Tracy, CA 103 Apartments for Rent

Tracy - Home of the Grand Theater of the Arts, where even Kathy Griffin could not stay away.

The warm weather and sunny skies of California are a perpetual draw for those searching for a place to call home. Tracy, located in San Joaquin County, is the second most populous city in that county, and a good choice for finding rental property. More than 82,940 people call this magical place home, with an enticing mix of cultures to give the city its own unique characteristics. Compared to the rest of California, the cost of living in Tracy is nowhere near as expensive - you'll be able to break West without breaking your budget. However, in comparison to the median national cost of living, its still more than 30% more expensive than the national average. Keep this in mind during your search for rental properties in Tracy.

Preparations for Finding an Apartment in Tracy

The vacancy rate for apartments in Tracy is a negligible 3%, meaning the competition for good rental properties is quite fierce. Get your game face on when starting your search. Excellent apartments don’t last long before they are snatched up by eager renters. In some cases, you might even find that there is a shortlist of interested renters waiting for an apartment in a desirable neighborhood to become available. Just like at the club, do what you can to get in front of the line. Before you wade into the fray, you must prepare for battle, because only the best man or woman will get the coveted apartments. Think Hunger Games, except you most likely won't die.

Prioritize Do you have any kind of preferences in rental property that you absolutely cannot do without? For instance, do you prefer to rent in a gated community, senior community, or an apartment with a friendly policy towards pets? In some cases, you might need an apartment that is located in close proximity to public transportation routes to enable you move around with ease. Whatever the case, write it all down to enable you nail down the apartment you want very quickly as you crosscheck the availability of the most important items on your list. The amenities offered by different apartments vary, and you have to find out from the property managers if they have all of the amenities you prefer the most.

Ready Cash Counts Due to the high level of competition, having the cash to put down on your security deposit is important. It's best to put your money where your mouth is and let it do the talking, no matter how smooth your moves are. Most landlords will need a security deposit, usually one or two months’ rent, in addition to the rent. Having this handy to seal the agreement will go a long way toward removing unnecessary delays. Call the management of the property to find out the terms for the security deposit. Be prepared for your rental application interview, with letters of recommendation from your employer, or from your previous landlord, to help pave the way for you with your prospective landlord. Make sure you credit check contains no funny business as well, for landlords in this tight market will more than likely be checking it. Bad credit might mean that you have to look for a faithful cosigner to your application, or to serve as a guarantor for your application. However, don’t be surprised if big sister isn’t too eager to do so because few people are willing to put their good name on the line like that.

Tracy Neighborhoods

Mountain House: This is an expensive neighborhood with rental prices that are quite steep in comparison to the national average, while falling short of the prices in more expensive areas in California, like Hollywood Hills. There may not be as many celebrities here, but more the opportunity for you to shine like a star. This area is a suburban paradise, with a sizable number of high-rise apartments and apartment complexes for rent. The homes in this area tend to be mostly newer, with some older homes built from the ‘70s onward. $$$$

Carbona / Lyoth: This neighborhood is mainly comprised of mobile homes, and single-family homes. The location of this area makes it a bit remote, meaning very long commutes to and from work- at least two hours on the road getting to work and trying to get back to the home. If you love belting out tunes to the radio then this might not seem so bad. One interesting way that the residents of this neighborhood have found to deal with their commute is to work from home and sing all day. More than 12.5% of the residents choose to make this route. This might not be the best option for you if you do not own a vehicle.$$$

S Lammers Rd / W Valpico: S Lammers Rd / W Valpico is another expensive part of town with a large number of newer properties built from 2000 onwards. If you clean and new, then here is the place to hunt! This is the neighborhood for the young and young at heart, with a decidedly hip and urban appeal, mixed with a culturally diverse flavor that is unique to California cities. A little spice in life is always nice. Long commutes are also a factor to consider when looking for a place in this neighborhood. Families with children will find this spot appealing due to the family-friendly environment. $$$$

Living in Tracy, CA

Tracy is that mixture of workers from across the professional spectrum, ranging from executives, to office workers, and sales professionals. Due to the presence of a large number of families with children, those in search of rental housing in this area will blend right in with the other families. The city has a vibrant public school district, with a sizable number of people who have at least a bachelor’s degree, meaning that they place a premium on education. As a result of the large number of families with children, this city has a lot of activities geared toward family entertainment. Art centers, museums, parks, bike trails, and other activities help keep families busy. Hey, if you're without a family and like these activities there's nothing stopping you from enjoying them too! Tracy also has some music concerts and festivals to further entertain the residents and a low crime rate in comparison to the national average. The largest drawback of living in this area is the difficult commute which can frazzle even the calmest of nerves, though the people who call Tracy home seem to be managing just fine. Turn up the radio and cruise to Tracy to start your apartment search.