Sparks, Nevada is a bustling and growing city located in the Truckee Meadows between Carson and the Virginia Mountain Ranges about 337 miles north of Las Vegas. Sparks shares the stunning valley on the eastern slope of the Sierra Mountains with the vibrant city of Reno. Sparks is the fifth largest city in the state and has a population of 78,500 residents.

Just minutes from world-famous Lake Tahoe, the Reno-Sparks community is surrounded by natural splendor and unlimited recreational opportunities. The Reno-Sparks-Lake Tahoe region has over 18 world-class ski resorts, many just a short 45-minutes from downtown, and 40-plus golf courses. The area also boasts 60 gaming locations, the National Bowling Stadium, the National Automobile Museum, Rancho San Rafael Park's Arboretum and Wilbur D. May Great Basin Adventure, the historic boomtown of Virginia City, and world-class fishing, hiking, biking and numerous other outdoor activities.

Sparks has a strong downtown business core with many businesses and services. In addition, as part of the Reno-Sparks-Lake Tahoe region, residents benefit from a healthy and vibrant economy and have enormous job opportunities. Not only is this region one of the fastest growing areas in America, but it is also filled with a powerful spirit of entrepreneurship and individualism. In fact, Nevada was recently voted the best small business state in the country by the Washington-based Small Business Survival Committee. Accordingly, a study by Business Facilities Magazine and Business Development Outlook also ranked Nevada number one for start-up businesses. The median household income in Sparks is $50,250 a year.

The housing market in the Sparks area is also strong. There are many neighborhoods featuring different types of architecture from the old, charming historical houses to modern high tech styles within a wide range of prices. Whether you are searching for a home in a private golf community, town home, single-family home or ranch property, the area can serve your needs. The median price for a single-family home is quite affordable at $375,000.

Parks and Recreation system in Sparks is outstanding and designed to attract the young and old alike with numerous neighborhood parks, regional sports facilities and an unusually large number of fun and exciting recreation programs for all ages. Residents are thrilled over the latest addition to Sparks' list of parks, the Sparks Marina Lake Park. It is 80 acres of water surrounded by swimming, boating, fishing, scuba diving and picnicking facilities, with breath-taking views of the nearby mountains. Few other cities in the country can offer such an amenity to its residents and visitors.

Sparks is widely known as the leading special events and festival venue for all of northern Nevada with attractions at the downtown Victorian Square. These events bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city each year. "The Big Easy" is a festival filled with the taste, sounds and sights of Louisiana featuring some of life's most pleasurable pursuits - food, music, dance, parades and shopping. "The Sparks Hometowne Farmer's Market" features more than 100 vendors offering fresh picked produce, breads, pastries and gourmet foods. Cooking demonstrations, live entertainment and unique items for home and garden are also highlighted. "Arts in Bloom" captures the joy of spring and the colorful works of talented artists. "Sample the Arts" is THE premier event that includes a fine art show and sale highlighting diverse artwork, culinary arts and live music. "Hot Summer Nights" is all about hot nights, hot rods, and fabulous tunes all offered in the heart of downtown at Victorian Square. "The Best In The West Nugget Rib Cook-off" is a world-class event featuring barbecue ribs at their best along with special concerts, an arts and crafts fair and plenty of family fun. The annual "Hometowne Christmas" is a celebration showcasing a colorful holiday parade, family entertainment, photos with Santa, and a spectacular tree lighting ceremony. This is a true Nevada tradition to warm the winter.

The Washoe County School District serves nearly 52,000 students. Within the district, 3,296 certified teachers work in 58 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, 13 high schools and 2 special-needs schools. The school system expense per student is $4,668. The average teacher/student ratio is 22.5:1 in the elementary grades with a 16:1 ratio in first and second grades and 26.2:1 in the secondary grades. Regional Technical Institute provides alternative classes to high school students including electronics, computer aided design, business systems, advanced child development, printing and graphics, precision machining, horticulture and landscaping, building trades, fashion merchandising and culinary arts. For higher education studies there is the University of Nevada Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College.

Sparks is an exciting and outstanding place to live, work, retire or raise a family! With fine schools, affordable housing and a strong and vibrant business environment, this makes an incredible relocation choice. If you are considering moving here, or would like more information, please feel free to request a "free relocation package" today!