Lincoln, CA 176 Apartments for Rent

The National Civic League named Lincoln an All-America City back in 2006. Only 10 other places won this award in 2006, and Lincoln was the only California winner.

Located in Placer County, Lincoln, California spans about 20 square miles and has a population in the 40,000s. The city has experienced some of the nation's fastest growth in the last decade and has developed into an in-demand city. This means you'll have to expect a higher cost of living if you want to live here. As well as a lot of competition. The supply is low and the demand is heading for the top of the charts.

Moving to Lincoln

Lincoln used to be a sleepy little town, and perhaps you should have gotten in then. Today, there's nothing easy about finding an apartment for rent in Lincoln. First, you have to deal with the low vacancy rates, and then you have to stomach the high prices. In the end, however, you can find good opportunities if you're willing to hunt for them. Start early, and give yourself a few months to find new digs.

When you head out on your apartment search, don't go empty handed--ever. Show up with proof that you not only have a job but also that you earn at least three times the rent. Be prepared for a credit check, and have a deposit ready to hand over when you do find a place. Landlords have the pick of the litter, so you have to give them a reason to pick you. If you have bad credit, expect a difficult time. Be prepared to provide a co-signer and do a lot of begging--a lot.

Neighborhoods

Lincoln is known for its nice areas that make pleasant homes for everyone. Prices and housing options vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. Here are a few to consider:

Waterfield Ct/Northfield Ln: Pricey is nice-y.That's one way to describe the housing in this part of town. In all fairness, however, living here is only pricey in comparison with the rest of the country's rental rates. For Lincoln, this neighborhood is pretty affordable. Vacancy rates tend to stay around 5 percent, and you'll find a fair number of townhomes and single-family homes to rent here.

Sheridan: Sheridan has a more rural feel than other parts of Lincoln, California. Now, if that doesn't make you want to run screaming in the other direction, there is some major good news: Sheridan rents are below average for the area. That being said, you'll still have to keep lower rents in perspective. Lower than average here is still considerably higher than the average rent nationwide. Your choices for rentals are also somewhat limited, as you'll find mostly single-family and mobile homes in this part of town.

Route 193/Stardust Ln: The name Startdust Lane makes it sound fancy, but in reality the area is urban--nice and urban. There are two pieces of bad news if you're considering this neighborhood. One is the fact that the area is mostly owner occupied, and the second involves the vacancy rate. It's low, coming in at only around 4 percent. To be fair, there's another downer: rents here are higher than the average for Lincoln. If, however, you can pay the bills and have the patience to conduct a lengthy apartment search, this area offers everything from studio, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments to single-family homes. You'll even find high-rises here, giving the neighborhood more of a real city feel.

Clayton: If you can get past the sticker shock, you'll see that Clayton is a nice suburban place to call home. If you don't mind the high rents in this area, you'll probably appreciate the atmosphere. What you might not love so much is learning that the area is not only primarily owner occupied but also has vacancy rates of only about 2 percent. This means the wait for one of the neighborhood's single-family homes or townhomes could be very long.

Nicolaus Rd/Joiner Pky: As you'd probably expect, this urban area offers more apartments to rent that many of its suburban neighbors. Though you'll also find some homes for rent among the apartment complexes in this neighborhood, you'll discover that the area is mostly owner occupied. Add this to the fact that vancancy rates are around the 4 percent mark, and you could find your apartment search a bit challenging. Persevere through this, and you can find an apartment rental that is relatively reasonable.

Twelve Bridges Dr/Stoneridge Blvd: This neighborhood is mostly owner occupied (tired of hearing that yet?) and has a vacancy rate of around 3 percent. There are lots of newer single-family homes and townhomes in the area, making it perfect for you if you dig the smell of wet paint. You'll also find some apartment rentals thrown into the mix. Rental prices here are really nothing to write home about, but you won't shed tears over them either. Commute times tend to be shorter than those in many other parts of Lincoln, so you'll save a bit on gas money too.

Twelve Bridges Dr/Sierra College Blvd: If you're into big and beautiful (bedrooms), this neighborhood is calling your name. The rentals tend to be large homes or large apartments within large homes. Like much of Lincoln, however, the area has a high percentage of owner occupants, and the vacancy rates hover around 4 percent. If you see a rental home you like here, jump on it. They get snapped up rather quickly. Get ready to enjoy the feel of this friendly neighborhood, but expect to pay through the nose for it.

Athens Ave/Athens Rd: While many of the more urban areas in Lincoln, California offer lower rental prices, such is not the case with the Athens Ave/Athens Rd area. To live here, you'll either need to have plenty of cash, lots of roomies, or a willingness to live on peanut butter and jelly. And that's if you can even find a rental here. With the area's 2 percent vacancy rate, your chances don't look good. If you do get lucky, however, you'll find mostly apartments and townhomes to rent, with a few apartment homes thrown in.