OK so Household incomes average around $141,565 in San Jose. The median home value here is around $1,187,800, which is pretty steep. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Am I wrong here? Any help is appreciated. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
33 upvotes
16 Replies
Greyson
facts
36 upvotes
Aaron Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 32, moved here 4 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Highland and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Portland, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
36 upvotes
Paisley
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Kyle M.
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
Ethan Williams
lol so true
27 upvotes
John Long
hard disagree but ok
23 upvotes
Luna Chavez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 37, moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Salt Lake City, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
22 upvotes
Lillian Peterson
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
22 upvotes
Bradley W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Jace M.
underrated comment
14 upvotes
Clara King
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Landon Gutierrez
yeah no that's not right
12 upvotes
Karen P.
spot on
11 upvotes
John Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely improving and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (North) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
9 upvotes
Isaac M.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Mexican places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
6 upvotes
oaklandliving2024
I've lived in Highland for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The cultural scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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