What $700K Buys in South Meadows: Reno's Most Walkable Neighborhood

If you're searching for a home in Reno that balances affordability with amenities, South Meadows deserves your attention. We recently spent a day walking through this popular South Reno neighborhood, touring homes currently on the market between $600,000 and $700,000.

What we found might surprise you. In an era where housing prices seem to climb endlessly, South Meadows offers something increasingly rare: quality homes in a walkable community that won't break the bank.

Why South Meadows? Location Meets Lifestyle

South Meadows sits in the sweet spot of Reno geography. You're 25 minutes from Mt. Rose Ski Resort when powder calls, yet only 5 minutes from the freeway for your daily commute. But it's the neighborhood itself that really shines.

Picture this: You step out your front door onto miles of interconnected walking trails. These aren't afterthoughts squeezed between houses they're thoughtfully designed pathways that wind around wetlands, connect to parks, and lead directly to schools. Morning coffee in hand, evening jog with the dog, or weekend bike rides with the kids the trails make it all possible without touching a car key.

The Demonte Ranch side, where we focused our tour, represents some of the best value in the area. These aren't McMansions on postage stamps. They're sensibly sized homes mostly 1,700 to 2,000 square feet built with Nevada living in mind.

What Your Money Actually Buys

Let's get specific. During our walkthrough, we toured two homes that perfectly represent this price range:

Home #1: Listed at $645,000
This 1,700-square-foot home delivered everything a family needs without excess. Three bedrooms, two baths, and that coveted three-car garage many Reno buyers demand. The great room concept means the kitchen flows into living spaces perfect for keeping an eye on homework while making dinner.

What struck us most? The quality. These LAR-built homes feature granite countertops, tile flooring, and solid construction throughout. The master suite sits on one end of the house while other bedrooms cluster on the opposite side parents, you know why that matters.

The yard deserves mention too. Yes, it's smaller than what you'd find in older Reno neighborhoods. But the current owners installed turf grass and simple landscaping that looks good year-round with minimal water or work. For busy professionals or anyone tired of weekend yard work, it's a selling point, not a compromise.

Home #2: Corner Lot at $675,000
Just three minutes away, we found a slightly larger example 1,955 square feet with four bedrooms. The corner lot made all the difference here, providing extra yard space and that bit of breathing room between neighbors.

Same LAR quality throughout, but everything scaled up slightly. The kitchen offered more prep space, the living areas felt more expansive, and that fourth bedroom opened possibilities home office, guest room, or space for a growing family.

The Neighborhood Beyond Your Front Door

Here's what the listings won't tell you: South Meadows feels different from other Reno developments. Those walking trails we mentioned? They're the neighborhood's circulatory system, creating chance encounters with neighbors and building community in ways that cul-de-sacs never could.

During our walk, we passed JayWood Elementary School, the area's newest addition. It's not just proximity that matters it's being able to walk your kids to school on safe, dedicated pathways. The area feeds into Demont Ranch High School, about 15 years old and well-regarded in the community.

The wetlands deserve special mention. These preserved areas between housing clusters do triple duty: they manage stormwater naturally, provide habitat for local wildlife, and create those coveted "nobody behind us" lots that typically command premium prices. Several homes we saw backed directly onto these spaces, offering privacy that belies the neighborhood's density.

What Locals Love (And What Takes Adjustment)

We spoke with current residents during our tour, and patterns emerged. Here's what they consistently praised:

• Walkability: "Everything is walking distance" came up repeatedly. Coffee shops, breakfast spots, grocery stores all accessible without driving.
• Safety: Wide sidewalks, good lighting, and neighbors who know each other create a secure feeling.
• Low maintenance: Smaller lots mean less work. Stucco and tile exteriors handle Nevada weather with minimal upkeep.
• Community planning: This is a planned development done right, with thoughtful placement of amenities and green spaces.

The adjustments? Lot sizes took the most getting used to. If you're coming from an older neighborhood with big yards, the proximity to neighbors might feel tight initially. But residents we talked to said they quickly appreciated the trade-off: less maintenance for more community amenities.

Street parking can be limited, especially in the tandem garage areas. But with most homes featuring three-car garages, it's rarely an actual problem more of an expectation adjustment.

The Investment Perspective

South Meadows has shown steady appreciation over the years, and several factors suggest that trend will continue. The finite amount of developable land in South Reno means these neighborhoods won't face the oversupply issues plaguing some areas. The quality construction tile roofs, stucco exteriors ages well in our high desert climate.

But perhaps most importantly, the lifestyle these neighborhoods offer aligns with what buyers increasingly want. Walkability, community amenities, and reasonable maintenance requirements resonate with everyone from young families to downsizing retirees.

Making Your South Meadows Decision

Should South Meadows be on your radar? If any of these describe you, absolutely:

• You value walkability and community amenities over large private lots
• You want newer construction without new construction prices
• You need good schools within walking distance
• You appreciate quality building materials and low maintenance exteriors
• You want quick access to both outdoor recreation and urban amenities

The $600-700K price range in South Meadows offers a sweet spot that's increasingly hard to find in Reno. You're getting established neighborhoods with proven value, quality construction that's aged just enough to avoid the new-build premium, and amenities that many pricier areas lack.

During our tour, one resident summed it up perfectly: "We looked everywhere in Reno before choosing South Meadows. Five years later, we can't imagine living anywhere else. Our kids walk to school, we know our neighbors, and everything we need is right here."

That's the South Meadows story not just houses, but a lifestyle that works for real families with real budgets in one of Reno's most desirable areas.