What ZIP codes cover Northwest Reno?

Most of Northwest Reno is in 89523, with older close-in neighborhoods in parts of 89503. Somersett is also in 89523.

What do homes cost in Northwest Reno?

An August 2026 NNRMLS analysis by Nevada Real Estate Group found a median closed price of $658,500 in ZIP 89523 over 90 days, including Somersett. Prices vary with elevation, age, and lot size.

What high school serves Northwest Reno?

Robert McQueen High School is located in 89523, but assignment depends on your address. Confirm with WCSD's Find My Zoned School tool.

Was Northwest Reno affected by the Hawk Fire?

The August 2026 Hawk Fire burned about 15,085 acres around Peavine Mountain and prompted evacuations in parts of the northwest, including Somersett. KOLO reported that most of the 47 destroyed homes were along the west side of US-395. Evacuation orders for Somersett were downgraded within days, per CBS News.

Is there public transit in Northwest Reno?

Some. RTC FlexRIDE on-demand service operates in Somersett and Verdi, and some RTC fixed routes reach the area. Most residents drive.

How long is the drive from Northwest Reno to downtown?

Usually about 10 to 15 minutes via I-80 or McCarran Boulevard, depending on your starting point and traffic. Times are approximate.

Is Northwest Reno the same as Somersett?

No. Somersett is one master-planned community within Northwest Reno. The broader area includes the Mae Anne and Robb Drive corridor, hillside neighborhoods, and the Peavine foothills.

Northwest Reno NV Homes for Sale & Area Guide

Reno · Community guide

Hillside homes with city-light views, Somersett and easy access to I-80 west.

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Northwest Reno climbs from McCarran Boulevard up toward Peavine Mountain, with Mae Anne Avenue and Robb Drive as its main north-south spines and I-80 along its southern edge. Most homes here sit in ZIP 89523, with older close-in blocks in parts of 89503.

The appeal is a mix of established neighborhoods, hillside views, and quick freeway access to downtown and the Sierra. This guide covers the areas outside Somersett, which has its own guide.

Main ZIP codes: 89523, parts of 89503
Key corridors: Mae Anne Ave, Robb Dr, McCarran Blvd, I-80
89523 median closed price90 days reviewed in an Aug 2026 NNRMLS analysis by Nevada Real Estate Group; includes Somersett: $658,500
89523 median days on marketSame Aug 2026 analysis: 41 days
High school in 89523Confirm zoning by address with WCSD: Robert McQueen High School
Nearby open space: Peavine Mountain (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest)

Northwest Reno is mostly residential. Shopping and services cluster along Mae Anne Avenue, Robb Drive, and McCarran Boulevard, while the streets above them wind into the hills with views back across the Truckee Meadows.

Getting around is straightforward. I-80 runs along the south side, so downtown, the University of Nevada, Reno, and the California line are all a short drive away.

The tradeoff for hillside living is exposure to wind, snow at higher elevations, and wildfire. In August 2026 the Hawk Fire burned about 15,085 acres around Peavine Mountain northwest of Reno, and evacuation orders covered parts of the northwest, including Somersett, before orders were downgraded and later lifted, per CBS News and KOLO.

Close-in but elevated
Many homes sit above the valley floor with city or mountain views, while downtown remains a short drive via I-80 or McCarran.
Several WCSD schools nearby
ZIP 89523 includes McQueen High School, Billinghurst Middle School, and Westergard, Melton, and Sarah Winnemucca elementary schools, per NCES.
Trail access
Peavine Mountain's national forest land borders the area, and nearby Somersett maintains more than 27 miles of community trails for its residents.

Established northwest neighborhoods

Mae Anne Avenue and Robb Drive corridor
Between McCarran Boulevard and the foothills, north of I-80
Single-family homes from several decades of development, plus townhomes and some apartments near the commercial nodes
Everyday errands close at hand along Mae Anne and Robb, with quick freeway access.
Nearby: Neighborhood shopping centers; near McQueen High School and Billinghurst Middle School
Suits: Buyers who want a short commute to downtown and I-80; buyers wanting an established neighborhood
Close-in northwest (ZIP 89503)
Northwest of downtown, inside and around McCarran Boulevard
Older single-family homes on established streets, with some duplexes and small multifamily properties
Closest to downtown and UNR of any northwest area, with older homes that may need updating.
Nearby: WCSD schools in 89503 include Peavine, Grace Warner, Mamie Towles, and Elmcrest elementary schools and Archie Clayton middle school, per NCES
Suits: Buyers wanting a short commute to downtown or the university; buyers open to renovation

