All aboard! Carson City, NV is home to the multi-million dollar reconstruction of the V&T rail lines original Carson City-Virginia City track. Thats a lot of choo-choo for you!
The state capitol of Nevada, Carson was named for Kit Carson, mountain man and explorer. A medium sized city of just over 55,000, Carson City is just thirty miles from Reno. Once a hub for the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, today, reconstruction of a portion of the line takes passengers to Virginia City and back. Carson City houses government workers, sales and office workers, and a bevy of professionals. From antique stores in the historic Old Town Area, to raisin toast at local favorite Heidis, Carson City has an old time feel, a solid community, and a burgeoning economy.
Carson City, Nevada once termed itself the smallest state capitol in the U.S., but size never meant it was small in stature. From a capitol building that holds both the governors offices and historic exhibits to rafting on the Carson River, the town is packed with activities, history, and culture. With mild winters and an arid climate, the full range of seasons here is pleasant, and so are the communities.
Carson City began as a trading post in the Utah Territory. After gold and silver were discovered in 1859 on the Comstock Lode, nearby, grew in size and population. When Nevada claimed state hood during the Civil War, Carson City was named capitol, and became a bustling commercial hub focused around the railroad. As the rail lines boomed, Chinese immigrants arrived on the scene to help build it. The U.S. Mint had a branch in town, striking silver and gold coins.
However, Carson Citys traffic and population waned when the Southern Pacific Railroad built a line through Donner Pass, north of Carson City. However, in the 1960's Carson City absorbed other town sites and grew once more. By the 1990's Carson had a master plan limiting high rise development and specifying no building near the capitol would stand taller.
The Carson River flows through the southwestern edge of Carson City. River banks and neighborhood parks offer green space, local sports teams, fishing access, and picnic spots. There are beaches, ponds, and community basketball, tennis, and volley ball. The largest park is Mills Park, fifty one acres of rolling land and recreational facilities. Nearby Heavenly Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak and Mount Rose provide stellar skiing in the winter season.
The capitol building hosts the current state administration, but also contains museum exhibits about the towns history. Inside the nearby Nevada State Museum, housed in the former Mint, there are rock and mineral exhibits, the recreation of a Wild West Village, mining exhibits, and the world's largest Columbian Mammoth exhibit, found in Nevadas Black Rock Desert, and the oldest North American Mummy.
The Nevada State Railroad Museum is also located in Carson City, and houses the Wabuska Railroad Station itself. At the site of the Stewart Indian School, artifacts from students and faculty are exhibited. An aviation museum, Yesterdays Flyers, highlights the early years of flight. Carson City was also the home of George Ferris, inventor of the Ferris Wheel.
Carson Citys history isn't all indoors. From the acreage of Silver Saddle Ranch to a trail of historic markers dotting Prison Hill, Carson offers a lot of outdoor activities with a fascinating pedigree. Explore the Mexican Dam, built in the 1860's across the Carson River, hike or camp in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, or check out the view from Snow Valley Peak, which at 9,214 feet is the highest point within Carson City.
A short distance away, Lake Tahoes beautiful beach awaits, along with the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Carson Citys Arts Initiative houses exhibits year round in their Courthouse Gallery. Downtown Culver City wine walks take place the first Saturday of every month, and include wine, hors doeuvres, and stops at local casinos. The Brewery Arts Center hosts live theater performances. Jazz and poetry are a staple at local coffeehouses. Every fall, Carson City's Basque heritage is celebrated at the annual Basque Festival with ethnic cuisine, kids carnival events, and crafts.
From a fun and spooky guided evening ghost walk to library talks hosted by the historical society, theres always plenty to do socially in town.
And Carson City is proud of its railroading past, with its reconstruction of the original Carson City-Virginia City track, passengers can enjoy a ride through history and beautiful scenery, with the chance at catching some wild mustangs roaming the nearby high desert plains.
Of course, with gambling legal throughout the state, Carson City is no slouch at the card table, either. With casinos up and down Carson Street offering gaming and dining, the roulette wheel is always spinning. Service jobs are centered around casinos, restaurants, and tourism.
Carson City has a strong job market, and residents have short daily commutes averaging less than twenty minutes from home to work daily.
If you like the idea of an historic community with four distinct seasons, and a mix of outdoor activities and cultural events, Carson City is an excellent choice. With a densely populated downtown area, you'll find your apartment search has an urban feel.
Available property types include small apartment complexes, three bedroom homes for rent, and even all utilities paid rentals.
City Center: Carson City's town center offers apartment homes of all types, single family residences and apartment complexes. Occupied by both owners and renters, properties in this community were mainly built between 1970 and 1999, with a smattering of historic buildings.
This walkable community has great appeal to retirees, due to reasonable costs, a wealth of activities, and senior programs. Many government workers, serving the state, also live in this area. Many workers commute to their jobs via bicycle in this middle income community, so time to dust off those biker shorts! $$
Lakeview / Western Nevada College:Rural in regard to population density, this Carson City community contains many medium sized to large single family homes as well as apartment complexes which include high rises. Real estate skews new, with most properties built between 1970 and the present in this upper middle income community. $$$
S Deer Run Rd / Pursia Rd: This neighborhood is also spaciously laid out and rural in feel. Small apartment buildings and single family houses both abound in this area of modern homes. Many government employees reside here, as do sales and service workers. A significant percentage of the population here in this pleasant middle income community have Hispanic heritage. $$
