Why So Many Californians Are Choosing Northern Nevada

If you're sitting in a California home, stuck in gridlock on the 405, or trying to figure out how to make retirement work with state income tax hovering at 13%, you are not alone. For many people like our recent guest Brian, it's not just about leaving California, it's about finding a lifestyle that makes more sense for their next chapter. And for Brian, that landed him in Sparks, Nevada, where the pace is calmer, the cost of living is friendlier, and the views off his back porch are, well, pretty hard to beat.

Meet Brian: A True California Native Who Finally Made the Move

Brian isn't your typical transplant. He was born in the Bay Area, raised in Fremont, and lived for years in San Jose and Pleasanton. He's a third-generation Californian who always envisioned retiring, somewhere else. In his words, California just didn't offer what he and his wife wanted for their retirement years. And like many folks, he needed a place that still felt close to their roots, with family and friends remaining back in California. Enter Northern Nevada.

Why Sparks, Nevada Made Sense

Brian and his wife began exploring in 2019, leaning toward Reno and specifically looking at the Somerset area. What started as an idea quickly became more serious when they signed a purchase agreement with a builder. But, as Brian explains, they realized they weren’t quite ready to retire and backed out, much to the builder’s dismay.

Fast forward to 2021, and something clicked. Real estate in the Bay Area erupted, interest rates were low, and it finally made financial sense. Brian spotted a home sale down the street fetching $300, 000 more than he expected. The writing was on the wall. He sold his Pleasanton home almost immediately and used that momentum to purchase a new construction home in Sparks.

Choosing New Construction Over Older Homes

One of the biggest decisions Brian made was sticking with new construction. He never considered a resale home, even though Sparks has plenty of options across different price points. A few things mattered most:

• No rear neighbors for added privacy
• Room for a pool table (yes, it’s a dealbreaker)
• Newer, low-maintenance property ideal for retirement

He landed in a quiet, elevated part of Sparks that gives incredible views of the Red Hawk Golf Course and the valley below. It's peaceful, scenic, and still just a short drive from stores, friends, and even the Bay Area when needed.

What Really Drove the Move?

Sure, California’s home prices skyrocketed and Nevada was clearly more affordable. But finances weren’t the only driver. Brian had multiple reasons for making the move, and you might recognize a few:

• No state income tax, keeping more of your retirement income
• Lower utility bills, often 30% cheaper than California
• Less traffic and congestion, fewer people, more space
• A better political and community atmosphere for his lifestyle
• Access to outdoor activities like biking, hiking, and Tahoe trips

But his absolute favorite thing? The slower pace. As he puts it, “I live a no-pressure lifestyle now.” From taking his bike out in December because it's 62 degrees, to enjoying peace and quiet in a friendly neighborhood, Sparks has given him exactly what he was seeking.

Anecdote: The Unexpected Snow Welcome

Funny enough, Brian’s first day arriving in Northern Nevada wasn’t all sunshine. Pulling into town in a U-Haul in October 2021, he was greeted with freezing snow pellets pounding down. He briefly thought, “What did I just do?” But it didn’t take long for that cold welcome to turn warm. Within two weeks, he felt like a local.

Settling In and Making Friends

One concern many newcomers have is building a social circle. Brian didn’t know anyone when he arrived, but being in a new construction neighborhood filled with folks in a similar stage of life made it easier. They organized barbecues, shared new homeowner tips, and started forming friendships.

Another bonus? Several of Brian’s family members also ended up moving into his neighborhood, with one cousin living just nine homes away. A familiar face goes a long way after a big relocation.

Reno vs Sparks: Exploring the Differences

Initially, Brian thought he’d end up in Somerset, a newer part of northwest Reno with a golf course and high-end homes. But he didn't know much about Sparks at the time, as many people don’t. When we talked, we laughed about how Sparks and Reno often get lumped together, even though they are different cities with their own personalities.

Sparks generally offers lower home prices and easier access to wide open spaces. And yes, it’s the same school district, still part of Washoe County, and offers the same beautiful mountain views. If you’re comparing options, take the time to understand both sides. We cover neighborhoods throughout Reno and Sparks to help you navigate the differences.

How the Move Went Logistically

We get this question all the time: what’s it like to sell in California and wait for a new build to be finished in Nevada? Brian had to rent an apartment for six months while his builder completed the home. He sold his Pleasanton place right away but had about six months until his new house was ready. The transition might sound complicated, but for Brian, it went pretty smoothly.

He did a rent-back for one month, then rented in Sparks for five more while waiting on construction. Finding a six-month lease wasn’t too hard, and having experience with new construction before helped ease the process.

Is the Weather Really That Good?

Short answer: yes. If you’ve been watching our videos over on the YouTube channel, you’ve probably seen us talk about Reno’s weather. Four true seasons, about 300 days of sunshine a year, and just enough snow to feel like winter without needing a plow truck. Brian swears he’s only shoveled snow a couple times, and that mostly during one unusually strong winter. Most years, he doesn’t use the snow shovel at all.

He even wears shorts in December. We recorded his interview on a 62-degree December afternoon where, naturally, he was planning to take the motorcycle out for a spin. You don’t get that in a lot of places.

Would He Do It All Over Again?

Absolutely. For Brian, the decision to move to Sparks was one of the best he's ever made. The lower cost of living, fewer headaches, and chance to fully enjoy retirement made all the difference. While not every transplant feels the same, and he mentioned a couple neighbors who moved back to California due to weather or social reasons, he hasn’t looked back.

When asked what surprised him most, it was how quickly he felt at home. The neighborhoods, the community vibe, even the local restaurants in Reno felt familiar and easy to jump into. Bonus points for being a short drive from Lake Tahoe: one of the most beautiful spots in the country, and now just a lunch trip away.

Considering Your Options Outside California?

If you’re where Brian was a few years ago, ready to make a change, but hesitant to leave everything you know, just know you’re not alone. We have a lot of clients just like Brian who made the leap and never looked back. Your whole life doesn’t have to change. You just have to find a better backdrop for it.

Start by doing your homework. Spend a weekend here. Reach out to us to set up a casual consult, or check out the channel to get a feel for the neighborhoods, the real estate market, and the local lifestyle. If new construction is what you’re after, we’ll make sure you know exactly what to expect, how to time it, and where to start.

And if you’re like Brian and want to wake up to a view that never gets old, whether in Sparks, Reno, or somewhere with a little more land, we’ve got you covered. Check out our guide to local neighborhoods, or simply explore other posts to keep learning about life in Northern Nevada.

You never know, you might be two weeks away from feeling like a local.