165 Apartments in Temecula, California

First things first: Temecula is not the name of a hairy arachnid that continues to scare squeamish men, women, and children at insectariums and zoos across the country. Instead, Temecula is the name of a city in southern California situated about 60 miles north of San Diego that just may be the perfect place for you to call home. Boasting luxurious San Diego-style apartments at modest Inland Empire prices, Temecula is an increasingly popular living locale for Southern Californians. Sound like a good fit for you? Then stick with us because the dwellings of your dreams in Tarantula ... we mean, Temecula … are just a few simple clicks away …

First, though, let’s take a moment to provide a brief overview of life in Temecula so that your apartment hunting adventures will be nothing but California cool …

New Town, America

Are you a big fan of bright, shiny new things? Well, yeah, who isn’t?! Luckily for you, Temecula is a relatively new city (until the 1990s, cattle outnumbered residents about a googolplex to 1) that features amenities and housing favorable to any ultramodern American city. Tons of new apartment complexes, condos, and lofts have sprung up in the past decade, and you’d be hard-pressed to find any residential property that’s beginning to show the warts of old age (less than 2% of all housing units were built prior to 1970).

Affordability (for SoCal’s steep standards, anyway)

Good news: Temecula is a viable, suburban alternative that won’t cost you an arm and a leg (luckily, a pinky and a toe should suffice). The average apartment costs around $1300, but it’s very possible to find a quality 1BR pad for less than a grand and a multi-room unit for under 2 grand.

A wine aficionado’s paradise (and so much more)

Napa Valley up north might get all the props for being king of the American wine world, but Temecula isn’t far behind. The Grapeline area is dotted with scenic wine valleys and tasting rooms, and pretty much every apartment in the city is within stumbling distance (or short driving distance … with a designated driver, of course!) of a high-quality vineyard. But life in Temecula is about much more than sipping vino. The centrally-located Old Town District features 600-plus antique shops, arts and crafts dealers, restaurants, and a Farmer’s Market. The streets are dotted with parks, playgrounds, golf courses, biking paths and trails, and the city is also home to a wildlife preserve and numerous festivals throughout the year. Some new bars, clubs, and live music venues have popped up around Old Town in recent years and the Pechanga Resort and Casino boasts a handful of after-hours hotspots as well.

Tips for Tenants

Apartments are readily available as well. Waiting lists are unheard of, and occupancy rates never really spike, so you shouldn’t encounter many stumbling blocks scoring your dream pad. Just be sure to read your lease carefully and pay attention to the fine print, as property managers have different rules. Also, give your new place a solid inspection (along with a friend, preferably, as another pair of eyes are always helpful) before moving in. Check for leaky pipes, sinks, and shower heads, faulty appliances, water stains on the walls, floor, ceilings, etc. If something major needs to be replaced or repaired, don’t move in until it’s fixed.

Equip yourself with the basics before submitting a renter’s application, including banking info, proof of income, and a list of prior residences. Most landlords charge prospective tenants a $35-$50 fee to run a background/credit check, while others charge additional fees for cleaning, changing locks, or general upkeep. If you feel like a landlord is overcharging you for supplemental, pre-move-in fees, keep up your search for the perfect place, because it’s not hard to find great properties with killer move-in specials elsewhere in Temecula.

Finally, have fun on your apartment hunting adventures and welcome to Temecula!