City Guides: West Coast Living in San Jose

The largest city located within Silicon Valley, San Jose is a desirable location to call home. Bordered by the picturesque Santa Cruz Mountains and surrounded by coveted tech jobs, San Jose is often placed in one of the best places to live and work. If you’re thinking about renting a Greystar apartment in San Jose, we have put together a few tips on what it’s like to live in Silicon Valley.

Great Jobs are Everywhere

When people think of San Jose, they typically think of high-tech jobs, and there is a good reason for that: Silicon Valley is thriving to this day, and high-paying tech jobs are still common. Not only are there plenty of established tech companies that call San Jose home, but there are a ton of start-ups that could be the next big thing. Beyond tech, however, there are plenty of other jobs to be found in both the service industry and public works, so whatever you do, chances are you can find a calling in San Jose.

Safe City

Despite being the third most populated city in California, San Jose is ranked one of the safest cities in the country. In 2014, it had the second lowest violent crime rate of all cities with more than 500,000 people. Families considering a move to San Jose will also appreciate the great schools and colleges that this city features.

West Coast Weather

What hasn’t been said about West Coast weather? It’s perfect, it never rains, and it’s almost always comfortable outside or perfectly warm. We don’t need to waste too much more space talking about how great the weather is on the West Coast, but just know that San Jose is no exception. With such great weather, it makes sense that you will want to get outside to enjoy it. Santa Cruz Beach is just 30 minutes away, or you can drive a bit farther to get to the Napa Valley. It is also not uncommon for San Jose residents to take the 3 hour drive to visit Yosemite.

Embrace Diversity

Did you know that San Jose has the largest population of Vietnamese outside of Vietnam? You’ll find some great pockets of diversity around the city, along with great food and cultural traditions. Popular restaurants in the city include Luna Mexican Kitchen and La Victoria, or you can grab a delicious snack at Psycho Donuts. There are also plenty of independent grocery stores, which will carry unique ingredients and represent culinary culture from around the world, that exist alongside national chains. (Just remember to bring a reusable bag, since you’ll pay $.10 a bag otherwise!)

You’ll Want a Car (or the right App)

While there is a public transportation system that runs all over the Santa Clara Valley, it might require a number of stops and changes to get where you’re going. San Jose is best traversed by a car, but if you don’t have one, you can always use ride sharing apps, Lyft, or Uber.

Vibrant Culture

Whether looking for a hot nightclub or a world-class museum, San Jose brings it all together and offers something for everyone. Beyond the cultural institutions like the San Jose Museum of Art, The Tech Museum of Innovation and the Mexican Heritage Plaza, there are plenty of events and festivals that take place around the city just waiting for you to discover. Sports fans also have plenty to cheer about with the San Jose Sharks, Earthquakes and the SJ Giants.