Washoe County questions (Reno, Sparks, Carson City: apartments, rental homes, condo)

[MannyfromCali]

I'm interested in moving to the Washoe area of Nevada but am having difficulty getting specifics about the place. What is the environment like? Do people do gardening with fair success there? I have a 5 yr. old girl that I would like to go to good schools during the elementary and high school years. Are schools there good learning environments? What towns are in that area? I fancy owning a 4 bedroom house with at least 2 acres for $300,000. Is this feasible? Are there some shopping there for my wife, like Walmart, large chain bookstores like Borders and Barnes and Nobles, Mervin's, Home Depot? Is it a family friendly area? I am a nurse at an acute care hospital currently, will I have trouble finding work there? What large hospitals exist there? Can anyone refer me to sources of more detailed information about Washoe County that would give me a feel for the place. Peoples opinions are are more of what I'm looking for than hard data. Please help.

[greatbasinguide]

Search through postings on Reno Sparks etc. most of your questions have been answered.

[Nekuda]

Fallon area may be better, many small towns to live in, Fernley, Silver Springs,
Dayton, Don't buy in Carson City.

[Reno Wren]

Originally Posted by MannyfromCali

I'm interested in moving to the Washoe area of Nevada but am having difficulty getting specifics about the place. What is the environment like? Do people do gardening with fair success there? I have a 5 yr. old girl that I would like to go to good schools during the elementary and high school years. Are schools there good learning environments? What towns are in that area? I fancy owning a 4 bedroom house with at least 2 acres for $300,000. Is this feasible? Are there some shopping there for my wife, like Walmart, large chain bookstores like Borders and Barnes and Nobles, Mervin's, Home Depot? Is it a family friendly area? I am a nurse at an acute care hospital currently, will I have trouble finding work there? What large hospitals exist there? Can anyone refer me to sources of more detailed information about Washoe County that would give me a feel for the place. Peoples opinions are are more of what I'm looking for than hard data. Please help.

This is a great place to live. You'll love the weather and if it gets too hot, there's always Lake Tahoe, 45 minutes away, 10 degrees cooler. There's 2 great Hospitals. Alot of shopping, anywhere from Walmart to Dillards! You'll spend alittle more on a house, not much more. Then there's the Casino/Hotels for 5 star resturants and entertainment. Plus there's hiking and biking, alot of family stuff. Great schools, some year round.

[olecapt]

Ohh for goodness sake...tell the man what a house and 2 acres costs in Washoe county...It is not a secret..

[ncarpenter]

you made me chuckle--when you said 4 bd. on 2 acre lot for 300,000. Sorry to say housing is thru the roof in pricing. Unfortunetly, because of the people moving here from California it is not going to get any better. Agree or Disagree?

[humboldtrat]

What do you mean by the "Washoe area of Nevada"? Are you talking about Washoe City and Washoe Lake area near Carson City (not in Washoe county) or any place in Washoe county?? And you can forget about a 4 bedroom house on 2 acres for $300K. Not in this lifetime!!!!

[ladydi617]

I am trying to move to Nevada as for finacial set backs I am having to move. Unfortanatly I may not be too welcomed. I am also moving from California I just cant make it here on my own....Any suggestions to where a cheap place in Nevada would be? Where I could find work? I live in a small town and there is no jobs. I will work any job.........Just I dont have much time and I cant take my kids far from there dad, he has lung cancer.......We were thinking of winnamucca, I am not to big on the big city's........Any suggestions would be appreciated
I am also new to this forum, just hoping for ideas here. From what I have heard of Nevada they help you allot more than this State........It is just too much to live here now you probely see why were coming over. Please dont hate me cause I am a Californian, I love lake tahoe and the fire is breaking my heart I did live there for three years. Anyways any suggestions would be great. I also need to find something that will allow me to have my dogs.......2 big dogs. I have a 13 yr old and a 18 yr old.

[ladydi617]

Oh also are there many weekly rate motels? I am looking probably in the Reno area? IF not winnemucca I talked to a guy from there and he loves it.....I know it is small but this town is even smaller. I just want a clean break, to start over.

[billddrummer]

I've lived in the Reno/Sparks/Lake Tahoe area since 1979 and I've learned to love it. I grew up on the East Coast (DC) and moved to SF to get away from the phonies. In 1978, my then-wife and I took a vacation trip to Lake Tahoe, and then put things in motion to move closer to the Lake from SF. Reno has a lot going for it: There are four distinct seasons, weather during the winter is typically mild (especially compared to the mountains), precipitation is rare during the spring and summer, and summer nights are cool, even when the highs top 100 degrees during the day. It can get windy during summer afternoons, but winds typically calm down after sunset.

Outdoor activities are world-class. Boating, fishing, hiking, camping, golf, skiing and snowboarding are available within a 40 minute drive of downtown. Reno has more golf courses than many other cities its size, probably because of its attractiveness for vacationers and retirees.

Shopping has improved over the past 10 years. Steady population growth at the northern, southern and western fringes of town have created demand for upscale shopping experiences. A new shopping mall at the base of the Sierra Nevada contains many upscale retailers--Dillards, Jos. A Bank Clothiers, Coach--and yes, there is a Barnes & Noble in town. The better shopping is south and west of the downtown area. Two regional malls serve those areas. Those neighborhoods also contain the highest value homes.

Schools are for the most part good. The public school system I would rate as better than average overall. There is some overcrowding in the middle school grades (7-8), but for the most part, teachers and adminstrators present a caring, encouraging environment for learning.

Housing is high, but moderating as inflated values are wrung out of the market. You won't find a $300,000 house on 2 acres unless you want to live far out of town. Median home prices are in the $350,000 range, with lot sizes from 1/4 acre to 1/3 acre. Rental homes are plentiful in the $1200-$1400/month range. Apartments and condo rents have firmed somewhat, as potential homeowners became ineligible for mortgages, forcing them to rent instead.

If you're concerned about crime, quiet neighborhoods abound. Old Southwest, Arrow Creek, Caughlin Ranch, Northwest Reno, Double Diamond and Spanish Springs have about the lowest crime rates in the area.

Reno promotes special events to boost tourism, and the city has done a good job at spreading the word about several events. The largest draw is Hot August Nights, a week-long celebration of classic cars and music from the 50s and 60s. The event has run for over 20 years, and attracts visitors from the U.S. and Canada. Other big events include Farmers Market (weekly during the summer in Sparks), the Rib Cook-Off (Labor Day, Sparks), Reno Air Races, Balloon Races, ArtTown (July, downtown Reno), and the Reno Rodeo (June, Events Center).

Nightlife has also improved over the years. The addition of the Reno Events Center, downtown, provides a venue for top-line acts, with seating for up to 7,500. Recently Gwen Stefani played to a packed house.

As you can see, Reno/Tahoe is more than just a wide spot in the road after you cross the Sierra Nevada. I've become attached to the area, and look forward to living here for the forseeable future.