Oakland, CA Rent To Own Homes

Rent-to-Own Homes in Oakland, CA: What You Need to Know

Located on the east side of San Francisco, Oakland is a trendy, upbeat city experiencing a rejuvenation in its popularity and atmosphere. The old Victorian architecture is a fantastic contrast to the young professionals and artists moving into the city to make it their home.

Job Opportunities

Job opportunities are robust in this California city. Oakland's key economic industries include government, arts and culture, manufacturing, healthcare and business services, and, like much of California, entertainment. Among the major companies present in the area are Kaiser Permanente, Southwest Airlines, Rainin Instruments, Clorox, Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Pandora, and Securitas Security Services. Each of these large corporations provides hundreds of jobs for the people of Oakland. Small shops and businesses are part of Oakland's economic lifeblood. From tasting rooms to restaurants and boutiques, these small businesses boost the economic activity of the city.

Cost of Living 

Oakland is an expensive place to live. For the more than 412,000 residents of the city, living expenses are approximately 74% more expensive than the rest of the United States. With a median home price of $731,400, housing costs 316% more than the rest of the country. High housing prices are a significant reason why 45% of residents own their homes versus the 55% who rent. The average rent of an apartment here is $2,862. One-bedroom units average $2,447 per month, while two-bedroom units average $3,308. 

Weather and Climate

Summers in Oakland are dry, sunny, warm, and lasts for quite a long time.  Winters are cold and wet but relatively short. Because they are cold and wet, they feel colder than in other parts of California. Highs of 85 degrees can be felt through July, the warmest month, while January, the coldest month, can reach occasional lows of 37 degrees.

Schools and Education

The Oakland Unified School District serves the city's nearly 36,000 school-aged children. The 116 schools, including elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and alternative schools, are part of the district's district-run and charter schools. There are six four-year colleges and universities within Oakland and an additional 27 higher learning institutions within 50 miles of the city. Holy Names University is right in Oakland, and the University of California Berkeley is only seven miles down the road.

The Local Sports Scene

The residents of Oakland and nearby San Francisco share their fandom for the local sports teams in each major league. The Oakland Athletics (A's) and San Francisco Giants are the ones to watch for baseball (MLB), the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers are the football teams to cheer on (NFL), the California Golden Seals take to the ice during hockey season (NHL), and the Golden State Warriors are the basketball team (NBA) to watch.