696 to $3,895 per month
Oakmont of Las Vegas is praised for its light and airy ambiance, friendly staff, engaging activities, and customizable dining options, making it an appealing choice for individuals seeking a vibrant assisted living community.
Friendly Staff
Legacy House of Centennial Hills
Las Vegas
4.7 from 59 reviews
$3,850 to $6,100 per month
Legacy House of Centennial Hills is a clean and welcoming assisted living community with attentive staff, engaging activities, and a supportive transition process, making it a commendable choice for families seeking quality care for their loved ones.
Friendly Staff
Legacy House of Southern Hills
Las Vegas
4.6 from 73 reviews
$3,900 to $5,800 per month
Legacy House of Southern Hills is praised for its clean, spacious accommodations and welcoming community atmosphere, enriched by engaging social activities and friendly staff, though some reviews suggest improvements in staffing levels are needed.
Friendly Staff
Atria Summit Ridge
Reno
4.7 from 76 reviews
$4,295 to $6,595 per month
Atria Summit Ridge is a highly regarded assisted living facility known for its welcoming atmosphere, attentive staff, excellent dining options, engaging activities, and integrated healthcare services that foster community and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Friendly Staff
Lakeview Terrace Retirement Community
Boulder City
4.6 from 52 reviews
$1,995 to $4,250 per month
Lakeview Terrace in Boulder City is a highly regarded assisted living facility known for its beautiful views, vibrant community atmosphere, kind and professional staff, spacious accommodations, and strong communication with families, making it an appealing choice for those seeking supportive living environments.
Great Staff
Acacia Springs
Las Vegas
4.6 from 108 reviews
$3,045 to $4,725 per month
Acacia Springs is highly praised for its compassionate staff, personalized care, vibrant community activities, exceptional restaurant-style dining, and strong safety measures, making it an ideal choice for those seeking an assisted living facility.
Great Staff
Five Star Premier Residences Of Reno
Reno
4.6 from 26 reviews
Five Star Premier Residences of Reno offers a vibrant and supportive community with engaging activities, well-designed accommodations, excellent dining experiences, and compassionate staff dedicated to residents' health and happiness.
Great Staff
Desert View Senior Living
Las Vegas
4.6 from 123 reviews
$2,375 to $3,895 per month
Desert View Senior Living is praised for its friendly and attentive staff, community atmosphere, engaging activities, cleanliness, and affordability, making it a valuable option for families seeking assisted living.
Great Staff
Atria Seville
Las Vegas
4.6 from 80 reviews
$3,495 to $6,695 per month
Atria Seville is highly praised for its cleanliness, beautiful landscaping, excellent staff support, diverse activities, and appealing amenities, making it a welcoming community for families seeking assisted living options.
Great Staff
Palm Valley Assisted Living
Las Vegas
5 from 14 reviews
Palm Valley is a highly praised community known for its exceptional cleanliness, friendly and attentive staff, delicious food, and warm, welcoming atmosphere that ensures residents feel valued and cared for.
Friendly Staff
Sunrise of Henderson
Henderson
4.5 from 92 reviews
$5,130 to $6,840 per month
Sunrise of Henderson is a highly regarded assisted living facility known for its dedicated, compassionate staff and inviting community atmosphere, ensuring residents receive exceptional care and support.
Great Staff
Prestige Assisted Living at Mira Loma
Henderson
4.6 from 63 reviews
$2,700 to $5,475 per month
Prestige Assisted Living at Mira Loma offers a caring atmosphere with engaged staff, clean surroundings, and a variety of activities that foster community spirit, although some residents' families have raised concerns about food quality and staffing levels.
Friendly Staff
Oakmont of West Las Vegas
Las Vegas
4.8 from 17 reviews
Oakmont of the Lakes is a highly regarded assisted living facility known for its inviting ambiance, engaging activity schedule, professional and friendly staff, spacious accommodations, and high-quality dining options.
Friendly Staff
Villa Court Assisted Living
Las Vegas
4.5 from 77 reviews
$1,600 to $3,300 per month
Villa Court Assisted Living is highly praised for its dedicated staff, accessible single-level design, engaging community atmosphere, attentive personalized care, and excellent communication with families, making it a top choice for those seeking quality assisted living.
