Carson City and Henderson-Top Retirement Cities? (Las Vegas, Reno: real estate market, how much, new home)

[Mikala43]

Can we leave the extremism for P&OC?

[ChrisMT]

I didn't assign it to any political side, I just stated that the whole point of this forum is to help people who want to relocate or decide where to live and a poster on this thread said he is amused by this.

These are all valid reasons for people to make up their minds about a community they would like to live in.

I have a neighbor that moved here from a big East Coast state that is very upset our city doesn't do anything about the mountain lion that lives on the hill behind our homes, or the wild horses that come down and eat the grass in the winter.

These are all factors in choosing a place to live and information people want. If I am listing issues that seem too extreme I apologize, I have family who are living it.

[Vic Romano]

Originally Posted by alaskaflyer

I find no need to cheerlead for Northern Nevada. I'm not a realtor or in the tourist industry. It is what it is. Better than many places. Worse than other places. I've lived in many states and in another country. I haven't found paradise yet, certainly not here, but there are things to love everywhere. The key things for me that the Sierra Front has is diversification of topography so you can live mostly out of the snow and sand and yet play in it anytime with a very short drive, no major urban centers nearby (Sacramento being the closest), and family here. I've never allowed politics to dictate where I live, which is why I find it amusing to read all the "bail out" threads on CD. And now real estate costs here are such that it may be less appealing to some than it was.

Originally Posted by ChrisMT

I try and provide good information for people about this area since I have lived here my entire life.

People come to City Data to find such information from 'insiders'. I would never belittle anyone for looking for information or wanting to move.

I myself have looked at other locations to perhaps relocate to in the future because we all have our own unique interests or health needs and preferences. For me, I absolutely love Carson City and this area, but I do have a health condition that makes me extremely sensitive to intense sunlight and high UV and that is becoming more of an issue as I age. My husband would only want to leave if he could pursue an outdoor hobby in retirement with more options within walking distance. Otherwise we are here for life because it's a great place to live, a healthy community, a beautiful area for outdoor adventures, residents are happy and kind to each other, my city leadership is professional, respectful of residents and cares about our quality of life and the success of businesses in our town. Our Sheriff is law and order and supportive of residents need for safety.

Political factors can come into play when you have extreme policies that can effect peoples quality of life or safety or preferences. I have distant family that have been living in Nevada temporarily because Los Angeles shut down everything to the point they had no jobs, schools closed (maybe some people do not know that many big cities, including Las Vegas, have had schools closed all year-in my city kids go to school), couldn't eat out, beaches closed, campground closed. Local politicians swearing at residents on social media regarding COVID policies. Police budgets being cut and crime being legalized, they had riots nearby that destroyed small businesses and terrified them...that is intolerable for many people and I would never mock anyone for that, that is the point of this forum...to help others with information they are looking for.

On the other hand, I have heard more than a few new transplants from California complaining and getting very upset about how relaxed Northern Nevada can be about CCR's, dogs allowed off-leash on trails, people not wearing masks outside, tourism encouraged, my church open and singing cheerfully...our 'live and let live' attitude isn't for everyone lol

Cheerleading is OK...No reason not to be enthusiastic about where you live. Yes, I know we don't want people flooding in. I try not to make politics a criteria either but the two exceptions I may make are Portland (just nuts) and Seattle (Kshama Sawant).

What pisses me off are posters who come with an agenda (in CA, NV, or anywhere else) to criticize or misinform (deliberate or otherwise). Recently a poster in the CA forum, who has NEVER lived in NV, tried to insert himself as an authority on Nevada cost of living. A couple of us countered his claims with our actual experience and he dismissed our comments. Really? And I'll ever forget the poster who judged Reno based only on driving through downtown twice...

Of course no place is perfect. We spent two years looking for the right city. When we decided to move here, our friends and relatives met us with quizzical looks and "Why?". It's still a hidden gem, though the word is getting out. What was our criteria? A day to So. Cal. and a day to Portland. Decent regional airport. A couple hours to a major airport. Reasonable COL. Sort of 4 season weather with a cooler summer than So. Cal. and less rain than western Oregon.

