One of Reno's oldest neighborhoods just became one of the nation's "coolest."

National magazine, The Men's Journal has named the Old Southwest Reno as one of the 30 best places to live in America. The June issue ranks the area alongside 29 other posh neighborhoods in cities such as Portland, Seattle and San Francisco.

The magazine gives mention of the wonderful Reno weather. 250 days of sunshine per year to be exact. People who live in the neighborhood are hoping the magazine not only helps boost their property values, but they say it also gave them a whole new sense of neighborhood pride.

The Old Southwest is the type of neighborhood where no two homes are alike. It's the very spot where the distant casinos and the rowdy nightlife of downtown--meet suburbia.

There's no need for a car. Most everything is within walking or biking distance. Porches are large, trees are mature, and no one's afraid to say hello to their neighbor.

"Like yesterday, I woke up in the morning and went out on the porch. I am kind of looking around and my neighbor is playing the guitar on the porch. I'm like, 'hey how's it going?" said Old Southwest Reno resident, Justin Morales.

The magazine article calls the old Southwest the 'new Boulder, Colorado,' but many residents say the neighborhood is in a category of its own.

"I've lived in other places in the Northwest. I studied abroad for a year. And I think by far Reno is just the coolest. The 'Biggest Little City' means something. It's big and it's small," said Justin Cartinello, who lives and works in the old Southwest.

"I like it down here. I live down by the river and there's a lot of community down there. We always go walking, we go to the Pneumatic Diner, we come here. There are always a lot of people out," added Olivia Moschetti, who lives in the old Southwest.

Men's Journal writers say the Old Southwest gained its notoriety through it's leafy sidewalks, skiing up the hill, and a happening white water park. But locals say there's even more to it. You can shop for local produce or hit the art museum. There are schools, playgrounds, and news stands on nearly every corner. And many say it's just the perfect place to sit and enjoy a cold beer or a hot cup of coffee.

"It's a really tight-knit community. I almost feel like I know someone on every block in this neighborhood," said Morales.

"I've lived here my whole life and this is by far the best neighborhood I have ever lived in," said Cartinello.

Other neighborhoods that made the list include the the North End of Boise, Idaho, the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn, New York, and the Railyard District in Santa Fe, New Mexico. You can find the June 2009 men's journal issue on news stands right now, or you can read it on line.

http://www.mensjournal.com/the-best-nabes-west.