Great Staff
Inspirations
Pahrump
4.7 from 36 reviews
$2,560 to $4,490 per month
Inspirations Senior Living in Pahrump, Nevada, offers compassionate care, a clean and well-maintained environment, diverse dining options, modern amenities, and opportunities for resident companionship and community engagement.
Cleanliness
Cascades of the Sierra
Spanish Springs
4.4 from 60 reviews
$4,225 to $5,050 per month
Cascades of the Sierra in Sparks, Nevada, is praised for its caring staff, clean environment, strong community engagement, and flexible living arrangements, though concerns about pricing and management communication have been noted.
Great Staff
Pacifica Senior Living Green Valley
Henderson
4.4 from 86 reviews
$2,500 to $3,000 per month
Pacifica Senior Living Green Valley offers a friendly and clean environment with attentive staff but needs improvement in activity programming and meal quality for a more enriching resident experience.
Oakmont Of Las Vegas
Las Vegas
4.7 from 25 reviews
Oakmont of Las Vegas offers a compassionate and dedicated staff, a welcoming atmosphere, personalized care plans, engaging amenities, and open communication, making it an ideal choice for families seeking assisted living options for their loved ones.
Hospice Care
Park Place Assisted Living
Reno
4.4 from 75 reviews
$3,000 per month
Park Place Assisted Living is praised for its dedicated staff and homey atmosphere, but concerns about meal quality and staffing levels could impact resident experiences.
Great Food
Heritage Springs
Las Vegas
4.4 from 77 reviews
$2,749 to $3,850 per month
Heritage Springs offers a warm, intimate community with dedicated staff who provide compassionate care and a variety of activities, though potential clients should consider operational challenges like staffing shortages and dining service issues.
Friendly Staff
Pacifica Senior Living San Martin
Las Vegas
4.3 from 117 reviews
$2,600 to $4,650 per month
Pacifica Senior Living offers a vibrant community with caring staff and appealing aesthetics, but faces challenges with staffing shortages, inconsistent food quality, and limited engagement activities that could impact resident satisfaction.
Great Staff
The Seasons of Reno
Reno
4.4 from 72 reviews
$3,200 to $5,100 per month
The Seasons of Reno is praised for its compassionate staff and engaging amenities, while Brookdale Northwest Reno offers good activities but faces criticism for food quality and slow response times, highlighting the need for careful consideration of strengths and weaknesses when choosing an assisted living facility.
Friendly Staff
Prestige Assisted Living at Henderson
Henderson
4.3 from 62 reviews
$3,200 to $5,425 per month
Prestige Assisted Living at Henderson is praised for its community feel and friendly staff, but potential residents should consider the limitations in dining options, care services, and room conditions that may affect their overall experience.
Cleanliness
Carson Valley Senior Living
Gardnerville
4.7 from 11 reviews
Carson Valley Senior Living is highly praised for its compassionate staff, clean and cozy environment, engaging activities, and strong sense of community, making it an excellent choice for families seeking assisted living services.
Friendly Staff
Escalante at The Lakes
Las Vegas
4.3 from 84 reviews
$3,600 to $4,900 per month
Escalante at The Lakes offers a comfortable environment with attentive staff and engaging activities, but concerns about communication, transportation issues, and security may impact the overall caregiving experience for residents.
Great Staff
Prestige Senior Living At Mira Loma
Henderson
4.4 from 77 reviews
Prestige Senior Living at Mira Loma offers a clean, modern environment with attentive staff and diverse amenities, though its large layout may be disorienting for some and food quality could improve.
Good Room Size
Kiley Ranch Senior Living
Sparks
4.6 from 21 reviews
Kiley Ranch Senior Living is praised for its compassionate staff, clean environment, engaging activities, and strong community connections, providing good value for quality care and emotional support during challenging transitions.
Friendly Staff
Oakey Assisted Living
Las Vegas
4.3 from 58 reviews
$2,200 to $2,395 per month
Oakey Assisted Living is highly recommended for its friendly and caring staff, engaging activities, reasonable pricing, and good security measures, though some residents noted smaller room sizes and mixed experiences with dining.
