Thousand Palms, CA

665 Apartments for Rent

Fun fact: Thousand Palms is named after a nearby desert oasis that is created by water forced to the surface by the San Andreas Fault. You can actually trace the fault line by the line of vegetation that marks the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve.

Thousand Palms, population 7,715, is located on the outskirts of Palm Springs, California. Although locals may refer to it affectionately as a town, or even a small city, it is really an unincorporated census place - but one with plenty of character and history.

Moving to Thousand Palms

Small, well-planned subdivisions make up the majority of Thousand Palms' neighborhoods, which are all located on the east side of Highway 10 (also called the Transcontinental Highway), about 15 minutes south of Palm Springs. Most of the sub-developments are south of the east-west connector East Ramon Road and are easily accessible from the highway. Older homes as well as a few planned communities lie north of East Ramon in small clusters on the east side of the community.

Like many bedroom suburbs, Thousand Palms is almost exclusively detached homes. For apartment rental options, such as cozy one or two bedroom apartments or city apartments, you'll want to go to Cathedral City, 5 minutes west of Thousand Palms or further northeast, to Palm Springs. That's not to say you won't find rentals here: Thousand Palms does have single homes for rent. It also doesn't hurt to inquire about whether you can get all bills paid as part of that house rent.

Neighborhoods

Thousand Palms subdivisions have the golfer in mind, which is no surprise since California's southern interior is an ideal setting for a relaxed game of golf. The winding streets of the Tri Palm subdivision are separated toward the center by the long, curved greens of the Club at Shenandoah Springs. Similarly, the Ivey Ranch subdivision, which lies just south of Tri Palms, has its own country club and homeowners association. And, as no desert community would be complete without its golf course, it also has its own country club.

North of E. Ramon Rd. is the small neighborhood of Shangri la Palms, as well as older, unnamed clusters of homes that at one time made up the bulk of the community. Housing options span the gamut, from cozy bungalows to expansive estates overlooking the undeveloped desert landscape to the east.

Living in Thousand Palms

About those Shopping Extravaganzas

Although Thousand Palms has been a distinct community for more than 100 years, it has many of the features of a comfortable suburb that isn't cluttered by shopping malls and high-rise commercial districts. Most of the shopping amenities lie on the west side of Highway 10, either in Cathedral City, Palm Desert, or Palm Springs. The Monterey Market Place and the Cathedral City Market Place are southwest of central Thousand Palms and are within a 15-minute drive of most areas of the town.

When to Make the Move

If you're planning to rent, you'll want to give yourself at least 4 to 6 months to make connections and look at potential prospects. Thousand Palms isn't a rental community per se, but houses do come up for rent at different times of the year. Some homeowners maintain their residences as a second home so they can spend the delightfully dry winters and early spring in Thousand Palms, and the rest of the time further north. So don't be surprised if you can only find a rental for a few months of the year.

At the same time, you'll want to choose your moving date with seasonal temps in mind. The summers can be scorchers and the height of a summer or early fall day is not the best time to be hauling a load of furniture and heavy items by car in California's desert country. Try to pick cool months for moving, if you can, or drive at night if that isn't possible.

What to Bring

House-hunting in Thousand Palms is just like in any major metropolis. You'll likely need references and a credit check. Be prepared to plunk down a deposit, as well. California renter's laws are among the strongest in the nation, but the homeowner does have the right to ask for deposits, first and last, a detailed contract, etc. If you plan to buy, you'll have to jump through the same kind of hoops as anywhere else, so consider ahead of the move what you want and what you are prepared to pay.

Other Handy Details

Having car is a must - A vehicle is essential in this desert oasis, not only for shopping but seeing the many sights outside of your favorite neighborhood. There's nothing like an evening stroll in dry desert air, but don't count on doing it for errands.

Learn about your neighbors - If you want to learn a little bit about the local flora and fauna, the Living Desert Wildlife and Botanical Park in nearby Palm Desert offers you a chance to meet your local neighbors, those two, four and multi-legged residents that you normally won't see except in the desert. It's a great way to get a sense of the amazing workings of your new desert surroundings.

Be respectful of desert runoff - After a hot summer, winter rains seem like a blessing. And they are. But they are also famous for flash floods. Never try to drive across a culvert or a flash flood area during intense runoff, even if the flow looks fairly tame.

Live it up once in a while - Fast-food and family restaurants are scattered throughout the Thousand Palms area, making them an easy stop. For fine dining, however, you'll want to visit Palm Springs or one of the close neighborhoods like Desert Palms or Indio. After all, a ritzy dinner out should be a special trip, even if it is only to the city next door.