Palo Alto Apartments and Rentals

Named after a tree that stood more than 110 feet tall, Palo Alto and its residents have long looked to surpass the sky-high goals set by the founders of this metropolis. Home to the prestigious Stanford University and a number of high-tech firms, the California city is one of the fastest moving and most intelligent areas in the country.

With numerous job opportunities in the tech field and at the university, people looking for Palo Alto apartments for rent will be amazed at how quickly they fall in love with the sunny metropolis. A Mediterranean climate provides a comfortable atmosphere for some of the brightest minds in the country to operate, and many of these individuals choose to take in views of the mountains on long bike rides or enjoy a walk in the baylands after dinner to wind down after a long day of work.

Before the city was founded and incorporated, the area was full of massive trees and fertile grassland, and out of this beginning grew a small community that eventually was able to support Stanford University. This was founded by Leland Stanford in 1876 and the development of this institution forever shaped the city that grew around it.

According to the 2010 Census, the population of the metropolis is 63,581, and these residents are made up of people from all walks of life due to the various industries located in the area.

These residents are some of the most educated in the country, and more than three-quarters of the adults in the community have an advanced degree. The academic mentality that is prevalent in the area helps to shape the way people carry out their day-to-day activities, and the city is surprisingly easy going for a place that has so much brainpower.

There are a number of business opportunities directly in the city and the outskirts, as the local government, the Hewlett-Packard Company, Stanford's hospital and clinics, TIBCO Software and many small tech firms employ the city's residents. The metropolis is also influenced by the many companies located in Silicon Valley, and the Stanford Shopping Center provides job placement for those who may not be technically inclined.

Stanford University is one of the country's premier academic institutions and a jewel of the West Coast's higher education system. With more than 19,000 students, it prepares some of the nation's brightest for careers in a number of fields. A thriving sports program gives students and residents alike a chance to see Division 1 athletics firsthand, as the university represents one of the Pac 12 Conference's' best teams in several areas.

Housing in the city is linked to the university and the many middle-class suburban residences that are scattered around the region have made it one of the most expensive metropolitan areas in the country. People looking for Palo Alto rentals will have a number of options, as they can live close to the school or find a nice abode near one of the many parks located in the area.

Though it is one of the more expensive places in the U.S., the city has options for those looking to spend less than tech-savvy millionaires, especially around the university where most of the students live.

The median gross rent for the metropolis is $1,723 a month, according to the 2010 Census, but people looking for Palo Alto apartments can find places to live for less than this amount.

The city is home to Nobel Prize winners, chief executives of major Silicon Valley firms, Facebook and one of the world's top universities and medical centers, but people looking for Palo Alto rentals need not feel intimidated. High quality public schools provide residents with an outstanding education, and children can look to Stanford for inspiration in their academic pursuits.

Palo Alto has a number of quality restaurants, several shopping centers and expansive views and residents have a wide selection of activities to participate in on hot, summer days. Gardening enthusiasts are especially welcome in the city, which has three sites that will provide an aesthetically pleasing experience for all.

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