Friendly Staff
Sterling Ridge
Las Vegas
4.2 from 75 reviews
$2,045 to $4,100 per month
Sterling Ridge Senior Living is praised for its compassionate staff and engaging activities, but it faces concerns regarding cleanliness, food quality, and inconsistent safety communication, making it essential for prospective clients to visit and evaluate the facility personally.
Safe Environment
MorningStar Of Sparks
Sparks
4.4 from 37 reviews
$3,430 to $6,595 per month
MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks is a clean and friendly assisted living facility praised for its convenient amenities but criticized for understaffing and limited activity options, which families feel could enhance resident engagement and care.
Spacious Rooms
Sierra Place Senior Living
Carson City
4.5 from 15 reviews
Sierra Place Senior Living is praised for its cleanliness, attentive and caring staff, vibrant activities program, and high-quality dining experience, although affordability may be a concern for some.
Clean Facility
Stone Valley Memory Care & Transitional Assisted Living
Reno
4.7 from 9 reviews
Stone Valley is highly praised for its inviting atmosphere, attentive and compassionate staff, engaging activities, nutritious meals, and a well-maintained environment that fosters a sense of community among residents.
Friendly Staff
Avamere at Cheyenne
Las Vegas
4.2 from 162 reviews
Avamere at Cheyenne offers a clean and home-like environment with compassionate caregivers, though concerns about staff turnover, meal variety, limited social engagement, infrequent outings, and communication issues should be considered by families seeking assisted living options.
Great Staff
Poet's Walk Henderson
Henderson
4.5 from 20 reviews
$5,500 to $6,800 per month
Poet's Walk offers a vibrant community with engaging activities and responsive management, but families should be aware of staff turnover, variable care quality, and mixed reviews on dining experiences while seeking suitable assisted living solutions.
Cleanliness
Truewood By Merrill, Henderson
Henderson
4.1 from 105 reviews
$2,900 to $4,750 per month
Truewood by Merrill, Henderson is a well-maintained, modern assisted living facility with friendly staff and engaging activities, but it faces challenges with staffing levels, food quality, and occasional cleanliness issues.
Cleanliness
The Bridge at Paradise Valley
Las Vegas
4.2 from 43 reviews
$2,749 to $4,750 per month
The Bridge at Paradise Valley is praised for its friendly and attentive staff, supportive environment, and engaging facilities, though it faces challenges with maintenance response times, staffing levels, and food quality that prospective residents should consider.
Personalized Care
Beehive Homes Of Henderson
Henderson
4.8 from 6 reviews
BeeHive Homes of Henderson is a clean, welcoming senior living facility praised for its attentive staff, engaging activities, and personalized care in a tranquil residential setting.
Cleanliness
Inspired Senior Living Of Las Vegas
Las Vegas
4.7 from 10 reviews
This senior living facility is praised for its beautiful layout, friendly and attentive staff, delicious food, cleanliness, and a variety of engaging activities and amenities.
Friendly Staff
Desert Springs Senior Living
Las Vegas
4.1 from 209 reviews
Desert Springs Senior Living receives mixed reviews, with praise for friendly staff and engaging activities tempered by concerns about inconsistent care quality, food variety, and communication issues.
Great Staff
Brookdale Vista
Sparks
4 from 68 reviews
$4,255 to $5,670 per month
Brookdale Vista is praised for its friendly staff, clean facilities, engaging activities, and responsive management, but it faces challenges with meal options and occasional medical care quality that potential residents should consider.
Great Caregivers
Ameery Care
Las Vegas
4.7 from 6 reviews
Ameery Care is highly praised for its compassionate staff, personalized care, clean and warm environment, and positive resident outcomes, making it an exemplary choice for families seeking supportive assisted living solutions.
Carson Valley Residential Care
Gardnerville
4.6 from 7 reviews
Carson Valley Senior Living is highly praised for its attentive and friendly staff, clean and homely atmosphere, engaging activities, and excellent food quality, making it a welcoming community for assisted living residents.
Friendly Staff
Merrill Gardens At Green Valley Ranch
Henderson
4 from 52 reviews
$4,750 to $5,850 per month
Merrill Gardens at Green Valley Ranch offers a welcoming environment with friendly staff and good amenities, but potential residents should be cautious due to significant concerns about deficiencies in assisted living care and management responsiveness.
