The dream of striking out on one’s own, claiming a small parcel of Western paradise and building a home on virgin land is a story as old as the “Old West” itself. While Nevada may no longer be the frontier, and Reno has come a long way since its founding as a railroad depot, the city of Sun Valley keeps that frontier dream alive. Sitting just beyond Reno’s northern limits, this community came to be in the 1930s after the Small Tract Act allowed people to receive five free acres of land, provided they live there permanently. Realtor Sandra Gabrielli of RE/MAX Professional - Sparks says, "There's a line of valleys north of town, and Sun Valley is the first of them. It's one of the prettiest valleys to look at.” Since the 1950s, Sun Valley has become one of the largest manufactured home communities in the country, and its 21,000 residents have banded together with pride over their shared pioneer spirit and rugged tenacity.
Sun Valley has excellent views of Peavine Peak when looking at the Eastern Skyline.
Sun Valley has been called the largest trailer park in the United States.
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Homes on the range
Sun Valley’s housing inventory is a mixture of manufactured homes and brand-new, single-story homes located in the high desert steppe. Mature trees and sagebrush provide residents with a quintessentially Western backdrop. Depending on lot size and location, some homes can have small front lawns with larger backyards. The people here have access to a sense of freedom and spaciousness that those in nearby cities don’t, making Sun Valley appealing to those craving room to move within a tightly knit community. “On the north side of the valley, it's all newer subdivisions, and there are nice, entry-level homes that are well-maintained.” Gabrielli says. “The builder makes sure that that area is well-maintained: no trash, fences-repaired and they even provide the staining for them.” Manufactured homes tend to sell for between $170,000 and $400,000, while recently built ranch-style, townhouse and new-traditional homes vary in price from $450,000 to $640,000. With a median home price of $400,000, Sun Valley offers far less expensive housing options than Reno, where the median home price is $579,000.
Brand-new Craftsman-style homes are the most expensive in Sun Valley.
The average single-family ranch-style homes in Sun Valley range from $415,000 to $500,000.
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Residents stock up at the Sun Valley Shopping Center
While Sun Valley is largely residential, Sun Valley Boulevard, which runs north and south through the city, provides easy access to major shopping conveniences. Gabrielli says, “There’s a lot of conveniences, from bus routes to freeway access. It's also got easy access to shopping at Costco and Home Depot." The open-air Sun Valley Shopping Center includes amenities from an appliance store and a Mexican bakery to a Scolari’s grocery store.
The Sun Valley Center has a variety of eateries locals can grab food and eat outside.
Scholari's is the central grocery store for residents living in Sun Valley.
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Home runs, slam dunks and flip kicks
Patches of green stand out in a desert landscape, and the parks of Sun Valley are no exception. Sun Valley Community Park features a baseball diamond, a basketball court and an inline skate park. The eight-acre Gepford Park is centrally located and named for Harry Lee Gepford, who ran a furniture store in the late 1920s. There are basketball courts, baseball fields and a playground alongside benches and picnic tables. The community park is also home to the Reno Battleborn BMX course, which was designed for multiple skill levels. The dirt-packed racetrack is open from January 1st to December 15th, holding single-lap races with no motors allowed. The Lizard Peak Disc Golf Course features a total of 39 holes and three different courses.
Sun Valley has a small skate park found at Sun Valley Regional Park.
The Lizard Peak Disc Golf Course has 18 holes in Sun Valley spread throughout the high desert.
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Sports and STEM at Spanish Springs High
Sun Valley’s students attend the Washoe County School District, which receives a B rating from Niche and that website’s recognition as being among Nevada’s top five school districts. This district’s schools emphasize innovation, from Bennette Elementary’s online-learning courses to Spanish Springs High School’s strong STEM offerings.
Kids often attend the Sun Valley Elementary School in Reno.
Students are challenged to excel at Spanish Springs High School.
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Riding into Reno
Sun Valley Boulevard leads to McCarran Boulevard and Evans Avenue, conveying drivers into downtown Reno within a 20-minute and approximately 6-mile journey. The 5 bus runs along this same route, offering connections to major shopping centers along the way.
Public safety in Sun Valley
According to the FBI, Sun Valley's crime rate is well above the state and national averages. Many have opted to install Ring cameras to deter package thefts and have, on online forums, advised neighbors to not leave valuables in cars.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
