Military Relocation · Reno & Sparks
PCS to Reno, NV: Your Military Relocation Guide
Short-notice orders are a fact of military life. A move to Reno can be one of the smooth ones: no state income tax, four seasons, Lake Tahoe 45 minutes away, and a realtor who has served. Here’s how to do it right.
Military in Northern Nevada
Bases and resources near Reno
Reno-Tahoe Airport
Reno Air National Guard Base
Home of the Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing. South Reno, Sparks and the Double R corridor are easy commutes.
About 1 hour east
NAS Fallon
Home of NAWDC and TOPGUN. See the NAS Fallon housing guide for Fallon, Fernley and Reno options.
Veterans
Reno VA Medical Center
The Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center in central Reno serves veterans across Northern Nevada and eastern California.
Where to Live
Best Reno neighborhoods for military families
The areas I recommend most often, and who each one fits.
South Reno · Family favorite
Damonte Ranch & South Meadows
Master-planned neighborhoods with newer homes, parks, and some of the most in-demand schools in Washoe County. Easy access to I-580, shopping and the Mt. Rose Highway to Lake Tahoe.
North Sparks · Military favorite
Spanish Springs
Quiet, family-friendly subdivisions with newer builds and good value. The best Reno-area launch point for families with a member commuting to NAS Fallon.
Best value per square foot
Sparks (Wingfield Springs, Kiley Ranch)
Close to I-80 with golf course communities, the Sparks Marina and a revitalized downtown. Stretches a VA budget further than South Reno.
Space and views
Northwest Reno
Established streets, larger lots and quick access to trails and the University of Nevada. A great fit for outdoor lovers and remote workers.
Affordable · newer homes
Fernley
About 30 minutes east of Sparks on I-80 with newer construction and lower prices. A popular compromise for dual-duty or Reno/Fallon households.
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PCS Timeline
Your PCS to Reno checklist
As soon as you get orders
- Call a Reno military realtor. The earlier we talk, the more I can line up before you arrive: neighborhoods, search alerts and a shortlist.
- Get VA pre-approved and pull your Certificate of Eligibility. See the VA loan guide.
- Look up your BAH for your Reno duty location with the DoD BAH calculator and set a comfortable payment target.
- Selling your current home? Get a pricing plan now, or I’ll refer you to a vetted agent at your current duty station.
30 to 60 days out
- Rank your priorities: commute, schools, lot size, garage space, HOA or no HOA.
- Start live video tours. I’ll walk homes with you on FaceTime and tell you what the listing photos don’t.
- Check school zones. Washoe County School District zoning varies street by street.
House-hunting trip (or fully remote)
- One focused day: drive your top neighborhoods, walk your top homes, and write an offer the same day if it’s the one.
- Can’t travel? Remote purchases work. Many clients first see their home in person on move-in day.
Under contract to closing
- Home inspection in the first week, and the VA appraisal ordered by your lender.
- Close with a mobile notary at your current duty station if you’re not here yet.
After you arrive
- Nevada DMV: new residents generally register vehicles within 30 days (active duty members may keep home-of-record registration).
- Enroll kids with Washoe County School District.
- Set up NV Energy and water service, and file any Washoe County veteran property tax exemption you qualify for.
PCSing Out?
Leaving Reno? I’ve got you covered there too.
I’ll price and sell your Northern Nevada home, even after you’ve left, and personally connect you with a vetted agent at your next duty station through the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World network.
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PCS FAQ
Moving to Reno on orders
What military installations are near Reno?
Reno is home to the Reno Air National Guard Base and the Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, plus Nevada Army National Guard units. Naval Air Station Fallon is about an hour east, and the Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center serves veterans in Reno.
What are the best neighborhoods in Reno for military families?
Damonte Ranch and South Meadows are popular for newer homes and schools, Spanish Springs for value and a shorter drive toward Fallon, Sparks for price per square foot, and Northwest Reno for space. The right choice depends on your duty location, commute, school priorities and BAH.
Does Nevada have a state income tax?
No. Nevada has no state income tax, which benefits military retirees, spouses working in Nevada and anyone relocating from a high-tax state.
Should I rent first or buy right away when I PCS to Reno?
Both work. Buying with a VA loan and $0 down lets you build equity and often keep the home as a rental after your next PCS. Renting for a few months lets you learn the city first. Alex will compare the numbers for your situation.
How long does it take to buy a home in Reno?
Most VA and conventional purchases close in 30 to 45 days once under contract. With pre-approval done early and video tours, many PCS buyers go under contract within their first week of searching.
Got orders? Let’s build your plan.
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