Might move to Reno soon, would like advice on neighborhoods/apartments (Sparks: rent, condo)

[Hedgehog23]

I may be getting a job offer this week to work at the Reno VA Medical Center. I'm a male in my mid-30's (single/no kids) and love to go out to restaurants and bars/clubs, and I also like to run every day for exercise. I enjoy living in areas that are generally considered walkable.

Having said that, which areas of Reno are considered to be safe, walkable upscale areas for people who like to be "out and about" on a daily basis (e.g., within walking distance of running paths, restaurants, bars/clubs, grocery stores, etc.)?

From the research I've done so far, it sounds like Midtown is a popular area to live for people who want to be "in the middle of it all," so to speak (although I understand that Reno as a whole isn't considered to be a particularly walkable city). There are also a few apartment buildings in the downtown area that are advertised as luxury/upscale, but from what I've read, it sounds like it might not be the safest area to live in.

As an aside -- on the topic of safety, I actually used to live in Boise from late 2020 - early 2022, so I understand that very few cities are going to be as atypically safe as Boise. However, I can say for sure that I know from my time in Boise that I love the high desert climate, even during the summer (am originally from the southeast, so dry anything -- hot or cold -- beats the humidity), especially as someone who loves to run outside most days of the week.

In terms of living arrangements, I'd be living in an 1-BR apartment. My budget range is fairly high ($2500 - $3000/month, could possibly go a bit higher for somewhere really nice).

Having said all that, what neighborhoods/areas of the city would you recommend I look into?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/recommendations and happy holidays!

[DAXhound]

Here is a map of an area with a TJ and a WF. Close to the airport..

[Teacher Terry]

I live in Reno and property crime has always been high. I’ve never worried about personal safety. I have never felt unsafe walking around downtown but I’ve never done it alone as a woman at night. I have been here 26 years and love it. Downtown and midtown are places that meet most of your criteria.

I don’t think you will be walking distance to a regular grocery store. Downtown has a small market but I don’t think you could do all your shopping there. You really need a car in Reno. The climate is one of my favorite things and there’s a lot to do here. There’s running paths in Idlewild Park which is huge and close to downtown.

[MrWillys]

There's a trail that runs along the Truckee River from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. It's not 100% complete yet but I'm sure you can find enough of it for a daily run. Stay close to the river and West of town would be best from what you've written. Good luck and hope you love living here as much as we do.

[ChrisMT]

South Reno has many stores and developed trails, newer apartments and upscale amenities.

I do know one person who lived midtown and they said it was not particularly safe, although as an older male he didn't get mugged, so there's that
It can be a bit seedy. The general scenery would be bars, graffiti and parking lots rather than high desert, mountains or river.....

There are also some older apartments that are nice near Reno High and the river that used to be a great place to live, big trees and pretty landscaping...not sure if this is still the case?

Definitely check out South Reno, as in more southern than the Neil Road area...the newer developments like Double Diamond or Caughlin Ranch on the west side.

[Devushka]

I moved to Reno about 2 years ago, but I'm retired. The main attractions of downtown Reno are the bars and restaurants close to the Truckee River, in my opinion, but if you live in the northern part of midtown, that part of downtown is within easy walking distance, and the trail that runs along the river is also easily accessible from that part of midtown. Although there aren't any major grocery stores in downtown Reno or the northern part of midtown, there is a food co-op just south of the river where many residents seem to do a lot of their grocery shopping (if you don't mind paying a premium for organic produce and other specialty food items). My favorite bakery, Perenn, also has a location in midtown, and they have pretty decent bread.
There are several apartment/condo towers in downtown Reno, but I lived in a high-rise residential building before moving to Reno and wanted to get away from that, and in my opinion, downtown Reno isn't ready for prime time yet. I can walk downtown from where I live in 45 minutes (I live west of the downtown area), and I like living in proximity to downtown, but I wouldn't want to live there, especially since without a major grocery store, there isn't any advantage to living there in terms of shopping convenience. So I would recommend midtown over downtown. I agree midtown can be a bit seedy, but based on what you wrote, I have a feeling the southern part of Reno would be too suburban for you. I prefer living closer to the downtown/midtown area, warts and all, but I don't hang around there at night. There is also a big chunk of the downtown area that is being redeveloped, called the Neon Line district for some reason, but it is far from completion and too soon to tell how it will turn out (I'm skeptical, but it would be nice if there are some new shops there). I've looked at the city data stats for Boise, and Boise is much less 'diverse' than Reno. But I understand tubing is big in Boise in the summertime, and you can do that in Reno as well. Good luck.

[Teacher Terry]

Originally Posted by Devushka

There is also a big chunk of the downtown area that is being redeveloped, called the Neon Line district for some reason, but it is far from completion and too soon to tell how it will turn out (I'm skeptical, but it would be nice if there are some new shops there). I've looked at the city data stats for Boise, and Boise is much less 'diverse' than Reno. But I understand tubing is big in Boise in the summertime, and you can do that in Reno as well. Good luck.

Devushka, the Neon light district has been a bunch of empty lots for years. Jacobs Entertainment has been buying up the old weekly motels and tearing them down. He owns both the Gold Dust West and J casino which used to be called the Sands. He has been promising to build upscale apartments and shops but has never done anything.

Another area to consider is the old Southwest near Virginia Lake. I also don’t think the new southwest is what you want because it’s much more suburban.,

[stephenMM]

The housing market in the Reno/Sparks area has exploded over the last few years, so be prepared to pay some high rent to live in the better areas. It's amazing how much things have gone up, the median selling price of a home is now over half a million dollars. Same thing happened in Denver of course. When I was in New Mexico we were seeing a lot of people that came from that area because they can't afford to live there anymore.

[Devushka]

Teacher Terry, My neighbor mentioned the Neon Line district to me, and I notice there are several multi-story structures of what appear to be low-rise (about 4 stories) apartment buildings going up between Keystone and the downtown area on or around Third St. I just assumed this new construction is part of the Neon Line district, but perhaps I am mistaken. It doesn't look all that attractive to me, but the same goes for most of the new apartment buildings I've seen go up. They all have a cookie cutter look, as if the same architect designed them all. With regard to the area around Virginia Lake, I was originally targeting that part of Reno the first time I visited to check the city out, but once I saw the Truckee River, I changed my mind.

[SkyLark2019]

You'll love it.

Reno is the sort of city that you need to really "run towards" trouble to find it.......

That being said, lock your vehicle and house up.