Great Food
Blue Sky Memory Care
Las Vegas
4.2 from 10 reviews
$4,800 per month
Blue Sky Memory Care has received mixed feedback from families, highlighting attentive care and individualized support as strengths while also noting serious concerns about treatment and staff behavior that potential residents should consider.
Friendly Staff
The Chateau at Gardnerville
Gardnerville
3.9 from 49 reviews
$3,700 to $5,195 per month
The Chateau at Gardnerville offers a welcoming atmosphere with kind staff and engaging activities, but prospective residents should be cautious of rising costs and reports of declining service quality.
Clean Facility
Brookdale Las Vegas
Las Vegas
3.9 from 75 reviews
$2,400 to $3,470 per month
Brookdale Las Vegas offers a compassionate, close-knit environment with dedicated staff and engaging activities, but potential residents should be aware of communication challenges, unmet promises regarding services, and possible hidden costs.
Quiet Environment
Martha'S House Senior Living
Las Vegas
5 from 3 reviews
Martha's House offers a compassionate, personalized care environment for families, providing exceptional staff attention, a warm community atmosphere, and tailored activities and dining experiences that promote joy and connection among residents.
Cleanliness
Bella Vita Care Home
Las Vegas
5 from 3 reviews
Bella Vita Care Home is an exceptional assisted living facility known for its cleanliness, compassionate staff, engaging activities, and a supportive, home-like atmosphere that prioritizes the well-being of its residents.
Great Staff
Clearwater at Rancharrah
Reno
4.4 from 9 reviews
$4,000 to $6,750 per month
Clearwater at Rancharrah is praised for its dedicated staff and clean environment, fostering strong resident relationships, though some concerns exist regarding organization, staffing levels, and activity variety.
Clean
The Lodge Assisted Living and Memory Care
Carson City
4.2 from 20 reviews
$3,315 to $4,820 per month
The Lodge Assisted Living and Memory Care is noted for its cleanliness, variety of activities, and friendly staff, but potential residents should consider concerns about management changes, views, pricing, and dining experiences before deciding.
Great Staff
Silver Sky Assisted Living
Las Vegas
3.8 from 32 reviews
Silver Sky Assisted Living is a clean and well-furnished facility with friendly staff and engaging activities, but it faces challenges with food quality and administrative communication that prospective residents should consider.
Personalized Care
Elkhorn Jones Memory Care
Las Vegas
4.4 from 10 reviews
$4,700 per month
Elkhorn Jones offers exceptional care with a compassionate staff, nutritious communal meals, engaging activities, and a cozy, clean environment that ensures peace of mind for families.
Cleanliness
Tender Loving Care Senior Residence
Las Vegas
4.6 from 5 reviews
Tender Loving Care Senior Residence offers a warm, homey atmosphere with attentive staff providing personalized care and engaging activities, making it a commendable choice for families seeking assisted living options.
Joyful Senior Care
Las Vegas
4.7 from 3 reviews
Joyful Senior Haven is a highly regarded group home that offers personalized care in a clean, inviting environment with nutritious meals and engaging activities, making it an excellent choice for seniors needing assistance.
Friendly Staff
Fernley Estates
Fernley
4.3 from 6 reviews
Fernley Estates is a well-regarded senior living facility in Fernley, Nevada, known for its friendly staff, engaging activities, spacious accommodations, and overall satisfaction with care, despite some concerns about food quality.
Great Location
Premier Reno
Reno
4.2 from 5 reviews
$3,345 to $4,855 per month
This Reno-assisted living facility offers convenient amenities and a caring staff, although it faces challenges with dining options, support for residents needing extra assistance, and financial transparency.
New Facility
Inspired Las Vegas
Las Vegas
3.7 from 3 reviews
$3,475 to $5,200 per month
Inspired Senior Living of Las Vegas has received numerous negative reviews for poor communication, lack of basic necessities, and inadequate caregiver performance, raising concerns about the quality of care provided to residents.
Cleanliness
Reeds Manor I
Reno
5 from 1 review
Reeds Manor 1 in Reno is renowned for its loving atmosphere, exceptional staff care, outstanding cuisine, and commitment to resident happiness, making it a desirable choice for families seeking an Assisted Living facility.
