Welcome to Dayton, Nevada, where gambling is legal -- but the lottery is not. It's also illegal to shoot off fireworks and to ride a camel on the highway (although one of those seems a bit self-evident). The law books in Nevada might be a little screwy, but there are plenty of (legal) reasons that Dayton is an enjoyable place to live.
Dayton and Genoa are in somewhat of a dispute over which is the first official non-Native American settlement in Nevada, but there isn't any disputing that Dayton is a bit more lush with green vegetation than the surrounding desert area, primarily because the Carson River runs through it. With a population of just under 9,000 at the time of the 2010 U.S. Census, it is the southernmost city of the GoldCanyon district.
Moving to Dayton
If possible, schedule your move into a condo for rent between spring and fall to avoid the heavy snowfalls of winter. Most of the precipitation here falls as snow, with an average of almost 57 inches per year. The coldest month is usually December, but most of the snow falls in February. Typical winter lows hover around 22 degrees, whereas highs in the hottest month of July top out at a dry 83 degrees. This makes summertime the perfect time to move to Dayton. Some studio apartments are available, but most of the rentals here are two and three bedroom homes and apartments.
Home rentals and apartment buildings here are relatively new. The average worker travels 20 to 25 minutes to work. Many of the places to rent in Dayton are close to the area's many mills, ranches and hunting clubs. Nevada does not impose a personal income tax, but you will need to get your driver's license and vehicle registration transferred as soon as possible to avoid a fine. If you own the vehicle, you will also need to transfer the title. Drivers under the age of 18 will need to undergo driver's education and undergo supervised driving practice before acquiring a license.
If you're relocating from the North, hang on to those big winter coats. Southerners will need to prepare for that first winter by investing in some snow-worthy apparel and a snow shovel. Depending on the type of vehicle you drive, you might want to invest in snow tires once you arrive and before the first winter weather rolls in. It's also important to keep the antifreeze full. Gun owners need to apply for a Nevada permit as soon as possible after moving, though the gun laws here are not nearly as tough as those in California or New York.
The Neighborhoods of Dayton
There aren't any truly distinct neighborhoods in Dayton, but that doesn't stop its residents from enjoying their neighbors.
Only about 21 percent of Dayton residents rent. Some of the streets carry wonderfully creative names, such as Roughing It Road (where nobody is really roughing it at all). Most of the homes and apartments available in Dayton are two- and three-bedroom units. Other notable areas where homes and other places to rent can be found include Palmer Drive,
Valley Circle, Dayton Village, Gordon Lane, RiverVillage, Santiago Way and Sweetwater.
Dayton is just 12 miles from Carson City, and many of the residents commute between the two. Lots of Dayton residents work in Carson City, and some people drive from their serviced apartments in Carson City to work in Dayton.
Living in Dayton
Dayton is a small town, but the scenery is one of the most enjoyable aspects of living here. Since Carson City is so close, as well as Reno, there is no shortage of things to do. Nearby, in Carson Valley, there are venues to enjoy activities like horseback riding, antiques shopping, hiking, fishing, cycling, mountain biking, golf, ATV riding and wildlife viewing. DaytonState Park is also close by. Dayton also has a farmers market.
Dayton's average number of earthquakes is 1,100 times the national average, though most of these quakes are hardly noticeable. Dayton actually has a lower than average number of natural disasters. Some newcomers do have to adapt to the elevation, though, as it sits at 4,396 feet above sea level. It lies just east of the California state border in LyonCounty, at the tip of the Twenty-Six-MileDesert.
The Dayton Historic Society operates a museum featuring relics of the area's past, including memorabilia from the gold rush and founding of the original community, once called Ponderers Rest. People passing through the area dubbed it this because travelers got here through the desert and, at Carson River, they had to rest and decide whether to take the river southward or continue their westward trek.
Dayton enjoys a significantly lower crime rate than the Nevada average and is blessed with scenic views of the surrounding rugged mountains. Fallon Air Force Base is just a few miles away, and many of the workers here find places to rent in Dayton.
One sheriff's department, one fire station, one post office and two libraries cater to Dayton residents' needs. Nearby medical facilities include DaytonMedicalCenter, as well as the larger facilities of Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center and SierraSurgeryHospital, both located in Carson City. About half a dozen churches are in Dayton, including Catholic, Mormon, Baptist and a few independent congregations.
Carson City offers abundant shopping and dining opportunities, and Lake Tahoe with all its beauty is less than 45 minutes away. Though no public transit system is available in Dayton, there is an Amtrak station in Carson City. The closest place for getting a college degree is the University of Nevada in Reno, about 45 miles away. Dayton has a higher percentage of college graduates than Nevada as a whole.
