Oceanside Apartments and Rentals

Beach bums with a city slicker streak need look no further than Oceanside, California, for their next home. Those seeking Oceanside apartments for rent will find a city that has some of the best beaches in the area but also plenty of entertainment downtown. Along with Carlsbad and Vista, Oceanside forms a tri-city area just north of San Diego and south of the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

With 3.5 miles of white sandy beaches, 30 parks and plenty of arts and culture in the city itself, Oceanside residents may not ever want to leave this gorgeous location. However, when they do, the city of San Diego is just 35 miles south and offers even more recreation and entertainment.

The 167,086 people who call Oceanside home live in 13 different neighborhoods throughout the city. Although each has its own distinct taste, residents can easily get around the city using public transportation.

Oceanside's history began in the San Luis Rey Valley when it was explored by Spanish explorer Portola in 1769. The founding of the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in 1798 spurred the development in this area, cultivating fruit orchards and cattle farms that included large populations of Native Americans. The Mission still exists as a tourist attraction and reminder of the area's rich history, but the city has been largely developed closer to the shoreline.

Oceanside is the headquarters for Genica Corporation, also known as Geek.com, a personal electronics supply company that serves as a major private employer in the area, along with the biotechnology company Genentech, Inc. and aircraft industry leader The Deutsch Company.

However, those looking for rentals in Oceanside will also find many jobs in education and healthcare. The region has nearly 21,000 students in the community and employs more than 3,000 individuals, and the Tri-City Medical Center, established in the 1960s, is one of the largest employers in the area.

Oceanside is also home to students from MiraCosta College, a public two-year community college.

Those looking for apartments in Oceanside should expect to pay over $1,000 each month on rent. According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, the gross median rent in 2010 was $1,354, but apartments can cost as much as $2,050, research shows. The average household income is just about $63,000, making the cost of living in this city somewhat high.

This beachfront community is known as an escape from the hustle and bustle of the nearby crowded cities. Surfers, sunbathers and swimmers will enjoy its eight pristine beaches and some of the best surfing in the county. The historic pier - one of the longest wooden construction recreational piers on the West Coast, reaching 1,942 feet into the Pacific - is a prized community resource, offering locals and tourists alike a place to relax after beach hours are over. The Oceanside Harbor also offers plenty of water-related activities, while the nearby Harbor Village has shops, restaurants and the annual Harbor Days event, which is held the third weekend in September.

Away from the shore, the Mission San Luis Rey is one of Oceanside's most historic attractions, dating back to 1798. Its gorgeous architecture is a mix of Spanish, Mexican and Moorish styles and serves as a stunning backdrop for conventions, conferences and weddings. Visits to the California Surf Museum and the Oceanside Museum of Art are just a couple of the other cultural opportunities in the area.

To find your next rental apartment or house in Oceanside, take a look at our listings on Rent.com®.