Reno, Nevada
What It Is Like to Retire in Reno
Reno, "The Biggest Little City in the World", is the 4th largest city in Nevada with a population of 264,165 (2020 census). It is near the slightly smaller city of Sparks in the northwest corner of Nevada. Reno came to fame in the 20th century when people from the east, particularly New Yorkers, came here to get a quickie divorce. Gambling is very important to Reno's economy, although it is no longer the gambling capital of Nevada. The larger and more successful hotel casinos include the Atlantis, the Peppermill and the Grand Sierra Resort. The nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains and deserts make this a great area for people who like the outdoors. University of Nevada-Reno and Truckee Community College make Reno a college town. It has a full supply of cultural and sporting venues. The city is home to a $1.5 million whitewater park on the Truckee River in downtown Reno - the facility attracts paddlers from all over the region. There are 18 ski areas within 2 hours. Reno is near 3 major bodies of water - Lake Tahoe, the Truckee River, and Pyramid Lake. Photo of Reno sign courtesy of Wikipedia and LVtalon (public domain). Reno skyline by Wikipedia (public domain).
Where to Retire in Reno and Home Prices
Some of the larger buildings in the downtown buildings such as the Comstock have been converted to residential use. There are many new developments here, some are for people of all ages, while others are more for active adults and 55+. The median sale price was $531,800 during the 1st quarter of 2023, according to the National Association of Realtors. Nevada is a tax paradise with no state income tax and the 49th highest tax burden. See our mini-guide to Nevada retirement.
What Is Special about Reno
Outdoor recreation is readily accessible from Reno, thanks to its desert, Lake Tahoe, and the nearby Sierra Nevadas.
What Is Not Special about Reno
Reno is very windy and dry. Thanks to overbuilding, there were a lot foreclosures and unemployed. Some people are upset about crime in Reno.
Who Will Like Retirement in Reno
People who like gambling and/or living near the mountains and lakes might like it in Reno. There are a lot of active adult communities to choose from.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Gambling, tourism, health care, and education are important to the local economy.
Climate and Physical Environment
Reno is the northwest corner of Nevada very near the city of Sparks. It sits in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada, so it only gets about 7" of rain per year. The average July high temperature is 91 and the average January low is 22. The wettest month is January (1").
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Reno has a full range of cultural institutions including museums, orchestras, galleries, the Nevada Shakespeare Company, the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, and an active library system. Reno holds several events and festivals throughout the year. They include Hot August Nights, which is a classic car convention. There are also minor league teams for most professional sports.
Crime
It is higher than the U.S. average in all categories of crime.
Medical facilities
Renown Medical Center, Saint Mary's Medical Center
Transportation
Reno has an active bus transportation system, RTC Ride. Amtrak serves Reno. The Reno/Lake Tahoe Airport provides convenient air service. Reno is about average in walkability and biking when compared to other communities.
Comments on "Reno"
Anthony says:
Enjoyed article but I would add one other BIG NEGATIVE- FIRE AND SMOKE. Of course, this is becoming a common problem in the West. The joke in Reno is there are two seasons in Reno-Winter and Fire season