I don't think it would be healthy if Reno stagnated. Where would we be now if there was no Industrial Park? If Tesla/Panasonic didn't lead the way? Just look at Las Vegas. The government here learned.

My only criticism is we need more good restaurants. It's a bit short in that regard for a foodie. But I can live with that. I can go to the CA foothills or Sacramento for a fix.

[alaskaflyer]

I agree that the greater Reno area/NW Nevada is a hidden gem, and most people have no idea what it is really like here. They often assume all of Tahoe is in California for example - sometimes people gambling at the Stateline casinos or shopping at Incline think they are in California lol.

Ditto restaurants. I was back up in Anchorage a little while ago for a short while and took the opportunity to get in some good eats missing here locally.

And I try to steer people honestly as well, both the good and bad, including putting my perspective on the local events of 2020 without glossing over some of the embarrassing parts. Because I have lived so many places I have some experience in comparing the good, bad and ugly. I've never lived anywhere I absolutely hated - well, not since high school

[owelles]

Originally Posted by Vic Romano

And I'll ever forget the poster who judged Reno based only on driving through downtown twice...

I remember that guy, too. He couldn't be convinced that the downtown casino area wasn't representative of Reno, that there are actually very nice neighborhoods in many parts of the city. Fortunately, I don't think he has been back here.

[ChrisMT]

Here is the official tourism website for visiting Carson City: https://visitcarsoncity.com

Here is a funky little website I just found for local information on Northern Nevada: https://everythingcarson.com/

Carson City is full of wildlife, in and around town. Our local government website actually has a link for 'residential deer': https://www.carson.org/residents/residential-deer.

I think the city needs to add a link titled 'residential wild horses' and or maybe 'local wildlife'. There are some neighborhoods where it can be difficult to keep small livestock and pets safe at night outdoors.

Here are some pictures of our local wild horses that live around Carson City, these pics were taken at 7,000 foot elevation on a mountaintop above Washoe Valley. I didn't post the pictures of the herd in my neighbors front yard to maintain his privacy

(Click to Enlarge)

[IMSpock]

Originally Posted by Mikala43

I really like Carson City, and that area was our choice for retirement after visiting AZ and WA.

We are less than an hour out from Carson, and we sent that far to get acreage and more home for our dollar.

if you don't mind me asking...where do you live (not an exact addr of course)

I also really don't want to live "in the city", and would like some space.

Thank you!!

[Mikala43]

Originally Posted by IMSpock

if you don't mind me asking...where do you live (not an exact addr of course)

I also really don't want to live "in the city", and would like some space.

Thank you!!

Smith Valley.

[lvmensch]

Originally Posted by Mikala43

Smith Valley.

Interesting place. We had our good friend just pass on in Yerington. Sad I think. Interesting guy. Phd Physicist who never graduated high school. Joined the navy who decided he was very bright. So a rural Oregon gangbanger ended up in Fordham and came out with a Phd. As he aged though and his health failed he moved to a couple of acres in Yerington and brought his much less credentialed brother in with him.

The only sad part is that I think he would have lasted years longer in his condo in San Pedro or in any major city. But he wanted very badly to go back to his roots. His mental state at the end was very sad...he simply lost his reference. And he remained big and strong so you had to treat him carefully so no one got broke.

We continue to support his spouse who has ties here in LV. She in fact lost her identical twin sister in Boulder City in late 2020.

[Vic Romano]

Originally Posted by lvmensch

Interesting place. We had our good friend just pass on in Yerington. Sad I think. Interesting guy. Phd Physicist who never graduated high school. Joined the navy who decided he was very bright. So a rural Oregon gangbanger ended up in Fordham and came out with a Phd. As he aged though and his health failed he moved to a couple of acres in Yerington and brought his much less credentialed brother in with him.

The only sad part is that I think he would have lasted years longer in his condo in San Pedro or in any major city. But he wanted very badly to go back to his roots. His mental state at the end was very sad...he simply lost his reference. And he remained big and strong so you had to treat him carefully so no one got broke.

We continue to support his spouse who has ties here in LV. She in fact lost her identical twin sister in Boulder City in late 2020.

What do you mean by this? Why do you think this?