Key Housing, California's leading service for locating short-term and corporate housing, has announced NoMa in Walnut Creek as its Featured Bay Area Listing for December 2025. The designation underscores a significant trend in corporate housing: the shift toward suburban locations that combine business convenience with residential comfort. This matters because it reflects broader economic patterns, including the expansion of commercial activity east from San Francisco into Contra Costa County, making areas like Walnut Creek critical nodes for professionals.
NoMa earned the featured status primarily due to its strategic location at the edge of downtown Walnut Creek, near major transit such as BART. Bob Lee, President of Key Housing, noted that Walnut Creek is growing, and business travelers need housing that is convenient to their daily activities while serving as a "home away from home." NoMa offers that balance with modern units, transit access, and a rooftop lounge that maintains a California vibe. For those interested, more details are available at https://www.keyhousing.com/corporate-rental-properties/noma-walnut-creek/.
The importance of this announcement extends beyond a single property listing. Walnut Creek, located in Contra Costa County (https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/), is rising as one of the Bay Area's most livable business hubs, anchoring finance, healthcare, professional services, and tech support industries. The city's position at the crossroads of Highway 24 and I-680 offers easy access to Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose, making it ideal for travelers who commute to urban centers but seek a calmer suburban environment in the evening. This has implications for corporate relocation strategies, as companies increasingly prioritize locations that reduce employee stress and enhance productivity.
Walnut Creek is home to regional branches of major organizations like Kaiser Permanente, John Muir Health, and Bank of the West, along with numerous consulting and legal firms. As commercial activity expands eastward, Contra Costa County is growing as a business hub for professional services and financial operations. The city also boasts one of the region's highest quality-of-life indexes, with open space, restaurants, shopping, and cultural institutions mostly within walking distance of complexes like NoMa. This combination of business infrastructure and lifestyle amenities makes it a compelling choice for short-term corporate housing, impacting how businesses manage travel and relocation for employees.
NoMa offers furnished apartment options suitable for corporate travelers on short-term contracts, relocations, or long-term projects. Its amenities go beyond basics, including a resort-style pool and spa, rooftop lounge with fire pits, EV charging stations, collaborative workspaces, and a bike café. Additional features like a 24-hour fitness center, gated parking, package lockers, smart home tech, and a pet spa cater to the evolving needs of modern professionals. For those browsing other options, Walnut Creek listings can be found at https://www.keyhousing.com/corporate-housing-city/walnut-creek/.
The selection of NoMa highlights a broader shift in the corporate housing industry toward properties that support both work and wellness, reflecting changing expectations among business travelers. As suburbs like Walnut Creek gain prominence, this trend may influence real estate development and urban planning across the Bay Area, emphasizing integrated communities that serve professional and personal needs. For companies and travelers alike, such listings signal a move toward more sustainable and enjoyable temporary living solutions, potentially reducing turnover and improving satisfaction in corporate assignments.
