Near Reno but with more green? (Sparks, Carson City: rent, HOA, new home)

[Samoi137]

We looked at possible retirement homes (would rent it out for 4-5 years until we retire) in the south Reno area in late Feb. Some very nice new homes, some reasonably-priced, around $300k. Wife was tempted but, afterwards, decided there just wasn't enough green. Did get a bit of snow but it still basically looked like desert. Thought of returning to look at areas further up, towards Tahoe, but then price and enough snow to affect driving figure in. I have been to Reno several times over the years, and figured it's an okay area with great access to scenic (and green) areas. Anyplace near Reno with a tad more green but not heavy winter snows? Yeah, I realize it sounds like we're asking for the moon (figuratively).

[Cyberspacey]

Reminder that we are in year 4 of a drought. Gardnerville, which is called the "Emerald Valley" for its green among the desert (thanks to Carson River irrigation), is less emerald due to the drought. But Reno/SParks/Carson Valley will always be high desert, which is what I love about it.

[Samoi137]

And may not look much drier with the drought. Some places we looked at east of Sacramento would look a lot worse if the trees (and, in some developments, golf courses) dry out. Wife actually likes the idea of Orlando area (where some fellow Brazilians live), but I would hesitate to move someplace to hot, humid, and flat.

[cre8lite]

maybe wife needs to fall in love with green succulant plants instead of green water sucking lawns?

[NevadaRE]

It's greener now than when you came in February! The lawns do turn yellow in the winter here, and of course it is the high desert. Neighborhoods with more evergreens will appear more green in the winter. The HOA I live in actually requires a certain number of evergreens be planted on each lot.

If you do a satellite map view of the area online you can see what sections of town look greener. In an area of new homes it will be a while before the vegetation is established. Established areas in general will feel less like a desert. In my opinion some gentle hills can help too.

Green makes me think of...
Huffaker area into the Lakeridge area (Reno)
Old Southwest Reno...and other established areas of Reno/Sparks
possibly Hidden Valley Reno
Rancho San Rafeal Park (Reno)
Galena Creek Park area (Reno)
Franktown Road (Washoe Valley)
Lakeview Neighborhood (Carson City)
Carson City's westside has some streets that back to green pastures
Dayton Valley, NV
Genoa, NV
and definitely Gardnerville

In all those places the snow won't be as bad as Tahoe. But a few of those areas do tend to have higher housing prices.

[utsci]

Your price range would make a huge difference. The closer to the tree line the more expensive the homes will be. And remember, if you're retired and not needing to be at work every day at 8am, you have the luxury of waiting to go out after the sun melts off the snow. Rarely do we have snow that sticks around for more than a day or two in the valley.

Old southwest Reno would have lots of mature landcaping, larger trees. Double Diamond, newer homes, small lots, no big trees yet but they do have lawns. Callahan Ranch, farther out of the city (little way up Mt. Rose but not to thetree line or heavy snow), mature neighborhood, larger trees. Zolezzi Lane, again more mature neighborhood with nice landscaping, a bit greener, larger lots, established neighborhood.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by Samoi137

We looked at possible retirement homes (would rent it out for 4-5 years until we retire) in the south Reno area in late Feb. Some very nice new homes, some reasonably-priced, around $300k. Wife was tempted but, afterwards, decided there just wasn't enough green. Did get a bit of snow but it still basically looked like desert. Thought of returning to look at areas further up, towards Tahoe, but then price and enough snow to affect driving figure in. I have been to Reno several times over the years, and figured it's an okay area with great access to scenic (and green) areas. Anyplace near Reno with a tad more green but not heavy winter snows? Yeah, I realize it sounds like we're asking for the moon (figuratively).

It's Reno..high desert it is not supposed to be green. You could move to the foothills around California, the grass gets brown but the trees don't, otherwise go to higher elevations like Incline Village but it snows quite a bit more there and is fairly isolated.

[wvlady]

We are in west Washoe Valley, about 12 minutes south of Reno with the new highway, and it's very green (even with the drought and the lake being dry). Moved here because I hate desert. It does turn brown in winter, but we're surrounded with beautiful lush green pastures with views of the mountains. You might try looking down here, the prices are not nearly as high as Tahoe, but if you stay on the west side you'll get your green.