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Old 09-18-2017, 11:33 PM
 
Location: Reno, Nv
46 posts, read 111,718 times
Reputation: 58

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Giving a 5.5 out of 10 is being overly generous. I grew up in this armpit of the west, and can't wait until I can get out of here. Reno has gone through booms, and busts, and seems to be a little *less* whenever it comes out of a bust. More abandoned buildings, that will be for sale for years, and more homeless, because people seem to get trapped here, and can't get out before it's too late.

Public schools are crap, and always have been. I was in the system from 1980-1990, and from what I've noticed with my 11 year old son, is that NOTHING has changed really. Classrooms are overcrowded, and understaffed. No real policies on bullying, and when a child does fight back, they are the ones who get reprimanded.

Rent is absolutely outrageous citywide, because all the landlords started price gouging when Tesla announced they were setting up shop.

Food is *meh* honestly, there is nothing really outstanding, or unforgettable as far as I'm concerned. Sure we have some places that we like to go, but I haven't really had anything that was that memorable.

Healthcare is absolutely horrible. If you are sick, come here to die then. My wife has had many stays in the 3 hospitals in the area, and 2 of which tried killing her many times. These so called "professionals" were trying to give her foods that she had allergies to. One that she was in, gave her insulin shots 2 hours after meals (doctors orders were to have them before meals), left her for hours on end in her own filth. The incompetent nurse used a latex catheter, when she has a severe allergy to latex, so my wife ended up with a burn in her urethra. Not to mention, dropping wheelchair bound people during transfers.

We only really have 2 seasons here. For the most part, there is only winter and summer.

Shopping is alright. 2 shopping malls in town, and neither one have any real stand out shops that I've noticed.

In general people are friendly. There is a mixture of crazy conservative red neck, to crazy liberals, and mostly the people who are right in between (moderate libertarian). I call these the people who really don't care.

There really isn't much to do for kids around here either. There is a water park in town that charges way too much, because that's the only one in town. Circus Circus has a Midway arcade, and there are a few playgrounds.

Lake Tahoe is about the only bright spot of the area, although not in Reno, it is included in the *go there while your visiting Reno* list. Virginia City is another one of those tourist trap locations.

It is kinda cool that there is random artwork from Burning man in some odd places.

The Truckee river is another bright spot, giving nature loving people something to look at in city limits. Just outside city limits there is sagebrush for miles in every direction.

Wages are somewhere in between decent, to crap. No real job security unless your in healthcare, or food industry. People always have to eat, and they will always be sick.

I am only here because my wifes health was going downhill fast, and we had to make a quick decision. If I had to go back and do this again, I would have dealt with what I could in Washington, or Oregon.

For the sake of your sanity, avoid moving here if you can. I have regretted moving here just about every day for 2 years now.
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Old 09-19-2017, 02:23 AM
 
Location: NNV
3,433 posts, read 3,686,526 times
Reputation: 6732
Quote:
Originally Posted by MDCB View Post
Not sure why we got distracted and talking about Portland, but I do disagree with some of your points:

1 and 2 = personal preference and I know many who would prefer it up here including me. Columbia Gorge isn't quite Portland but point taken
3 = more people want to live (more so than Reno) and do live here so the RE prices are higher
4 = what infrastructure is poor? relative to the general US, PDX is doing fine
5 = if we compare population and traffic I think Portland would come ahead. Some? mass transit -- try a tram, street car, light rail, buses, car2go, reachnow, etc etc
6 = state income tax is higher (9% vs 0%) but there is no sales tax
7 = relative and subjective
8 = the homeless population is def an issue for downtown Portland. Agree with this one

Again, this is a Reno forum and likely should focus on Reno. You can comment on my Portland review thread if you wanted to discuss further.

Having said all of the above, there are lots of merits as you pointed out such as lower COL, lower RE costs, hotter weather, less water that may all be a plus point for some moving to Reno!
In a very roundabout way, I guess I was disagreeing with your assessment of putting Portland (8.8) so much higher than Reno (5.5) and listing why.

Regarding the comment regarding "infrastructure", I think Portland and Reno are similar, other than mass transit. Reno is too small to have mass transit. Portland has equally poor roads compared to Reno. My "poor" comment is in relation to most of Southern California. The roads here seem to be in better shape.

