Skip to main
ITS Logistics

8 Things to Know About Living in Reno

A view of Reno's scenic skyline

Things to know about living in Reno that would surprise you

Maybe you know Reno (or Remo Sriracha) for its gambling or mountain access. Maybe you’ve passed through the biggest little city on your way to world-class skiing in Lake Tahoe. Or you’ve been to the infamous arts festival Burning Man. A fact that may surprise you is that Reno is closer to San Francisco than it is to Las Vegas. If you haven’t spent any meaningful time in Northern Nevada, here’s a few things to know about living in Reno:

Reno residents have access to a variety of outdoor activities, events and festivals throughout the year, and a vibrant day-and-nightlife. Reno is becoming one of the most popular places to live in the United States. In fact, we were recently ranked the #1 Best Small City. Also one of the 12 Best Places to Live and in the Top 25 Mid-sized Metros in the Nation for Recent College Grads. If moving to Reno isn’t on your radar, it should be! Here are a few of the many things to know about living in Reno:

1. The outdoor activities and exploration opportunities

In addition to the gorgeous views and weather, Northern Nevada provides abundant opportunities to get outside and enjoy Mother Nature. As a Reno resident, you’ll enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine per year, and four full seasons. If you enjoy the outdoors, there’s a few things to know about living in Reno. First off, the Truckee River runs through the middle of downtown Reno with a kayak park. Next, there are more hiking trails throughout the area that you can count, and we’re 45-minutes from Lake Tahoe. The variety of beaches along the lake’s 72 miles of shoreline provide ample opportunities for all. There are beaches to swim, paddleboard, kayak, boat or relax on the beach and soak up some sunshine.

The Reno area is home to many gorgeous hiking, backpacking and mountain biking trails. Plenty of campsites, rivers, streams and lakes to fish in, and a variety of mountain lakes and natural hot springs. There is always something to explore here and it doesn’t stop in the winter! The Tahoe Basin has many opportunities to ski, snowboard, snowmobile and snowshoe while taking in beautiful lake views. There are more than 15 ski resorts in Reno-Tahoe and the surrounding area to check out. Whether you’re looking to go off the beaten path in in a vehicle or on foot, the options are endless. Go paddle boarding in a mountain lake or ride horses on beautiful trails. Raft the Truckee River, backpack in the Sierra Nevadas, or hang out on a beach. There’s no shortage of outdoor adventures in Reno-Tahoe!

2. Events, events and more events

No matter what time of year, you can find a festival or event to attend in Reno. To name a few:

…whew! There are endless community events in Reno Nevada every year for all lifestyles. Go ahead, check them all out and try to pick a favorite!

3. Exciting midtown and downtown areas

The midtown and downtown areas of Reno continue to flourish. There’s an increasing number of craft breweries, distilleries, taprooms, entertainment venues and bars. There are a few things to know about living in Reno and having access to many unique restaurants. Many of these restaurants and bars have great outdoor dining and drinking options with outdoor patios. These overlook the river, have mountain views, or a cozy place to cuddle up next to a fire pit. You can find a ton of places to go dancing, see live music and comedy shows, watch theater and movies. You can even go bowling in the one-of-a-kind National Bowling Stadium. No matter what you’re looking for, Reno has almost all entertainment options and some truly delicious food and drink venues.

Get $2,500 when you move to Reno!

At ITS we offer up to $2,500 in relocation reimbursement costs for new employees who relocate to join our Downtown Reno location. We are currently ranked #21 in the country out of more than 20,000 transportation companies. ITS provides third-party logistics for Fortune 500 companies and small businesses across North America from the Biggest Little City in the world. Contact us to learn more about our relocation bonus at (866) 963-7362 today.

4. A fast-growing food and drink scene

Reno’s food and drink scene is quickly expanding, with a large variety of cuisines to choose from. Whether you’re looking for casual eats, fine dining for date night, a quick bite with some friends—you’ve got options. From all-you-can-eat sushi, fine French cuisine, local brewpubs, champagne brunch, authentic Basque food and the best BBQ in the West. They are all delicious! If you’re craving something to drink, try the local breweries, small-batch distilleries, or craft cocktail bars and wine bars. Partake in a crazy new cocktail or venture out on your own personal pub crawl through Reno’s local breweries. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!

5. Reno is Artown

Artown has been inspiring the Reno NV community since 1996, highlighting the best performers and artists throughout Northern Nevada. The entire month of July, Artown features 500 events from over 100 organizations in almost 100 locations throughout Reno. Most of the events are free or low-cost, making it perfect for everyone. Artown has given Reno a new reputation as a vibrant and artistic community, and it shines through brightest in July.

In addition, you can find the artwork created for Burning Man year-round in Reno and it is definitely worth seeing. Attractions include the 12-foot high “Believe” sign or the “Guardian of Eden” statue at the Nevada Museum of Art. Of course everyone loves the 50-foot-tall Ichthyosaur Puppet in the Discovery Museum lobby. There is plenty of beautiful, creative and interesting artwork throughout the streets of Reno for all to see.

Go see an off-Broadway show at the Pioneer Center for Performing Arts. Take your chance to see an original local performance at the Brüka Theater or Reno Little Theater. Head to the University of Nevada for an eclectic mix of performing arts and festivals at the Nightingale Music Hall. View art installations like the Sparks Art Walk, Reno’s Neon Line District and Sculpture Garden in Bicentennial Park all year. Throughout the midtown district, you’ll also notice more than 100 beautiful murals painted by local, national and international artists. There are many opportunities to discover all the beautiful artwork Reno has to offer.

