There’s no doubt San Jose indeed carries a high-end image as Silicon Valley’s top executives looking for refuge in this charming city that is awash in California sunshine.
If you consider settling in a city that calls itself “the Capital of Silicon Valley, check out the guide below for helpful tips and details that can help you make the best choice.
Consider These Points If You Are Moving to San Jose CA
San Jose Climate
A particular characteristic of the Bay Area in California, San Jose has a subtropical Mediterranean climate with mild winters, dry, warm summers, and low rainfall. San Jose is a region that has a subtropical Mediterranean climate. The San Jose area has an average temperature of 73°F throughout the year and more than 300 sunshine days.
Rain typically falls in November and can last until May (precipitation averages around two months per year), which makes the area green, with vegetation that later disappears and becomes dry during summer, making the fields and hills prone to burning.
San Jose Neighborhoods
San Jose has a mixture of different cultures and an eclectic mix of historic suburbs and exciting urban life.
If a lively nightlife entices you, consider moving to someplace in the downtown area which is not just overflowing with culture with its myriad of music festivals and museums but is also safe and suitable for all ages. Check out San Jose Downtown Association for more information. San Jose Downtown Association for additional information about what to do and where within the city.
For people who love the old-fashioned and quaint style of living, Willow Glen is for families who want to live in Silicon Valley, with Boutique stores, spas, and antique shops tucked away in residential streets. Visit the area for a stroll through the fragrant roses north towards downtown, in the Rose Garden area, with more than 4,000 roses that extend over 5.5 acres.
Are you looking for a vintage from the 19th century? Los Gatos still maintains its historical architecture which is typical of an old-fashioned wine country. Music festivals and museums attract residents and visitors, as does the weekly farmer’s market is a must.
Registering Your Car
To avoid penalties, you need to be registered within 20 days of entering or residency, per California’s DMV website. You’ll need to apply to obtain a Title or Registration signed by the owner in the manner shown on your title issued to an out-of-state owner. This title was issued last out-of-state and a smog and weight certificate (if required) and taxes or fees, and your vehicle needs to be examined at the DMV.
If you decide to move to California, in the event of moving to California, you will wait 10 days before obtaining a California driver’s license. It is necessary to fill out the application form DL44 with a thumbprint, take a picture, and include your complete name and social security number. In addition, you must make payment for the fee and take the vision test, and then be able to pass a traffic law or signs exam.
San Jose Schools
San Jose’s primary and secondary schools are provided mostly by the San Jose Unified School District, which includes more than 100 elementary schools, as well as 45 middle schools and 40 high schools. There are over 40 high schools. The Catholic Diocese of San Jose manages the majority of private schools in the region and has the second-largest students within Santa Clara County. The schools in the Diocese include Archbishop Mitty High School, Bellarmine College Preparatory, Notre Dame High School, Saint Francis High School, Liberty Baptist School, and White Road Baptist Academy.
There are plenty of universities and colleges in the San Jose area as well and notable ones include San Jose State University (a highest-ranked state-run university within the US), National Hispanic University, California University of Management and Technology, Lincoln Law School of San Jose and University of Silicon Valley Law School. Stanford University is about 20 miles away from San Jose.
San Jose Employment
In Silicon Valley, technology, engineering microprocessors, and computer companies have been the mainstay of the local economy. Numerous companies such as Adobe, Cisco Systems, eBay, IBM, Kaiser Permanente, CEVA, TiVo, and Netgear have their headquarters at the heart of the valley. The city’s top employers are the County of Santa Clara, Cisco Systems, IBM, San Jose State University, Brocade Communications Systems, eBay, and Hitachi.
San Jose’s unemployment rate was at 8.2 percent as of January 2013, and the median wage for college graduates is around $92,000.
Living Costs in the City
San Jose is among the most affluent cities in California and the US, approximately 75 percent more than the average for America. Yet, the residents of San Jose and its surrounding areas enjoy the highest amount of disposable income in any other city in America, according to statistics. The average home costs $300 and $400 per square foot located in San Jose, with homes priced from $250,000 and rising to multi-million-dollar mansions.
A person who rents an apartment within San Jose would need to be able to pay around $60,000 per year, with a few extras to reside in the city. Studio apartments will cost upwards of $1100 and a bedroom can cost around $1,500. That’s not even including expenses for utilities.
San Jose Moving Resources
Storage and moving firms are available and willing to assist you in moving from San Jose, whether you’re moving out of state or to another county within California. Be sure to get estimates from several moving companies before you decide to hire any (at least 3 estimates). Go back to our guide for advice on selecting the best moving service for you. We’ll provide important questions to inquire about, distinguishing between estimates of different types and the mistakes to avoid.
San Jose Transportation
There’s a vast freeway network that runs through San Jose, like many other California cities. It includes 3 interstates (280 680, 880) and one US route (101) however none of these interstates specifically are used by San Jose. State highways that are in the region comprise SR 17, SR 82, SR 85, SR 87, and SR 237, and a few expressways throughout the county.
Amtrak trains within San Jose and beyond with the Sacramento-San José Capitol Corridor as well as the Seattle-Los Angeles Starlight. Its Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority runs a local system that connects downtown with Mountain View, Milpitas, Campbell, and Almaden Valley. Streetcars are also accessible all over the city.
Culture & Contemporary Life
Discover a wide range of different cultures in San Jose. San Jose area offer different activities, dining options as well as unique businesses and architecture.
Discover the ever-unique Japantown in the north of downtown, which includes martial arts schools, Asian performing arts, Japanese traditional music as well as an iconic San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin. Little Saigon offers a traditional Vietnamese atmosphere with traditional restaurants as well as gift stores, as well as an art gallery.
If you’re looking to make the most of San Jose’s pleasant weather all year round, there are many outdoor parks and gardens to walk through, such as those at Almaden Quicksilver County Park, which was once a mercury mine. Also, there is the Circle of Palms Plaza with the ring of palm trees surrounded by the California state seal and the Chinese Cultural Garden. There are more than 50 miles of trails for commuting and recreation, including those on the Coyote Creek Trail, Los Gatos Creek Trail, and the Los Alamitos Creek Trail.
Travel by the city of Campbell when you travel to Santa Cruz, and you’ll discover a charming town that has bars, restaurants, and shops as well as there’s the Ainsley House, an English-style home that was constructed around 1920. The town was once the headquarters of eBay and has an annual festival of civic pride for visitors and locals alike.
San Jose Relocation Tips
- Do you have a motive for relocation to San Jose? Living costs in San Jose is very high. Unless you’re moving to find an opportunity in the field of digital technology, your move could be extremely risky. The unemployment rate is high, so make sure you have a job and establish a budget prior to making a move.
- As the cost of housing is high in the city, you could leave the city limits to travel to the office in San Jose, so make sure you’ve got reliable transport before you go.
- There’s no need to fret about arranging a moving date in light of extremely hot or cold summers. Just keep in mind that it rains more often between November and April. If you don’t, choose the most suitable time for your needs.