$361,081Average Value$270Average Price per Sq Ft16Homes For Sale
It all started with a railroad
At the turn of the 20th century, the Southern Pacific Railroad moved its shops and headquarters to an undeveloped area a few miles east of Reno, Nevada. A town grew up around the new headquarters, and it was named Sparks after the former governor of Nevada, John Sparks. Nearby Reno gained national notoriety as an alternative to Las Vegas as a place to gamble, but Sparks residents were happy to stay in the shadow of “The Biggest Little City in the World,” as its neighbor is known, despite being just 4 miles east. Offering residents easy access to both Interstate 80 and Highway 659, Sparks maintains its slower pace of life while also welcoming new and exciting developments. And much of that growth is occurring in the Downtown Sparks neighborhood on the city’s southern border.
The main drag of Downtown Sparks is lovely in the afternoon sun when your dog needs a walk.
The Southern Pacific Railroad still has a train in the heart of Downtown Sparks in memorial.
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Great beer and great food
“Sparks is a growing area,” says David Tully, a local Realtor with LPT Realty who has been representing transactions in the area for a decade. “Newer places are popping up there all the time, and it’s a good change of pace from Reno.” That slate of new places includes restaurants, homes and other attractions. One new business that’s making headlines in Downtown Sparks is Revision Brewing Company, whose award-winning Blonde NV was part of the reason Revision was voted the best beer destination in Nevada by USA Today. Another is the Engine 8 Urban Winery, where their private-label Battle Born Blend is a favorite of red wine drinkers from far and wide.
Downtown Sparks is also home to plenty of renowned restaurants, ranging from the iconic In-N-Out Burger to the elegantly appointed Oyster Bar at The Nugget, which has been serving up steaming bowls of their famous seafood stew to hungry patrons since 1959. Speaking of The Nugget, the casino is home to four additional restaurants, several bars and a coffee shop, as well as three live entertainment venues. “The Nugget has a cool outdoor venue, and they attract some big names,” says Tully. The casino has hosted the likes of Nelly and Flo Rida, Jason Aldean, Jay Leno and many other A-list performers. When they’re feeling lucky, Downtown Sparks residents can hit The Nugget’s casino floor, where they can choose from slots, table games, Keno and sports betting.
Great Basin Brewing is central to Downtown Sparks and always has a local crew at the bar.
The Spicy Conductor is the most ordered pizza at Engine 8 Urban Winery in Downtown Sparks.
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Outdoor fun
There are plenty of options for outdoor entertainment in the neighborhood, with several different municipal parks within the borders. The 4-acre Ardmore Park is a family favorite in the neighborhood, offering a playground, basketball court, horseshoes pit, walking trails and a picnic area with grills. Alternatively, families can cool off in the community pool at Deer Park or play on the playground. Less than 2 miles east of Downtown Sparks is Sparks Marina Park, what locals call “the marina,” where visitors will find sand volleyball courts, biking trails, picnic areas and a dog park, as well as rental establishments offering boats and stand-up paddleboards for on-the-water fun. And every Labor Day Weekend, Downtown Sparks plays host to what has been called “the Super Bowl of national rib competitions,” the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off. The event encompasses more than six blocks of the neighborhood and features the country’s best rib chefs competing for a $10,000 cash prize. “The rib cook-off is a really cool event,” says Tully. USA Today agrees with him, naming the event the Best BBQ Festival in the country.
Sparks Marina is right next door to Downtown Sparks and offers a beautiful setting to recreate.
Downtown Sparks is easy to bike through, with plenty of artistic architecture to enjoy.
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An affordable alternative to Reno
Another draw of Downtown Sparks is the affordability of the neighborhood. The median price of real estate in the neighborhood is $360,000, and the average price per square foot is $301. Both of those numbers are significantly lower than what buyers will find just a few miles west in Reno. A one-bedroom/one-bathroom condominium here can start at $172,000, and prices can go up to $460,000 for a three-bedroom/two-bathroom ranch-style home.
California Golden Poppies have taken a liking to this front yard in Downtown Sparks.
Smaller Bungalow style homes comprise a majority of residences in Downtown Sparks.
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Washoe County schools
Downtown Sparks is served by the Washoe County School District, which earns an overall rating of B-plus from Niche. Students in the neighborhood can attend Robert Mitchell Elementary, George L. Dilworth Middle and Sparks High School. Mitchell earns a B-minus from Niche and both Dilworth and Sparks High earn a C-plus. In addition to a rigorous academic curriculum, students at Sparks High School can participate in the school’s Pathful program, a virtual connection between educators, students and a network of area professionals. The program provides a platform for skills-based volunteering that enables students to grow and strengthen their connections with potential future employers. Alternatively, parents can avail themselves of several area private schools, including the nearby Sage Ridge School in Reno, which Niche rates an A-plus and names it the second best best private school in the state.
The drop-off area at Sparks High School is flooded with students in the morning and afternoon.
The drop-off area at Robert Mitchell Elementary School.
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The Super Bowl of rib cook-offs
Every Labor Day Weekend, Downtown Sparks plays host to what has been called “the Super Bowl of national rib competitions,” the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off. The event encompasses more than six blocks of the neighborhood and features the country’s best rib chefs competing for a $10,000 cash prize. “The rib cook-off is a really cool event,” says Tully. USA Today agrees with him, naming the event the Best BBQ Festival in the country.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Downtown Sparks, Sparks sell after 65 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Sparks, Sparks over the last 12 months is $319,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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