Is San Jose a Good Place to Live? - Destination Scanner...

The City of San Jose is the biggest city in North California. The city has a population over just over 1 million people making it the tenth highest populated city in the United States. Most expats who are moving to San Jose are doing so because it is the economic, cultural and political center of Silicon Valley. Living in San Jose reveals the city’s spirit of invention that has resulted in Silicon Valley being the innovation capital of the world. San Jose has the third-highest GDP per capita among cities in the world.

Is San Jose a good place to live? The cost of living in San Jose is very high. The city is richly rewarded for its innovation and the prices reflect it. Real estate prices are absurd but the living conditions immaculate. There are plenty of employment opportunities, especially in the tech sector.

‘The Capital of Silicon Valley’ has the most expensive real estate market in the United States. The homes are diverse and futuristic and the numerous company headquarters in the city are characterized as eccentric. There is always something to do in San Jose with so many ideas flying in the air. Moving to San Jose can be particularly good for people who like being outdoors. The city lies beautifully by the Santa Cruz Mountains. Get used to the largest Vietnamese expat community in the United States and eating orange sauce with your every meal:)

In this article you will find out:

Is San Jose a good place to live? Prons & Cons.

If there is a city in the USA that deserves credit for not having a bad neighborhood, it is San Jose. The worst neighborhoods in San Jose could be the best neighborhoods in some other parts of the country. However, the neighborhoods in the city can still be ranked. The best neighborhoods in San Jose include West San Jose, Almaden Valley, Cambrian Park, Blossom Valley, Willow Glen, Berryessa, Evergreen, Santa Teresa, Cupertino and Silver Creek. The worst neighborhoods in Silicon Valley are Buena Vista, Fair Grounds, East San Jose, North San Jose, Downtown, Alum Rock-East Foothills, Burbank, Evendale Seven Trees, North Valley and Rose Garden.

As can be expected in the tech capital of the world, crime in San Jose is very low. The city’s safety index is 76. The chances of an expat becoming a victim of a crime are 1 in 34. The crime rate in San Jose is 29 crimes per 1000 people. The violent crime rate in San Jose is 4 crimes per every 1000 people. The city’s property crime rate is 25 per 1000 people. Both violent crime and property crime in San Jose are below the city average. On the contrary, San Jose has a very high motor vehicle theft crime rate.

San Jose has 127 elementary, 47 middle, and 44 high schools. Public education in San Jose is operated by four high school districts, fourteen elementary districts, and four unified school districts which offer both elementary and high school education. Private schools in the city are predominantly managed by religious organizations. San Jose hosts a number of colleges and universities the foremost among them being San Jose State University. The campus is home to over 30,000 students and 130 Bachelors and Masters degree programs. Other higher learning institutions offering a post-graduate degree in the city include California University of Management and Technology (CALMAT), Lincoln Law School of San Jose and University of Silicon Valley Law School, San Jose City College and West Valley College.

As of 2017, 76% of San Jose residents drove to work alone while 12% carpooled. Many people drive in San Jose because the city has an extensive highway system. The city is served by three Interstate freeways and one U.S. Route. A number of state highways also serve San Jose including SR 17, SR 85, SR 87 and SR 237. San Jose is the biggest city in the USA not served by a primary Interstate but it is served by 4 country-wide expressways. You can access San Jose via two airports in the city namely Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport and Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County. Rail transportation to and from San Jose is provided by Amtrak, Caltrain, ACE and the local VTA light rail system.

The social life in San Jose is as varied as can be. The residents can afford to pursue anything they want. Their interests include performing arts, visual arts and sports. There are plenty of spaces to partake in the above activities all over San Jose. Hiking is also a big part of the San José social life.

Is San Jose a good place to work?

