Been meaning to ask this. I'm a teacher here and With a population of 269K, Reno is a mid-size city. Median household income is $78,448, which feels about average for the area. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
22 upvotes
26 Replies
Brielle Ruiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Gerald L.
+1
38 upvotes
Violet Martinez
great question, following
37 upvotes
omahavibes2022
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 8 years. Moved from New York for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Limited entertainment options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Noah Roberts
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely average and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
36 upvotes
Jordan A.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Mediterranean places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
33 upvotes
Sofia Howard
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
32 upvotes
Elena Foster
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Claire Jackson
Totally agree!
32 upvotes
Skylar Rodriguez
facts
32 upvotes
Anna Bailey
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
31 upvotes
Ezra Price
I've lived in North for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The outdoor recreation scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Emma T.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
29 upvotes
Lydia Chavez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Aaliyah Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 15 years. Moved from Portland for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Can feel isolated. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Claire Hill
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely decent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (West) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
19 upvotes
Dominic C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 52, moved here 3 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Cedar Grove and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Houston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
17 upvotes
Samuel Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 46, moved here 9 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Downtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Austin, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
16 upvotes
Addison Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
phoenix_nora
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community vibe is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Gianna Alvarez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from Chicago for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Grayson Wood
as a local I can confirm
10 upvotes
Evelyn Richardson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Chicago about 3 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Carter Watson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Aaron Mitchell
I've lived in Uptown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
- The community vibe scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Cooper Thomas
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The housing market is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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