--- title: Retiring in Carson City and the Carson Valley url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/retiring-in-carson-valley/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving to Reno and Sparks: the complete guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/) - Retiring in Carson City and the Carson Valley # Retiring in Carson City and the Carson Valley Gardnerville has a median age of 55.7 and Minden 49.2, and Carson City 42.4, which makes the Carson Valley the older end of Northern Nevada. Minden sees about 188 freezing nights a year against Reno's 122, and Nevada's lack of a state income tax applies in all three. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) The Carson Valley, in Douglas County south of Carson City, is where many Northern Nevada retirees settle. It has a slower pace than Reno, open ranch land, and a short drive to the lake. This page uses the Census and NOAA numbers for the towns themselves. ## The towns and who lives there In the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, Gardnerville has 5,486 people with a median age of 55.7, and Minden has 3,707 people with a median age of 49.2. Carson City is larger at 58,384 and younger at 42.4. Douglas County's population estimate rose from 49,088 in 2020 to 50,111 in 2025. Gardnerville's median household income is $62,267 and its median gross rent $1,241. Minden's income is $99,904 and its median home value $586,000. Gardnerville's median home value is $487,300. More than half of Gardnerville's homes, 54.6 percent, were built in 2000 or later, so many are single-story homes with newer systems. ## Climate in the valley The Minden station records 9.34 inches of precipitation and 21.8 inches of snow a year. The January high averages 46.6 F with a low of 19.0 F, and the July high is 91.2 F. Overnight lows reach freezing on about 188 days a year, more than in Reno, because the valley floor holds cold air. Sunshine is steady, and snow melts quickly on the valley floor. ## Taxes and costs Nevada has no individual income tax. Douglas County and Carson City each add their own portion to the 6.85 percent statewide minimum sales tax, and the Nevada Department of Taxation publishes the current rate by county. Property tax follows the same statewide cap on yearly increases that applies in Washoe County; our [property tax page](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/property-taxes/) explains the idea. ## Services and distance Gardnerville is 49.1 miles and Minden 46.9 miles from our Sparks warehouse, about an hour on I-580 and US 395. Carson City is 32.6 miles. Hospitals in Carson City and Gardnerville serve the area, and Reno is the next level of care; see [healthcare](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/healthcare/). See also [movers in Minden](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/areas/minden/) and [movers in Gardnerville](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/areas/gardnerville/). ## Moving into the valley O'Brien's moves households into Carson City and the Carson Valley as part of its regular service area. Downsizing is the usual story: sorting, packing the keepers, and storing the rest. Our [senior moving page](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/senior-moving/) describes the steps, and [vault storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/vault-storage/) starts from $40 per month. A free in-home estimate comes with 10 free heavy-duty boxes you keep. Call 775-359-6683. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024](https://data.census.gov/) - [NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals) - [Nevada Department of Taxation](https://tax.nv.gov/) ### Licensed movers U.S. DOT No. 30611 MC-109375 Nevada CPCN 1070 Cal PUC T-90973 (as published by O'Brien's) Bekins Van Lines interstate agent since 1955 [Check our USDOT record](https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=30611) · [Ready to Move? (FMCSA)](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/ReadytoMoveBrochure_2022Update.pdf) [Licenses and authority](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Carson City and the Carson Valley](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/areas/carson-city-and-carson-valley/) - [Moving to Minden and Gardnerville: new-resident guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/moving-to-minden-gardnerville/) - [Douglas County migration data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/data/carson-valley-migration/) - [Senior moves and downsizing help](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/senior-moving/) Moving to Reno guides ## Read next - [Moving to Lake Tahoe: North Shore vs South Shore](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/moving-to-lake-tahoe/) - [New Nevada resident checklist: first 30, 60, 90 days](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/new-resident-checklist/) - [Washoe County property taxes and the abatement cap](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/property-taxes/) - [Renting in Reno: what newcomers should know](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/renting-in-reno/) - [Hospitals and healthcare in Reno and Sparks](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/healthcare/) - [Reno-Tahoe International Airport and nonstop flights](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/airport-and-flights/) - [Trash, recycling and bulky pickup in Reno and Sparks](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/trash-and-recycling/) - [Moving pets to Washoe County: licensing and rules](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/moving-with-pets-to-washoe-county/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Is the Carson Valley older than Reno? Yes. Gardnerville's median age is 55.7 and Minden's 49.2, against 37.1 in Reno. ### How cold is Minden? NOAA normals show about 188 days a year with a freezing overnight low and 21.8 inches of snow. ### How far is Gardnerville from Sparks? 49.1 road miles, about 63 minutes from our warehouse. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) N Nicole B. June 25, 2025 The crew worked extremely hard and treated our belongings with care. Customer service was outstanding leading up to, during, and after move. Thank you! C Charles C. May 31, 2025 Great company, I'd highly recommend for any move!!! ### Owner's reply Charles, It was a pleasure working with you on your moves. We hope your trip is amazing and if you ever come back our way, we will be happy to help. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to complete this review on our behalf. N Nadine K. May 15, 2025 The guys were very friendly and hard working. Would definitely use them again! ### Owner's reply Nadine, We are pleased you chose us for your move, it was a pleasure working with you! We are extremely happy the move was a success. ## Get a long-distance estimate Tell us where you are going. The estimate for a long-distance move starts with a survey of your Reno-area home. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070