Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose, California will delight you with its mild climate, tech-centric economy, and rich history. Founded in 1777 as a Spanish farming community, San Jose has grown to become the 10th largest city in the US. While today the city is known as the home of major tech players like eBay, PayPal, and Adobe, its roots are in agriculture. A Mediterranean climate and rich soil create the ideal conditions for growing fruits, vegetables, and fruit trees; thanks to its agricultural roots, the area is known as “The Valley of Heart’s Delight.” When you move to San Jose, prepare yourself to enjoy 300 days of sunshine each year.
While San Jose is famous for its “techie” culture, there’s more to this town than you can download in an app. Within the city, there are nearly 16,000 acres of parkland, museums, wineries, a lively performing arts scene, and even a zoo. While you’re exploring all that your new hometown has to offer, you may find yourself singing its unofficial anthem, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?”
When you move to San Jose, you can expect a lot of sunshine, beautiful vistas, and a diverse population of more than 1 million people, however, the greater San Jose metropolitan area’s population is closer to 2 million residents. California’s third-largest city is young (the median age is 36 years) and educated (one in four residents has a bachelor’s or higher degree). Recognized as the capital of Silicon Valley, the city that began as a farming community has blossomed to become a center of pioneering entrepreneurial spirit.
First, the pros:
As for the cons:
A desirable place to live, San Jose is expensive when it comes to housing. More people own than rent, at approximately 60% and 40%, respectively. The median home cost in San Jose, CA is just over a million dollars, compared to the national average of $219,700.
The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in San Jose is $2,670, though locals will tell you it’s higher—about $3,500 for something in the most desirable neighborhoods. Are you looking for a deal? You might consider “co-living,” the apartment equivalent to co-working spaces like WeWork.
Based on a national average “score” of 100, the cost of living in San Jose is 260. By comparison, the cost of living in Tucson, Arizona, is 99; in Boston, it’s 182; and in Dallas, Texas it’s 108. Housing and transportation are the main contributors to San Jose’s high cost of living. According to the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator, a family of two adults and two children in the San Jose area will spend $129,092 annually for the basics like housing, food, transportation, and taxes.
The semiarid, Mediterranean climate in San Jose is one of its most appealing features. January is the coolest month with average highs of 60° F and average lows of 42. The hottest months are July and August with average highs in the mid-80s and lows in the high-50s. Sunshine is the rule, with only about 65 rainy days annually that total up to about 16″ of rain per year. Rain usually falls between November and April. Summers are typically very dry.
Many people enjoy the mild climate in San Jose, but some will point out that there’s no noticeable change of seasons in this part of California. Unlike the East Coast, where fall colors bring tourists for “peak week,” in San Jose most of the trees have been planted; there’s no native forest like other parts of the country. Some species’ leaves will change color. The grasses go dry in the summer unless irrigated.
The biggest natural disaster threats in San Jose are California wildfires, which adversely affect air quality — and earthquakes. San Jose is between the San Andreas Fault and the Calaveras Fault. Scientists have predicted “The Big One” could hit at any moment, but most people who have lived in California for a while seem to become accustomed to the risk. Other places have tornadoes and hurricanes. People in San Jose have earthquakes (and we don’t mean just the soccer team).
Throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, the economy is growing at nearly twice the rate of the national average. San Jose is ranked third in the world for per-capita gross domestic product. The top industries in San Jose are manufacturing; professional, scientific and technical services; and health care and social assistance.
According to DataUSA, the highest paying jobs (and their median annual salary) in San Jose are “Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($123,637); Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($121,284); and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($120,670).”
Who are the biggest employers in San Jose? The top five are Cisco, Western Digital, Sanmina, PayPal, and Adobe. Career experts at Zippia.com have curated a list of the 20 best places to work in San Jose, and the list includes PayPal, eBay, Cisco, Netgear, and Fair Isaac. The entire Bay Area is networking-focused, with events from San Francisco to Sausalito to San Jose practically every day of the week. Have your business cards ready and prepare yourself for lots of hors d’oeuvres. A great place to start networking is at a power lunch (or breakfast or dinner—these are overachievers) sponsored by the Silicon Valley Organization.
People who live and work in San Jose and surrounding towns like Cupertino (where Apple has its headquarters) and Mountain View (where you’ll find Google’s main campus) have a reputation for working all the time. Don’t do it. There’s a lot to see and experience in and around San Jose.
San Jose is safer than 18% of American cities. The crime rate (number of crimes per 1,000 residents) is 29.06, with property crimes six times more likely than violent crimes. According to data from bestplaces.net, violent crime in San Jose is ranked 25, compared to the US rank of 22.7. San Jose property crime is ranked 36.5, compared to the US rate of 35.4.
There’s a lot to love in the Rose Garden neighborhood of San Jose: beautiful architecture, highly rated schools, and a range of outdoor activities. Perhaps the most loved of all is the iconic San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, named in several competitions as “America’s Best Rose Garden.” With more than 4,000 roses, this charming five-acre park was first dedicated in 1937. Since then, countless weddings and other family occasions have been celebrated among the nearly 200 different types of rose species growing here.
