Oceanside, California, combines the sun and surf of a typical West Coast beach town with a laid-back attitude. Oceanside is an affordable destination for those seeking refuge from the desert-like heat of areas further inland and can't afford to pay an arm and a leg for beach side living. Oceanside is far from a resort community; it is alive with families, surfers and students who live, work and play near California's beautiful coast.
Oceanside, CA is a great place for affordable rent-to-own homes! With a median household income of over $75,411 and a median rent of $1,803, the Oceanside, CA rent-to-own market is more affordable than the traditional housing market which has shown tremendous growth across the U.S. and with it, aggressive competition for home purchases. With the current housing shortage trend it can make it harder to become a homeowner, including in Oceanside, CA. This means higher than average down payments for homes and higher qualification standards for conventional home loans. With a rent-to-own property, tenants are also buyers. You can live in the house for a set amount of time before you purchase it, meaning that you get to know the house, your neighbors, and your community before making the final purchase. This enables you and your family to make the right choice based on both information and experience. Rent-to-own is also a great alternative way to get into a home if you have bad credit or don't have enough saved for a down payment.
Oceanside, CA is seeing rapid growth and Oceanside, CA's' housing market remains not optimal with an average home price that is 147% above the 2023 national average. Oceanside, CA is part of San Diego county and taxes are an important factor to consider when purchasing a home whether through rent to own or a traditional purchase. The average tax rate as of 2023 for county San Diego is 0.61% which is below the national average, which is 0.99%.
Housing Statistics Due to the large military population just to the north on Camp Pendleton, the percentage of renters to homeowners is almost even; just 58% of people living in Oceanside own their own homes. The apartment vacancy rate is only around 5%, half of the national average. Oceanside is generally a less expensive alternative to the city's Carlsbad neighbors to the south, so it can be tricky to find a rental to fit a tight budget. Home rentals can be scarce and expensive, so most available rentals are in apartment complexes or multifamily homes. The average listing price for a home in Oceanside is $526,525 and the median sales price is around $350,000. There are still opportunities to pick up a deal in foreclosures around Oceanside, with some sellers offering rent to own contracts for families interested in becoming homeowners.
Largest Employers and Industries The largest employer in Oceanside is Tri-City Medical Center. Tri-City staffs 1,900 employees at doctors' offices, an outpatient surgical center, and a hospital in Oceanside. The City of Oceanside itself employs the second highest number of employees at around 1,060, and Mira Costa College comes in third with 1,000 employees.
Local Shopping There are plenty of locally owned shops in Oceanside. Pacific Coast Cycles on Coast Highway offers a large variety of bikes, ranging from colorful beach cruisers to slick racing bikes. Their clientele of loyal customers are a testament to their high level of proficiency and service. Real Surf Surf Shop on Coast Highway is a go-to for surfers and swimmers alike. They are family owned and beach bum approved. Cigar Grotto, also on Coast Highway, is the perfect shopping destination for even the most particular of cigar aficionados. Oceanside Photo & Telescope is one of the only shops in the area to offer telescopes and star gazing tools. They even let customers try out their new equipment after the sun sets. Ladies in need of some stylish new beachwear should check out Closet on Mission Avenue. They offer a selection of outfits with a beach vibe for every occasion at reasonable prices. Hut No. 8 on Oceanside Boulevard is a resale shop for men and women with a selection of high end clothes at affordable prices. Customers can also trade in their designer brands when it's time for a change.
Neighborhood Guide Although Oceanside is best known for its beaches, it is a large and densely populated city full of unique neighborhoods. Here are some you should know about: