Best areas of Reno/Sparks to live in? (Spanish Springs, Fernley: sales, apartment complexes)

[BlueStar]

I am relocating to Reno from Washington, DC for a short-term position (10 to 18 months). I am looking to rent a studio or one bedroom apartment, preferably furnished (ideally, spending no more than $1000/month, not including utilities). Other than visiting once, I know little to nothing about the Reno area. Any thoughts or suggestions on good areas/neighborhoods to live in? Areas to avoid? Know of any places that offer furnished apartments? Any insight would be appreciated.

[renoguy]

What part of town will you be working in? Believe it or not parts of Reno/Sparks are really starting to experience long commute times especially during bad weather or if there is a wreck.

I did a search at apartments.com and clicked furnished. There were several choices. All were nice. If you have a question about any of them in particular let me know.

[BlueStar]

Unfortunately, almost all of the ones that claim they are furnished are actually not. They just pass out brochures for CORT furniture rental (which I used when I was doing a short-term position in Vegas and strongly disliked). I was hoping to find some kind of corporate-type apartments that don't require a CEO salary to afford.

I don't actually know the exact location of where I will be working as it will likely be up to me to find office space.

How is the area around UNR? How about the condos in downtown Reno? Any particular areas or apartment complexes to avoid?

In the searching I've done, it seems like the nicer/newer apartments are primarily in Sparks. How bad is the commute from Sparks to Reno?

I'm basically going to have to take a place sight unseen. I'm afraid if I wait until I get to Reno to rent a place that there won't be anything immediately available. I would need to be in an apartment no later than May 1st and the earliest I can get out to Reno is April 25th.

[BlueStar]

I've been looking at sites with reviews for apartments in the area and I have yet to find one with a decent review. I understand that most people who leave a review of a place are going to be those who dislike it, but still... I'm a little scared now. Any suggestions for decent apartment complexes would be appreciated.

[renoguy]

I would call some of the places listed at apartments.com and see what sort of availability they have.

The rental agents are sales agents and you can negotiate with them. I'd try to get a deal. Free month or low deposit with good credit that sort of thing.

As for the commute. Reno and Sparks are pretty much one big city. Think drive across town. It all depends on where your office is. I think the advantage to renting is you can be more selective about the location. The difference in rent isn't as dramatic as if you were trying to buy into an area. Some of the older apartment complexes in Southwest Reno are kept very well. I lived in a really nice place when I was younger on Ridgeview near Lakeridge Golf Course. I remember it being quiet and it had a washer dryer in it.

[runmitchell]

Reno is one of those cities that is alot worse of than people realize.

I have a good perspective of the town, I did external furniture collections as a career for a while. Seen the worst of the worst, had weapons pulled on me on more than 5 occasions.

Dont live anywhere near sutro and oddie.. especially wedekind or any streets off of there.

Avoid parts of virginia, especially the apartment clusters between the alantis and the pepermill (lakeview, robinhood etc.)

Anything off Neil Rd is ghetto.

Anything north of oddie in sparks, Avoid. The area by el rancho drive in is a notorious high drug area. Any of the letter streets.

Gangs all over sun valley and getting worse.


stay far south or west.
west mccarren and 7th is good, just dont go too far east of that.
anything in the skyline/manzanitia area is top dollar

[renoguy]

Runmitchell is spot on.

[akm4]

Great post, runmitchell. Good advice. Don't let if freak you out, though. There are lots of nicer places too, just avoid those mentioned!

I hear there are some complexes out near Galena that are nice, and office space too. You may luck out with virtually no commute.

Good luck!

[2sleepy]

My son looked for 2 months for a decent apt. in Reno - the problem is that alot of the newer complexes have income limitations which are just stupid since the upper income limit is so low it would make it quite difficult to pay the rent. He moved to Fernley and is very happy there.

[ncarpenter]

Park Vista in Sparks is nice-- rent will run you about $955.00 which is low for the area. however it is close to freeway-- about a 12-20 minute commute to downtown...also their are alot of houses in Spanish Springs that are for rent. In Iron Stone you can rent a house for $1150.00 Brand new 2,000 sq ft. homes. Nice....Great Deal...Call Reno Propeties and ask for Danielle...