There are so many reasons to live in Somersett, an award-winning master-planned golf community in northwest Reno, Nevada. From location to community to amenities, Somersett has it all.
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Somersett is just a few miles east of the California-Nevada state line. Historic Truckee, California, 13 world-class ski resorts, and four-seasons recreation around Lake Tahoe are 30 to 45 minutes away on Interstate 80. Exciting Downtown Reno and the very hip Midtown Reno are an easy 15-minute drive.
Activities abound in Somersett, including two Tom Kite golf courses, a 22,000-square foot recreation center, and more than 27 miles of recreation trails.
Housing in Somersett ranges from attached and detached single-family homes in small neighborhood settings and gated custom luxury home neighborhoods. Somersett also features a 55+ Del Webb community, Sierra Canyon. Home prices generally start above the regional median price and can be more than $1 million for a custom home.
Schools serving the Somersett community include Westergard Elementary, Billinghurst Middle, and McQueen High School. These schools are well known for their parental involvement, quality education, athletic and arts programs.
To learn more about what it’s like to live in Somersett, I talked to five our of Dickson Realty agents who have more than 60 years of combined real estate experience in the area, and have been involved in Somersett since its inception. Here’s what Anne LaVoy, Debbie Bennington, Jeff Sallan, Mary Mentaberry, and Patrick Fletcher had to say.
What do you like about Somersett’s location?
Jeff Sallan: I used to live in Tahoe City. So, I recreate up on the north side of Lake Tahoe, either skiing or hiking in desolation wilderness. To me, it just feels like we’re out of the city enough with being extremely close.
Mary Mentaberry: I’ve lived in three different areas in Somersett, and I like the wildness of it. You can see hawks. You can see deer. You see all kinds of animals. It feels as though you’re away from town and in a place that’s really very special. It’s a very relaxing place to live.
Anne LaVoy: I love the wildlife as well and being on the edge of town. The air is cleaner, and you have the spectacular views of the mountains. Mountain bike riding and hiking is so available. Most people have to drive to get access to those things, and we have it right in our back yard.
Patrick Fletcher: Even though Somersett has a feeling of sitting by itself, you can be at the airport or downtown Reno within 15 minutes.
Debbie Bennington: I agree! You don’t feel like you’re close. You feel like you’re outside of Reno, but you’re actually very close.
What’s your favorite feature in the Somersett Club at Town Center?
Debbie Bennington The clubhouse has all the amenities. Workout classes are included. You’ve got two pools, tennis court and tons of activities. The Kids’ Corner at Somersett is a fun and interactive environment for children ages two to six. There’s also a Teen Club with video games, board games, X-Boxes, and a pool table.
Mary Mentaberry: I like the pool. It’s a great place to go and take grandkids when they’re around. We had a family party at the clubhouse, and that was fun. The best part was that we didn’t have to set up or clean up!
Patrick Fletcher The Somersett pool is a child’s paradise. It has a 98-foot water slide and interactive pool toys. There’s also a three-lane junior Olympic pool is perfect for lap swimming.
Anne LaVoy: When you’re in the pool, and you’re looking at the mountains and the golf course, it does feel like you’re on vacation. The setting makes it feel resort-like.
Jeff Sallan: As soon as you go to the clubhouse, or go to the gym, or sit in the sauna, or shoot basketball at the court, or play tennis, or sit in the hot tubs, you feel like you’re on vacation. The views are just out of this world.
How would you describe the Somersett community?
Anne LaVoy: The people in Somersett are very welcoming, and there’s a lot of social opportunities. Some are sponsored by the Somersett HOA like the Somersett’s Summer Community Garage Sale. Other times, groups of people just seem to enjoy spending time with one another here, making it a real community.
Jeff Sallan: The thing that drew us to the Somersett area was we saw people walking around or riding their bikes. We just see people out and about, enjoying the outdoors and fresh air.
Patrick Fletcher: There’s a feeling of community here. There are many activities and things to do all year around, no matter if you’re single, a couple or a family with children. It’s a self-contained community.
Debbie Bennington: I always tell people, you can be as social as you want to be here because there are so many things to do. We have hiking and biking trails. It’s a very unique community in that sense.
What does the neighborhood look like?
Mary Mentaberry: I like the open space and common grounds. I love the feeling of driving in and having a well-manicured community. And I like the security. We have security gates in the neighborhood where we live.
Anne LaVoy: I just love the beauty of Somersett. The natural beauty, along with the manicured parkways and just the general upkeep of the areas is beautiful.
What’s special about the golf courses at Somersett?
Photo courtesy somersett.comJeff Sallan: We’ve got the 9-hole Tom Kite designed Canyon Nine Golf Course, and the Somersett Golf Country Club features a Tom Kite signature 18-hole Championship Golf Course. There are some really breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada from every hole.
Anne LaVoy: I love living by a golf course. I don’t play golf very often, but just having the restaurant and occasional use of the golf facilities is great for me too.
Mary Mentaberry: I have a place by the golf course where I take pictures of the trees, and the golf course because it’s so beautiful. I just really enjoy living there. It’s beautiful.
Debbie Bennington: Everybody gets to use the nine-hole par-three golf course who lives in Somersett, including Del Webb residents. That’s unique compared to any other community.
Patrick Fletcher In terms of the championship golf course, it’s definitely a bear. It’s not an easy golf course, but it’s immaculate. They take outstanding care of it. Trust me. I’ve been in those bunkers more than once.
What’s it like buying a home in Somersett?
Anne LaVoy: I’ve noticed people who live in Somersett, when they move, go to another house in Somersett. It’s quite unique to our area. People come here, and they want to stay.
Jeff Sallan: It’s a maturing community on the front edge. There is a lot of opportunity with custom homes as well.
Mary Mentaberry: There’s a really great mix of types of housing from townhomes to custom-built homes. There’s also Sierra Canyon, the Del Webb community in Somersett, which is an active adult 55+ community located on the south slope of Peavine Mountain.
Patrick Fletcher: You can also build your dream home in Somersett. We still have custom lots with amazing views of the golf course, mountains and city skyline.
Debbie Bennington: I think Somersett appeals to a lot of different buyers. You have first time home buyers. You have families who need a bigger home. You have retirees who are downsizing. You have people who want a custom home. There are different price ranges because we go from townhomes to custom homes.
