260,258
Population
Sunny Days: 252
49100 Affordability
85100 Schools
54100 Diversity
74100 Safety
I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die. - Johnny Cash, The Very Best of Johnny Cash
Reno, Nevada
The Biggest Little City
The Good, the Bad and The Ugly
It’s not about the gambling. Yes, there is gambling but that’s a side show, it’s really about The Sierras. Nestled against the Sierra Nevada, Reno is situated at 4500 feet above sea level with easy access to skiing. Also, a river runs through it -- The Truckee River at its center with kayaking, a Riverwalk District and tons of local events. Reno is notorious for its high desert topography featuring epic vistas from trails and hiking spots throughout the city, the foothills and the Sierra Nevada range. You’ll experience rain, snow, sun, hurricane-like winds, hail and even thunder and lightning, sometimes within minutes -- the weather in Reno is referred to as ‘bipolar’ but sunny cold is common in the winter.
https://heregoesgabbi.com/lifestyle-blog/pros-and-cons-of-living-in-reno-nevada/
Renovations include the historic downtown post office with its art deco styling as a hip, new multifunction marketplace/retail/office space and the Freight House District (northeast of downtown.) Reno is home to the Minor League Reno Aces, tons of breweries and several destinations for after-hours fun. Reno is also a gateway to Burning Man, so there’s that vibe and it’s pretty Libertarian overall -- guns, recreational weed and gambling.
On the serious side, UNR (a doctoral university) is best known for its science, engineering and medical programs, including earthquake science and biotechnology. Both students at UNR and potential employers mutually benefit from a “pipeline” relationship, by which recent grads often get jobs in Reno and stay in the area.
The Best Thing About Reno?
Aces!
No state income tax, Triple A Ball (Reno Aces) and Lake Tahoe is 45 minutes away. Also, If you’re sick of the tortuous walk of shoeless shame through airport security, you might feel the Reno-Tahoe International Airport is the happiest place on earth.
Here's a review of Reno from a local and someone who recently returned:
I recently moved back to Reno after being in the military for six years. A lot has changed with housing, transportation and quality of life. It seems busier than I remember. I live in West Reno, where it's quiet but not too far away from UNR or even TMCC. The things that make me stay are the outdoor activities. The area has a seemingly unending amount of things to do like hiking, kayaking, fishing, swimming, floating, hunting, boating, skiing/boarding in the winter and early spring. It's a cool place to live. Good luck with your move and Welcome!
For more reviews of what living in Reno is like from locals check out: The Buzz
The Worst Thing About Reno?
Hi's & Lo's
K-12 schools are not great but housing can be pricey and costs are still going up as Millennials and Tech workers make the move. Nevertheless, the local economy can suffer unstable highs and lows.
Here's a review from a local with the Pros and Cons of living in Reno: Pros: proximity to everything you can do outside- hiking, snowboarding, boating. The area is beautiful imo. Sunshine like 400 days a year. People are kind. Easy to get around. I’m excited about the continuing new growth. Easy to get to areas like Sac or SF for a day of you want without having to live there. Cons: housing is way more expensive than what it’s worth imo. The job market isn’t great. Schools aren’t great. No venues for bigger acts, and although the art scene is growing it’s not exactly thriving.
Lifestyle of Reno
Midtown is the burgeoning, buzzy neighborhood — a cool collection of foodie hotspots and eclectic shops. It’s a character-infused, walkable corridor south of Reno’s gaming core comprised of farm-to-fork restaurants, mom-and-pop shops and unique experiences. Downtown is less buzzy, still walkable but perhaps a little more crime-y and definitely more homelessness. Downtown is more active in the summer. Both have loft-inspired flats.
Most of the homes have close proximity to open space, so jackrabbits, cottontails, squirrels, even coyotes (even wild horses!) are frequent visitors to residential spaces.
If you want to see what happens in Reno check out the calendar of events: https://www.visitrenotahoe.com/events/
Why You Should Move Here Now?
Tech
Lot’s of opportunities. Tesla opened its Gigafactory, employing over 5,000 people and other large companies such as Apple, Switch, Microsoft, Intuit and Patagonia, have facilities in the Reno area, creating thousands of jobs for all different skill levels and backgrounds.
In addition to its cutting-edge tech jobs, Reno is a hub for advanced manufacturing, technology and E-Commerce. Nevada provides tax incentives for businesses to relocate and expand, thus supporting continued growth in the region.
Living in Reno
Neighborhoods in Reno
View All
Midtown
Young Professionals
The Midtown neighborhood is where a lot of the action is in Reno. Cool restaurants, bars and boutique shops make it a hotspot for the youngsters. Housing options include older renovated homes and new upscale condos/apartment buildings. You’re also in the middle of the arts district here so virtually anything you could want to do in a city during the day or night is available with a short walk.
- Midtown
Old Southwest Reno
LGBTQ+
Old Southwest Reno sits right next to downtown and is a cool mix of great housing and direct access to the Nevada Museum of ARt and the Riverwalk District. You also have a short walk to the downtown and the work and entertainment options there. Wells Avenue is another good option in the downtown area – filled with historic, locally owned businesses, cool eclectic eating options and great homes. https://queerintheworld.com/moving-to-lgbt-reno/
- Old Southwest Reno
- Wells Avenue
Damonte Ranch
Families
There are a number of great neighborhoods for families in Reno. Start your search with Damonte Ranch. It’s a master-planned community at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This means you get direct access to amazing trails and hiking for you and the kiddos. It’s also filled with parks and fitness options for family and grown-up exercise. Community events, shopping, restaurants and great schools fill out the script for what many families are looking for.
- Damonte Ranch
- McQueen
- Galena
South Meadows
Retirees
Reno, like much of Nevada, is a hugely popular spot for retirees. Consider: no taxation on social security benefits, withdrawals from retirement accounts or pensions and for empty nesters there are no state income taxes in case you’re still working. Combine that with reasonable housing prices (compared to next door California) and year-long reasonable to hot weather, and you’ve got yourself a home run location to look at.
- South Meadows (amazing Medical Center in the neighborhood)
- Old Southwest Reno (for an active social scene)