Affordable
Golden Years Memory Care
Las Vegas
5 from 1 review
Golden Years Memory Care offers personalized attention in an intimate setting with affordable pricing, outdoor activities, delicious meals, and compassionate staff, including a Japanese speaker to meet diverse needs.
Caring Staff
Longevity Residential Care II
Reno
4.5 from 2 reviews
Longevity Residential Care II offers a warm, caring environment with comfortable accommodations, attentive staff, engaging activities, and nutritious meals, making it an excellent choice for individuals seeking assisted living.
Amazing Care
Touch Of Class Care Home
Reno
5 from 1 review
This exceptional senior care facility is praised for its compassionate caregivers, vibrant resident community, and unwavering commitment to cleanliness, making it a recommended choice for families seeking quality care for their loved ones.
Friendly Staff
Sweet Heart Care Home
Henderson
5 from 1 review
Sweet Hearts Care is a highly praised senior care facility offering individualized attention, compassionate staff, private rooms for comfort, and engaging activities that promote well-being and community among residents.
Cleanliness
Vegas Valley Senior Care Residence
Las Vegas
5 from 1 review
Vegas Valley Senior Care Residence offers a compassionate and attentive environment with dedicated staff, nutritious meals, a focus on cleanliness, and engaging activities to enhance the well-being of its residents.
Cleanliness
Golden Years Castle Home Of Fernley
Fernley
5 from 1 review
Bee Hive is an exceptional senior living facility known for its cleanliness, welcoming staff, cozy dining atmosphere, spacious TV rooms, and engaging activities that create a supportive community for older adults.
Community
Marvel Manor Assisted Living
Las Vegas
5 from 1 review
Marvel Manor excels in providing compassionate, individualized care and a vibrant community atmosphere that fosters emotional well-being and meaningful connections among residents.
Professional Staff
Life Share Care Home Nevada
Las Vegas
4.5 from 2 reviews
Life Share Care Home in Nevada offers compassionate, professional care in a clean environment with private rooms, engaging activities, and quality meals for its residents, although transportation options may be limited.
Las Vegas Chateau For Seniors
Las Vegas
4.3 from 3 reviews
Families overwhelmingly praise the facility for its high-quality, compassionate care, attentive staff communication, and welcoming environment, making it an excellent choice for those seeking assisted living options.
Clean
Evergreen Residence
Reno
5 from 1 review
Evergreen Residence offers attentive personalized care, spacious accommodations, high-quality meals, and a comfortable living environment, making it an ideal choice for families seeking a supportive atmosphere for their loved ones.
Great Food
The Seasons
Reno
4.5 from 2 reviews
The Season?s of Reno is highly praised for its compassionate staff, personalized care, effective communication, innovative safety measures, and comfortable living arrangements, making it an excellent choice for families seeking a supportive assisted living environment for their loved ones.
Caring Staff
Laurelwood Group Home
Las Vegas
4.5 from 2 reviews
Laurelwood Group Home in Las Vegas offers a nurturing, homelike atmosphere with personalized care from attentive staff, proximity to medical facilities, and enjoyable dining experiences, making it an excellent option for families seeking assisted living for their loved ones.
Clean Rooms
Welbrook Centennial Hills
Las Vegas
3 from 2 reviews
The contrasting reviews of Welbrook Centennial Hills reveal significant variations in patient care, highlighting the importance of advocacy and vigilance by families to ensure consistent quality and attention for their loved ones.
Compassionate Staff
La Mansion Luxury Assisted Living
Las Vegas
3 from 2 reviews
$8,500 to $12,000 per month
La Mansion offers a beautiful and compassionate environment for residents, though potential employees should be aware of significant upfront costs for certification and health requirements that could impact their financial stability.
Clean
Highland Manor
Mesquite
3 from 8 reviews
Highland Manor offers effective physical therapy and a clean environment but faces significant staffing issues and concerns about care quality, making it essential for prospective residents to carefully evaluate their specific needs against the facility's mixed reviews.
