Moving to Reno from California: Pros, Cons, and What to Expect

Every week I work with buyers who are making the move from California to Reno. Some are coming from the Bay Area. Some from Los Angeles. Some from Sacramento or San Diego. The reasons are different but the feeling is usually the same: they are ready for something different, and Reno keeps coming up.

I grew up on Lake Tahoe. My dad would take us out on our boat every weekend in the summer. We would go to Skunk Harbor and catch crawdads. He would dock the boat in Tahoe City in the evenings and we would walk to dinner and get ice cream. He would tow a raft behind the boat with us kids on it. Summer barbecues on the water. The mountains all around us. That was my childhood, and it shaped everything about how I see this part of the world.

When I tell California buyers what it is actually like to live here, I am not reading from a fact sheet. I am describing a life I have lived.

Shannon Comstock is a real estate agent in Reno, Nevada helping luxury buyers relocate from California and across the country to Washoe County and Northern Nevada.

Why California Buyers Keep Choosing Reno

The tax answer comes up first in almost every conversation and it is real. Nevada has no state income tax, no inheritance tax, and relatively low property taxes. For buyers coming from California, that difference is significant and immediate. But the tax savings are not actually what keeps people here. What keeps people here is the lifestyle.

Think about where else you can live and have all of this at once: mountains in every direction, Lake Tahoe as your backyard playground, more ski resorts within driving distance than most places in the country, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, golf courses throughout the region, and over 250 days of sunshine per year.

You can drive two to four hours and be in Yosemite, Oregon, or Idaho. You can be at the coast in half a day. Napa Valley is a day trip. The wineries in the Sierra foothills on the California side are closer than that.

And then there is the thing that California buyers often do not fully appreciate until they are living here: you can get outside and stay outside. Year round. If you love being outdoors and do not want to spend half your life trapped inside or stuck in traffic, Reno is genuinely built for that life.

There is no Bay Area traffic. There is no Los Angeles traffic. Reno has sidewalks. You can actually walk around this city. The pace is different and most people who make this move say that difference was bigger than they expected in the best possible way.

Lake Tahoe Is Your Backyard

I think people underestimate what it means to have Lake Tahoe this close until they actually live here and start using it.

Growing up on the lake, I watched it shape the people around me. There is something about being near that kind of beauty consistently that grounds you. The mountains, the water, the clarity of that lake. Everywhere I travel, I find myself wanting to be near a lake and near mountains because of how I grew up. I think a lot of people feel that pull without always being able to name it.

Reno puts you about 45 minutes from Tahoe City on the west shore. Sand Harbor for beach days. Incline Village for dinner with lake views. Ski resorts at Northstar, Palisades Tahoe, Alpine Meadows, Diamond Peak, and Mt. Rose all within reach. In the summer you have Boca Reservoir and Stampede Reservoir for boating and camping right up the road.

For buyers coming from California who have spent years driving hours to get to the mountains or the water, having all of this this close changes your daily life in ways that are hard to fully describe before you experience it.

The Food Scene Has Changed

One of the things that surprises California buyers most when they arrive in Reno is the restaurant scene. It is genuinely good now and getting better every year.

The honest truth is that Californians helped build it. When buyers started relocating here in large numbers after 2020, they brought expectations and spending power that changed what the local restaurant scene could support. The dining options in Reno today are significantly better than they were five years ago and the trajectory is continuing upward.

There is plenty of good food here. That concern, which used to be one of the most common hesitations I heard from California buyers, has largely faded.

Sports, Culture, and Things to Do

Reno has the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, for baseball fans. The University of Nevada Wolfpack plays football and basketball at a level that brings real energy to the city during the season. The Nevada Museum of Art is one of the best in the region. The Artown festival every July fills the city with performances, art, and events for an entire month.

And then there is the outdoor calendar. Camping. Hiking. Cycling. Skiing. Golf. Fishing. Boating. If you are the kind of person who builds your life around getting outside, you will not run out of things to do here.

The Honest Cons

I would rather be honest about the trade-offs than oversell the move, because the buyers who thrive here are the ones who came with clear eyes.

The coast is not close.You can get there in half a day but it is not a quick drive. If the ocean is a daily or weekly part of your life in California, that is a genuine adjustment.

Housing prices are higher than they used to be.California buyers came here in significant numbers after 2020, many of them selling their California homes and paying cash. That drove prices up considerably. Reno is still more affordable than most of California, but buyers who remember Reno prices from ten years ago will be surprised. According to a GoBankingRates studycited by the Reno Gazette Journal in April 2025, Reno ranked 44th among the cheapest cities to retire in the United States, with monthly expenses averaging $1,852. Reno is still more affordable than most of California, but it is no longer a hidden bargain.

