If you’re wondering where to retire, think Reno, Nevada. That is if you don’t want to miss out on the hustle and bustle of urban living. The night scenes, places to eat, shopping malls, and sights to see – while still enjoying a quiet retirement, “The Biggest Little City in the World’ is just the place. Find out about the best retirement communities in Reno, Nevada.
Reno is small enough to give you a sense of belonging and purpose, but it’s a town that’s huge in city life amenities. There are communities from lush living such as the Regency Caramella Ranch to the more affordable but new Mountain Lakes Estates. They all offer the comfort and freedom of independent living with a touch of vibrancy.
Our top 12 Retirement Communities in Reno are as follows:
- Atria Summit Ridge
- MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks
- Five Star Premier Residences of Reno
- Sky Peaks
- Lakeside Manor Retirement
- Regency at Caramella Ranch
- Revel Rancharrah
- Promenade on the River
- Dayton Valley
- Villa Toscana
- Brookdale Sparks
- Mountain Lakes Estates Retirement Living
12 Best Retirement Communities Reno NV
1. Atria Summit Ridge
This beautiful apartment community in the heart of Reno offers both independent and assisted living options. Atria Summit Ridge is hilltop-located; its well-manicured lawns contrast with the yonder arid foothills of the grand Sierra Mountains and the sun setting behind them. Views are panoramic and magnificent. Your choice of apartment is either a spacious studio or a one-bedroom option, each with a kitchenette. Interiors and furnishings are trendy in elegant simplicity, and their secluded rose garden courtyard provides clean lines and Fresh air relaxation with a fountain. Atria Summit opened in 2004.
Atria Summit’s independent living is a vibrant community. There are clubs to join, such as the Red Hat Society, crochet groups, computer classes, health and fitness programs, and mini piano concerts. If you’ve got appointments, errands, or events, transport can be scheduled for you, including planned outings to Lake Tahoe, Pyramid Lake, and Washoe Valley. There’s the Nevada Museum of Art and Fleischmann Planetarium for a more subdued entertainment. But if you fancy a night on the town, Downtown Reno is just 5 minutes away.
While the average cost for a senior living community in Reno, NV, is $4,000, Atria Summit starts at $4,483, a bit pricey. Nonetheless, the inviting community is well-designed for older adults who’d appreciate the balance of both a quiet retirement and an active, vibrant living among friends.
2. Morning Star Senior Living of Sparks
Sparks is just east of Reno, some 20 minutes away, known as one of America’s safest cities. It’s not too heavy on population and a lot less traffic. It sounds like an ideal nook to retire in. So here, find Morning Star Senior Living of Sparks, which opened (approximately) after 2003. There are 128 suites for independent living and 80 for assisted living; they also offer 32 secure suites for memory care. Starting Rate is $3,050/month. Interiors are well-designed that exudes warmth and comfort. Furnishings are very thoughtful. They do have a salon, a fitness room, a bistro, as well as strolling paths.
Enrichment programs keep residents mentally and physically engaged. Many activities are resident-pioneered, tapping into their own talents, like jewelry-making, oil painting classes, craft-making, card games, and physical exercises, and more. But they do have a full-time Activities Director. Where nourishment is concerned, dining at Morning Star is an elevated experience. Their European-trained executive chef is charged with customizing nutrition options and preferences. Brain health is a prioritized endeavor as well.
The neighborhood is accessible to banks, hospitals, shopping malls, grocery stores, and restaurants. For the golfing enthusiasts, there’s Red Hawk Golf Course and Resort, one of the finest in Nevada, and the Golden Eagle Regional Park, a 1.4 million square feet of artificial turf sports complex – great for soccer, football, baseball, and softball.
3. Five Star Premier Residences of Reno
This beautifully appointed facility offers both independent living and assisted living apartments along peaceful Plumas Street in Reno. With a 205 resident capacity, one can choose between their Tahoe lodge-style one or two-bedroom apartments (one of the few in the locality that offers it) and companion suites. They impress with their restaurant-style dining and highly praised cuisine, a spacious activity center, a large TV room, gym, breezy gardens, and even a full-service beauty parlor/barbershop. Book clubs, yoga, gardening, cooking, and arts and crafts are social and recreational events that promote wellness and mental activity. They also provide guest services like overnight stays.
