The New Year is the time for making resolutions and looking forward to change. It’s also the time that many find that their lease is up, the rent’s been raised, or they just want a new living space.

My first day of the New Year was spent moving into my home in Santa Rosa, and I noticed that I wasn’t the only one moving. Unfortunately, rising rents have forced some into trying to find a new place – whether they were planning to or not.

According to the latest numbers from Zillow, the median rent in Sonoma County is $2,385, here are 10 rental homes listed now in Santa Rosa that are around this median price range;

Parkhurst Dr, Santa Rosa – $1,800 /month
1 bed, 1 bath, 707 square feet.

 

This is a small cottage attached to a larger home, but it’s a full home all its own. It could also be called a ‘granny unit’, but it would make a great deal for a single professional.

 

Though small, the kitchen has all the necessities…except for a dishwasher.

1641 N Dutton Ave, Santa Rosa – $1,700 /month
2 beds, 1 bath.

 

This is a small duplex that can easily accommodate a young couple or roommates. It’s been remodeled with granite countertops, so even though it’s small, it’s been given a modern update.

 

This duplex has a small yard to itself in the back. When you have a small home, a yard is a huge plus. 

1748 Mount Olive Dr, Santa Rosa – $2,350 /month
3 beds, 2.5 baths, 1,300 square feet. 

 

This is a townhome, but it’s a 2 story so I’ll allow it to squeeze by on this list. It feels like more of a traditional home because of the interior space.

 

If you do choose to rent a 2 story anything, just make sure your furniture won’t be too much of a hassle to get up or down the stairs. I just spent a week moving things down some fairly steep stairs and almost lost the fight with an oak dresser. Happy to be back in a single story.

211 Arboleda Dr, Santa Rosa – $2,300 /month
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,400 square feet.

 

I have experience with mobile home pricing, and this may be median price, but it feels a bit higher than I’d expect unless the park has really exceptional facilities. On the other side of the coin, they didn’t post any additional images of the inside of this unit, so it’s hard to say if this is worth the price or not.

1218 Rutledge Ave, Santa Rosa – $2,300 /month
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,122 square feet

 

Here’s an everyday single family home in Southeast Santa Rosa that’s a good size for a small family. It touts the addition of solar panels, so electrical bills will be at a minimum.

 

Speaking of solar, the bright colors on the interior are a stark contrast to our recent rainy weather. I’m a fan of yellow for an accent color, but I’m not entirely certain about the entire room. 

2188 Naomi Pl, Santa Rosa – $1,600 /month
1 bed, 1 bath, 700 square feet.

 

Another 2 story duplex/townhome with an attached garage. It’s been well maintained and has new flooring throughout. It’s small, at 700 square feet, but if you’re a student or a working professional this may be ideal. I’m only showing one photo of the interior because, honestly, it’s the same throughout.

2817 Claremont Dr, Santa Rosa – $2,400 /month
2 beds, 1 bath, 940 square feet.

 

This single family home is charming – with a spacious front and back yard. All the appliances are included which can make moving day a whole lot less stressful. Not needing to go to the laundromat will also make your days easier.

 

The living room is surprisingly spacious. Either a family or a group of roommates would have plenty of room for downtime or socialization.

1773 Glenbrook Dr, Santa Rosa – $2,500 /month
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,342 square feet.

 

$2,500 is pushing it for claiming median price range, I know, but with 3 bedrooms a renter can afford to divvy up the rent with a number of roommates if needed. There’s a 2 car garage and a tool shed in the backyard.

 

Besides, with a yard like this, you’ll have plenty of space to throw barbecues and get-togethers,

1801 Janero Dr, Santa Rosa – $2,450 /month
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,421 square feet.

 

While this house is technically a 3 bedroom, the listing wants you to know that it has a ‘bonus room’ of 200 square feet that can be used for an art room, play room – or possibly an extra room. It may be suggested that you could get just one extra boarder that way, but they wouldn’t have a closet. Or any living space.

 

At over 1,400 square feet, this room has a lot of space already, whether or not you decide to use the ‘extra room’ is up for debate.

3510 Santiago Dr, Santa Rosa – $1,800/month
2 beds, 1 bath.

 

One more duplex rounds out this list. I’m impressed at how this duplex looks more like a single family home than two attached houses.

 

This duplex has wood flooring throughout and appears more modern than I would have expected. At nearly a thousand dollars less a month than a traditional home rental, a duplex such as this one may be the best choice.