If you are a technology junkie, you probably know San Jose by heart. It is a large city surrounded by Silicon Valley hills. Many people are moving to San Jose, California, to find the career that they want.
Not only are the tech industries growing, making it perfect for those interested to venture into the flourishing tech industry, but relocating to San Jose is also full of opportunities for business owners.
Living in San Jose, California, will expose you to the diversity of people and neighbourhoods. This is one of the charms of the city, it makes the city less boring to live in.
In this article, you will find useful information so you have an idea of what it is like living in San Jose. We will walk you through the neighbourhood, career opportunities, cost of living, and other fun things you can find in this city. You will also need our tips about having a seamless relocation process to San Jose.
Let’s get started!
1. Pick Your Neighbourhood
Picking the right neighbourhood can be challenging if you do not have the slightest idea about the area. Therefore, here’s a brief explanation about several neighbourhoods so you can make an informed decision.
Downtown San Jose
Downtown San Jose is the cluster of tech companies that keep this area busy. If you decide to move to this neighbourhood, you are pretty much near to any place you need to visit. As this neighbourhood is a businesses centre, you may find that the price of housing is relatively high. The median rental price is $2,200 per month.
Silver Creek
Silver Creek is an area where you can have a peaceful night after being in the busy San Jose and Silicon Valley street. The facilities in this area are excellent! There are recreational attractions, including Silver Creek Sportplex, aka the largest indoor fitness and sports facility in the country!
Los Gatos
Living in Los Gatos feels like living in an aesthetically pleasant small town. Here you will find cottages, chic shops and coffee shops, also well-preserved buildings from the Victorian era. If you love outdoor activities, then this might just be the perfect neighbourhood for you! Here you can bike or paddle a boat at Vasona Lake County Park.
Willow Glen
Willow Glen neighbourhood offers the charm of a cosy little town. Its location in the south of downtown San Jose is commute-friendly. The streets are lined with trees giving out a calm and luxurious atmosphere.
2. Cost Of Living In San Jose And How You Can Save
Overall, the average cost of living in San Jose, CA, is 49% more expensive than the national average, especially the housing costs. On average, the rental price of an apartment is over $2,000. However, this city is still liveable for young professionals and fresh graduates.
Remember to work out a financial plan or financial checklist for the first six months!
One of the common hacks you can do to save money is picking a less expensive neighbourhood. Of course, you still need to consider the safety and the distance from the area to your workplace. If you have more cash, it is always wise to get a living place near your workplace. By doing this, you will cut transport costs.
Another fact about the cost of living in San Jose is that the utility bills are 26% higher than the national average. The good news is that with this city’s lovely weather, you can save money on electricity by not blasting the air conditioner all time!
Besides that, you will save a lot of money by cooking your food. You can make groceries plan for a month and stick to it. Meals at restaurants are typically priced between $12 to $20.
3. Spot The Jobs And Business Opportunities In San Jose
Even though San Jose is near the technology hub, Silicon Valley, its most significant employment comes from the manufacturing sector, which employs a whopping 88,000 employees.
Other key industries that you can find in San Jose are scientific and technical service and healthcare. The highest salary in this city belongs to the information workers, which is $121,466 per year.
As of May 2021, the employment rate in San Jose increased by 8.45% compared to May 2020. This information shows that the economy of this city is growing, which means landing a job in San Jose is possible.
You can apply for jobs while you are still in your home country or state, so you’ll have a source of income when you are moving to San Jose, California.
With the growing economic condition and technology home ground in Silicon Valley, San Jose is the perfect area to relocate your business. You can target the local residents and people from the neighbouring areas. The median household income in San Jose is $115,893, which means they have the buying ability.
4. Is Moving To San Jose A Family-Friendly Decision?
Your family will love San Jose. You can find many places to visit with your children and there are plenty of outdoor activities to keep the whole family fit and healthy!
Some of the family-friendly places you can visit in San Jose are Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, Lick Observatory, and The Tech Museum and Innovation where children can learn and play. These activities will be a memorable experience for your children. You can also set up play dates with other parents to visit these places, so your children can bond with their new friends.
5. Top Universities In San Jose
Talking about education in San Jose, the city has excellent universities for your children, or even for you. This includes top universities they can attend around California, and one of them is Stanford University. Many of the research journals that are used as references worldwide come from Stanford.
This university is only 27 minutes away from San Jose by car. If you want to go to Stanford without driving, you can take Caltrain, which may cost from $2 to $7.
Aside from Standford, there is San Jose State University, a public university that is known for providing a comprehensive education for its students. It is also a partner for California and Silicon Valley in developing the areas culturally, economically, and socially.
