Comments on Ely, NV
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7/30/2009
I have homes in Ely and nearby towns and would not recommend it to anyone who likes city life, access to shopping, nice weather and a plethora of jobs to choose from. I've lived here 7 years. It's a good town for people who like to hunt, four-wheel or ride ATV quads. The terrain is rolling hills and craggy mountains and is very picturesque. It is high desert with sagebrush and shaggy bark juniper. Two nice nearby lakes are Cave Lake and Cummins for trout. You pay at Cave Lake. It has vile weather in the winter with high winds throughout the year. With the wind chill factor it can get to 40 below. Last winter, not even figuring in the wind chill, for about 7 days in a row it was -23.6, and that's typical for winters here. It usually snows from December to May, with odd winter storms rolling in as late as July, which kills most of your plants. The cold seems to hit October 31st. They started metering outside water in McGill and Ruth, which are nearby towns and to water your lawn will cost about $100 per month. One bill I got was $169, so I stopped watering and planting my very large yard. We expect Ely to go to metering outdoor water also. During the summer you are allowed to water every other day. The summers get rather hot at 80 to 90 and are usually dry and dusty. This summer we've had more rain than usual and so it's the best summer I've had in 7 years here. The main employers are government based. You could probably find a job otherwise as a mechanic, waitress or retail store clerk, but they do not pay enough to support a decent lifestyle if you are on your own, as the price of groceries and gas are higher than any other town I've lived in (6). Rents are high and housing is remaining pretty costly despite the recession. There is one main grocery store and 5 or so gas stations. The only hospital charges rural rates for care and so you get ridiculously exorbitant bills. Our last life flight to Las Vegas cost $17,000. My one and only bill for a physical at the hospital clinic (where all the doctors are at as there are no independent practioners) was $1,200 with nothing special or unusual being medically provided. Now we go to Salt Lake for all medical care.
Lenny | Ruth, NV