In its 23-year history, people talk about their excellent service staff, the grand entrance lobby that welcomes guests and visitors, and their pet-friendly environs. Outside, many attractions beckon – casinos, restaurants, shopping malls, museums, and churches are but a short drive away, while bike and nature trails provide the country feel. Enjoy golf and tennis at Washoe, which is 4 minutes away, while it takes 7 minutes to get to Meadowood, a super mall for all-day shopping. Iconic Lake Tahoe is a driving time of 63 miles.
As Five Star Premier also provides assisted living choices, you can consider this for some future options. Community life is strong and lively in the residences; people love spending time together.
4. Sky Peaks
Set in the northwest foothills, Sky Peaks affords stunning mountain views, and hence, the name. If there’s anything that best describes the interiors is that it’s very clean and spacious. Their 120 units range in size from 542-871 square feet spread over three floors. They also offer one and 2-bedroom apartments and studios for independent living. Pricing starts at $2,194 to $2,549. Aside from the usual standard amenities, they also have walking and biking trails around the complex, a chapel, locked mailboxes, and an elevator. They opened in 2002.
Sky Peaks loves to have their community enjoy technology, providing WiFi access in common areas, as well as a computer for resident use. They even have a “Tech Tuesday” program guided by a coordinator.
The award-winning community is just within a few miles of Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, a high-quality, leading healthcare provider. The Wilbur D. May Center is another close attraction with its museum, arboretum, and botanical garden. Find more museums, 7 to 9 minutes away, such as The Nevada Museum of Art and the National Automobile Museum. There are parks, casinos, churches, shopping centers and plazas, sports bars, gourmet dining options, and take-outs.
5. Lakeside Manor Retirement
This community, apartment, and condo complex is home for retirees who’d prefer smaller, cozy spaces and fewer neighbors at lesser costs. Lakeside Manorhouses only 91 residents in full capacity, yet they offer one and 2-bedroom and studio apartments of choice on three floors, each with its comfortably furnished living rooms and lounges. Located in Southwest Reno, by the scenic Virginia Lake with its park, picnic areas, and nature paths, this retirement complex has had a 40-year history.
They lay out a monthly calendar of activities so everyone knows what’s coming up, when, and where. They have afternoon socials with live music, bingo, moderate exercise, sing-alongs, current events discussion groups, arts & crafts, movies, and more. When grandchildren visit, residents entertain at the Disney Lounge.
Downtown Reno is just minutes away, with the nearest casino at the Peppermint Hotel. Find four shopping centers, a golf course, several restaurants, banks, and the post office.
6. Regency at Caramella Ranch
Are you looking for a lush, top-of-the-line senior living community in Reno? If money isn’t an object, then this one fits the bill. South Reno located, the Regency at Caramella Ranch is all about luxurious living in single-story homes with covered patios, each with 2 BRs, 2 TABs, and a 2-car garage. It has several home designs, each with elegant resort-style amenities, starting at the lease price of $531,995.
There must be more than a hundred homes at the Regency compound. Residents can converge at the clubhouse with indoor and outdoor pools; there is a social lounge area and a fitness center. An elevated deck provides panoramic views, plus an amphitheater, plus pickleball, bocce, and tennis courts as if life cannot be vivacious enough with friends and neighbors.
However, South Reno is not without its attractions. Seven ski resorts are a short drive away. Mt. Rose Ski Resort and Lake Tahoe are just two of them. The Museum of Art and the Automobile Museum prove that art and culture thrive in Reno. Also, experience the incomparable joy of Reno’s street foods, with craft beers and live music.
