Heritage Village Apartments

707 W Santa Ana St, Anaheim, CA 92805 29 20

Avalon Anaheim Stadium

City Guide: Anaheim, CA

Situated 25 miles south of Los Angeles in the heart of perpetually sunny SoCal, Anaheim is a vibrant, diverse community featuring some of the Golden State's most luxurious and family-friendly apartments for rent. Home of the stars and the Angels, Mickey Mouse and the Ducks, and 350,000 of California's brightest, it's a prime residence for party animals and family folks alike.

Is living in a diverse, culturally rich environment your cup of tea (or taza de té, as your neighbors may call it)? Then you can't go wrong with Anaheim. The city is home to large numbers of Latinos (the Mexican community accounts for nearly half its residents), Asians, African-Americans, and Caucasians, while the German, Irish, and British communities have deep roots in Anaheim as well. The days of Anaheim being a largely homogenous bedroom community are long gone.

Few places make it easier to be a tourist in your own town than Anaheim, especially if you've got youngsters (or you're simply a child at heart). The city is a theme park aficionado's nirvana, featuring a slew of renowned vacation destinations, including Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park, Knott's Berry Farm, and Adventure City.

But fun and games in Anaheim go beyond roller coasters and Sleeping Beauty's castle. In the mood to sample the local fares, have a few drinks, or just people-watch? Visit the Anaheim Packing House, an expansive gourmet food hall featuring a wide range of eclectic local cuisines. Did you enjoy a few too many deserts and brews at the Packing House? Go for a walk or bike ride in beautiful Yorba National Park. Money burning a hole in your pocket? The shops at Anaheim Town Square, Anaheim Plaza, or the GardenWalk are calling your name. Other popular attractions for both tourists and locals include the Flightdesk Flight Simulation Center, the Sky Deck Indoor Trampoline Park, and, of course, Angel Stadium and the Honda Center, home of the Angels and Ducks, respectively.

Anaheim is all about tourism. As the saying goes, one person's home is another person's 4-day, 3-night stay.

Okay, maybe that's not a saying (yet, anyway), but tourism is certainly the lifeblood of Anaheim, with Disneyland alone pumping nearly 5 billion dollars into its economy each year. If you're anywhere near the Resort District, be prepared to see Mickey ears, Elsa wands, and camera-wielding tourists in flowery shirts in every direction.

Other industries with strong presences in Anaheim include medical, industrial, IT, retail, and hospitality. Once largely dependent on businesses in L.A. for their income, residents of Anaheim have grown accustomed to living, working, and playing without leaving the comfy confines of Orange County.

It's no secret that traffic throughout Southern California is notoriously nightmarish, and Anaheim - in parts, anyway - is no different. The streets surrounding Anaheim Resort, which includes Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center, are frequently gridlocked. If you're moving to Anaheim to work in one of the many businesses in this part of town, do yourself a favor and find an apartment for rent within walking/biking distance of your workplace. And if, like many residents, you plan to make the daily commute to Los Angeles to punch the clock, be prepared to spend at least an hour on I-5, inching along at a pace that makes snails look like racecars.

Good news is, the bulk of the morning traffic goes away from Anaheim, not towards it. Take solace in the fact that traffic may feel like a beast in a few choice parts, but compared to the perpetual traffic jam on the streets of L.A. Anaheim's roadways are smooth sailing.

Anaheim is a large, spread-out city, and its vibes vary greatly in different parts. Before you sign your name on a lease, be sure to get a good feel for aneighborhood to make sure it fits your personality. Anaheim's most popular stomping grounds include:

Southwest Anaheim . It's hard to be grumpy when you live next door to the "Happiest Place on Earth," right? Maybe, maybe not. Living just outside Disneyland's gates certainlyhas its perks, including close proximity to public transit, shopping hotspots, eateries, and other entertainment venues. It's also an extremelywalker-friendly area. The downside: Your neighbors at Disneyland have an odd habit of setting fireworks off every single night, and their houseguests tendto be quite noisy.

Northwest Anaheim . Anchored by the shops, stores, and retail services on North Euclid, Northwest Anaheim is a more traditional residential area, with minimal tourist traffic.It's popular among married couples and families with children and lays claim to some of the city's most well-regarded schools. Rentals range fromfamily-sized townhomes and condos to 1BR apartments perfect for singles who want to live near the action of Anaheim without being completely immersed init.

West Anaheim . Situated on the other side of I-5 from Northwest Anaheim, West Anaheim is a sprawling, largely suburban neighborhood featuring a mix of well-establishedand brand-new housing developments. Like Northwest Anaheim, it is home to several quality schools, parks, shopping centers, and other family-friendlyamenities.

The Colony . An historic, perpetually buzzing neighborhood situated downtown, the Colony is in the heart of Anaheim and includes City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, andthe Center Street Promenade. Apartment hunters who appreciate a decidedly urban, busy vibe will feel right at home in the Colony.

Platinum Triangle . A young urban professional's paradise, Platinum Triangle is a hip, up-and-coming neighborhood centered around Honda Center and Angel Stadium. High-densityapartments and lofts dot the streets, and the Triangle's proximity to many of Anaheim's after-hours hotspots makes it a popular choice for singles andnight owls.

With its year-round sunshine, low crime rates, and highly-regarded schools, Anaheim is surely one of California's most expensive places to live, right? Surprisingly, no. The average rental in Anaheim goes for just $1600, while studios and 1BR units sometimes pop up for $1000 or less. Compared to much of SoCal, where a grand will barely yield you a broom closet, Anaheim is a steal.

High rollers, meanwhile, won't find any shortage of options, either. Luxury apartments in Anaheim (in the $2000-$3000 range) are readily available and often come equipped with swimming pools, gyms, scenic views, concierge service, and other high-end amenities. Rentals account for more than half of Anaheim's housing stock, and new apartments continue to sprout, so feel free to be choosy, whether you're in the market for a crash pad or a castle.

Finally, a few tips to help you choose the right Anaheim, California apartment:

Be choosy . Anaheim isn't Manhattan or even L.A. where prime apartments are often swooped up before they're even listed. Anaheim is a renter's market, and your options are plentiful. Don't let a landlord pressure you into signing a lease unless you're sure it's the right move.

Stack your bargaining chips . Prices for apartments in Anaheim aren't written in stone. Especially if you're a perfect renter (good renting/credit history, decent income, solid references, etc.), property managers may be willing to cut you a deal. Tip. If you're planning to stay for more than a year, offer to sign amulti-year lease, at a lower price. This will save your landlord the trouble of trying to find a brand new tenant after one year.

Now that we have the basics out of the way, don't delay - start clicking away, and happy hunting!