Lake Tahoe areas? (Sacramento, Carson, Roseville: rent, house, neighborhoods)

[Hemlock140]

We have been going there since the 1960's when I was a young kid, all times of the year. Only ones every year or two since we moved to WA state, but when we were in CA at least twice a year. I agree with the north side being more desirable for full time living, either in the Tahoe City/West Tahoe areas, or Kings Beach, where there is more year-around population.

Real estate prices had gotten out of hand with so many restrictions on building, but since the crash when many vacation homes were foreclosed, they have become far more reasonable again. You will find many seasonal workers making very little, business owners with a decent income, and well off people that have million dollar homes that come up often. It seems like it would be hard to make the same kind of living you would in a big metro area, I would expect you to have busy times in summer and winter ski season, but very slow business in the off season spring and fall. Gardening is very limited, with such a short growing season there, with only about May-August above freezing at night.

[Ruth4Truth]

There's an orthopedics group in CO that operates several clinics all targeting the ski areas, and they do a year-round business. They have a very high reputation. I heard about them all the way down in NM, and drove up there to get some issues evaluated, because our local orthopedists were just out to sell surgery (which turned out to be unnecessary) to make a buck. The service, the x-ray equipment, the attentiveness of the docs, were all like night/day compared to NM.

Once you get established like that, and offer quality, people will come, it seems. Just something to think about.

[MrWillys]

You will find more work in Reno, and homes all along the Mt Rose hwy are very nice all the way to Incline Village. That is the highest per capita income area in Nevada, and we have no state tax. You might look at Carson City to South Lake also.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by MrWillys

You will find more work in Reno, and homes all along the Mt Rose hwy are very nice all the way to Incline Village. That is the highest per capita income area in Nevada, and we have no state tax. You might look at Carson City to South Lake also.

OP said he didn't want a big casino environment, though. But I agree with you re: Incline Village, and the tax advantages of locating on the Nevada side of the lake.

[Mr5150]

Truckee.

With that said the North Shore is a whole different world than South Lake. South lake is filled with casino type tourists, who may or may not ski. Not real out-doorsie types. Kind of a party town. Heavenly is referred to as Hangover Hill by the locals.

Tahoe City and Truckee locals and tourists are very much outdoors types. Truckee has produced more world class athletes on a per capita basis than any other place on earth-or so it seems, plus you avoid the tourist crowds of the Tahoe Basin. In my visits to the North Shore and Truckee, despite my best efforts, I have not been able to find a bad restaurant. I cannot say the same for SLT.

In your field of work, you will do well in the Tahoe area.

[Ruth4Truth]

^^ I was wondering about Truckee, myself. I don't know if the OP wanted to be closer to the lake or have a lake view, though. Good info, 5150.

[MrWillys]

Truckee also sits just below Donner lake, and is a much smaller community. These people come to Reno too shop. It is home to Squaw Valley where the 1960 Olympics were held and is very pretty. Up to 13% state income tax in California though, so keep that in mind.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by MrWillys

Truckee also sits just below Donner lake, and is a much smaller community. These people come to Reno too shop. It is home to Squaw Valley where the 1960 Olympics were held and is very pretty. Up to 13% state income tax in California though, so keep that in mind.

You get what you pay for. Truckee or Reno is an easy choice for the active person.

If the OP is paying 13% on his income then he is making more than what 99% of us earn. Life is not just about what one pays for services.

[Bulldogdad]

I would live somewhere in the Carson Valley.

[savoytruffle]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

OP said he didn't want a big casino environment, though.

Reno is really not the big-time casino place that people think. I mean, it is if you go downtown, but most of the city isn't really like that. They could live in Galena Forest and there are no casinos there. I used to live in the Galena area. It is only 20-25 minutes from Incline.

The statement that North Lake is very different than South Lake is quite true. But South Lake is generally more affordable. There is at least one vegan bakery there that I know of.
As others said, gardening will be hard in Tahoe. It gets a lot of snow, but if you love skiing or snowboarding, then you can take advantage of that. There are so many amazing world-class resorts there. (Squaw Valley is close, Northstar, Alpine Meadows, Heavenly..)

As mentioned, Truckee seems like a nice place for the OP. It's small and definitely gets a lot of snow but yes, there are many outdoorsy people and a lot of hiking and biking to do in the summer - and it stays cooler up there.