Hillside and foothill areas

Northwest hills, Sierra Summit and Skyline areas
Upper slopes west of McCarran and above Mae Anne Avenue
Larger single-family homes, many with views, including some custom homes on sloped lots
Quieter streets with elevation and views; expect more snow and wind than the valley floor, and steeper driveways.
Suits: Buyers prioritizing views; buyers wanting more space without leaving the city
Peavine foothills
The lower slopes of Peavine Mountain along the northwest edge of the city
Single-family homes on the wildland edge, some on larger lots
Direct access to open space and trails, with higher wildfire exposure. Ask about defensible space and insurance before you write an offer.
Suits: Buyers who prioritize trail access and open space

Master-planned northwest

Somersett
Off Mae Anne Avenue in ZIP 89523
Master-planned community of about 2,391 acres with single-family, attached, custom, and age-restricted homes
HOA amenities, trails, and a private golf club. See our Somersett guide for detail.
Suits: Buyers wanting amenity-rich HOA living; golf-focused buyers

Want to see how two northwest streets compare on price, lot, and commute? Ask us for a quick side-by-side.

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Northwest Reno's housing runs from older homes near downtown to newer hillside construction and the Somersett master plan. Prices generally rise with elevation, views, lot size, and age of construction.

Because 89523 data includes Somersett, neighborhood-level comparisons matter. Ask for sales from the specific streets or subdivision you are considering.

Established single-family homes
The core of the market along the Mae Anne and Robb corridors and in close-in 89503.
Hillside and view homes
Found on the upper slopes; lot slope, driveway grade, and snow exposure vary widely.
Townhomes and condos
Smaller supply near commercial areas; check HOA dues and reserves.
Master-planned and age-restricted homes
Concentrated in Somersett, including the Sierra Canyon 55+ community.

Market snapshot

In an August 2026 analysis of NNRMLS data, Nevada Real Estate Group counted 148 active listings in ZIP 89523 with a median asking price of $675,000, 85 closings over 90 days at a median of $658,500, and a median of 41 days on market.
For comparison, the Reno/Sparks single-family median was $620,000 in August 2026, per an NNRMLS-based report from Reno Realty Blog.

What buyers should know

Get homeowners insurance quotes early for any home near open space; wildfire exposure can affect availability and price.
Visit hillside homes in bad weather if you can, or ask sellers about winter access and snow removal.
Check whether a home is inside an HOA; many northwest streets are not, while Somersett is.
Confirm school zoning with WCSD's Find My Zoned School tool rather than relying on ZIP code.

We can pull recent Northwest Reno sales for the exact area you're watching, not just the ZIP code.

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Northwest Reno is served by the Washoe County School District. The schools below are located in ZIP 89523 or 89503 per NCES; being nearby does not guarantee assignment.

Washoe County School District
School district
County-wide public district serving about 60,000 students in 100-plus schools (2025-26, per KOLO).

Robert McQueen High School
WCSD high school
6055 Lancer Street, Reno 89523.
Billinghurst Middle School
WCSD middle school
6685 Chesterfield Lane, Reno 89523.
George Westergard Elementary
WCSD elementary school
1785 Ambassador Drive, Reno 89523.
Rollan Melton Elementary
WCSD elementary school
6575 Archimedes Lane, Reno 89523.
Sarah Winnemucca Elementary
WCSD elementary school
1349 Backer Way, Reno 89523.
Archie Clayton Pre-AP Academy
WCSD middle school
1295 Wyoming Avenue, Reno 89503.
Peavine Elementary
WCSD elementary school
1601 Grandview Avenue, Reno 89503.

Colleges & universities

University of Nevada, Reno
Nevada's land-grant university, a short drive east of Northwest Reno.
Truckee Meadows Community College
The region's community college, with its main campus in north-central Reno.

School assignments depend on your exact address and can change. Confirm current zoning with the Washoe County School District's Find My Zoned School tool at washoeschools.net before you buy.

Close to home

Peavine Mountain trails
National forest trails on the area's northwest edge. Check for closures in areas affected by the 2026 Hawk Fire.
Downtown Reno
Reno Aces baseball at Greater Nevada Field, riverfront events, and casino entertainment are a short drive away.
Crystal Peak Park in Verdi
Riverside picnic sites, a stocked pond, and an interpretive trail west along I-80.

