The Biggest Little City in the World has it all: amazing mountains for skiing, fantastic casinos, nearby Lake Tahoe, the Truckee River, the University of Nevada-Reno … it offers so much, you may be considering moving there. Before you pack your ski (both snow and water) gear and head to this dynamic little city in Nevada, here are the facts about living in Reno!
Reno’s Population Is Big. It’s Size Isn’t.
Reno is small in size -- but not in population. Reno is Northern Nevada's largest city with more than 235,000 residents. Reno is a popular resort area, filled with casinos and located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is also just 22 miles north of Lake Tahoe. Because of this, and because of its easily-accessible location from major cities like San Francisco and Sacramento, tourism is a major industry.
Reno is home to more than 235,000 residents
If you move to Reno, be aware that you'll encounter tourists on a daily basis year-round. Unlike other tourist destinations, Reno is just as popular during the cold months as it is in warmer months -- there's no "off season" in Reno. If you prefer a quiet, undiscovered hideaway, Reno may not be right for you. If, on the other hand, you enjoy the fun and excitement of a resort town, Reno is ideal.
Come for the casinos. Stay for the recreation.
While Reno may be famous for its casinos, the outdoor activities are unlimited. Reno provides fast access to more ski resorts than any other place in the world -- most within 50 miles of the city. Lake Tahoe provides boating, parasailing, jet-skiing, and other water-related activities while the surrounding area offers hiking, snow tubing, snow skiing, snowshoeing, and bicycling. Lake Tahoe is the nation's second-deepest lake (behind Crater Lake in Oregon) with a depth of 1,645 feet.
You'll find more than a dozen casinos in Reno. Some of these include Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Circus Circus Casino, Eldorado Resort Casino, Peppermill Casino, and Harrah's Reno Hotel & Casino. You'll also discover plenty of pubs, bars, and breweries, so if you enjoy nightlife, you'll love living in Reno. Shoppers will appreciate Reno, especially its Riverwalk District. Located along the Truckee River, the Riverwalk District offers a collection of cafes, breweries, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and a movie theater. The Riverwalk District is considered part of Reno's Truckee River Arts District, along with CalAve (California Avenue). This trendy district contains unique shops, terrific hotspots (don't miss the Chocolate Bar), restaurants, and more.
What’s it really like to live in reno?
While Reno is obviously a great place to visit, what's it like to actually live there? After all, you can't spend all of your time skiing and playing the slot machines. Top employers in Reno include the University of Nevada-Reno, casinos and other entertainment venues, and county government, but there are a growing number of healthcare and tech-based companies moving into the region.
75 percent of residents in Reno own a pet
In addition to a beautiful setting along the river and having so much to see and do, residents of Reno enjoy an average commute time of about 15 minutes. The cost of living in Reno is almost six percent below the national average. UNR is considered one of the best universities for engineering, medicine, and business, and the Desert Outreach Institute is a world-renowned research center.
Considered very walkable and extremely pet-friendly (75 percent of residents in Reno own a pet), it's no wonder that 90 percent of downtown residents are happy with where they live, and nearly 70 percent of all Reno residents have lived in the city for more than 10 years. If you happen to be single, Wallet Hub recently included Reno in its top 10 best cities for single adults.
If you're ready to let the iconic arch welcome you to the Biggest Little City in the world, start searching for apartments in Reno -- and don't forget your skis (and your hiking, biking, swimming, snowshoeing, etc., gear).
