College students in Reno-Sparks struggle to pay rent as housing affordability diminishes - Learn more
Important terms to know:
Lease contract term - Length of time in months you must live in the apartment. You agree to pay rent money every month until the term is finished. If you decide to leave before then, you must find someone to take over the lease, or you will receive a penalty fee (usually several hundred dollars), and rarely a small claims court judgement. Many of the apartments discussed require you to pay 12 months of rent. Some are month-to-month which means that you can decide to leave anytime, as long as you give them 30 days prior notice of you leaving.

Utilities - Other necessary charges for electricity, water, heating/gas, garbage, and internet/phone. Most of the following apartment complexes require you to pay for your own electricity. Some will pay for the water, internet, garbage and gas for you. Most utility charges for a 1 bedroom apartment will range from around $50 to $80 a month.

Deposit - Money you must present first before moving into the apartment. The apartment manager holds this money as long as you live in the place. It is used to pay any late rent, property damage, or penalties you might have while living in the apartment. You may receive a portion of the money back when you move out, if you leave the apartment clean. Most of the following apartment complexes require a deposit of around the same amount as the monthly rent. I have noted some exceptions for some places. Also, some may want you to show your bank statements or school letter from OISS to verify you have enough money to live monthly.

Prices

Types of Units 
Below are helpful terms for the names of types of housing units. $ = lowest price.  $$$$$ = highest price
Bedrooms for rent
(also called Room for Rent)
 $ - different than student housing rooms, these are usually inside a home. Sometimes furnished, sometimes not. Some places include all utilities, and other places share among all roommates. Often sharing bathrooms, and kitchens. You can find these on Craigslist. Also, homestay families offer these too, sometimes with meals. The Reno International House http://www.renoihouse.org is mostly made up of bedrooms for rent. In addition, there are many groups on social media with room sublets such as this Facebook Group.
Student housing rooms
$$$ - These are bedrooms for rent, but completely furnished, and designed for students directly, located in large apartment-style complexes. Much higher price than regular bedrooms you can find in houses. Most large student housing apartment complexes (like Younion, Highlands, Identity, Republic, etc.) advertise 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom unit option. However, it is somewhat missleading. The advertised price is for a single bedroom, not the entire unit. Yet the advertising seems to look like you're getting the whole apartment. Not so. Typically, these rooms have a private bathroom, and you share a kitchen and living room with 2 or 3 other students. The entrance into the bedroom is through the living room. Leases are usually 12-months. The bedroom comes furnished, and there are amenities like pools and study rooms on site. But be aware there are many later add-on fees that will raise your actual payment higher by 10-20%. These included mandatory garbage "valet" removal fees, parking (often $50 a month), utility management, green fees, and shared power bills.
Efficiency Units
$$ - Semi-private apartment, with separate private entrance (no need to go through a living room to enter), and usually a private bathroom. However, it is not completely private. Usually there is a shared kitchen. The Villager, Taylor Park Commons, and The Lev fit into this category.
Studio apartments
$$$ -  The smallest completely private apartment. Separate entrance. Kitchen (or kitchenette, which is simply a tiny kitchen), private bathroom. Often the laundry room is shared. Reno Regency and Truckee River Terrace have many studio apartments.
1-Bedroom apartments
$$$ - This is the standard basic entry-level apartment that most apartment buildings start their pricing at. The bedroom is a separate room withing the private apartment, creating a separation of space, for having a "home" feel of a living room.
2 bedroom apartments
$$$$ - Like a 1-bedroom apartment, a 2-bedroom apartment simply have two private bedrooms. Ideal for families with kids, or if you plan to have parents or guests stay often. Share with a friend to make the payment more affordable. There are also 3, and sometimes 4 bedroom apartments, with higher prices.
House for rent
$$$$$ - Zillow and Craigslist often display whole houses for rent. This is the most expensive option, but if you have many people in your group, or other students willing to share, it may be more affordable. Beware, that often there are added costs such as required yard care, utilities, and finding all the furniture to furnish a whole house. Between the deposit, and initial rent, and obtaining equipment like washer/dryer machines, renting a whole house can cost thousands of dollars up front.

Popular Housing types around the University of Nevada, Reno

Below, I will attempt to provide a fair opinion (both positive and negative aspects) of the different housing options around campus. Much of this information and opinion has been provided by other college students. Northern Nevada and the Reno area have a wide range of housing options for college students. There are four main types of housing around UNR:
  1. On-campus (dorms)
  2. Apartments
  3. Private houses/rooms for rent
  4. International student community houses
I have researched and visited many of these places, and here is some information at the best of my knowledge I have as of the current date. Many students find other housing using the online service of www.craigslist.org (be careful about the postings on Craig's List.  Verify that it is a real housing posting). Below are major housing options around the campus:

