I'm a college student here and Homes are going for about $381,700 on average. With a population of 10,623, Santa Clara is a small town. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
3 upvotes
8 Replies
Arianna P.
glad someone said it
39 upvotes
ellie_life
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Elena S.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Eleanor Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 49, moved here 1 years ago from Austin. I've lived in West and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Austin, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
26 upvotes
Jace Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 12 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Jonathan Collins
literally same
17 upvotes
Nova S.
underrated comment
12 upvotes
Cameron Gutierrez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
All Countries
