Stagecoach offers space to roam or ride horses
Stagecoach is a small community along U.S. Route 50, known by some as America’s loneliest road. Desert scenery and mountains stretch for miles in every direction, and residents rely on neighboring communities for most amenities. “Stagecoach attracts people who want a rural lifestyle — people who like riding four-wheelers and horses or stargazing at night,” says Vida Keller, the president and broker of Priceless Realty, Inc. and a long-time resident of neighboring Silver Springs. “It has a lower price point than Reno, Tahoe or Vegas and there are bigger properties where kids can grow up and roam.”
Ranch-style houses, manufactured homes and land
Most of the existing homes are ranch-style or manufactured houses, and some include attached RV garages. Listings generally range between $350,000 and $540,000. The median lot size is just over an acre, but buyers may find parcels with more than 50 acres of land. “People are looking for wide open spaces,” Keller says.Homes located closest to Route 50 are often hooked up to community water service, but some owners maintain their own wells and a few properties come without water rights. Stagecoach has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, compared to 4 nationally.
Exploring the desert or visiting area parks
Though the nearby mountains and rustic desert landscape offer miles of open space for hiking and exploring, there are also some parks in the area. Pioneer Park has a shaded picnic area and a playground. People can also drive about 12 miles east to access the Lahontan Reservoir and the Lahontan State Recreation Area. The reservoir and its nearly 70 miles of shoreline provide opportunities for waterskiing, hunting and horseback riding. “It has all these coves that are great for fishing and swimming,” Keller says. The reservoir is fed by the Carson River, which has traces of mercury from 1800s silver mining operations, so catch-and-release fishing is recommended.
Events at the Stagecoach Community Center
The Stagecoach Community Center, located just south of U.S. Route 50, serves as a gathering space for weekly bingo nights and monthly advisory board meetings. The center also hosts seasonal events, including Easter egg hunts and Halloween trunk-or-treat gatherings.
Attending schools in Silver Springs
Stagecoach children attend school in nearby Silver Springs. Silver Stage Elementary School earns a C on Niche, Silver Stage Middle School gets a C-plus and Silver Stage High School receives a B. An on-campus Boys & Girls Club offers before- and after-school programs for kindergarten through 12th-grade students.
Groceries and restaurants in Dayton and Silver Springs
The Stagecoach County Market carries some fresh produce, milk and frozen foods, but most residents stock up on groceries in Dayton, about 15 miles southwest. Dayton has both a Smith’s and a Grocery Outlet. In Carson City, around 30 miles away, there are big-box chains, like Costco Wholesale and Walmart Supercenter. The closest restaurants are in Silver Springs and Dayton — Good Time Charlie's offers classic American diner fare, and 4 Corners Coffee & More specializes in coffee drinks, pastries and sandwiches.
Travel options from Stagecoach
Many locals own horses or all-terrain vehicles for exploring the desert landscape, but cars are essential for most travel. U.S. Route 50 passes through the community, connecting drivers to Carson City, where there are employment opportunities and the Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. State Route 439, or USA Parkway, begins a few miles east of Stagecoach. The road was developed to serve the many data centers and industries within the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, and some residents use it to travel to and from jobs at the center.
Area considerations
The region is prone to poor air quality, especially during the hot, dry summers. Stagecoach has a desert climate with minimal rainfall, and Keller says, “It gets cold in the winter—we get some snow, but not as much as in the mountains.”