I haven't had any problem with traffic in Reno. I completely disagree with your assessment of traffic in Portland. I'd be the first to admit Reno is far from perfect but it seems the plan is to diversify to minimize the boom/bust roller coaster.

Last edited by Vic Romano; 09-19-2017 at 02:38 AM..
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Old 09-19-2017, 12:29 PM
 
2,611 posts, read 2,850,217 times
Reputation: 2228
Quote:
Originally Posted by RenoViking View Post
Giving a 5.5 out of 10 is being overly generous. I grew up in this armpit of the west, and can't wait until I can get out of here. Reno has gone through booms, and busts, and seems to be a little *less* whenever it comes out of a bust. More abandoned buildings, that will be for sale for years, and more homeless, because people seem to get trapped here, and can't get out before it's too late.

Public schools are crap, and always have been. I was in the system from 1980-1990, and from what I've noticed with my 11 year old son, is that NOTHING has changed really. Classrooms are overcrowded, and understaffed. No real policies on bullying, and when a child does fight back, they are the ones who get reprimanded.

Rent is absolutely outrageous citywide, because all the landlords started price gouging when Tesla announced they were setting up shop.

Food is *meh* honestly, there is nothing really outstanding, or unforgettable as far as I'm concerned. Sure we have some places that we like to go, but I haven't really had anything that was that memorable.

Healthcare is absolutely horrible. If you are sick, come here to die then. My wife has had many stays in the 3 hospitals in the area, and 2 of which tried killing her many times. These so called "professionals" were trying to give her foods that she had allergies to. One that she was in, gave her insulin shots 2 hours after meals (doctors orders were to have them before meals), left her for hours on end in her own filth. The incompetent nurse used a latex catheter, when she has a severe allergy to latex, so my wife ended up with a burn in her urethra. Not to mention, dropping wheelchair bound people during transfers.

We only really have 2 seasons here. For the most part, there is only winter and summer.

Shopping is alright. 2 shopping malls in town, and neither one have any real stand out shops that I've noticed.

In general people are friendly. There is a mixture of crazy conservative red neck, to crazy liberals, and mostly the people who are right in between (moderate libertarian). I call these the people who really don't care.

There really isn't much to do for kids around here either. There is a water park in town that charges way too much, because that's the only one in town. Circus Circus has a Midway arcade, and there are a few playgrounds.

Lake Tahoe is about the only bright spot of the area, although not in Reno, it is included in the *go there while your visiting Reno* list. Virginia City is another one of those tourist trap locations.

It is kinda cool that there is random artwork from Burning man in some odd places.

The Truckee river is another bright spot, giving nature loving people something to look at in city limits. Just outside city limits there is sagebrush for miles in every direction.

Wages are somewhere in between decent, to crap. No real job security unless your in healthcare, or food industry. People always have to eat, and they will always be sick.

I am only here because my wifes health was going downhill fast, and we had to make a quick decision. If I had to go back and do this again, I would have dealt with what I could in Washington, or Oregon.

For the sake of your sanity, avoid moving here if you can. I have regretted moving here just about every day for 2 years now.
No, public school is not crap. Part of your kid's success is how you raise his/her. Don't blame school for everything.

Children of poor immigrants attend the worst school in the country can succeed because their parents value education and know that was their key to escape poverty. They make sure their children do better than them.
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Old 09-19-2017, 03:40 PM
 
Location: Reno, Nv
46 posts, read 111,718 times
Reputation: 58
I beg to differ, and many, many other people agree with me. This article is from the Reno Gazette newspaper from last year. I can't imagine it went up too much just from last year. We had such a horrible experience 2 years ago, we had to put him into a charter school, to keep from getting bullied, and a little bit mite personal attention paid. Anyway, here is the article, enjoy.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.rgj.com/amp/86191940
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Old 09-21-2017, 08:48 AM
 
Location: Camarillo
932 posts, read 2,335,989 times
Reputation: 987
Quote:
Originally Posted by RenoViking View Post

For the sake of your sanity, avoid moving here if you can. I have regretted moving here just about every day for 2 years now.
Just so every potential newcomer to Reno isn't scared off by your post, know that some of us enjoy living here. A lot.

My situation is much different from yours, since I'm retired, my kids are grown and on their own and I own my house. Maybe I would feel as you do if I were in your shoes. But people considering moving here should know that for some people, Reno is a perfect fit.
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Old 09-22-2017, 11:44 AM
 
Location: Reno, Nv
46 posts, read 111,718 times
Reputation: 58
Quote:
Originally Posted by owelles View Post
Just so every potential newcomer to Reno isn't scared off by your post, know that some of us enjoy living here. A lot.