Considering this university’s role locally, graduating from San Jose State University will give your children a broader chance in the future, like the job market or a project they may want to take part in.
6. Things To Do In San Jose
Living in San Jose, California, is not dull. There are plenty of activities you can do here. Hiking and biking are the outdoor activities you can do to keep you fit. As a city surrounded by hills, you can bike or hike while admiring the beautiful scenery.
If you prefer a more relaxing activity, you can visit the botanical gardens in this city. One of them is San Jose Municipal Rose Garden. In this garden, you will find more than 3,500 plants with 189 varieties. Another beautiful garden is the Japanese Friendship Garden that functioned as an oasis in the middle of the city.
There are plenty of other activities that you can try in San Jose. If you’re the adventurous type, find out the hiking and walking trails in San Jose. If you like to party, you can always enter the San Jose nightlife scene with your friends and colleagues.
7. Feed Me With Diversity
We can say that San Jose looks like a glimpse of the world. People from many ethnicities and races come here to form a community. You will easily find food originating from places worldwide such as Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, Africa, and Europe.
One of the iconic dishes is lamb gyros and halloumi at Nemea. These dishes represent the Mediterranean and are a great way to spend your Saturday. You will also find Asian signatures like Pho, sushi, Japanese bento, and falafel. If you have a big appetite, you may want to try burritozilla at Iguanas.
You will also find good food at festivals and fairs. Being in the know about the San Jose food scene is like an adventure for your taste buds. The only way to enjoy food in San Jose is by not being afraid to try something new!
8. Things To Know Before Relocating To San Jose
If you want a seamless moving process, you must keep a note and write down all the information you need. Here are some things to know before moving to San Jose, California:
Tell Me More About The People
Living in San Jose feels like you live in urban-suburban areas. The family and young professionals who live in San Jose tend to be more liberal. So, it is not difficult for anyone to form a good friendship with the locals.
If you are an expatriate, you only need to break free from your expat bubble and talk to them. 57% of San Jose residents are homeowners, and 43% rent an apartment or house.
How Do I Reduce My Moving Cost?
Some of the tips you can use to reduce your moving costs are to find free boxes as many as possible and pick the moving time that is less costly. The perfect moving time is not during the summer or holiday season.
You can also reduce your moving costs by deducting your items. Sell or donate your furniture and clothes so that you have less to pack.
Should I Hire A Professional Mover If I Am From Overseas?
Hiring a mover is an excellent way to make your relocating process seamless. You do not have to worry about carrying your stuff on the moving date. Get a quote from a professional mover two or three months before your moving date.
Relocation companies like us at Sanelo, will give you detailed information about the shipment of your belongings to your new home. Our dedication to protecting your shipment will provide you with peace of mind during the moving period. Getting help from a mover is also highly recommended for international relocation.
Conclusion About Moving To San Jose
San Jose is the capital of the technology hub, Silicon Valley. It is the third-largest city in California, with a population of 1,013,240. Living in San Jose will give you the taste of the world’s diversity as the people here come from other countries.
If you are moving with the family, you can rest assured because San Jose provides high rated education from elementary school to university. You will also find attractions that will give your kids both fun and a learning experience.
Whether you’re moving from another state or country, moving to San Jose can be a handful. Therefore, it is important to hire a professional mover company. They will help you throughout the shipment of your belongings to San Jose. You can start your quote with Sanelo!
For more information on cities near San Jose, check out these guides:
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving To San Jose
Is Living In San Jose Nice?
San Jose is among the top 15 best places to live in the states, according to U.S. News & Report. It is an excellent place to work since the economy in the area is growing (psst, they say if you’re looking for better career opportunities, it’s one of the 5 telltale signs to relocate to a different city!).
On the other hand, San Jose is also a good place to have fun! The city has a vibrant nightlife and plenty options of for outdoor activities.
What Is A Good Salary To Live In San Jose?
Different neighbourhood area offers different housing price. On average, you will need $105,350 of yearly income to live comfortable enough in San Jose. If you have children, you may need more. Some households also earn over $200,000 each year.
How Is The Public Transportation In San Jose?
The locals will advise you to have a car. If you do not want to spend on a car, the public transportation system in San Jose is good enough to get you around.
Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) busses and light rail are the best options to get you around the city effectively and inexpensively. There are other transportation alternatives of busses and rails that connect San Jose with neighbouring towns.
How Do I Engage Sanelo To Help Me With My Relocation Process?
You may contact us here and we’ll get in touch with you via email as soon as possible. Alternatively, you may call us at +65 3138 5273.