Heights Of Summerlin
Las Vegas
2 from 23 reviews
The Heights of Summerlin has received numerous derogatory reviews highlighting severe neglect, poor communication, dismissive staff attitudes, inadequate hygiene and dietary care, overwhelming staffing challenges, and troubling management practices.
Saint Anne's Group Home
Reno
1 from 1 review
Saint Anne's Group Home has been criticized for neglectful catheter care, frequent infections, overworked staff, delayed medical attention, and a profit-driven culture that jeopardizes resident safety and well-being.
Las Ventanas at Summerlin
Las Vegas
1 from 1 review
Les Ventanas is plagued by poor nursing staff responsiveness, inconsistent physical therapy services, terrible food quality, and unsettling financial management practices, raising significant concerns for prospective clients seeking reliable care.
Ross Senior Residence
Las Vegas
1 from 1 review
The assisted living facility faces severe issues with staff accountability, inadequate nutrition, unsafe medication practices, and poor management response, highlighting a concerning lack of respect for resident dignity and care standards.
Bee Hive Homes Of Winnemucca
Winnemucca
2.5 from 2 reviews
The family ultimately chose Bee Hive Homes of Winnemucca for its clean environment, attentive staff, pet-friendly policy, and positive resident experiences, making it an ideal choice for those seeking assisted living with compassion and dignity.
Alzheimers Luxury Care
Las Vegas
2 from 1 review
Alzheimers Luxury Care falls short in dietary variety and engagement activities, failing to meet the essential needs of residents and potentially impacting their quality of life.
Life Care Center of Paradise Valley
Las Vegas
1 from 2 reviews
Life Care Center of South Las Vegas is criticized for neglectful care, inadequate hygiene practices, chronic understaffing, limited essential supplies, and inconsistent support from staff.
Highland Inn Of Elko
Elko
2.7 from 3 reviews
Highland Village offers appealing modern amenities and lifestyle conveniences but raises concerns due to inadequate staffing and dietary accommodations, which prospective residents should carefully consider.
Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center
Las Vegas
Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center's assisted living community in Las Vegas offers specialized diabetic care and a supportive environment for spiritual engagement, but lacks on-site devotional services and has limited direct access to essential resources.
Livingston Home
Las Vegas
The Livingston Home in Las Vegas offers a range of amenities and care services for residents but may have limited nearby dining options and transportation facilities.
Angel Prestige
Las Vegas
Angel Prestige in Las Vegas offers a range of amenities and 24-hour staff support but may lack personal autonomy due to the structured environment and assistance with daily living activities.
Avonli Care Home
Las Vegas
Avonli Care Home in Las Vegas offers assisted living services with various amenities, but potential residents might find challenges in the logistics of daily tasks and healthcare coordination.
Aprils Villa
Reno
Aprils Villa in Reno, NV, provides a vibrant assisted living community with personalized care services, daily activities, and convenient amenities, though potential residents might find limited autonomy due to the structured environment.
Golden Oasis #2
Las Vegas
Golden Oasis #2 offers a supportive assisted living environment in Las Vegas with comprehensive care services, but it may lack certain on-site spiritual activities and limited diversity in recreational opportunities compared to larger facilities.
Pleasant Care Group Home II
Sparks
Pleasant Care Group Home II in Sparks, NV offers a comfortable environment for seniors needing daily living assistance, but may lack extensive entertainment options beyond scheduled activities.
Considerations for seniors living in Nevada
Tax Benefits: Nevada has no state income tax and low property tax rates.
Climate: Nevada has a warm climate with over 300 days of sunshine per year.
Affordable Housing: The cost of living in Nevada is lower compared to many other states, making housing more affordable.
Access to Healthcare: There are several excellent hospitals and medical centers in Nevada, making it attractive for seniors who require regular medical attention.
Recreational Activities: With numerous outdoor activities available such as hiking, golfing, fishing, skiing and visiting national parks like Yosemite or the Grand Canyon, seniors can stay active and enjoy their lives.
Social Security Benefits: Social security income is not taxed in Nevada; thus the residents benefit from keeping more funds for themselves.
Entertainment Options: Las Vegas offers entertainment options ranging from shows to sporting events as well as recreation through casinos and restaurants ideal for socializing thereby allowing a chance to develop new friendships among peers that share similar interests