Lake Tahoe has so much to offers
Nestled at the feet of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range.
Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular and gorgeous tourist attractions in the Western United States.
Crystalline waters, lush emerald forests, and stunning mountain views make Lake Tahoe a gorgeous site for any traveler, especially one weary of the desert-like areas surrounding the lake. As the largest Alpine lake in North America and the second-deepest in the United States, Lake Tahoe has plenty of space for lakeside cities which in turn have a great reputation for entertainment and hospitality.
The 70 miles of shoreline on Lake Tahoe are split between two states:
California and Nevada. As you’re thinking about a move to the Lake Tahoe area, you’ll want to carefully consider those two options so that you can pick the state and city that are right for you and your family.
An Overview of the California Side of Lake Tahoe
The California side of Lake Tahoe is incredibly peaceful, designed primarily to provide great vacation opportunities. You’ll find all kinds of ski resorts, restaurants, and downtown shopping in Tahoe City and the surrounding countryside.
There is much to do
The waters in California are beautiful and a bit more accessible from the hotels than they are in Nevada. California has tons of hotels and restaurants and a more outdoorsy scene with lots of options for water sports as well as hiking, biking, walking, etc.
An Overview of the Nevada Side of Lake Tahoe
The Nevada side of Lake Tahoe has plenty of benefits. It’s near the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, so if you’re flying in to Lake Tahoe you’ll be a bit closer to the Nevada side. Plus, Nevada is full of casinos, so you’ll find tons of great options if you enjoy a little gambling and partying.
The chain restaurants and upscale casinos and resorts make the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe a dream if you enjoy the nightlife. You can also engage in adrenaline-pumping activities like a helicopter ride over the lake from the Nevada side.
Real Estate and Living Costs
California vs. Nevada
There is a pretty significant difference between real estate and living costs from California to Nevada.
However, which is better is pretty subjective and depends upon what your goals are in purchasing a home.
- There is no income tax in Nevada, though there is in California.
- Property taxes in Nevada vary significantly depending upon which county you live in, but is usually about .84% of the home sale price.
- California’s property tax is usually about .74% of the sale price of the home, though it varies by county.
- Nevada’s property tax usually includes several “special taxes” like sewer and water.
Home prices also differ significantly depending on which city you want to settle in.
South Tahoe City, perhaps the most popular Lake Tahoe destination on the California side, has a median home price of $617,500. The median home price in Truckee, California, is $944,500 and the median home price in Kings Beach is $763,200.
On the Nevada side, you’ll find that home prices are often a bit higher. For example, in Incline Village, the median home price is $1,262,700. Zephyr Cove, the median price of a house is $1,014,600. In Genoa, the median home price is $981,900.
In the end, California homes are cheaper, but Nevada often provides lower taxes for residents.
If you’re going to purchase a second home or vacation home in the area, you may want to purchase in Nevada if you want to retire in the home and live in a city with no income tax. However, your home price is likely to be a lot higher at the outset and property taxes may be higher as well.
According to some estimates, the average cost of living on the California side of Lake Tahoe is approximately 30% to 50% higher than in other areas of the U.S., while the cost of living on the Nevada side ranges between 60% and 80% higher.
It is ultimately probably a bit cheaper to settle down in California than in Nevada, depending on your goals and what kind of money you can afford to spend on taxes.
School and Entertainment In California vs. Nevada
If you’re thinking about raising a family on Lake Tahoe, it’s worth considering the options available for school and entertainment.
California Schools
In California, some of the most popular cities include South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Kings Beach, Olympic Valley, and Tahoe City.
- South Lake Tahoe has average schools, with South Tahoe High and Sierra House Elementary ranking 5 out of 10 for quality.
- Truckee has some higher-rated schools, including Sierra Expeditionary Learning School, Alder Creek Middle School, Glenshire Elementary, and Tahoe Truckee High.
- Kings Beach has only one elementary school which is only rated a 3 out of 10 on greatschools.org.
- Olympic Valley consists of several private schools which are not ranked on greatschools.org.
- Tahoe City contains average schools, with some of the higher-rated including North Tahoe High, North Tahoe School, and Tahoe Lake Elementary.
California Entertainment
When it comes to entertainment, California has a wide range of activities for anyone interested in the area.
South Lake Tahoe is a popular spot if you like skiing, community events, and tourist attractions.
This city is heavily geared towards tourists as one of the most popular Lake Tahoe destinations. Concerts, art fairs, farmers markets, and more make up the entertainment opportunities in Lake Tahoe. You’ll also find tons of restaurants to try if you love good and unique food.
Tahoe City is a true mountain town.
It’s full of incredibly breathtaking views and lots of opportunities for skiing, water sports, lake cruises, and hiking and biking. Golf, movies, beach concerts, and more provide fun entertainment for any taste.
Truckee is a unique city with a historic “Old West” vibe and tons of fun entertainment options.
Rodeos, street fairs, historic homes, and loads of restaurants make Truckee a truly enjoyable experience. It also borders NorthStar, a ski town that provides more modern shops.
Kings Beach is a true beach town.
It offers lots of delicious restaurants, great views of the lake, and a historic feel pulsing from its many older hotels, restaurants, and shops. Water sports and hiking trails dominate Kings Beach’s entertainment scene.
