Living where people vacation is pretty special. Though, people often wonder what it’s like year-round. We’ve been asked, is it really better to live in Lake Tahoe rather than to visit? How is traffic during the holidays for locals? What’s it like eating at restaurants during the shoulder seasons of fall and spring? We are here to tell you that living in Lake Tahoe is incredible. Here’s why.
First, some info…
Lake Tahoe is a freshwater lake on the border of California and Nevada. Towns around the basin include Tahoe City, Carnelian Bay, and Kings Beach in North Lake Tahoe, Tahoma on the West Shore, South Lake Tahoe on the South Shore, and Incline Village on the East Shore on the Nevada side. Even though Truckee isn’t a town right on the lakeshore, it is still considered in the Tahoe basin. Even Reno, 40 miles away, associates itself with Lake Tahoe; the airport is called Reno/Tahoe International!
The Lake itself is the largest alpine lake in North America and the second deepest after Crater Lake in Oregon with a maximum depth of 1,645 feet. It is 22 miles long, 12 miles wide, and has 72 miles of shoreline. Tahoe is a world-renowned vacation spot, especially during the winter when visitors can ski at incredible ski resorts like Northstar, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Heavenly, Kirkwood, and so many more! In fact, there are 15 ski resorts around the Lake Tahoe basin. That’s a lot for such a small area!
Reasons why Tahoe’s the best.
1. Nature is in your backyard.
No matter where you live around the Tahoe basin, incredible outdoor activities are nearby. The best part is, there is fun to be had year-round. Lake Tahoe locals can go mountain biking and hiking in the Sierra Nevadas when there isn’t too much snow on the ground and go skiing or snowboarding when there is. In the warmer months, residents go paddleboarding, swimming, boating, and participate in other water activities in the crystal-clear waters of the beloved lake.
One of the best things about living in Tahoe is the fact that there is always something fun and active to do in nature no matter what time of day, no matter the time of year!
2. Traffic is minimal.
Besides the holidays, traffic in Tahoe is pretty minimal. While there is only a single-lane highway running around the lake and out to Truckee, the only time it really gets packed is during the summer and on big winter holidays like Christmas, New Years, and President’s Day. Or if it is snowing! But it can be tough getting anywhere in Tahoe if it’s snowing.
Though locals get frustrated with traffic when there is traffic, it is still modest compared to a big city!
3. Water is pure.
Drink Tahoe Tap! If you live in Lake Tahoe, you have seen this bumper sticker. Advertising the fact that Tahoe’s drinking water is safe and clean, the Tahoe Water Suppliers Association takes care of the local watershed!
But really, the tap water in Tahoe is some of the best in the country and arguably the world. Sourced from rainwater and snowmelt, pour yourself a glass and see for yourself!
4. It’s safe.
Tahoe is pretty safe as far as the crime rate goes. In fact, many residents only lock their cars and houses to keep hungry bears out! While South Lake Tahoe sees a higher rate than the North Shore due to greater population numbers, Lake Tahoe as a whole is pretty safe.
5. Everyone’s on Tahoe Time.
There’s a saying Tahoians live by that they run on Tahoe Time. That means that if they get to where they’re going a little late because they took a quick powder lap in the backcountry or a hike or a dip in the lake, that’s ok! If people drive a bit slower, they’re on Tahoe Time. If they take a moment to reflect on the fact that they live in such a beautiful place, people understand! It’s Tahoe Time and everyone is on it.
6. Interstate 80 keeps you connected.
There are plenty of beautiful places in the country that make good vacation spots but they can be pretty remote! The nice thing about Tahoe is that I80 runs right through Truckee providing easy access to Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area to the West and Reno to the East. That means you can get to a city when you need an urban break from the mountain lifestyle.
7. The sense of community.
Coming in close second to outdoor activities as the best thing about living in Tahoe is the sense of community. If you live in Tahoe long enough, you will start to realize everyone is connected somehow. Whether people work together or see one another on trails or their kids go to school together, people are closely connected in the Tahoe area. And even if they don’t recognize you, odds are they know someone who knows you. It’s a small town!
The nice thing about the close-knit community is that everyone is generally likeminded, kind, and willing to help out whether it is digging your car out of the snow or helping you pull your kayak out of the lake. Everyone shares in Tahoe!
Village Walk Skyline
We live, breathe, and love Lake Tahoe here at Village Walk Skyline. Though our residences are at the base of the Northstar ski resort, not directly on the lake, we consider ourselves Tahoe too! In fact, Mount Pluto, the volcano that is Northstar, actually helped create Lake Tahoe two million years ago with its lava flow. We are all connected!
When it comes to Lake Tahoe real estate, Village Walk Skyline has some unique incentives. First, the community is a stone’s throw away from the Village at Northstar which means it is close to skiing in the winter and mountain biking and hiking trails in the summer. It also means you can walk to dinner in the Village, go shopping, see a movie, get a massage, or take a yoga class.
Second, Village Walk Skyline residents will also have access to pretty great amenities such as:
- Tahoe Mountain Club membership which includes private ski valet, on-mountain dining opportunities, and equipment storage
- On-site parking
- Access to the Village Swim and Fitness Center which includes a pool, spa, and state-of-the-art workout equipment
- High Sierra views
If you’re ready to make Tahoe your home away from home, don’t wait. Out of the eight proposed homes at Village Walk Skyline, not many remain! Get on the list today.