Retiree moving to Reno/Sparks area

[NunnaUrbiz]

Thanks, I guess I'm gonna have to compromise on the 1 acre lot I'm currently on.

[GoshWyo]

Originally Posted by NunnaUrbiz

I live in a deep red rural area where 3 Rs are reedin', ritin' and rodeo.

Why do you feel the need to write something like this?

[ChrisMT]

[quote=NunnaUrbiz;66503945]Yeah, I've heard about the BM vibe. Not really my thing but art is art. Just don't want to be immersed in it like western art in AZ. I always say, "This town doesn't want to be LIKE the 1860s, the town wants it to BE the 1860s."

I tend to cringe at that kitschy coyote barking at the moon stuff myself, but I’m telling ya, the public art in Reno gives me scary, creepy vibes. It’s dark spiritually. The new burning man stuff, it’s just dark and the graffiti art is like what we doodled on our binders in Jr High. Old West art is warm and cuddly in comparison and there’s history there. Don’t even need to explain how giant spikes make me feel….

Look up ‘desert guard’ Reno neon line. The whale and polar bear…I guess they’re harmless, but idk I don’t like the vibe of most of the rest of it. Now my ex worked burning man as a cop and what he saw….I am biased against that whole scene, gotta admit. I’m just not hip

[NunnaUrbiz]

Never heard of "desert guard." Shows you it's not my thing either. I used to work with a model who was big into BM. She spent $1000s every year to attend. The little bit I know leads me to believe the money behind BM is trying to buy spirituality with their bux. BM may last for a while but faux spirituality will fade. Next year, they'll probably have Jetsons or Flintstones as their theme. Whatever floats their boat as long as they don't try to shove it down my throat like fundie-vangie christo-fascists. Anyway, Reno may not make the cut bc affordable homes in the $500K range with ~1 acre seem to be in short supply. Also, for some reason, I like the SW territorial style (NOT Santa Fe) with faux adobe (stucco) look, flat roofs, vigas, peel poles and desert landscape. Thanks for the feedback. I may drive up to Reno just to look around.

[NW Crow]

At first glance at the Burning Man initiated public art in Reno, I can readily agree it is hipster, aimed at CA visitors and migrants. "Dark"? The Mongolian warrior might be dark or give an impression of a Ninja turtle. I didn't immediately see or react to anything else as dark. Any other pieces that got that reaction from you ChrisMT?But it is certainly not old west and that could bother some or someone, (liking old west but picking new / newest west), even if they rarely or never drive by it.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by ChrisMT

You do need to winterize your RV here....we failed to do so one year and had to replace every waterline/valve and the sink faucet :O

I do not know much about the Reno VA, but Fallon has quite a bit of military medical infrastructure and my in-laws were happy with it for the most part. Fallon would have similar demographics as Prescott though, but less winter. There is also Las Vegas with the warmer winters and liberal local governments. I have heard some negatives about both the Las Vegas and Reno VA hospitals, nothing specific that I can recall.

Reno does have somewhat of an art scene, but I don't know if it would be considered 'vibrant' like many California college towns might have as well as the moderate winter weather like Arizona. Are you also looking at Southern California? Arizona and Southern Cali is where many people here go RVing during the winter months.

Fallon has the Top Gun for jet fighters. They used to be in San Diego Miramar?

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by NunnaUrbiz

I'm a retiree in a VERY red rural area northwest of PHX. I want to move someplace that has a college/university with, hopefully, a younger, more liberal/progressive demographic and a vibrant art scene. As a vet, I also want to be near a major VA facility like VASNHCS. Reno seems to tick a lot of boxes.
How cold and for how long does it stay below freezing in the Reno/Sparks area? I own an RV and dislike the hassle of winterizing the rig. Getting down below 32F at night but climbing above 40F-45F is doable.
Does anyone have experience with the VA in Reno? I've been spoiled by the Prescott VA and want to find a similar VA facility.
I don't gamble and party so casinos don't do much for me but I'd like to take classes and meet like-minded people. Thanks.

There are a lot of other places / states that get colder than Reno/Sparks area. You should be fine.

[NunnaUrbiz]

Oh, I'm familiar with colder places. I was in MA in 18" snow when my mgr asked if I wanted to go to San Diego for some US mgmt experience. I didn't let the door hit me in the butt as I left. Reno is sounds good bc it doesn't have the brain melting heat of Tucson. Thanks for the feedback.

[BabyBoomers2]

First, you do know that Reno has a major ($800,000) 10-day professional rodeo every June? I'm a former member of the rodeo association that sanctions it. My wife and I are very much into the professional rodeo scene.

I'm a Vet as well (Navy during Nam) and I use both VA Medical, Medicare and a Supplement. I'm also retired at almost 75 years old. I have a VA doctor and get all of my meds from the VA, but have had only one surgery/hospital stay done by them. The VA I used in Loveland, Colorado was much better than the one I'm currently using in Henderson, NV.

We will be visiting Carson City/Reno area this coming June as a "most likely" area to move to. Lot less people and a lot less problems, it seems. The winters in those two areas are much better than they were in northern Colorado.

[NunnaUrbiz]

Welcome home sailor. Glad to make the acquaintance of another Vietnam vet. I'm also 75 and, some days, feel every day of it! lol I think VA Health Care System (HCS) facilities is large military retiree areas tend to be less accommodating than smaller VA HCS. NAVAHCS (Northern Arizona) in Prescott, AZ has provided me with outstanding care so I'm a bit spoiled. Getting my meds via USPS is great.


Tucson is still my first choice but I may drive up to Reno in July if my RV doesn't balk at driving across the desert in 110f. Never thought of Carson City. Have you spent any time there?


As for rodeo, we'll just have to agree to disagree.