Overall a great city

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5/26/2011
I’ve lived here with my wife and son for 6 years and still sometimes feel like I’m on vacation. We moved from the San Fernando Valley in California after living there 5 years.
Climate: Reno has a great climate most of the time. The locals have a saying, “if you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes”. Since Reno is considered a “high desert” conditions can change quickly, and temperatures in the same day can vary by up to 40 degrees. Humidity all year long is in the single digits. Summer days are hot and sunny…usually around 90 from late June to early September with a week or 2 around 100. Temps fall to the upper 50’s at night. There’s a very short spring and fall with all of the rain for the year happening during the spring. After the end of May you won’t see another drop of rain (or clouds for that matter) until the end of September. Winter usually starts by mid-November and ends by mid-April, with temps ranging from mid-20’s to mid-30’s. The snow melts quickly most of the time except for the 2 or 3 times it falls 8-12 inches. Every few years a 2-3 foot dump will hit. Keep in mind that snow means snowboarding (or skiing) in Tahoe, and no snow means…you get it. Probably the biggest drawback here is the wind. It’s pretty constant and can get quite gusty (you’ll need cast iron lawn furniture). Another drawback is that there’s little greenery (it’s very brown).
Economy: Currently hurting. Things were booming back in 2006 up until housing crashed followed by the overall economy. Two of the larger industries, construction and casino/hotels, were hit hardest. Unemployment is still a few percent above the national average. There’s a high foreclosure rate, and a lot of vacant store space. Hopefully when the housing market works out the excess the economy will pick up.
Crime: It’s probably lower than a typical city of this size, but it depends on what part of town you’re in. I live in the NW where crime is almost nonexistent. The SW is also very nice. Once you get east of Virginia St. (which runs N/S down the middle) it’s hit or miss. Downtown Reno, where all the casinos and night life is, is dirtier than it should be, but overall not much different than most big cities (downtown L.A. had endless miles of filth).
Activities: Awesome. Lake Tahoe is about 30 minutes away with some of the country’s best ski resorts, and a beautiful lake to swim and beach in the summer. There are big city events most of the year including Hot August Nights (about 5,000 classic cars), Street Vibrations (Harley hog heaven), BBQ Rib Cook-Off, Art Festivals, Brews Brothers (microbrew festival), hot air balloon races, Reno Rodeo, Burning Man (if you’re into that kind of thing), and various others. Also lots of golfing, hiking and biking trails, off-roading, fishing (California is just over the border), great shows (famous bands and comics) in nice casino venues that are easy to book (no major stadium hassle), also an awesome semi-pro baseball team and new stadium.
Paul | Reno, NV