Reno's downtown casinos and nightlife are only part of its charm.

USA TODAY 8-5-2010

Reno calls itself "The Biggest Little City in the
World." That's meant to say it's a small town with
big-city amenities. But the reality is that its casinos,
shops, restaurants and nightlife play second fiddle
to the main attraction surrounding the city: the great
outdoors.

"Outdoor recreation is huge here because we have
so much sunshine. People love being outside," says
real estate agent Carrie Sieben of LL Realty. "Reno is
the gateway to all of the many activities of northern
Nevada and bordering California, yet it is very
inexpensive."

One of Reno's biggest appeals is nearby Lake Tahoe.
But luxury houses in Reno sell for the same as or
less than small condos near the water's edge.
Single-family houses in golf communities start
under $200,000. "Around Reno, you can buy a nice
condo in the mid-$100,000s," Sieben says.

Many second-home buyers find that giving up
immediate access to pricey Lake Tahoe for an hour-
long drive there is worth Reno's reasonable prices,
its big-city amenities and access to skiing, golf and
other outdoor sports. Access is excellent via the
Reno airport.

And Reno isn't without water charms of its own. It
has a Class III whitewater park on the Truckee River
in the heart of downtown. Outside Magazine just
named it the nation's best town for whitewater
paddling.

There are 11 alpine skiing areas around Reno and
North Lake Tahoe, including Squaw Valley USA,
which hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. There are
more resorts at the lake's south end. Despite being a
ski mecca, winters around Reno are mild.
Temperatures can average in the 50s in mid-
February.

Reno also is a golfer's paradise. It's home to the PGA
Tour's annual Reno-Tahoe Open. The Reno Tahoe
visitors bureau claims 50 courses within a 90-
minute drive. Many are bargain-priced, and some
are open year-round.

Lake sports also are a big draw. Pyramid Lake,
nearly as big as Tahoe, lies about 47 miles to the north. Other outdoor attractions include hiking,
climbing, and road and mountain biking.

But not all Reno activities are outdoors. Bowling is
hugely popular. Reno just signed a multiyear deal to host the United States Bowling Congress championships, expected to attract up to 155,000 bowlers annually starting next year. Sparks, Reno's twin city, is home of the nation's largest sporting-goods store, Scheels.

Reno and Sparks form a contiguous metropolitan
area. But Reno's downtown is full of casino hotels,
while Sparks is more residential and has several
desirable golf communities. Second-home options
surround the cities.

"We're seeing the second-home market come back,
with inventory high and prices low," Sieben says.

"A lot of the buyers look at this as a place to
eventually retire, and we have communities that
cater to second-home owners with golf, tennis,
pools and country club amenities."

A look at three Reno neighborhoods

•Downtown Reno: Downtown "is more appealing to
someone coming from a big city," says real estate
agent Carrie Sieben. It's also still up-and-coming.
Several new buildings started before the recession
have stalled, and there are pawnshops and empty
storefronts near the latest luxury casino hotel
undertakings, such as the Siena. "There are new
luxury condos and prices have come down a lot,
now from the mid-$200,000s," Sieben says. "It's still
more expensive than other areas, but you can also
find an older home from the $200,000s or a tiny
place in the $100,000s within walking distance of
the park."

• Sparks: Sparks offers resort-style living close to
the city with a suburban feel. "There are several golf
communities here, as well as non-golf communities,
and everything from condos to townhomes to
cottages to single-family homes," Sieben says. "It's a
really affordable area. Cottages start in the
$100,000s, and nicer custom homes are between
$300,000 and $400,000."

• South Reno: The broadest options are south,
between Reno and the north shore of Lake Tahoe.
This area is popular because it is closer to the lake
and ski resorts while still offering easy access to
Reno and the airport. Sieben says some second-
home communities offer single-family houses in the
mid- to high $100,000s. Montreux, a gated golf
community where the PGA's Reno-Tahoe Open is
played, is at the highest end, with a cottage going
for $500,000.