6. Reno is very business and tax-friendly

Reno offers great incentives for business owners. You’ve probably heard of companies like Tesla, Amazon, Patagonia, Microsoft, Walmart and Petco, which have major operations in Northern Nevada. The state of Nevada has no state income tax, corporate income tax, franchise tax, estate tax, inventory tax and more. This makes it a great state to work and do business in. Business is thriving in Nevada, with many companies in manufacturing, distribution and technology relocating to the state. The influx of new companies means job opportunities in a variety of different industries. The University of Nevada is located in Reno, providing companies located here an ever-growing workforce and opportunities all around!

7. Northern Nevada is a golfer’s paradise

If you like to golf, Reno is the place for you. In fact, there are more than 50 golf courses within an hour’s drive of Reno. You can pretty much find a golf view of whatever you prefer in Northern Nevada. As an added perk, many of these courses stay open year-round, so you can tee up all year long. The top 10 golf courses in Reno-lake Tahoe highlights the quality of courses in the area, and a brief overview of what to expect. This helps you decide between the top 10 courses so you are able to choose what you enjoy most. One thing for sure is that you’ll never get bored with so many to try out!

8. World Class skiing and snowboarding right in your backyard

Yearly snowfall and beautiful mountains make living in Reno perfect for skiers and snowboarders. The area has the highest concentration of ski resorts in the country. The perk is that most of them are within an hour’s drive, some as close as 25 minutes from downtown. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly ski resort, parks, black diamond terrain, backcountry slopes or cross-country skiing, we have it. No matter which ski resort you choose, you’ll enjoy breath taking lake views while you cruise down the slopes. Read more about the variety of ski resorts in Reno-Tahoe.

Things to know about living in Reno

Curious to know more about the Biggest Little City? Check out some of the extra articles below!

Visit Reno Tahoe

Reno Tahoe is a friendly, four-season resort destination. Located in a spectacular natural setting, offering world class attractions, activities and events to excite the passion of almost anyone. Travelers, book your flights to the Reno Tahoe International Airport to explore more of who we are! Read more

WorkLivePlayRenoTahoe

WorkLivePlayRenoTahoe.com is a community-wide initiative to recruit skilled workers with all levels of expertise to join the Northern Nevada workforce. Our vibrant region has exploded with job opportunities and offers many activities, including an endless list of outdoor adventures. We invite you to make Reno your home. This is where you can build a career, enjoy an active lifestyle and join a growing city filled with possibilities. Read more

Outside.com Lists Reno as one of the Happiest Places to Live in the US in 2023

Outside described the city as a modern boomtown with a burgeoning city and arts scene, ample public land, and a mountain vibe that make it a fun town. It’s all true. Read more

America’s Best Small Cities

The #1 Small City: Natural assets and growing infrastructure make ‘little city’ Reno a big-time destination for visitors and talent. Read more

U.S. News: Best Places to Live for Quality of Life in the U.S. in 2022-2023

The cities with the best quality of life have high scores on U.S. News’ Quality of Life Index. It measures how satisfied residents are with their daily lives by metro area. It considers factors such as crime, quality and availability of health care, quality of education and average commute time. Read more

Fortune: The top 20 most dynamic cities in the U.S.

U.S. cities that are relatively low-cost and boast burgeoning tech centers are soaring toward the top of the list of the country’s most economically dynamic cities, according to a new report by Heartland Forward, an Arkansas-based think tank that researches economic prospects in more than 20 states in the Midwest and Mountain West. Read more

OK, Zoomer: Reno ranks 6th in Gen Z City Index for best places to live

The Reno metro area ranked as the 6th best place for Generation Z members looking to “fly the nest,” according to the Gen Z City Index by furniture and homeware site Living Cozy. Generation Z — also known as zoomers — include people born from the late 1990s to early 2010s. Read more

10 Cities and Neighborhoods Where Business Is Thriving

The United States is home to numerous big businesses that are household names, but even more small businesses — often doing quiet, steady work that doesn’t get the same kind of recognition. Though the pandemic wreaked havoc with the economy, not all businesses suffered, and others found ways to navigate the economic losses of the times of uncertainty. Read more

8 Things to know about living in Reno

There are many factors contributing to Nevada’s growing popularity. Low taxes, top jobs, natural beauty, and year-round recreation, to name a few. New home buyers and new businesses are taking interest in this vibrant region of the American West and in Reno. Here are the top eight reasons why living in Reno is a great idea. Read more

America’s Best Small Cities

Best Cities is the home of Resonance Consultancy’s exclusive ranking of the world’s top urban destinations. Our goal is to make Best Cities the most credible source of city performance for visitors, investors and residents. Read more

Reno among top 25 mid-size cities in ranking of best places to move after college

A more favorable job market propelled Reno among the top 25 mid-size metros in the nation for recent college graduates. Even with concerns about high rents and cost of living, according to a study released on Tuesday. Read more

Join the ITS Logistics team in Reno, NV

The ITS Reno, NV office is in the heart of downtown Reno within proximity to the Reno Riverwalk and a massive variety of restaurants, bars, cafes and more. Our office provides an energetic working environment with a ping pong table, corn hole, a plinko board, a tranquil lounge, wellness room, a balcony with a grill—and even a slide. We offer our employees training and support to help them grow, a clear promotion path to help them move up in their careers, opportunities for charitable giving and community involvement, and a unique office. Learn more about what it’s like to work at ITS Logistics. We are always looking for motivated and qualified individuals to join our team and currently hiring for multiple positions. Take a look at our job openings today.

How can we help you?

Get news delivered straight to your inbox