Potentially moving to Sparks (section 8, tenants, best) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

1800yolk · 02-27-2012, 12:14 AM

Reno and Sparks are connected, as you probably saw looking at the map. So living in Sparks isn't too different from living in Reno.

Tahoe isn't comfortable to swim in until August without scuba gear, and even then it's pretty cold. It's about an hour drive away by the time you get to a beach, but it is quite nice. Much nicer than Reno or Sparks.

Also, Reno 911 isn't filmed in Reno, it's filmed in California. Just so ya know

Weather is pretty sporadic, which is what I like about the place. Talking about the weather can actually make for a good conversation here.. I've been walking around in a t-shirt in the spring in warm sunny weather to find it is snowing 5 minutes later, no joke. It also can get a bit windy, unless you live in the old southwest part of town, close to downtown. You barely notice the wind there. Winters are pretty cold, but far from unbearable, and summers can be pretty toasty, but again far from unbearable. The shell shock might come from how dry it is here, especially in winter. I'm planning to move just because of the problems it has caused with my sinuses over the years, looking at scheduling a second surgery. Most people that live here are dehydrated and don't know it because they're used to it.

As far as bugs go, Reno and Sparks are so dry that there really aren't very many, not something to worry about like I've heard in other states.

in case someone hasn't mentioned, it's pronounced wa-show, though i find that mispronouncing words on purpose is great fun here. People get very hung up on how "Nevada" is pronounced, and mispronouncing it makes for some great real life trolling.. :P

Also the last tid bit: food. I'm a bit of a food snob, so for the most part I hate the food here. There are a dozen great places to eat, and everything else will either be too greasy, unhealthy or simply bore you to death. Though you mentioned Chilis and Applebees, so either those chains are much better where you currently live, or you're not very particular about what you eat.

Good luck!

SUPERCHIC · 02-27-2012, 01:47 AM

LOL at Sagewitch.. those are some out landish remarks. The other posters i have to say there posts are on mark and conscise.

onebigdummy · 02-27-2012, 08:08 AM

stead is nice too

lucilli · 02-28-2012, 12:49 PM

My family is considering a move to the Sparks area as well. Could be as early as the end of March. We are pretty sure we will like the area. Our main concern is that my husband will find a job. We would not move there until he has a job lined up though. Does anyone know how the market is for local CDL drivers with Hazmat endorsements and an excellent driving record? We are currently in San Antonio, TX, we just can take another LONG humid summer.

mamacatnv · 02-28-2012, 08:42 PM

The job market in general sucks - I do not know about a CDL W/HazMat certs, has he had any luck in his search here in N. NV?

MSN recently published an article about the job market here. The prediction for our cities of approx 350K - 600 new jobs with a statewide unemployment rate of 13.5% and that does not count those who have exhausted all benefits.

lucilli · 02-29-2012, 06:45 AM

He has a few prospects, but he doesn't want to make contact until we get closer to our closing date.

Thank you for the info. If it is meant to be, it will all work out.

NVAlum2008 · 03-05-2012, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucilli

My family is considering a move to the Sparks area as well. Could be as early as the end of March. We are pretty sure we will like the area. Our main concern is that my husband will find a job. We would not move there until he has a job lined up though. Does anyone know how the market is for local CDL drivers with Hazmat endorsements and an excellent driving record? We are currently in San Antonio, TX, we just can take another LONG humid summer.

After living in NW Reno for 8 years and coming to Reno all my life, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else for many reasons (climate, people, relatively inexpensive, always fun things to do.) If you can't stand humidity of the South, Reno/Sparks is the place for you as long as you can tolerate some seasonal variation (light snow in winter & hot, dry days in summer w/ very little in between).

I worked for 3 years in Hazmat in the area and worked with some companies that require those endorsements. Clean Harbors, Safety-Kleen, H2O Environmental, propane companies that service Lake Tahoe areas are some that I have had recent job openings (last 6 months or so) in and around Reno/Sparks. There are other trucking companies in the area that would view those endorsements as highly desirable and your husband should be very marketable especially around here.

Good luck!

sagewitch · 03-12-2012, 10:26 AM

I don't care if my comments stir the pot. I get out into many areas of Nevada, A LOT. I talk to a lot of different people, do business with different people and have really spread myself around. I don't just hide in a cave in Dayton. I have a fluctuating love/hate relationship with Dayton, and I don't consider it an armpit. But there has been a lot of CA influence here - that has not mixed well with the people that grew up here. Compared to Reno/Sparks - I'd take Dayton in one second. I've traveled to various cities and big towns, small towns, all over the west and mountain parts of the US. I'd say that Reno still falls real short in a ton of areas. I will say - I like KUNR public radio, Truckee Meadows Community College, and some of the locally owned restaurants (mom and pop), and perhaps Renown hospital, and the new Children's Discovery Museum. Okay, and KBUL - but they aren't reasons to stay in the dismal economy here. Nevada is a great state - what makes it a volatile place to live is the politicians, law makers and the reliance on tourism and gambling as means of revenue. The fairy tale of alternative energy like wind and solar is not going to send the unemployment into single digits.

Don't worry mamacatnv, I will move and take my business to a state, county and city that appreciates it.

lucilli · 03-24-2012, 09:30 AM

Thank you so much for the info, this is very helpful!!

Lahontancutt · 03-24-2012, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlaMommy

Any recommendations on apartments? I see some that look very very nice for a fairly cheap price, and when looking for reviews there seem to be a lot of bad ones, and just a few good ones. So far I like the looks of Vista Point, Eastland Hills, and The Bluffs.

You should probably take most negative comments on review sites with a grain of salt. People who feel cheated by a landlord or angry for some reason are going to be far more likely to post a review than are the happy tenants. Then there are just outright trolls. I'd try to read into the reviews a bit. Comments like "RAWR these ppl r thiefs they didnt give me all of my deposit back bcuz they said the carpet needed cleaning" are probably pretty off base. Would be interesting to see how these folks rated on reviewyourtenants.com if such a site existed. A lot of those reviews also go back several years and a lot can change for the better or worse over time, especially with management.

I managed to find a nice place, sight unseen by following the recommendations on neighborhoods posted here and elsewhere. The attitude of the apartment staff that you speak to over the phone can be a good indicator as well as to how they're going to treat you in general.

If I could give you any advice it would be to try to not get locked into a very long lease. That way you'll have a few months to get to know the area and can choose a more permanent situation later. Good luck!