Relocating to Reno within the month (Sparks, Sun Valley: bank owned, short sales, HOA fees)

[fatitaly6]

Hey all, I'm new to the forum and seeking a few answers about the Reno area.

The Wife and I are relocating to Reno for work in a couple of weeks. I will actually be out there next week looking around for a home and seeing the area. I have read as much as possible about the Reno area thus far, including this forum. Here are my remaining questions, I would be extremely indebted to you for any help you can provide.

1. We are used to a certain style of neighborhood. We tend to look for upscale. It seems like Damonte Ranch and possibly Double Diamond area fits that bill but might be a little bit out of our price range for right now. We would like 4 bed/2 1/2 bath+ and a bare minimum of 2000 sq ft. Our limit is probably going to be 200k unless we absolutely fall in love with a place that is more. I have been looking at homes all around Reno, staying away from anything inside McCarran or in the Sun Valley area. Mostly we have looked at southwest/southeast Reno, west along the HWY towards Verdi and west on 395 to include the Cold Springs Area. The most important things for us are LOW CRIME. We don't have kids yet but there are plenty of private schools in town once we do so we won't have to subject them to North Valley HS. So, Low Crime, Relatively Quiet, Family oriented, nice homes. Any suggestions for areas to look or stay away from that I haven't already mentioned?

2. Cold Springs is where we have focused a lot of our time looking for homes. It seems like it is connected with Border Town? What is your overall opinion of Cold Springs in terms of safety, crime, family living, etc? Seems like the best bang for the buck is out there.

3. We need a realtor, any suggestions? We will be using VA loan as I am a veteran.

4. A little about us, we are 28 - me and 23 - wife, Christian, well educated, wife is pursuing a bachelors (almost done!) and I am pursuing my Doctorate. I wouldn't classify us as artsy, we are not interested in the art "culture" scene, no hippie stuff or any of that. We DO however enjoy fine dining (Think Joel Robuchon or Emeril, not steakhouse or olive garden), travel, culture, museums, theatre, etc. What restaurants are in town that could be considered true fine dining, i.e. jacket or tie required? What else is there to do in the way of entertainment outside of the casinos?

5. Best furniture stores in town? Here we have american furniture warehouse and it is HUGE and great furniture for reasonable prices.

6. First thing to do for us is install a home security system such as ADT. Anybody have one and have anything good/bad to say about a particular brand or company in Reno?

7. Lastly, Who wants to be our friends! lol, sounds lame but its hard to relocate cold turkey! We are not the type that go to clubs, maybe a bar once in a great while. We enjoy game nights (board games + wine and food), going to the movies, theatre, hiking, outdoors stuff. I really want to look into hiking in the area and exploring Tahoe and the surrounding area. We enjoy couples that like to do the same kind of stuff. Age doesn't really matter, its all about personality. We have a couple friend who is in their 40's and a few in their 20's or 30's. Any takers?! A tour guide next week would help too!

[tanmctee]

Originally Posted by fatitaly6

Hey all, I'm new to the forum and seeking a few answers about the Reno area.
Welcome, this is a great forum to get your answers handled with candid discussion and a wealth of knowledge. You will find those who love it here and some who do not. I for one am a huge fan and a transplant myself.

The Wife and I are relocating to Reno for work in a couple of weeks. I will actually be out there next week looking around for a home and seeing the area. I have read as much as possible about the Reno area thus far, including this forum. Here are my remaining questions, I would be extremely indebted to you for any help you can provide.

1. We are used to a certain style of neighborhood. We tend to look for upscale. It seems like Damonte Ranch and possibly Double Diamond area fits that bill but might be a little bit out of our price range for right now. We would like 4 bed/2 1/2 bath+ and a bare minimum of 2000 sq ft. Our limit is probably going to be 200k unless we absolutely fall in love with a place that is more. I have been looking at homes all around Reno, staying away from anything inside McCarran or in the Sun Valley area. Mostly we have looked at southwest/southeast Reno, west along the HWY towards Verdi and west on 395 to include the Cold Springs Area. The most important things for us are LOW CRIME. We don't have kids yet but there are plenty of private schools in town once we do so we won't have to subject them to North Valley HS. So, Low Crime, Relatively Quiet, Family oriented, nice homes. Any suggestions for areas to look or stay away from that I haven't already mentioned?
For the price range you are looking at, the amount of space and the style of living you may want to consider several areas. Double Diamond (as you have mentioned), South Meadows, Northwest and East Sparks aor Spanish Springs. You will be surprised at what is available in those areas within your price range and some without HOA fees or very minimal HOA fees. I think you will like these areas in addition to the Cold Springs Area and will find they are a little closer to the things you enjoy (noted below).

2. Cold Springs is where we have focused a lot of our time looking for homes. It seems like it is connected with Border Town? What is your overall opinion of Cold Springs in terms of safety, crime, family living, etc? Seems like the best bang for the buck is out there.

