Let’s Talk About the Not-So-Perfect Side of Dayton

Dayton Valley Road and views of the Carson River

Because no place is truly perfect—right?

I absolutely love living in Dayton and most of my clients feel the same once they settle in. But I also think it’s important to share both the highlights and the quirks, so you know what to expect when considering a move here.

Limited Local Shopping

Dayton is growing, but it’s still a smaller, rural town—and that means shopping options are a bit limited. Smith’s and Grocery Outlet are our two main grocery stores, with a few dollar stores sprinkled in. For larger runs or specialty items, most residents head into Carson (about 25 minutes away) or make a day trip to Reno. You’ll quickly find that Amazon becomes your best friend, and we joke that a “Reno run” is just part of life every few weeks.

Commuting Is Part of the Routine

Living out here means embracing the drive. Whether you’re commuting for work, school activities, or date nights, plan for 25–45 minutes depending on your destination. The tradeoff? You come home to open skies, quiet nights, and a slower pace of life that makes the extra drive feel worth it.

We’re Still Waiting on More for the Kids

This one’s personal for me. I served on the Dayton Parks Board in 2024 and advocated for more kid-friendly amenities—things like a splash pad or expanded rec options. While we’ve had great conversations, there hasn’t been much movement from the county just yet. That said, the community here is passionate, and I believe with enough momentum, we’ll keep pushing to bring more for our families.

Dayton isn’t about convenience—it’s about quality of life.
It’s about choosing calm over chaos, open space over packed neighborhoods, and real connection over rushing around.

So yes, we plan our shopping. We drive a bit more. But we also sit under starry skies, know our neighbors, and raise our kids in a place that still feels like home.