Ever stood in two states at one time? Then check out Cold Springs which is right on the California-Nevada state line, giving you the opportunity to literally be in two places at once.
Cold Springs is part of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, in Washoe County, Nevada. Home to 8,544 people as of the 2010 census, and with a total area of 8.8 square miles, this census-designated place has a relatively low population density. That doesn't really tell the whole story, however, as quite a large chunk of the area--including the Granite Hills region in the south-east of Cold Springs--is mostly undeveloped. Most of the residents live in the central part of the area, north of White Lake (which is not actually a lake in the traditional sense, but in fact is a playa, or dry lake bed).
Moving to Cold Springs
There are just over 3,400 housing units in Cold Springs, and almost all of them are detached single-unit houses, along with several hundred mobile home units. Most homes were built in and after the 1970s, with just a dozen or so constructed in the swinging '60s. Nearly half the homes in Cold Springs were built after 2000, attesting to the rapid population growth that occurred in the first decade of the new millennium. The majority are three-bedroom homes, but there are also many smaller and larger houses in the area.
In a nutshell, if you're looking for rental houses, and in particular 3 bedroom houses for rent in Cold Springs, you'll probably find what you're after much sooner than if you want to find apartments or a condo for rent. Apartments are virtually non-existent in Cold Springs, which means if you have your heart set on living in a serviced apartment complex or a condos, be prepared to keep an open mind!
Lots of sun and a little rain is what you get in Cold Springs, with around 250 days of sunshine annually, and 11 inches of rain, which is less than one third of the national rainfall average. Average annual snow inches total 14, a little over half of the amount the average U.S. city gets in a year. Another plus in terms of weather is the low humidity, which gives Cold Springs a comfort rating of 76 out of 100, in contrast to the dismal-sounding national rating of 44, so you'll shirt won't stick to your back!
One important thing to note about Cold Springs is the elevation, which can take a little while to get used to if you move here from somewhere closer to sea level. The elevation in this part of the country is around 5,200 feet, whereas the national average is 1,443. This means that many people who move from lower to higher-altitude locations feel more fatigued than usual for the first few weeks. Not to worry though, as there's no health risk involved at this elevation, only some acclimation. Bakers beware, however, because the higher altitude tends to produce baked goods that are drier and denser than normal.
Neighborhoods in Cold Springs
Small but perfectly formed, Cold Springs has only a few distinct residential neighborhoods. There are some housing developments in the area, such as Woodland Village; these are comprised mostly of owner-occupied homes, and rentals in these areas are typically hard to come by. Granite Hills in the south-east part of the area is also a pretty distinctive neighborhood, but whether it officially counts or not is anyone's guess, as it's mostly undeveloped and unpopulated.
Border Town: Like the name suggests, this is the part of Cold Springs that's closest to the state border, and it's one of the more sparsely populated residential areas. The rental houses in this area are mostly single unit houses and mobile homes of two to four bedrooms, although you might find the occasional duplex for rent here too.
Woodland Village: This area is a housing development that includes single-unit homes of three to four bedrooms. There are three parks and a gym in the neighborhood, along with miles of paths and trails for walking and biking. Wildlife lovers take note that it's common to see a variety of wild animal species, including antelope, deer, cottontails, jackrabbits and golden eagles.
There are no apartment communities within Cold Springs itself; the closest options are in the North Valleys area of Reno, around 10 miles away to the east. Here you can find a range of apartment complexes for month to month and longer term rentals.
Living in Cold Springs
The walk score in Cold Springs is low--in most parts of the area it's hovering around 30 to 40, simply because this is a largely residential place, and there's not much in the way of retail stores and shopping centers here. It's definitely a scenic spot for recreational walking though, and there are some attractive routes in Cold Springs and nearby locations. However, since most shopping facilities are located out of town, and also due to the lack of a public transit system, the people who live here tend to drive most places.
On the other hand, Cold Springs is located within driving distance of a long list of day trip, weekend, and longer vacation destinations, including Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and several other national parks and forests. If you're feeling lucky, Las Vegas isn't far away, and Reno is only a short 20-minute drive. So, while you can't shop till you drop in Cold Springs, you don't have to go far if you feel like nurturing your inner shopaholic. And if Cold Springs starts to feel a bit quiet, you don't have to go far to find some entertainment.