3. We need a realtor, any suggestions? We will be using VA loan as I am a veteran. I'm going to be leaving Reno on Wednesday November16th to visit my family for the Thanksgiving holiday (headed to NY and NC....). I'm around on Mon and Tue next week and happy to help. I'm back in town on the 25th and will be available via virtual world, assistants etc if anything needs to happen while I'm away : )

4. A little about us, we are 28 - me and 23 - wife, Christian, well educated, wife is pursuing a bachelors (almost done!) and I am pursuing my Doctorate. I wouldn't classify us as artsy, we are not interested in the art "culture" scene, no hippie stuff or any of that. We DO however enjoy fine dining (Think Joel Robuchon or Emeril, not steakhouse or olive garden), travel, culture, museums, theatre, etc. What restaurants are in town that could be considered true fine dining, i.e. jacket or tie required? What else is there to do in the way of entertainment outside of the casinos?
There is so much to do here and some great gems as far as places to enjoy dining. You will want to check out Beoujolais Bistro, La Fuega, La Familia, Charlie Palmer Steak House (dont think just steak...creatiions)....that should get you started!! Because it is a tourist community, the dress is pretty casual....you will find people all dressed up and jeans with t-shirts...totally your call and comfort level. WINE is something many adore here (including myself) and you will find fun little wine bars in many locations in town. We enjoy our Art Museum, Performing Arts Center and the many out door activities you will find within minutes. If you want a bit more culture, San Francisco is only four hours away : )

5. Best furniture stores in town? Here we have american furniture warehouse and it is HUGE and great furniture for reasonable prices.
I've recently become a fan of Mohr Furniture and RC Willey has a great selection.

6. First thing to do for us is install a home security system such as ADT. Anybody have one and have anything good/bad to say about a particular brand or company in Reno?
There are a couple of good companies in town -- I honestly have no experience to share here....maybe others?

7. Lastly, Who wants to be our friends! lol, sounds lame but its hard to relocate cold turkey! We are not the type that go to clubs, maybe a bar once in a great while. We enjoy game nights (board games + wine and food), going to the movies, theatre, hiking, outdoors stuff. I really want to look into hiking in the area and exploring Tahoe and the surrounding area. We enjoy couples that like to do the same kind of stuff. Age doesn't really matter, its all about personality. We have a couple friend who is in their 40's and a few in their 20's or 30's. Any takers?! A tour guide next week would help too!

I need to have a party to introduce all of my relocation clients. I hear this all of the time. I actually know of one couple in particular I need to introduce you to...of course, you mention you are Christian...not sure if that mean's you participate in regular worship? We have some great LARGE and small fellowships in this area and that might help get you plugged in as well. I love showing people around town and available to help next Mon or Tue afternoon....

My comments are in burgundy and listed above ----

Bottom Line --- WELCOME!!!! I hope you enjoy this community as much as I do....

[JGC97]

Originally Posted by fatitaly6

3. We need a realtor, any suggestions? We will be using VA loan as I am a veteran.

I can recommend someone to you and will PM you with the name so I won't be violating any terms on this site.

[fatitaly6]

Thank you for the replies. We went with a realtor who was recommended to us by a family friend. Thus far it has worked out great! We've whittled our list down to 9 houses. Of course it might grow again by the weekend. We need a quick close so no short sales and probably no bank owned will end up on the final list. I will be in the area most of next week. We are definitely excited to move to a small town. Fort Collins is about 200k people and it was a great size, not big but not too small. We will definitely check out the museums and those restaurant recommendations. That saddens me to hear that there is not at least one or two fine dining establishments that forbid jeans. Jeans are ok to wear when you're about and about but there is nothing worse then having a nice night out at the theatre or fine dining and having to see people with zero class in jeans, shorts, tshirts, etc. I guess that will be a new experience for us. We aren't "New York" but we definitely aren't "Billy bob" either, be nice to find a niche there with folks who enjoy fine dining, wine tastings, dressing up, but also can get dirty and hike/camp etc. If you wardrobe is all denim you need to hit the store! my .02

[tanmctee]

Originally Posted by fatitaly6

Thank you for the replies. We went with a realtor who was recommended to us by a family friend. Thus far it has worked out great! We've whittled our list down to 9 houses. Of course it might grow again by the weekend. We need a quick close so no short sales and probably no bank owned will end up on the final list. I will be in the area most of next week. We are definitely excited to move to a small town. Fort Collins is about 200k people and it was a great size, not big but not too small. We will definitely check out the museums and those restaurant recommendations. That saddens me to hear that there is not at least one or two fine dining establishments that forbid jeans. Jeans are ok to wear when you're about and about but there is nothing worse then having a nice night out at the theatre or fine dining and having to see people with zero class in jeans, shorts, tshirts, etc. I guess that will be a new experience for us. We aren't "New York" but we definitely aren't "Billy bob" either, be nice to find a niche there with folks who enjoy fine dining, wine tastings, dressing up, but also can get dirty and hike/camp etc. If you wardrobe is all denim you need to hit the store! my .02

Fantastic for you!

The restaurants I shared are just a start, there are many more options in town....keep your eyes posted, I'm sure more will share.

I think you will definitely find a niche and you will get used to the eclectic style of Reno pretty quickly.

We have some great dress-up events, fun wine tasting affairs and plenty of places for you to SHINE!

Again....WELCOME!!