NW vs. NE Reno? (Sparks, Sun Valley: apartments, new house, neighborhood)

[librarygoddess]

My family's moving to Reno in the summer, and we're thinking of purchasing a plot for a new home in the Sienna Ridge development, which is off of Socrates. Being close to UNR is key for us, and Sienna Ridge seems to be a family-friendly place with houses that are reasonably priced. But I have heard that since it falls a smidge east of Virginia St., it isn't as desirable a neighborhood as the northwest areas just a few blocks away. I'd be moving from New York, so I don't really have any feel as for how important this should be in my decision making. Again, I've heard that Hug high school has its problems, but my son will be attending private school, so that's not really an issue. But will it hinder me if/when I resell the property? If anyone lives in or knows of the area, I'd truly appreciate your input.

[greatbasinguide]

NE Reno is the Ghetto. NW Reno is the modern area. Hug High School has more than its share of problems. McQueen is a top ranked high school. The area you are looking at Sienna Ridge is new, based on what I know about it, it has nothing to recommend it aside from perhaps price.

Have you explored the Somersett website? Reno and Sparks have a problem with the older homes. Most of the growth is occuring outside of the old central areas, which means there is a certain amount of "rot" in the older areas. To find a nice neighborhood may mean the outskirts, like Wingfield Springs or Somersett.

[librarygoddess]

Thanks for your imput. Unfortunately, Wingfield Spring (or anywhere in Sparks) isn't an option because of the traffic in/out or Reno. I sat forever on Pyramid on Monday, trying to get into town. And while Somersett is lovely, I can't really afford to pay for a golf course that I'll never use. The only reason I was considering Sienna Ridge was because it is so close to UNR. When you say NE is a ghetto, what do you mean? Here in NY the ghetto areas are truly run down with abandoned buildings, etc. I didn't really see any of that off of Socrates, it just looked like a residential neighborhood. Maybe not as fancy as Somersett, but not run down. I can't believe that I wasn't able to pick up on what a bad neighborhood it was. I was hoping that since it is just one block east of Virginia it would still be a viable place for me and my son. Again, he would be attending private school on the UNR campus, not Hug, so I need to be within a couple of miles of campus. Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks for everything?

[greatbasinguide]

The Sienna Ridge area is not ghetto, it has nothing particularly lovely about it. The view north, if there is one (I don't know which house you would be in) is a view of the county jail and several scrapmetal yards, the freeway lies to the east and the railroad tracks to the west.

If you were to live in Wingfield Springs, your commute to UNR should be over to Sun Valley Blvd to Clear Acre to North McCarran to North Virgina, avoiding Pyramid.

I suggest Somersett only because it has topography and good views, I myself don't play golf, but again neither would I live in a town. My reccomendation to you would be Red Rock. But, you may prefer town.

My wife was a librarian at Hug High, Hug has major problems, ethnically related.

The old Northwest Reno, lies to the south of McCarran like South Central Los Angeles does not have the appearance of a classic east coast ghetto. It has apartments and modest single family homes. It is though, not comfortable for people whose ethnic make up differs, Gangs are real, although they are not interested in you. Most people from the dominant ethnic group would not be comfortable in the area, given a choice. I have taught school in Hug High feeder schools and have a pretty good feel for the community.

The new houses in Reno are mostly in the NW and South, Double Diamond, Arrowcreek etc., that area doesn't appeal to me because of the aircraft noise. If I had to live "down the hill" I would live in Palomino Valley, Red Rock or Virginia Highlands.

[ShellzBellz]

Well, compared to New York (which I have been) you cant call NE Ghetto.. Ghetto is anywhere off Wells. Yes there are areas here and there off Valley that are not so pleasant, But nothing threatening. I live in Highland Ranch (within Sun Valley) moved there from the NW off Mae Anne, and I have to say- there where more issues in that area than I have here. Sommersett is VERY Nice but VERY expensive, South Reno is Great, Galena HS is a wonderful school. What private school are you looking into? Sienna Ridge wont offer the famous Reno City Lights, but it is quiet and you get a great view of the Balloon Races in Sept. & close to UNR.