Relocating and looking for some advice (Las Vegas, Reno: cul-de-sac, apartments, for rent)

[fatitaly6]

Greetings folks,

I am relocating to the area and have a few questions I hope some of the locals can help answer. I have done a bit of research and I've seen the crime trend maps and school reports etc and so forth, but there is no resource like locals and I'd like to hear from a few to get a good grasp as I won't have terribly long to make a decision.

To give you context about me: Mid-thirties, male, professional, going through a divorce so it's just me for the first time in almost a decade, love the outdoors, hiking/biking and like to be within an hour from great spots to do so.

So with that said, my questions are as follows:

1. Nicest areas to live? Areas to avoid? I've already checked commute times, I'm ok with any of them although South Reno and Cold Springs area are pushing the limits of my preferred commute. I have been looking at Reno, Sparks, Fernley, Cold Springs area. Thus far from what i've seen, Fernley has some great new construction that is reasonably priced, Sparks tends to get a little pricey although there seem to be pockets of affordability. I haven't decided yet whether I want to rent or buy so both are on the table. I'd prefer not to live in an apartment ever again, plus I have a large house full of things and it seems silly to have to rent a storage unit on top of rent, especially considering that 2 bedroom apartments are starting around 1000-1200 bucks.

So what are the nicest areas in Reno/Fernley/Cold Springs/Sparks and what are the areas to avoid? (i.e. crime, lower income housing, etc) I typically prefer quiet residential areas/suburb type living. I am either going to be looking to rent or buy a house or possibly rent a townhome. I HAVE to have at least a two-car garage, if I am buying I prefer a 3-car. Once you've had one, you can't go back, yay storage. I'm looking as small as 1600 square feet for renting, but prefer 2000+, and if I am purchasing, ideal is 4+ bed/2.5+ bath, minimum 2400 square feet. I'd like to stay within 315k.

To give you an idea...some that i've seen that I have at least saved for interest.

RENT: https://www.trulia.com/rental/312257...-89521#photo-3
BUY: 7260 Clearsky Dr, Sparks, NV 89436 | MLS #160016913 | Zillow
BUY: 4011 White Rock Ct, Reno, NV 89508 | Zillow

2. What is living in Fernley like? If I was not going through a divorce I think I would be sold on a new home there, and although I am far from what you would call a party animal or barfly, once I do eventually start "looking" again it would be nice to have some sort of single crowd, nice restaurants and pub/bar in the vicinity.

3. Same question but for the NorthWest/Cold Springs area?

4. Recommendations on good realtors?

5. Are there areas of the city that get hit with snow more than others? And the corresponding city snow removal response in those areas?

[Vic Romano]

I have done some research on retiring there and here are my opinions on where to live (I cannot speak for school districts, though):

- Northern/Central Sparks and Spanish Springs (east of 445 seems a little better than west but west is OK). Not Southern Sparks...
- Reno, west of 395 (including Galena around Mt. Rose Hwy)
- Double Diamond/Damonte Ranch

Given your budget it may be tough to find something in low $300s in the areas above but not impossible. High $300k is easier.

Fernley can be VERY windy and dusty.

One thing about Cold Springs and that area around the 395 is there are railroad tracks that run along the highway to I80. My wife is sensitive to the noise from railroads.

Snow depends upon elevation. The Reno Valley is around 4,500 feet. Once you go up a few hundred feet (half way up the foothills) the snowfall increases quite a bit.

[RFF]

315 will not get you much in NW Reno. I do like NW Reno though. Still has a small feel without the big feel of South Reno. Only problem, more snow than the rest of Reno. Windier at times. Snow removal on small streets is non-existant. During the snowstorm of 2005/06, our street and cul-de-sac were not plowed.


40 minutes to Squaw, Alpine, Boreal, Sugar Bowl, Donner Ski Ranch for skiing/boarding
30 minutes from Truckee

[MayMoveInFuture]

I've seen you on here before, any idea when you will retire/move? We're going to plan a trip out this summer to scope out the area

[Vic Romano]

Me? Most likely date mid-2018, give or take six months. We're still waffling between Sacramento foothills, Corvallis/Salem/Newberg (better hospitals) and Reno, but just feel better about Reno's location (one day or less to Oregon, Sacramento, Bay Area, Las Vegas, So. Cal, lots of opportunities to fish and hike, casinos, more sun).

[MayMoveInFuture]

I assume you've visited all these locations, right?
You don't think Reno has decent healthcare? I ask cause that's a concern for us.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by MayMoveInFuture

I assume you've visited all these locations, right?
You don't think Reno has decent healthcare? I ask cause that's a concern for us.

there are some great doctors in Reno, but there seems to be a shortage of some specialists. When I lived there I had to wait several months to see a few specialists and I have very good health insurance so that wasn't the issue. I have never been hospitalized in Reno but I had a friend who is a pediatrician and she preferred St. Mary's over Renown.

[NevadaRE]

fatitaly,

You could buy a 2400 sq ft home with a 3 car garage under $315,000 in the North Valleys. Check out Stead and Lemmon Valley which aren't as far out as Cold Springs.

Similarly in Fernley you could buy that large of large home for under $315,000.

South Reno will be connected to Sparks in the future with the building of a new road. That may change your opinion of your commute. More info: Reno/Sparks SouthEast Connector – RTC Project | But the size of home you'd like would instead be high 300's.

I'll send you my contact info in a private message.

[Nn2036]

Originally Posted by MayMoveInFuture

I assume you've visited all these locations, right?
You don't think Reno has decent healthcare? I ask cause that's a concern for us.

The doctors and health system are fine, better than most cities its size. Unless you have very rare disease that need very special specialist, you should be fine. I prefer Renown than St Mary.

I dont know about waiting time but I doubt Salem OR has better doctor or better quality health system than Reno.

[Vic Romano]

Originally Posted by MayMoveInFuture

I assume you've visited all these locations, right?
You don't think Reno has decent healthcare? I ask cause that's a concern for us.

That's why I'm waffling a bit between Oregon and Nevada. I looked up some hospital ratings from US News:

Best Hospitals in the U.S. | Hospital Rankings | US News Health

My wife had some care with Providence Health System in Portland and she thought it was great. Honestly, it is very difficult to thoroughly evaluate healthcare quality.

I have visited all the cities I've mentioned except Newberg. My wife has lived in Oregon and the Sacramento foothills. I go up to Oregon a few times a year as my in-laws are up there.