7. Revel Rancharrah
They say it is ‘revel living’ reimagined. Offering apartments for independent living, the Revel Rancharrah home is in Washoe County’s most affluent zone due to its proximity to Reno’s main transportation routes. Garden-style and four stories high, the Revel boasts of 146 rooms, starting at a price lease of $3,220. Other trendy amenities include:
- Indoor saline
- A heated pool
- A theater
- A creative studio
- A fitness zone
- A full-service salon/spa
The dining experience is top-notch. Featuring two dining venues, Ovation, a modern-American restaurant, and The Social Club, a pub classic, they are unlike any other experience offered by a senior living facility in Reno. Menus are seasonal, made-from-scratch and cooked-to-order served a-la-carte or as daily specials. Both venues have a full bar serving classic spirits, crafted cocktails, and an excellent wine list. It is fine dining at its best in a retirement home setting. A good complement of well trained and competition-ready chefs oversees this experience at Revel.
Going outside Revel? You have Whole Foods Market and Meadowood for shopping; loving nature at Bartley Ranch Regional Park and the Huffaker Park. There’s the Lakeridge Tennis Club and its golf course. Looking for casinos? Then visit Atlantis Casino Resort Spa and the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino. There’s too, the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and the Reno Tahoe International Airport.
8. Promenade on the River
Nestled on 27,000 square feet of shared space is a privately-owned, resort-hotel style of community living for retirees, right in the heart of the culture pulse of Reno. The Promenade overlooks the beautiful Truckee River, the only outlet of Lake Tahoe. They feature 83 private villa apartments with 31 different floor plans, with their villas themed after five of the Masters (Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, Gauguin, and Matisse). They start at varying price tag ranges; for example, the Monet apartments are from $2,000-$2,900, up to the Matisse units, from $4,600 to $4,900, available as very spacious studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom types.
From 2001, the Promenade was Reno’s first-ever senior living community and is now an upscale retirement neighborhood. Apart from their spa, library, fitness center, art studio, movie hall, restaurant, atrium, and River Lounge, they also boast a rooftop pool deck from where the views are majestic at any given time. A monthly calendar of activities, like full-body workouts, tai-chi, chair volleyball, and mini-concerts, are enjoyed.
The location is within walking distance to restaurants, theaters, museums, movie theaters, and historic homes. Take a Truckee River Walk along the historic walk areas. The Reno Arts District bustles with bars and restaurants, shopping areas, thrift shops, galleries, and the every Thursday’ Art Walk Reno.’
9. Dayton Valley
Low-maintenance, gated, and consisting of 822 single-family homes describe the Dayton Valley in Daytona, in Lyon County, Nevada. Its population is just under 9,000 in the 2010 census. For the seniors there, the lifestyle is robust, and the amenities are top-notch – a clubhouse with a restaurant and a pro golf shop for those enthusiasts who play at the 18-hole championship golf course there. There are lakes and ponds and beautiful mountain views and daily necessities, and local attractions are close by. The homeowners association provides maintenance.
Built between 1992 and 2004, Dayton Valley offers spacious one- and two-story homes, from three to five bedrooms, two to four bathrooms, and two- to four-car garages. Price ranges from low $300,000 to mid $600,000. Homes have fireplaces, gourmet kitchens, master suites with walk-in closets, private backyards, and covered patios. Really nothing to sneeze at.
Residents find easy access to Trader Joe’s, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Walgreens, and CVS for their necessities. There are medical centers like Carson Tahoe Regional, Incline Village Community, Tahoe Pacific, and Saint Mary’s. Outside Dayton Valley, there’s a thoroughfare of restaurants, bars, and shops along Lincoln Highway. There are many parks, museums, theaters, and golf courses in nearby Carson City, just 20 miles away, and in Reno, which takes about 23.4 miles drive.
10. Villa Toscana
Here’s another community of the single-family home type, similar to Dayton Valley, with a lower price range than Dayton’s and much smaller- low $300s to mid $400s. This time it is located in Washoe County, Sparks. Villa Toscana is an active adult community of 480 homes of spacious built (range from 945 to 2,638 square feet); also available on a resale basis. Constructed from 2001 to 2004, the houses can have a 2-car garage and lovely interiors, like granite countertops, raised maple cabinets, and private patios.