1n 2014, San Jose received credit from Carebliss.com as the happiest place to work in the United States. San Jose is a great place to work for several reasons. First and foremost the city has the highest income of any city in the United States with over 500,000 residents. The median income for a household in San Jose is $117,474. Moreover, San Jose has an unemployment rate of only 2.25%. The average salary per individual in San Jose is $83, 576.

The largest industry employing people in San Jose is obviously the tech industry. San Jose has the highest number of high-technology engineering, computer and microprocessor companies in the world hence the name ‘Silicon Valley.’ There are many companies in the city employing more than 1,000 people. The largest employers in San Jose are Cisco, Western Digital, Sanmina, PayPal, Adobe, eBay, 24/7 Inc, SanDisk, San Jose State University and Global Logic.

Is San Jose a good place to buy a house?

San Jose as stated earlier has very expensive real estate. The median home price in San Jose is $1,080,000. The median rent in the city is $2,250 per month. The homeownership rate is 57% with most homes owned via a mortgage. With such high home prices, home insurance is a must.

Mortgage rates in San Jose tend to vary from one lender to another. The rates tend to be higher compared to other areas for buyers with good credit score.

The best neighborhoods in San Jose include West San Jose, Almaden Valley, Cambrian Park, Blossom Valley, Willow Glen, Berryessa, Evergreen, Santa Teresa, Cupertino and Silver Creek. The worst neighborhoods in Silicon Valley are Buena Vista, Fair Grounds, East San Jose, North San Jose, Downtown, Alum Rock-East Foothills, Burbank, Evendale Seven Trees, North Valley and Rose Garden.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Jose is $2,130 per month. The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom one is $2,670 while that for a three-bedroom property is $3,075. You will have to pay an average rent of $3,790 per month for a four-bedroom apartment while it will cost you an average of $4,500 per month to rent a five-bedroom property. At these rates, most residents opt to purchase renters insurance.

The average purchase price of a one-bedroom property in San Jose is $640,500. The average price of a two-bedroom property is $825,000 and the average price at which you will buy a three-bedroom property is $1,050,000. The average price of a four-bedroom flat is $1,180,200 while that of a five-bedroom property is $1,756,400.

Is San Jose a good place to retire?

The real estate market in San Jose makes it very difficult to find retirement property. US News ranks it as the 92nd best place to retire in the US because of the access to facilities, perennially warm weather and high level of security. On the contrary, the cost of living is high and the average age of the population is 35 years old.

The best neighborhoods in San Jose include West San Jose, Almaden Valley, Cambrian Park, Blossom Valley, Willow Glen, Berryessa, Evergreen, Santa Teresa, Cupertino and Silver Creek. The worst neighborhoods in Silicon Valley are Buena Vista, Fair Grounds, East San Jose, North San Jose, Downtown, Alum Rock-East Foothills, Burbank, Evendale Seven Trees, North Valley and Rose Garden.

You can use the above real estate figures as a guide when searching for retirement properties in San Jose.

Is San Jose a good city to visit?

San Jose is a great place to visit particularly for technology enthusiasts. The city is great when it comes to outdoor attractions too. There are hundreds of things for a tourist to do in San Jose.

Landmarks and attractions you have to visit include Winchester Mystery House, The Tech Interactive, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, Mission Peak, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, Sunol Regional Wilderness, Municipal Rose Garden, Alum Rock Park, San Jose Museum of Art and Japantown.

Frequently Asked Questions?

What is the cost of living in San Jose, California?

The cost of living in this city 77% above the national cost of living. Housing costs are twice the national average. It would take a single person at least $2,000 a month to live in San Jose. It would take a family of four at least $4,000 a month to live in San Jose.

Is San Jose a good place to invest in property?

San Jose is a good place to invest in property especially for the capital gains. If you buy a rundown property cheap and fix it, you can sell it for more than a million dollars. Investors can also get good returns on rent.

Is San Jose a good place to raise a family?

You can raise a family well in San Jose if you can afford it. The amenities are superb, employment opportunities abide aplenty and the security top-notch.