It’s not about the gambling. Yes, there is gambling, but that’s a sideshow, 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.

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.

Elements of Reno in the plus column include no state income tax, Triple A Ball (Reno Aces), and Lake Tahoe, which 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. In the negative column, 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. 

We highly recommend visiting Reno and staying in the community in a [**VRBO**](vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [**partnership with Expedia**](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.


LookyLOO Review 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, and 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/). 


Lifestyle

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.

Tech

Why You Should Move Here Now?

olive1010
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I grew up in the bay area, came to Reno in 2016 for college and ended up staying after graduation. I love it here. I love the mountains and all the outdoor activities. Most people here are super friendly (especially compared to all the stuck up people in the bay). It can feel a bit isolating at times if you are used to being able to drive for miles and miles and always be in a large city, but it’s a nice change. The thing I miss the most is the greenery. Sometimes all the brown and dirt here makes me sad, I get excited whenever I see grass 😂. I also do miss the year round nice weather but honestly I think I prefer to experience all the seasons, though summer can be a bit too hot for me. Rush hour traffic sucks so if you have to go in office for work, try to find a place nearby. It takes me almost 25 minutes in the morning to travel 6 miles down Vista blvd to get to work (but I guess any major city has rush hour traffic, I’m just impatient lol). I’m a huge foodie and I think there are quite a few solid restaurants, but of course not as many options as you would have in CA. My parents just moved here a few months ago for retirement and they are really loving it.

For more reviews of what living in Reno is like from locals check out: [The Reviews](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/reno/reviews)


Hi's & Lo's

Reviews of Reno from Locals

**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.

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 Liberatarian 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?** 

No state income tax, Triple A Ball and Lake Tahoe is 45 minutes away. Also, If you’re sick of tortuous walk of shoeless shame through airport security, you might feel the Reno-Tahoe International Airport is the happiest place on earth. 

**The Worst Thing About Reno?** 

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. 

**How You Living?** 

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 crimey 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.

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

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.



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


Young Professionals

Midtown

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


LGBTQ+

Old Southwest Reno

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


Families

Damonte Ranch

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)


Retirees

South Meadows

Reno

**jwaters1978**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

This is such a difficult thing to answer without knowing your hobbies/interests and what you do and do not like about where you are coming from.

Reno isn’t for everyone, but for some it’s a good place to call home. These people typically value things like seasons, sunshine, plentiful hiking and kayaking spots, and easy access to Lake Tahoe.

I personally got sick of the high cost of living, poor planning (downtown Reno being sold off to a single developer and torn down one parcel at a time, unmitigated sprawl, poor transit, lack of tree planting and green spaces - downtown Sparks being a glaring example), and the increase in wildfire smoke in the summer the past decade or so.

I will always have a soft spot for Reno, but I’m personally glad I moved. It used to be a great place to live because you could afford a decent quality of life on an average salary, but those days are long gone. Sadly that’s not at all unique to Reno.

**stunghud**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

well, I grew up in the bay area, moved here for about 5 years, thought i missed San Francisco went back for 2 more and quickly realized that was a very bad idea. When i realized what i wanted was a house and a yard - something that would never happened there, i moved back. Bought a house here & now my kitchen + entrance hall is about the same size as my entire old place was. I was paying twice in rent in san francisco as i now pay for my mortgage. Its not a fancy place , but i also get three beds., a garage, a front and back yards, a fountain w a waterfall, and enough space to plant all the fruit trees id want to have and can still fit in a "forest" garden! Even if i lived in a neighborhood with a sky high murder rate could i have had that in the bay area. I dont think my experience is unusual as this house was not too dissimilar from all the other places i saw. food and gas USED to be cheaper, after covid everything caught up. tho recently, i went to buy cream - IN THE MISSION -and shocked that they want $8 a pint, so reno's still a little better. I'll also say that the taxes i save vs. what i pay in calif literally can pay my mortgage. do the math before you move. For me reno really added up.

**wxprogno**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

I moved here 36 years ago thinking I’d only stay for a year and then move on to advance my career, but decided to make my home here after being here for a short while. I’ve never regretted the decision. Your love of the outdoors is a perfect combination for our area. High desert, plus the mountains and Lake Tahoe are right on your back door. I can certainly understand wanting to get out of California.

olive1010
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I grew up in the bay area, came to Reno in 2016 for college and ended up staying after graduation. I love it here. I love the mountains and all the outdoor activities. Most people here are super friendly (especially compared to all the stuck up people in the bay). It can feel a bit isolating at times if you are used to being able to drive for miles and miles and always be in a large city, but it’s a nice change. The thing I miss the most is the greenery. Sometimes all the brown and dirt here makes me sad, I get excited whenever I see grass 😂. I also do miss the year round nice weather but honestly I think I prefer to experience all the seasons, though summer can be a bit too hot for me. Rush hour traffic sucks so if you have to go in office for work, try to find a place nearby. It takes me almost 25 minutes in the morning to travel 6 miles down Vista blvd to get to work (but I guess any major city has rush hour traffic, I’m just impatient lol). I’m a huge foodie and I think there are quite a few solid restaurants, but of course not as many options as you would have in CA. My parents just moved here a few months ago for retirement and they are really loving it.

Reno, Nevada

The Biggest Little City

Looklyloo Score: 86