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Carson/Tahoe housing suggestions

Original Post
Doug McGraw · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 0

Hi all. I'll be moving out west to take over a practice in Carson City in July and was looking for some suggestions on where to live. Access to climbing is a major plus. Commute of anything under 30-45 minutes is no problem. I'm single and not at all concerned about school districts and such, but would be psyched to not live amongst the tweakers and worry about my car getting broken into. Probably gonna be renting a place (preferably a small house) for a bit til I figure things out, but have to do so pretty much blind. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Hopefully my next post will be looking for some psyched partners!

W L · · NEVADASTAN · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 851

What kind of practice are you acquiring?

I lived in Northern Nevada 8 of the last 9 years. I would avoid Carson City proper if you are seeking to avoid the tweeker population. What else are you looking for as far as a place to stay? If a more urban experience, Reno is 30 minutes to the North. If looking for the quiet, rural town experience, Gardnerville and Minden are 15 minutes to the South. If you want the Tahoe deal, head up the hill...it's there.

Enjoy your time in Northern Nevada, it's such an incredible place up there and for the most part, the people are just damn solid folks. If you have any questions or anything like that, let me know, as I would be glad to help.

Rohan de Launey · · South Lake Tahoe · Joined May 2012 · Points: 15

I'd look at Woodfords (or somewhere close by in Minden If you prefer NV... ) Afterwork climbing and bouldering in summer, winter climbing also but days are shorter.. 3 hrs to Yosemite just over half that to tuolumne entrance, all eastside access good. 30 min to Kirkwood and carson pass or less for skiing. Hot springs and rivers for fishing close too. Oh yah, No tweakers. Downside = über small town, all amenities in Minden or south lake if that bothers you.also, it may be hard to find a place this time of year

Doug McGraw · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 0

Thanks for the thoughtful beta. I'll be taking over an ophthalmology practice. Minden/Gardnerville had been suggested by a couple other people and seemed pretty nice (only had time to drive around on the quick). What is the SLT/Stateline area like to live in? I am typing this in Flint, Mi, which makes Detroit look like a really classy, upscale, non-violent metropolis...so it's a sliding scale

Kung Phu Panda · · South Lake Tahoe, California · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 0

Hi Doug, I live in SLT so here are my thoughts. I was a political canvasser so I had the opportunity to walk around most of Carson city as well.

Carson city is not too bad. The nicest parts of carson are either north of the city near western sierra college or south of the city near casino fandango. The whole city is very conservative/republican. North of the city has very nice/big houses and that is the neighborhood I would look to live in. From carson city your about 30 minutes from South lake tahoe and about 1 hour from Lover's leap. This is the most popular multipitch climbing area. Your also about 1 hour from Emerald bay which has eagle lake cliffs. i.e. single pitch trad. Your also about 45 min away from either Heavenly, Northstar, Mt rose. Times are approximate, but in generally its very easy to get to all three mountains. As far as driving goes, 50 is a major access into SLT and is always plowed and very accessible through the winter. The drawback to Carson city is that its super dry and hot. No shady trees anywhere to be found in that area.

South lake is not too bad, but basically a tourist/resort employee ghetto. In your situation, I would life around Stateline (Nevada side of SLT). The housing is a bit nicer and your closer to work without really being far away from the outdoor opportunities. The benefits are 30 minutes to Lovers leap, around 45 min to Woodford canyon, Heavenly is literally in town, N star is about 30-40 min away, Emerald bay is 30 min away. The drawback is that you have to go up and over spooner summit to get to carson city everyday! While the drive and accessibility isn't bad, your doing this drive 5 days a week to goto work vs. twice a week on sat/sun for recreation. Your choice. The road is well maintained and you will have no problems in the winter. The temps in tahoe are great and I personally would much rather live in stateline vs carson city. Slt has one K-mart and 2 raleys and 1 safeway. So groceries aren't too bad, but of course everything is cheaper in carson city.

Minden/gardnerville is about 20 min south of Carson city along a 4 lane highway (two lanes each direction). The town is quite a bit smaller but still big enough for a walmart (basically anytown that has a walmart is reasonably priced, but say what you want to say about Walmart killing small business), but in alot of ways minden/gardnerville is like an extended suburb of Carson city. There are lots of people who live there and commute to carson city. Woodford canyon is about 10 min away and the leap is about 45 min away. Driving to SLT isn't too bad, but the road is steeper and a bit more dangerous in the winter. (Highway 50 is a major access road that handles lots of cars, where as Kingsbury grade can't really handle the same amount of traffic)

Let me know if you have a specific question and I'll try to comment as best I can. Carson city is practical and very accessible to the outdoors. Minden is quieter and closer to the outdoors but the roads aren't as good. SLT is right in the middle of the outdoorsy stuff but would be a hassle to commute to work.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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