Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA (1,733 Rentals)

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Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers

Maximize your work-life balance in San Francisco. Discover the ideal neighborhoods for renting, from SoMa to Nob Hill, for employees of the city's 5 leading companies.

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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

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San Francisco's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about San Francisco and the best places to live with original content written by our San Francisco, CA Local Expert Shannon Hilson

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Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

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San Mateo, CA Local Guide

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Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.

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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco

A Local Experts guide to the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods Near Colleges in the Bay area for affordable living. Find your perfect San Francisco Student apartment, condo, or rental home today at ApartmentHomeliving.com

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How a Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit

Learn How a Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit from the Renter University at AparmentHomeLiving.com.

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San Mateo Overview

San Mateo is a warm, welcoming city with down-to-earth people from all walks of life. Easy access to big cities and beautiful vacation destinations makes San Mateo a perfect place to raise a family, start a career, or anything in between.

What is the history of San Mateo?

First discovered by Spanish explorers in 1776, San Mateo soon became a farm town to grow and support the church. It wasn't until much later, in 1889, when the Crystal Springs dam was finished, assuring clean drinking water for future residents. This allowed San Mateo to officially become a town on September 3, 1894.

How is the weather in San Mateo?

Weather in San Mateo is beautiful as you avoid both extreme cold and extreme heat. The lowest you'll generally see for a high is 56 degrees in December and January. For the summer months, you'll see low 70s for a high with cool, comfortable nights. The comforting rainy season starts in November and lasts until March.

How do I get around town?

Everything you need is easily reachable by car, but you can also ride the bus, train or rail all around Northern California. You're also only 30 minutes south of San Francisco if you need to travel by plane.

What is the San Mateo commute like?

The major freeways running through San Mateo are the 92, 101 and 280. The 101 will take you to either San Francisco or San Jose in about 30 minutes if need be. Expect to add about 15 minutes to a 30 minute commute during rush hour.

What are the local media outlets?

You'll find a full array of radio stations that you'd expect from an area of big cities. The local newspaper, the San Mateo Daily Journal, is published six days a week, and ABC7 San Mateo is the go-to news channel.

Why live in San Mateo, CA?

San Mateo is great for those who don't want to deal with the burdens of a big city, but who would also like access to the big cities when needed. 35 minutes south and you'll end up in San Jose, or head 30 minutes north to the beautiful city of San Francisco. That's not to say San Mateo doesn't have its own impressive amenities. Downtown you'll find over 200 restaurants to choose from for a night of great food and entertainment. On top of all that, the San Mateo school district is one of the best around, with parents raving about great teachers.

What San Mateo landmarks should I see?

Small town landmarks such as Leon the Giraffe Statue in Central park add a classic, humble feel to the city that show you it's not all about the glitz and glam. For some of the most beautiful views in the Bay Area, you can head over to the College of San Mateo campus where you'll find a few extra-tasty food trucks always hanging out.

What is there to do around San Mateo?

From a serene Japanese garden for peaceful sightseeing to Coyote Point Recreation Area where you can hike, mountain bike or go boating, you'll always have something fun planned. Residents will also be able to tell you that there are many fun festivals throughout the year since the weather is nice year-round.

Any annual festivals or San Mateo events to know?

Speaking of festivals, one of the most popular is Maker Faire, which is held in the middle of May and hosts all sorts of crazy activities like sculpting, dancing and drone racing. Or, you can get a taste of Hawaii through the Bay Area Aloha Festival in August where you'll find yourself gorging on Hawaiian BBQ and exotic shaved ice.

Where are the nearby vacation spots?

One of the most notable places to travel in the Bay Area is Napa Valley. In less than 90 minutes you can be knocking at the door of world-class wineries, restaurants and hotels. A weekend trip to the breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe is also only about a four hour drive.

Where is the best place to move in San Mateo?

San Mateo has many great neighborhoods that are perfecting for renting. San Mateo Park, Baywood-Aragon, Shoreview, Beresford, Marina Lagoon, Sugarloaf, Baywood Park and Haywood Park are some of the top neighborhoods to rent apartments in San Mateo. Those looking to live near the water may consider Shoreview or Parkside. Those looking for access to nightlife may want to live on the northern or southern tips of San Mateo for easy access to the big cities. This would include apartments in San Mateo Park in the north and Sugarloaf in the south.

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Frequently Asked Questions about San Mateo

How much are Studio apartments in San Mateo?

There are currently 829 Studio Apartments in San Mateo with rent ranges from $1,850 to $3,448 with an average price of $2,708.

What is the current price range for One Bedroom San Mateo Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in San Mateo ranges from $2,095 to $5,330 with an average monthly rent of $3,403.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in San Mateo cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in San Mateo range from $2,650 to $7,587. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $4,375.

How expensive are San Mateo Three Bedroom Apartments?

There are currently 217 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in San Mateo on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $3,623 to $9,041 - averaging $5,608 for the location.

Expert Rental Resources

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

Helpful Local Expert Guides

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A San Francisco Local Expert’s Guide to the Top Budget-Friendly Bay Area Neighborhoods to Rent

Written by: Shannon Hilson

If you’re anything like me, the thought of San Francisco is synonymous with concepts like creativity, character, and quirky local style.

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Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in San Francisco

Written by: Shannon Hilson

Naturally, going away to college or university is super exciting in and of itself. It’s the prelude to the rest of your life, not to mention an unforgettable experience all its own.

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Where to Live, Where to Work: Your Guide to Top Neighborhoods to Rent Near San Francisco's 5 Best Employers

Written by: Shannon Hilson

Deciding to move to San Francisco for work is a huge deal. San Fran is exciting and just weird enough to let you know you’re in for an amazing adventure, right from day one.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment

Written by: Bob Mallory

Packing up everything you own to move is so stressful for many that ending your apartment lease can feel like a small or unimportant task. Ending your lease involves more than simply turning over your keys on the last day.

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Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Given the high costs for housing, I have found that many people are looking for a roommate to share expenses. These arrangements can increase opportunities for more desirable and larger spaces.

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Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Back in the day when I rented one of my first apartments, the property didn’t even have laundry in the building. Now, rental properties are often competing against each other to provide the best amenities.

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How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everything is a negotiation in real estate!