Taft, CA

1 Apartments for Rent

Taft was not always known by this name. In the past, it has been called Siding Number Two, Moro, and even Moron! Luckily, the name of the city was finally changed to honor William Howard Taft, the 27th president of the United States.

Taft is a small city of 9,327 people. It is located about a half hour southwest of Bakersfield, just barely within the San Joaquin Valley. Its history revolves around both the railroad and oil, so you know this area has been important for the more than 100 years it has been around. And now that you are thinking about looking for rental homes in Taft, this city is about to become important to you, too!

Moving to Taft

If it's always been your dream to end up in California, but you happen to be low on funds, don't give up! You can move to Taft, which features a median rent that is below not just the California average, but also the national average. That's a feat for any city in this state! Maybe that means you can upgrade from a studio apartment for rent to an all bills paid house or condo rental. And if you really want to settle down here, the good news just keeps on coming, because the median sales price of homes here is just as reasonable.

The vacancy rate in Taft is a little lower than average, which means you are probably not the only person who enjoys great housing deals. Surprise, surprise! So be sure to start scouting out apartment complexes here as soon as possible if you need to find a place soon. Bringing your checkbook and proof of income wouldn't hurt, either. With a deposit, good rental history, and evidence that you can in fact pay your bills, no sane landlord will turn you down!

Taft Neighborhoods

Technically, most of Taft is not inhabited. It just has a lot of land, with an area of more than 15 square miles. But if you actually want to live in a permanent dwelling and not a tent on empty land, you should focus on the three main neighborhoods that feature a mix of houses, apartments, condos, and townhouses.

City Center: This is the most expensive part of the city, but in return, you get a very walkable neighborhood. This means you can easily walk to Taft Hills Plaza Shopping Center, Westside Shopping Center‰Û_you get the drift. There is lots of shopping to be done here!

Taft Heights/South Taft: If you want to spend a little less on housing but keep that high level of walkability, look for a house or apt for rent here. This area is on the west side of the, well, West Side Highway. It is also conveniently located near A Street Park, Fox Theatre Taft, and other local businesses you will want to visit.

Ford City: This is on the northern end of the city. While it is cheaper than the other two neighborhoods here, it is also less walkable. But you can likely still walk to Ford City park and nearby Franklin Field if you're interested.

Living in Taft

This city is located minutes away from Interstate 5, which is a big deal when you live in California, since it can take you north and south throughout the entire state. If you are just looking to stay in or around Taft, you can take West Side Highway or Maricopa Highway to get around.

If you are into history, this is the perfect city for you. Thanks to Taft's long history involving oil, one of the major attractions here is the West Kern Oil Museum. You can also visit The Fort, which was built in 1940 and is now a historical landmark that is popular for weddings and other events. Other things to do here in this surprisingly fun little city include skydiving, hitting the links at the Buena Vista Golf Course, and seeing a movie at the Fox Theatre. Of course, you can also spend your time looking at house, apartment, and condo rentals in an attempt to find your next home!