Oakley, CA 103 Apartments for Rent

Oakley: A quaint suburb with a name that literally means "meadow of oak trees."

Oakley is a quiet, rather new city located in the eastern portion of the San Francisco Bay Area. Currently, about 35,000 people call Oakley their home. Although the city was only incorporated in 1999, there's no shortage of places to live, learn, and play in this former farming town. Since Oakley is farther inland than San Francisco, the summers can be a little bit warmer than on the bay. But don't worry; temperatures rarely get above 96 degrees, and the winter temperatures don't often drop below 40 degrees. So if you're looking for extreme weather, you won't find it here, unless you're afraid of occasional rain and fog. Oh, and as you search for apartments in Oakley, don't confuse this city with Oakland, a much larger area closer to the bay.

Finding Rental Properties in Oakley

One advantage of being more inland than most San Francisco Bay Area suburbs is the lower cost of housing. Instead of settling for a tiny studio apartment with shockingly high rent, you can find spacious apartments and even houses for less than you might be used to if you're from a big, cramped city. But don't get too excited, because the cost of living in Oakley is still higher than average, about 13 percent higher than the average city, so housing prices are not exactly rock bottom.

What kinds of prices can you expect?

Well, as with any area, rental property costs range depending on the neighborhood you choose and the quality and size of the home. But in general, you can expect to find two-bedroom apartments starting at a price that's a bit more reasonable than neighboring San Francisco.

How much competition will you have for rentals?

The rental vacancy rate in Oakley is about 5 percent, and only about 24 percent of people who live in this city rent. You might not have much competition since most people prefer to buy in Oakley, but you should still start looking for places to rent at least one month before you need to move.

What do you need to rent property?

Most property owners will want to check your credit report and any references you have from previous rentals. You should also bring proof of income, such as your last two pay stubs, to show you have a job and can afford to rent in Oakley.

Oakley Neighborhoods

You don't have to be a local to get familiar with what's available in the main neighborhoods of Oakley. In fact, before you starting looking for places to rent, you should get an idea of the type of housing and character each area has.

Bethel Island: If you like laid back, well-established areas with affordable housing, Bethel Island may be ideal for you. This neighborhood features lots of studios and one or two-bedroom apartments for rent, as well as some older houses and mobile homes. It should be easy to find a rental here since the vacancy rate is nearly 20 percent.

Main St. and Teakwood Dr: This is another established, affordable area in Oakley. If you want to rent a larger apartment or seek a high-rise building, give this neighborhood a look. Just be aware of its rather low vacancy rate and above-average demand for housing.

City Center: You'll find lots of medium and large houses, in addition to mobile homes in this area. Though it's inexpensive to buy a home here, the rental costs are higher than average. The good news is that the area is quite walkable.

Sand Hill: If you need a rental property, you'll be happy to know that the rental costs in this suburban neighborhood are lower than most cities in California. At the same time, it is expensive to buy a home here, so renting is a good idea.

Living in Oakley

When you want to live in a tranquil suburb and work in a major city, Oakley is your answer. You can enjoy all that suburbia has to offer without giving up the many job opportunities you'll find closer to San Francisco. It's no wonder so many choose to commute just so they can afford to live in a nice new area away from the big city. You'll need a car in this city, especially if you plan to commute to work. In fact, take note that for many people in Oakley, the commute to work takes over an hour, which is the tradeoff of living in a suburb. Make sure you not only have a car, but that you also look for a place to rent near the highway that you will take to get to work if you want to shorten your commute. Public transportation in Oakley is offered through the Tri Delta bus. Its four routes can take you around the city.

If you're looking for a newer area to settle down in, and you don't mind living inland from the Bay, Oakley is a viable option. And if you enjoy being near shady oak trees and breathtaking vineyards (who doesn't?), this area is definitely for you.