Breakdown of areas in Reno (Sparks, Carson City: apartments, for rent, low crime)

[leisenming]

Hi,

Thinking of moving to Reno with family. We want to visit it for a few days before we do so.

Would love to hear a breakdown of areas, something along the lines of - the western part of Reno is ..., eastern... downtown and so on.


Things that we are looking for: low crime, decent school (daughter will start kg), avoid casinos, friendliness to minorities (indian + chinese couple with mixed daughter), activities such as arts, rents.

We are looking to rent with a budget between 1000-1300 $ per month.

When we visit for a few days, what parts should we definitely visit, where are the suitable apartments?

Thanks

[brickpatio2018]

There are several ways to see this on excellent maps, such as the following...

- Schooldigger.com shows where the best public schools are located.
- Bestneighborhood.org shows income levels, politics, race, and many other topics.
- Crime grade.org shows crime.

The results are consistent. The best areas are:
- far northwest along Somersett Parkway;
- west along McCarran Blvd;
- far south along Veterans Highway and Mt. Rose Highway;
- far northeast in Sparks along Pyramid Way.

Also, the neighborhood just west of the University of Nevada along Keystone Avenue ranks fairly well and maybe has more diversity due to proximity to the university.

The most dangerous areas are immediately south of downtown, especially on the east side of South Virginia St and immediately northeast of downtown along Oddie Blvd and Prater Way.

You can see all this for yourself on these maps. Locals would have to fill you in on the nuances.

[nowhereman427]

Main places are Reno, Carson City, Dayton, Fernley and Fallon. There are a few small towns like Stagecoach up to Winnamucca in between. Maybe someplace just outside of the Carson City limits depending on exactly what you are looking for?

[Teacher Terry]

Rents have skyrocketed so your budget will only get you a one bedroom apartment. The overall cost of living has risen quite a bit.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by Teacher Terry

Rents have skyrocketed so your budget will only get you a one bedroom apartment. The overall cost of living has risen quite a bit.

Everywhere has gone up. We will pay more for everything from food to fuel.

[Teacher Terry]

They have a child and I would guess would like a 2 bedroom apartment and it’s more than they want to pay. I have friends in other places where the COL is much less.

[ChrisMT]

Originally Posted by brickpatio2018

There are several ways to see this on excellent maps, such as the following...

- Schooldigger.com shows where the best public schools are located.
- Bestneighborhood.org shows income levels, politics, race, and many other topics.
- Crime grade.org shows crime.

The results are consistent. The best areas are:
- far northwest along Somersett Parkway;
- west along McCarran Blvd;
- far south along Veterans Highway and Mt. Rose Highway;
- far northeast in Sparks along Pyramid Way.

Also, the neighborhood just west of the University of Nevada along Keystone Avenue ranks fairly well and maybe has more diversity due to proximity to the university.

The most dangerous areas are immediately south of downtown, especially on the east side of South Virginia St and immediately northeast of downtown along Oddie Blvd and Prater Way.

You can see all this for yourself on these maps. Locals would have to fill you in on the nuances.

I’m putting in some zip codes on the websites you mentioned above and finding big misconceptions.

For instance a very safe neighborhood with high value homes rates poorly because a Walmart shares the zip. So the poor rating is based on shoplifting at Walmart a few miles away. A neighborhood that I would not recommend or feel safe in is rated average. The rent stats are way off, it’s much more expensive than indicated. A few blocks can make all the difference and zip codes do not reflect this. Also, a bunch of simple assaults between addiction lifestyle people can make the stats look scary, but it’s a risk between them for the most part in my city.

They are a basic resource that can create a very rough draft, but don’t rely on them exclusively.

You need information from local sources.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by ChrisMT

I’m putting in some zip codes on the websites you mentioned above and finding big misconceptions.

For instance a very safe neighborhood with high value homes rates poorly because a Walmart shares the zip. So the poor rating is based on shoplifting at Walmart a few miles away. A neighborhood that I would not recommend or feel safe in is rated average. The rent stats are way off, it’s much more expensive than indicated. A few blocks can make all the difference and zip codes do not reflect this. Also, a bunch of simple assaults between addiction lifestyle people can make the stats look scary, but it’s a risk between them for the most part in my city.

They are a basic resource that can create a very rough draft, but don’t rely on them exclusively.

You need information from local sources.

Walley world attracts crime and weirdos.

[leisenming]

Thanks all for the input. I will follow up.


As for rents increasing - where I am now, Fremont CA, rents are dropping. So, the incentive to move away from HCOL places is dropping a decent bit.

[TravelerUSA45]

Good areas (broadly defined): Southwest Reno (89509, 89519, 89511); Northwest Reno (89523, some parts of 89503) - the West side is the best side (North or South).

The questionable areas: The East side is a mixed bag, but mainly poorer/higher crime - Southeast and Northeast (I would avoid 89512, some parts of 89502 and some parts of 89503)

North Valley's is a mixed bag, but overall it is a poorer area (89506/89508), there are some decent area's, it is not all bad. Avoid Sun Valley for sure (89433).

Then there is Sparks. Avoid old Sparks (89431, some parts of 89434). The good Sparks areas are North and East (89436, 89441 and some parts of 89434)

For renting a 2 bedroom in a decent area your budget should start around $1,500 to $1,600.