Close to downtown San Jose, and a quick drive to San Jose’s International Airport, the Rose Garden neighborhood feels like it’s set apart from the big city. The neighborhood is quiet and peaceful. It’s perhaps the most sought-after neighborhood in San Jose, California.
Something to try: Less than a mile from the Rose Garden is San Jose’s “Antiques Colony” filled with vintage and antique shops, along with the famous Silicon Valley hotspot, Falafel Drive-In, rated #1 of more than 2,000 places to eat in San Jose.
Tree-lined streets and an enchanting array of architectural styles make Willow Glen a beautiful place to come home to at the end of the day. Its schools and low crime rates make it a wonderful place for families. Just south of San Jose’s downtown, Willow Glen is a mix of vintage and modern, with 50s-style coffee shops, modern art studios, and even an old-fashioned children’s bookstore, Hicklebee’s. Walking through downtown Willow Glen feels a bit like stepping back to the 1950s, with family diners and local businesses on every corner.
Something to try: Streetlight Records on Bascom Avenue has the ambiance of what record stores used to be like, including some very nice vinyl.
Ranked one of the friendliest neighborhoods in America, San Jose’s Japantown is a hidden gem.
One of the three remaining historical Japantowns in the United States, it is only a mile away from downtown San Jose, and yet it feels like a world of its own. You’ll find a “microeconomy” here, with restaurants, cafes, and retail shops interspersed between apartment buildings and single-family homes. San Jose’s Japantown features the Japanese Museum of San Jose, seasonal festivals including Obon, and a year-round farmers’ market.
Something to try: Check out the Ukulele Source, a charming shop with a wide assortment of ukuleles and a staff who will help you make the right choice (and who may even teach you a tune or two).
Recognized as the #1 neighborhood in San Jose for young professionals, Downtown has transformed over the past 30 years, from a downtrodden downtown to a hip urban center with a young, educated population.
The heart of Downtown is San Pedro Square, with its vibrant market, culinary extravaganza, and live music. There’s always something happening Downtown. You’ll find plenty of nightlife as well as daytime fun, too: theaters, vineyards, and the San Jose Museum of Art.
Something to try: Visit Discovery Meadow, home to the Children’s Discovery Museum, featuring
“more than 150 interactive exhibits for young children in the areas of science, humanities, technology, and arts.” While you’re there, you can play the largest Monopoly game in the world!
In the south part of San Jose, near the Diablo Mountain Range, lies the quaint and affluent Silver Creek Valley. Unlike its northern counterparts, there are no nightclubs here, only country clubs. The atmosphere is quiet and conducive to relaxing family life.
Something to try: Relax at the Silver Creek Country Club while enjoying one of their annual events.
Close to Silver Creek Valley but three times the population is Evergreen, a neighborhood with beautiful views and a close-knit community. Recognized for its excellent public schools, Evergreen is a great place for young families. It’s got an urban feel with lots of coffee shops and a bustling town square.
Something to try: Visit the Chinese Cultural Garden, just past Friendship Gate in the Overfelt Gardens Park.
Considered the #1 top neighborhood in San Jose, West San Jose has a median household income of more than twice the national average. West San Jose has benefited from the meteoric economic growth of Silicon Valley. This neighborhood borders Cupertino (home of Apple) and was once full of apple orchards. Today, the area is known for its A+ schools.
West San Jose is increasingly diverse, and that’s reflected in its many shops and restaurants. Nearly 40% of households have children, making this a family community. Throughout the area, there are sports venues such as tennis clubs, karate schools, and dance studios for even the youngest sports enthusiasts.
Something to try: An architectural wonder, the Winchester Mystery House is full of secrets and legends, and has thrilled visitors from all over the world. Tour this national landmark if you dare!
The newest neighborhood in San Jose, Santana Row is part of West San Jose. However, its lovely tree-lined streets, outdoor cafes, and upscale shopping have created what locals like to call the city’s own “Rodeo Drive,” a destination in itself. Shops, salons, wine bars, and restaurants create a vibrant scene that is bustling seven days a week. Along the edges of “The Row” are very upscale condos. Santana Row feels a bit like a slice of Manhattan, with a dash of Europe for good measure. Accessible from nearby highways 280 and 880, it’s easy to reach and easy to navigate. Warm Mediterranean breezes make this a perfect spot for sipping an ice cold drink and enjoying some people watching between a meal and a movie, or before an evening at one of Santana Row’s lively clubs.
Something to Try: Unwind and get pampered at BellaU Spa and Wellness in the heart of Santana Row.
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Your first step in finding your way San Jose is to find a reputable moving company to help you get there. Fortunately, we’ve done the leg work for you because we work only with licensed, insured moving companies. Contact Great Guys Movers for free moving quotes today.
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