On Campus

UNR On-campus Residential Halls
Living on campus is a great way to learn English and adapt to American culture quickly. I recommend most new students to live in dormitories their first year if they can. Many students have told me what they don’t like about the dorms: the price is high, lease contract is strict, and other students are loud at night. If you mention these concerns to the housing agent ahead of time, they can put you in a quieter hall. Semester rent charges range from $600 to $700 a month to share a room. Meal plans are additional fees, and are optional. Website: http://www.reslife.unr.edu/default.asp
Graduate On-campus Housing
UNR now has on-campus Graduate/Professional Housing.  The community is designed for the dedicated graduate or professional students who need a quiet, studious environment and wants to live near classrooms, the library, and other University buildings. It’s a walk able community whether you are heading across campus, to the recreation facilities, or downtown. The new homes will contain fully equipped, full size, energy efficient appliances: dishwasher, refrigerator, stove and side by side washer/dryer. The monthly rent will also include high-speed wired and wireless Internet, Water, Sewer and Trash. The community will have off-street University permit parking spaces, the required ADA parking and the use of an additional upper level off street University permit parking lot. Find us on the web at www.unrgraduatehousing.com or contact Lupe Del Castillo at 775-784-1113

Off-campus Apartments

The Lev
Near Lawlor event center. Lease term: 12-month. 1 bedroom apartments start rent approximately About $750 a month. Utilities included in rent. $500+ deposit. Walking distance to UNR, 5 minutes. Closest apartment complex to the center of campus. Studio style, with private apartment/bathroom with shared kitchen. Contact: North Virginian Apartments (775) 786-3734 1617 N Virginia St
Westwood Sierra
Top of Sierra street hill. Full year lease contract term. 1 bedroom apartments start rent in $850+ monthly. Amenities include pool and laundry. Walking distance to UNR, 10 minutes. Rent full apartment, so most expensive. Multi-bedroom apartments available (cheaper per room). Similar location, different management from Westwood apartments. Westwood Sierra Apartments (775) 786-2479 1555 N Sierra St
College Terrace
Across Sierra street from dormitory halls. Full year contract term. Private bedroom with shared kitchen and bathroom apartments. Rent for one room starts around $750 a month. Walking distance to UNR 5 minutes. Close to university dormitory halls. Laundry in apartments, security gate. Known to have louder parties, so be cautious which apartment to live in. 775-324-1880
Wolf Run Village
Front entrance is off Valley Road by car, but commonly accessed from UNR from Evans to Jodi, to Beverly St. if walking. Full year contract term, some short term contracts when available. Private bedroom with bathroom, pantry storage in shared kitchen w/laundry and furnished living room w/TV. Each townhouse has five bedrooms. Rent for one room as low as $825 a month. Gas - Water - Electric is extra and is split evenly between housemates by office monthly. Walking distance to UNR through a neighborhood is 5 to 10 minutes. Gated community with on-site after hours emergency staff. High speed fiber optic Internet is included, local phone line, cable TV, business center w/copier-scanner-printer-paper, Internet cyber bar, espresso coffee bar and book exchange. Security deposit starts at $250. Enforces "quiet" policy and does not allow loud parties. Many internationals and graduate students live here. http://www.wolfrunvillage.com/ http://www.wolfrunvillage.com/
Highlands
7On north end off of valley road and Socrates. Full year contract term. Private bedroom with shared kitchen and bathroom apartments. Most apartments have four rooms. Rent for one room starts at about $675. Deposit is a fee of less than $100. Walking distance to UNR is about 20 minutes. Share bathroom. Newer complex with amenities like laundry in each apartment, pool, and basketball courts. This complex has a reputation of having loud parties and poor security. It is also the farthest and most difficult to get to UNR. No shopping or stores are close. I have talked to many students who have moved out after their first year of living there. They have improved their security recently however.College Park Highlands http://livehighlands.com
The Republic
8A new collection of 1-bedroom, 1-bath units, connected in suites of 3, 4, and 5 units for social and residential life.  A large newly built complex for college students on the northeast side of campus. $700-$1,000 a month. Offer lower priced shared room options.  Located at the corner of Evans and Enterprise.  Plenty of amenities like a swimming pool, workout room and more.  http://www.therepublicapts.com
The Younion
New, luxury-style student housing with full clubhouse and amenities like a gym. Rent-by-the room, connected in suites of 3, 4, and 5 units for social and residential life.  Located near the Republic. $800-$1,100 a month. Offer lower priced shared room options. Plenty of amenities. Students have mentioned it is expensive, with many add-on fees, but it is new and clean feel.  https://reno.younion.com/
Identity
New High-rise urban style student living across from campus. Rooftop social area, study room. This student housing complex is the closest of the big ones. Literally 5-minute walk from the Joe Crowley Student Union. $900-$1,200 a month. Offer lower priced shared room options. Once again, being a newer one, and close, the price is high, but may be worth your consideration. https://www.identityreno.com/
The Villager
On Valley and Sadlier way. Rents school year. Although they are advertised as studio apartments, technically, they are efficiency units (with shared kitchen among other suites). Rent full studio apartment, and share kitchen with four other apartments. Rent starts around $650 a month. $300 deposit. Many non-students and workers for the casinos live in this complex. Some students have mentioned that it feels lonely in this apartment complex. Smoking smell despite having “non-smoking” options. Walking distance to UNR is about 10 minutes. Amenities includes shared laundry facility and pool. Similar in look and feel to The Lev, which was sold off a couple years ago. 775-786-1384
The Wesltyn
Unique downtown riverwalk location in an older historic building.  Efficiencies, Studios, 1-bedroom apartments available.  Furnished unsure.  Various options.  Popular with UNR students and others desiring to live in an urban location.  Don't be fooled by the fancy website however. This is not a new building, but rather a nearly 100 year-old. If you like the historic urban feel, this might be an options. Rents starting at $880 to $1200 https://thewestlyn.com/
Truckee River Terrace
Near the downtown riverwalk.  Studios, 1-bedroom apartments available.  Various options.  While higher priced, a couple students together can share the price to make the payment more affordable. https://www.apartmentgenie.com/apartments/truckee-river-terrace/
Others
Nevada Hills - Waiting list
​Pink Hill Towers - Right next to UNR on Virginia Street
Westwood - different than Westwood Sierra. Waiting list.
The View - New, further from campus on North McCarran
Villas at Keystone - If you have a car, the location is northwest of UNR near the Racho San Rafael park. https://www.kromerinvestments.com/apartments/the-villas-at-keystone-canyon-2/