My situation is much different from yours, since I'm retired, my kids are grown and on their own and I own my house. Maybe I would feel as you do if I were in your shoes. But people considering moving here should know that for some people, Reno is a perfect fit.
You are right, my attitude would probably be a little better if my situation was different. If my situation was different though, I definitely would not be here.

I'm sorry, but being raised here, and not liking the area as a child, it's no surprise that I really don't like the area now as a middle aged adult.

If the high desert, mediocre healthcare, overpriced property, crappy roads, and one of the worst public education systems in the country is your thing, then fantastic, enjoy your life here. Not mine, and I knew that a long time ago. I will just be brutally honest to people wanting to move here, and not sugar coat anything.
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Old 09-22-2017, 11:49 AM
RFF
 
Location: Sparks, NV
165 posts, read 300,562 times
Reputation: 149
It really comes down to YMMV. Born and raised here. I'm a product of the school system here and thought we had a good education. Now I've been to private school and public school here. It didn't help that both my parents beat it into our heads that School First / Career / Then kids (I'm traumatized). Meh I guess it worked since I'm doing alright.


We bought a house based on where the schools were not overcrowded (Jesse Hall Elementary) which is near capacity and the scores were decent. We communicate with our older child and we are commited to making sure he does good in school. I couldn't afford a home west of Virginia St in South Reno (Very desirable schools (Elizabeth Lenz, Hunsburger)). I wasn't even looking into Damonte Ranch , etc even though they have new homes but overcrowded schools.


I used to hang out downtown as a teenager right before and after the Mapes hotel was demolished. Things have changed, more bums sleeping down by the river and more hidden camps along it. More bars and restaurants though. The food scene here is still a few years delayed than other areas but it is slowly coming to it's own.




I'm glad people are visiting and getting a feel for this area. There are better places to live based upon what you're looking for.
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Old 09-22-2017, 02:35 PM
 
2,611 posts, read 2,850,217 times
Reputation: 2228
Quote:
Originally Posted by RFF View Post
It really comes down to YMMV. Born and raised here. I'm a product of the school system here and thought we had a good education. Now I've been to private school and public school here. It didn't help that both my parents beat it into our heads that School First / Career / Then kids (I'm traumatized). Meh I guess it worked since I'm doing alright.


We bought a house based on where the schools were not overcrowded (Jesse Hall Elementary) which is near capacity and the scores were decent. We communicate with our older child and we are commited to making sure he does good in school. I couldn't afford a home west of Virginia St in South Reno (Very desirable schools (Elizabeth Lenz, Hunsburger)). I wasn't even looking into Damonte Ranch , etc even though they have new homes but overcrowded schools.


I used to hang out downtown as a teenager right before and after the Mapes hotel was demolished. Things have changed, more bums sleeping down by the river and more hidden camps along it. More bars and restaurants though. The food scene here is still a few years delayed than other areas but it is slowly coming to it's own.




I'm glad people are visiting and getting a feel for this area. There are better places to live based upon what you're looking for.
Agreed!

There are better places and worse places. There are more expensive and cheaper places to live.

People have to decide what they are looking for and what Reno can provide.

About school, IMHO, I would not hesitate to move here if I can afford decent neighborhood. If I have to live in the worst neighborhood with worst school, may be not.

Don't believe in the ranking entirely. It is for the entire state and probably not reflect the particular school you are looking for. Furthermore, depend on what criteria they use, the rank can be widely different. The low funding and the crowding do hurt Nevada ranking.
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Old 02-25-2018, 08:22 PM
 
1 posts, read 1,999 times
Reputation: 15
Reno...where dreams come to die...and so do the poor. Evil best describes it.
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Old 02-25-2018, 09:58 PM
 
1,002 posts, read 1,952,255 times
Reputation: 1716
Moved here 30+ years ago. What I like about Reno...

4 seasons, but not brutal. Seriously, dry heat makes all the difference and the amount of snow we get most winters is nothing yet just enough to appreciate it. Close enough to the mountains to go skiing in less than 30 minutes. Winter days are mostly sunny and bright...I say this as we are just coming out of the February fog and gloom. Looking forward to Spring, working in my garden, taking the dogs for longer walks, Food Truck Fridays.

