Reno snatches Spot #9 on the list of Best Places to Live in the U.S. 2022-2023 – Quality of Life according rankings recently published by US News & World Report.

Reno, “The Biggest Little City in the World” located in Northern Nevada scored a formidable 7.2 to take a spot in the top 10 beating other nationally recognized names such as San Diego CA (#12), Boise ID (#17), and Miami FL (#22).  Reno’s score was similar to other major names like Boston MA (7.2), Naples FL (7.4), and Madison WI (7.3).

The list was topped by #3 San Jose CA with 7.6 score, #2 Boulder CO with 7.7 score, and #1 Ann Arbor MI with a whopping 8.0 score.

Reno’s marks in other areas like desirability and job market did not fare as well weighing the city of Reno down to spot 77 (out of 150) in the overall rankings of Best Places to Live by the same publication.

What Sets Reno Apart: Outdoors, Fine Restaurants, Arts, College Life, and Events

According to the report: “Reno is known for its year-round outdoor recreation opportunities. In the warmer months, residents spend their free time biking, kayaking, fishing and playing golf. Tubing on the Truckee River is a popular summer pastime, and the shores of Lake Tahoe are peppered with beaches. When winter arrives, locals head to the mountains for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and sledding.”

Skiing, Hiking, and Horseback Riding Just Minutes Away

Mt Rose, the highest elevation of any Ski Resort in the Reno/Tahoe area, is only 30 mins away from South Reno.  You can catch the local high school teams on this mountain during weekdays practicing. Many local families enjoy the fresh powder during the winter months.

Surprisingly close to many of the ski resorts in Tahoe, Reno is only a short drive away to most resorts on the Sierra mountains nearby. Here is the average time it might take to drive to several of North Lake Tahoe’s ski resorts according to RenoTahoe.com:

Mt. Rose Ski – 35 minutes
Boreal – 40 minutes
Tahoe Donner – 40 minutes
Donner Ski Ranch – 45 minutes
Northstar California Resort – 45 minutes
Palisades Tahoe – 45 minutes
Soda Springs – 45 minutes
Alpine Meadows – 50 minutes
Diamond Peak – 50 minutes
Royal Gorge XC – 50 minutes
Sugar Bowl Resort – 50 minutes

South from Reno in Gardnerville, Minden, and Carson City, you can also find many trails for ATV, horseback riding, and mountain biking during the summer, fall, and spring months.

Events, Concerts, and Arts

The annual Reno Rodeo (aka the “Wildest, Richest, Rodeo in the West”), the Great Reno Balloon Race, and the infamous Burning Man Festival are all happening in this “Little City”. Reno may not be a destination for big ticket acts, but its many casinos and fancy stages dotting Lake Tahoe invite many bands and comedians, so there’s always some entertainment being showcased in town.

According to the City of Reno “The City of Reno is a leader in arts and culture. The community has a rich variety of special events, historic buildings, performing arts, and galleries. A strong public art program helps sustain and encourage downtown economic development. Cultural diversity and history are embraced and interwoven within the fabric of our city.”

Art installations, sculptures and murals punctuate Reno’s urban landscape.

Here’s The Full Ranking, Top 25:

#1. Ann Arbor, MI
#2. Boulder, CO
#3. San Jose, CA
#4. Naples, FL
#5. Trenton, NJ
#6. Madison, WI
#7. Boston, MA
#8. Fort Collins, CO
#9. Reno, NV
#10. Portland, ME
#11. Hartford, CT
#12. San Diego, CA
#13. Santa Barbara, CA
#14. Santa Rosa, CA
#15. Green Bay, WI
#16. Rochester, NY
#17. Boise, ID
#18. Grand Rapids, MI
#19. Sarasota, FL
#20. Lancaster, PA
#21. Washington, DC
#22. Miami, FL
#23. Syracuse, NY
#24. Melbourne, FL
#25. Albany, NY

“Mt Rose Pano” by BernalKC is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 .

“Ballons take off @ Reno Balloon Race” by Kartik Ramanathan is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 .