New:
Uncommon
​Canyon Flats
HERE Reno
The Dean Reno
Houses/rooms for Rent
There are many houses for rent around the UNR campus. Sometimes they rent by room and sometimes the whole house. I’ve noticed rents in recent years reduced, and now range between $450 and $800 for a room in a house. If you plan to rent a complete house with friends, calculate the total rent with the number of bedrooms or people sharing. Here are some suggestions:
  1. Be careful about renting a complete house with friends – So many times, I’ve seen students rent a house with many bedrooms, hoping to save money. Then someday, someone has to move out, or there is conflict between the roommates and the owners. Then they don’t get their deposit back, or they pay for their roommate who doesn’t live there anymore. It ends up costing them more in the long run. This happened to me in college . . . twice. If you decide to rent a complete house with your friends, someone must be a leader, who will talk to the owner often and make sure the house is cared for and rent is paid.
  2. Also, if you are renting a complete house with your friends, have a regular house meeting with the roommates. Talk about cleaning and potential conflicts. These meetings help a lot.
  3. Someone must carry the utilities (power, gas, water, internet) in their credit name. You should always ask the owner about: Deposit amount? Lease term? Utilities and internet? Can you share bedrooms? Are there laundry machines? How are broken things fixed? Who takes care of the yard? You may also be able to ask the owner for a discount.
    Italian Capital, 606 N. Lake Street, Reno, NV 89501 775-323-6244 Has several houses for rent in the northern Downtown area. 15 minute walk to campus. Full houses start at $1,200 a month, and rooms for rent start at $695 a month. Good: Inexpensive and ready to move in. Bad: Older homes. Ask for houses with other college students.
    University Terrace Home - 140 University Terrace, Reno, NV 89503 A home with private bedrooms/bathrooms for rent, with shared kitchen and living room. $675 includes all utilities. $400 deposit. Close to campus. Owner, David, lives near, and keeps good care of the home. Telephone 322-5323.
    Whitaker House, - While mostly senior citizens, the manager has at times rented rooms to college students. They advertise on Craisglist often. 
  4. Carol Souder Women's Homestay, 1-775-544-1921, [email protected]  Williams Street, Reno, NV 89503.   20 minute walk west of campus in clean,  quiet neighborhood. Fully furnished bedrooms with private bathrooms.  Rents range from $650 +. 
International Community Houses
I know of three boarding houses with several international students. The good thing about these houses: multi-cultural, learn English, develop new friends, rent by room or share to save money. You will live in community. Negatives: There are many students in a house, so if you want private, alone quiet lifestyle, this may not be a good option. However, I recommend this option over apartments or private houses. It is the cheapest (lowest cost), while the best option to immerse yourself in American culture and the English language. Similar benefits as the dorms, but less money. Plus the owners are friends with other international students in Reno. More details at: ​Reno International House

InternInternational Community Homes (Spaces typically fill quickly, so contact each home to be considered on a waiting list). See the "International House" page of this website.

Visit www.renoihouse.org to apply.ational Fellowship
International community house for girls (Lahti's home)
Also the hosts of the weekly "sunday dinner" the Lahti's family has had a long legacy of hosting primarily international ladies in their home about a 15 minute walk north of UNR.
International student community house (Evans Avenue home)
With a homestay family that lives next door, this large home hosts international students from around the world. 
I hope this information helps you. If you have other questions about renting and living in Reno, please contact me at [email protected]
With housing prices for college students increasing each year, finding housing can be a challenge in Reno. Especially if you are an international student. If you are searching, and need advice, fill out this form below.

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