It's small but close to Sacramento and San Francisco for those times I feel the need, having come from a large city. Small enough to know people once you have been here a while, small enough to get from one end of town to the other in 30 minutes or less, small enough to not make reservations to eat out, small enough that you can show up one hour before a flight or arrive with carry on and be out in may car in 10 minutes.

Close to Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, San Francisco. I don't shop much (mostly online if I need something) so I don't care about the malls here. But I enjoy Sprouts, Trader Joes, Winco, and a few small retailers. If I need Ikea or a big box department store I head to Sacramento. Cultural opportunity is plenty for me. The philharmonic, Nightingale Hall, movies on the quad, Artown, Art Museum...always something interesting.

There is always something to do here. Snow sports in winter and water sports in summer. Every month seems to have an event...Hot August Nights, Octoberfest, balloon races, international air races, Italian Fest, Greek Fest,...so many things our family looks forward to every year.

There is enough of a food scene here for milder foodies. But you have to work hard to find most of them. Food Truck Fridays are good way to find what you like in town and then see if they have a brick and mortar restaurant. We have found most of our favorites by word of mouth since things are pretty spread out, not all in a downtown area. But Midtown is definitely fun for foodies. We avoid franchised restaurants most of the time, I want something different, local. We enjoy good Thai, Greek, brew pubs, bakeries, coffee houses, patio dining.

Healthcare is fine for the size of Reno. There are enough specialists in most fields though there seems to be a lot of the good docs retiring and a bit of difficulty filling their spots. Anything serious (stage 3+ cancer, major cardiac, burns) will get referred to a COE like UCSF, Stanford, or Davis. For those on Medicare (I'm not) they can go anywhere that Medicare is accepted so get on a plane and go to Mayo or the Cleveland Clinic for serious things. But for the usual family care, orthopedic, cardiac, ENT, and dental there are plenty of good choices here.

The downside...

Jobs are tough here. If you come in as a teacher, healthcare worker, warehouse, call center worker you will have no problems finding a job. However, most companies do not provide good benefits or a wage comparable to the COL in the area. I don't know any 20-something who could afford their own apartment on the average wages. Benefits are pathetic but I'm starting to think it's not just a Reno thing. It's hard to work your way up here as most companies promote a lot on nepotism.

Schools are at the bottom of the barrel and the average adult who was schooled here reflects the poor education. If I hear "I seen it" one more time I'm going to vomit. Most of the people I work with are extremely undereducated and don't know it. Many of them have never been outside of Reno, never travelled, been on a plane. Truly, you can argue that LV schools drag the state average down, but NV as a whole is always last or next to last in national rankings. Look at your kids' Iowa tests against the national norm, not against the state norm. Kids are missing out on a lot here. Almost every school is overcrowded and underfunded, the physical plants are getting really old in most areas. UNR is a good opportunity for undergrads that can take advantage of the Millenium Scholarship. But there is almost nothing going on with partnerships or other opportunities for employment after graduation. The medical school, nursing school, and engineering departments are awesome. Otherwise, you might want to keep looking. The recruiting fairs are a joke. You will not get recruited to any company that is not headquartered in NV from UNR so you will have to work really hard to find your first job.

Housing is extremely overpriced for the wages here. Tesla may spout off about their fantastic wages but they are averaging a bunch of well-paid engineers (who are coming in as temps with no intention of staying past their contracts) against the low paid rank and file. Call centers and warehousing start at $10-12/hour and you will be lucky to top out at $20. Anything past that is hard to find.

Back to housing...we are in desperate need of affordable housing but all the building going on is at the high end. Tons of apartments going in for $1200 - $1600/ month for a one bedroom with tons of amenities that they know most of their residents will never have the time to use. Lots of home in the $400k and up range that are tough for the younger crowd to crack into housing with. It's no wonder that young people choose to live at home or 4 of them are sharing a 2 bedroom apartment and all working shift work. Most of the large parcels are gone now and the new housing is being crammed in cheek to jowl on tiny lots.

I've travelled a lot and have yet to find a place I would rather live than Reno. There are places I enjoy as much but they all have detractors that take them out of the running. I'm not going back to Midwest winters, don't want to live in a perpetual summer, don't like humidity, not interested in a long commute. Reno has just enough for me.
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