The clubhouse is the heart of the neighborhood, where residents converge for activities, like early morning exercises or simply taking a dip in the indoor pool. There’s a billiard room, computer room, a library, and a couple of bocce ball courts. The place welcomes pets. The homeowners’ association oversees maintenance and cleanliness.
Golf is a passion with the residents, perhaps because of the proximity of great golf courses, like Red Hawk. Shopping needs are fulfilled by Kroger, Target, The Outlets at Sparks, Safeway, and the Baring Village. There are movie houses, churches, restaurants, and parks not too far off. When needed, there’s Northern Nevada Medical Center and Reno-Tahoe International Airport, minutes away.
11. Brookdale Sparks
Brookdale is a leading operator of senior housing in the US, with over 700 such locations worldwide for independent and assisted living. The Sparks location is one of four in Nevada and tries to keep up with the global philosophy and culture of the prime brand for older adults care.
Brookdale here is a small affair of just 78 rooms, offering competitively priced spaces starting at $2,620, featuring studios, one and-bedroom apartments, companion suites, and extra cottages. They have the standard amenities, services, and dining options, which offer unlimited meals and all-day dining. Through activities like cooking, yoga, gardening, music, computer classes, and more, their Optimum Life® and Celebrations programs are set to meet their emotional, spiritual, health, and other goals.
The Northern Nevada Medical Center is conveniently close by Brookdale and the important route and landmark, Interstate 80. Several parks around the community are fun outings for groups, like the Wild Island Family Adventure Park, a great water park, and the Sparks Marina Park, a lake retreat for fishing, boating, and walking the dog, among others.
12. Mountain Lakes Estates Retirement Living
The newest addition to the thriving senior living sector in Reno is Mountain Lakes Estates Retirement Living, a sprawling apartment complex in S. Meadows Parkway with a lakeside view. Just built in 2020, the 4-story complex offers 131 units of studio type, 1 and 2 bedroom types. The monthly fee starts at $2,495. Aside from the usual amenities, the site features walking and biking trails for recreation and lake access where picnics and other activities can be held.
Their newness on the scene hasn’t stopped the staff from rolling out their events and activities for their seniors and retirees. They have art classes, live music, meditations, physical exercises, including Tai Chi. They love their gourmet meals, have photo ops with their pets, play games, watch movies, and have picnics by the beautiful Lake Tahoe.
Shopping centers like the Village at Double Diamond, South Meadows Promenade, and Double Diamond Town Center are under 12 minutes’ drive away.
While Bartley Ranch Park, Hidden Valley Regional Park, Humboldt National Forest, and the University of Nevada Arboretum are less than 18 minutes distance, the W.M. Keck Museum, an earth science and mineral engineering museum, is also less than 18 minutes’ drive.
Conclusion: 12 Best Retirement Communities Reno NV
So, what are the best 12 retirement communities in Reno? To summarize, here are the top picks again:
- Atria Summit Ridge
- MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks
- Five Star Premier Residences of Reno
- Sky Peaks
- Lakeside Manor Retirement
- Regency at Caramella Ranch
- Revel Rancharrah
- Promenade on the River
- Dayton Valley
- Villa Toscana
- Brookdale Sparks
- Mountain Lakes Estates Retirement Living
There are other senior living communities in Reno and nearby Sparks and Carson City that are also noteworthy, like Sierra Canyon, Millenia Community by Carter Hill Homes, Citi Vista, and Artesian Gardens Group Home for Seniors. Others like The Fountains Senior Care and Corinthian Place don’t offer independent living options but are more into assisted living, though other sites claim they do. There is a lack of information on this service or option.
If you are looking to retire in Reno, the ‘biggest little city in the world’ can truly be the marrying of quiet retirement in comfort and freedom with the robust and vibrant character of city life. It’s a whole new world with like-minded friends and neighbors living independently but enjoying as one.