Mae Anne Avenue and Robb Drive
Neighborhood shopping centers with groceries, restaurants, and services.
McCarran Boulevard (northwest)
Additional retail along the ring road.
Somersett Town Center
A small cluster of businesses at the center of Somersett.
Downtown and Midtown
The region's densest dining districts, a short drive east and south.

Open space is part of daily life here. Peavine Mountain's national forest land rises above the neighborhoods, and several subdivisions back onto natural hillsides.

Peavine Mountain
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest land used for hiking and mountain biking; parts burned in the August 2026 Hawk Fire.
Somersett trails
More than 27 miles of trails maintained by the Somersett Owners Association for its residents.
Truckee River
South of I-80, with parks and river access toward Verdi and downtown.

I-80 and McCarran Boulevard carry most Northwest Reno traffic. Transit coverage is lighter than in central Reno, though RTC FlexRIDE on-demand service operates in Somersett.

Roads & highways

I-80 runs along the south edge toward downtown to the east and Verdi and California to the west.
McCarran Boulevard connects Northwest Reno to the rest of the city.
Mae Anne Avenue and Robb Drive are the main local connectors.

Public transit

RTC FlexRIDE on-demand service covers select areas including Somersett and Verdi.
RTC RIDE fixed-route buses serve parts of the area; check the RTC trip planner for your address. Standard adult fare is $2.00.

Airports

Reno-Tahoe International Airport is in southeast Reno, reachable via I-80 and I-580/US-395.

Approximate drive times (traffic and weather vary)
Downtown Reno	About 10-15 minutes (approximate)
University of Nevada, Reno	About 10-15 minutes (approximate)
Reno-Tahoe International Airport	About 15-20 minutes (approximate)
Truckee, CA via I-80	About 30-35 minutes (approximate, weather dependent)

Northwest Reno is primarily residential, and most residents commute to jobs elsewhere in the region: downtown, the university and hospitals, South Reno offices, or industrial areas east of Sparks. See our Reno guide for major employers.

Home prices
ZIP 89523 closings over a recent 90-day window had a median of $658,500 in an August 2026 NNRMLS analysis, above the regional single-family median.
Insurance
Homes on the wildland edge may face higher premiums or fewer carrier options. Get quotes early.
HOA dues
Vary by subdivision; some areas have none, while Somersett has a master association.
Taxes
Nevada has no state personal income tax; Washoe County's combined sales tax is 8.265 percent in 2026.

Buyers who want a short commute to downtown
I-80 and McCarran put downtown and UNR a short drive away.
Buyers prioritizing views
Hillside streets look back over the Truckee Meadows.
Buyers wanting trail access
Peavine Mountain and nearby community trails border the area.
Buyers wanting an established neighborhood without an HOA
Many streets outside Somersett are not in master associations; confirm for each home.

Why people choose North West Reno

Quick I-80 access to downtown, UNR, and California
Mix of established and newer homes
Views and open space on the upper slopes
Several WCSD schools located within the area

Things to consider

Wildfire exposure on the Peavine edge; the 2026 Hawk Fire prompted evacuations in parts of Northwest Reno
More snow and wind at higher elevations
Lighter fixed-route transit than central Reno
Prices in 89523 run above the regional median

Sources & references (13) · researched 2026-09-30

Reno Real Estate Market Report August 2026 — Nevada Real Estate Group (NNRMLS analysis)
Reno/Sparks Real Estate Market Report - August 2026 — Reno Realty Blog (NNRMLS data)
Search for Public Schools (Common Core of Data), ZIP 89523 and 89503 — National Center for Education Statistics
School Directory and Find My Zoned School — Washoe County School District
Students return to school in Washoe County for 2025-26 year — KOLO 8 News Now
Somersett Owners Association — Somersett Owners Association
Transit Services — RTC Washoe
Fares and Passes — RTC Washoe
Out-of-control Hawk Fire in Reno, Nevada keeping tens of thousands evacuated — CBS News
Hawk Fire 85% contained after nearly 50 homes destroyed — KOLO 8 News Now
Firefighters hold Hawk Fire spread overnight; FEMA announces funding to help cover costs — Carson Now
Crystal Peak Park — Washoe County Parks
Washoe County sales tax rate — Avalara

Information is believed accurate as of the research date but can change. Verify school assignments, fees and market data before making decisions.

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