Olympic Valley is just a small part of the larger area of Palisades Tahoe, formerly Squaw Valley.
Skiing is the main attraction in this area, but you’ll find there are also tons of hiking trails, music events, disc golf courses, and much more to provide entertainment throughout the warmer months.
If you’re in search of an outdoor paradise, California is the side you want to end on. So many opportunities exist for skiing, biking, hiking, swimming, and water sports! Plus, you’ll find that the restaurants and shops in California’s cities are full of delectable food and lots of fun knick-knacks for you to enjoy.
Nevada Schools
Some of the main cities on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe include Incline Village, Genoa, Zephyr Cove, and Stateline.
- Schools in Incline Village
- include a high school, middle school, and elementary school. All are rated an average 5 out of 10 on greatschools.org.
- Genoa is a small historic town without any schools within its borders. Nearby schools in Minden, about 10 minutes away, include Pinon Hills Elementary, Douglas County High, and Minden Elementary, which are rated average or slightly above average.
- Zephyr Cove is home to a few small, average schools such as Zephyr Cove Elementary and George Whittell High.
- Stateline is a small community consisting primarily of private schools such as Bright Beginnings and other Pre-K options.
Nevada Entertainment
While there is still plenty to enjoy outdoors, Nevada’s side of Lake Tahoe is a bit more indoor-focused.
Incline Village is an entertainment lover’s paradise.
You can enjoy typical beach activities, an 18-hole disc golf course, a great skate park, and mountain biking trails galore. Plus, in town, you’ll find all kinds of highly-rated spas, casinos, novelty shops, and upscale restaurants.
Genoa is the oldest town
It is located in Nevada, founded back in the mid-19th century by Mormon pioneers. Today, it retains that old-town vibe with museums, historic inns, and age-old dining opportunities. You can also stop by a hot springs or hike around the foothills if you want a bigger taste of nature nearby.
Zephyr Cove is a small community in Douglas County right on the shore of the Lake.
It’s filled with fun events, from cruises to snowmobile tours. It’s also the site of historic sites, hiking trails, a hot springs, and even an ancient Scandinavian-built castle. Delectable restaurants, water activities, and a beautiful marina make Zephyr Cove a great place to play.
Stateline is probably the most popular site on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.
On the border of California at the southeastern shore of the lake, Stateline is home to four casino resorts, a golf course, and the Kingsbury Grade highway for easy access to all amenities. For a true taste of the Nevada party scene, Stateline is the place to be.
Ultimately, if you enjoy a bit of a party scene but still want to enjoy the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe, the Nevada side is definitely the right choice.
California or Nevada?
Now you know a bit more about California and Nevada and how they sit along the shores of Lake Tahoe.
Ultimately, it will be up to you to decide which side of the lake is right for you.
Whether you want a full-time home or just a vacation spot, there are plenty of options in both states.
Just make sure that you consider carefully some of the issues that come with living near a lake. For example, you want to be sure that there are good snow removal services near your home, especially if you have a commute to get to work.
You also want to consider how much time you have to play outdoors. Is this something you’ll be doing daily? Or will you only get to get out and play a few times a year?
If the latter, you may want to stick with a vacation home near Lake Tahoe instead.
Whatever you decide, don’t hesitate to connect with me for help. Let’s find the best place on Lake Tahoe’s shore that fits you and our family. I can smooth over any issues and answer any questions you may have about living on the California or Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.
I am only licenses in California, but I have plenty of friends working in Nevada to whom I can refer you. So, if you’re interested in settling with a home or vacation house on Lake Tahoe, reach out to me today! Warren
To Move or Not to Move
If Lake Tahoe is not right for you then, consider the other cities located in and around the Greater Sacramento Area.
To learn more read my top eight cities in Greater Sacramento area. Or, just go directly to my pros and cons for each city below:
- El Dorado Hills
- Citrus Heights
- Granite Bay
- Rocklin
- Folsom
- Lincoln
- Roseville
- Rancho Cordova
- Auburn
- Elk Grove
- Placerville
- Cameron Park
- Lake Tahoe
If you have any questions about real estate in the Tri-Valley area or the Greater Sacramento area, be sure and reach out to me.
I’d be delighted to help you find the best home for you and your family!
Tri-Valley Area
My real estate spans from the East Bay (Tri-Valley) to the Greater Sacramento area.
If you would like to know more about the Tri-Valley area, please read: “Everything you need to know about the Tri-Valley area”
To better understand what each city has to offer, I have created a Pros and Cons videos and articles for each Tri-Valley Area:
To get my TOP PICKS for properties in the Tri-Valley area, please see below:
🏚️Get Warren’s Top Tri-Valley Homes under $$$ click the links below:🏠
- 🏡PLEASANTON ($1.4M)
- 🏡LIVERMORE ($800,000)
- 🏡DUBLIN ($1.2)
- 🏡SAN RAMON ($1.3)
- 🏡DANVILLE($1.4)
- 🏡ALAMO ($2M)
If you are thinking about purchasing or selling a home, please reach out to me by text, phone, or email.
If it is convenient, I can schedule a Zoom chat so we can discuss your home goals. Wishing you all the best on your home journey. Cheers!
eXp Realty
(925) 980-4603
DRE # 01861944
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