Seasonal allergies are real.Sagebrush and ragweed are part of the high desert environment and some people feel it significantly, especially in spring and fall.

Winters have snow.Not extreme, but real. If you are coming from Southern California, the adjustment to winter driving and occasional shoveling is worth factoring in.

There are no wineries here.Napa is a day trip and the Sierra foothills have some good options, but Reno is not wine country. If that is a significant part of your lifestyle, it is worth knowing upfront.

What California Buyers Should Know About the Luxury Market

The neighborhoods that attract California luxury buyers most consistently are ArrowCreek, Montreux, Galena Forest, Saddlehorn, Somersett, and the Newlands Historic District, each offering a different version of the Northern Nevada lifestyle.

Buyers coming from the Bay Area with significant equity from a California home sale often have strong buying power in Reno's market. That cash position can be a real advantage in a competitive situation, as it was for many buyers who moved here in 2020 and 2021.

I have a relocation guide specifically built for buyers making this move. Reach out directly and I will send it to you.

For a full breakdown of Reno's top luxury neighborhoods:Best Luxury Neighborhoods in Reno Nevada

For buyers considering a gated community:Gated Communities in Reno and Washoe County: The Complete Guide

And if you are thinking about what the luxury market looks like right now for buyers:What Actually Attracts Luxury Buyers in Reno

As I Cover in My Book

As I cover in my book,Selling Your Washoe County Home: The Secrets to Maximum Success, understanding the specific lifestyle you are buying into matters as much as understanding the transaction itself. The buyers who are happiest with their move to Reno are the ones who came because of the lifestyle, not just the tax savings. The lifestyle is real, it is extraordinary, and for the right person it is hard to beat anywhere in the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a good idea to move from California to Reno Nevada?

For buyers who love the outdoors, want more space, and are drawn to a mountain and lake lifestyle, Reno is an excellent choice. Nevada has no state income tax, the proximity to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada is unmatched, and the cost of living is significantly lower than most of California. The trade-offs include no ocean access, higher housing prices than a decade ago, and a smaller city feel that takes some adjustment.

Are Californians moving to Reno Nevada?

Yes, significantly. California buyers have been one of the primary drivers of Reno's real estate market since 2020. Many sold California homes and relocated with strong equity positions, which contributed to price increases across the Reno market. Demand from California buyers remains strong.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Reno Nevada?

According to a GoBankingRates study cited by the Reno Gazette Journal in April 2025, monthly expenses for retirees in Reno average around $1,852, and Reno ranks 44th among the most affordable cities to retire in the country. For working professionals, a comfortable lifestyle in Reno generally requires less income than comparable living in the Bay Area or Los Angeles due to Nevada's lack of state income tax and lower overall cost of living.

What do people miss most when they move from California to Reno?

The coast is the most common answer. The Pacific Ocean is a half-day drive from Reno, not a weekend afternoon trip. Napa Valley and wine country are also further away. Buyers who build their California lifestyle around beaches and wineries feel those trade-offs the most.

Is Reno Nevada worth moving to from California?

For buyers who are drawn to mountain living, outdoor recreation, and a slower pace without sacrificing quality restaurants, culture, and amenities, Reno is genuinely worth it. The lifestyle is extraordinary for the right person. The tax advantages are real. And Lake Tahoe as a backyard is something that is very hard to put a price on.

What are the pros and cons of moving to Reno from California?

Pros include no state income tax, proximity to Lake Tahoe and ski resorts, outdoor recreation year round, lower cost of living than most of California, and no Bay Area or Los Angeles traffic. Cons include no ocean access, higher housing prices than a decade ago, seasonal allergies from sagebrush, and a smaller city feel that takes some adjustment for buyers coming from major metro areas.

Which Reno neighborhoods do California buyers choose most?

California luxury buyers most often gravitate toward ArrowCreek, Montreux, Galena Forest, Saddlehorn, Somersett, and the Newlands Historic District. Each offers a different experience from gated golf community living to mountain forest settings to historic urban charm.

Thinking About Moving to Reno from California?

Shannon Comstock is a Reno, Nevada real estate agent helping luxury buyers and sellers navigate life transitions with clarity, strategy, and a genuinely personalized approach.

📞 775.842.2000
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📍 1401 S Virginia Street, Suite 100, Reno, NV 89502

Shannon Comstock is a licensed REALTOR® in the state of Nevada, License S.175542, with RE/MAX Gold.