Are you planning on living in San Jose, CA? Ahead of your big move, you’ll want to settle on a neighborhood to call home. San Jose is a rapidly growing city with exciting new communities being developed and a bustling downtown that has become a top destination for tech workers, young professionals, and singles. Whether you’re looking for the feel of the suburbs, family-friendly amenities, or outdoor recreation, you’ll find it in the best neighborhoods in San Jose.
As you explore these great San Jose neighborhoods, keep in mind the average rent in San Jose is $2,504, according to RentCafe. The average home price in the city of San Jose is $1.07 million ($697/square foot).
Downtown San Jose – Fun Neighborhood in San Jose for Young Professionals
- Population: 88,000
- Average home price: $876,000 ($656/square foot)
- Average rent: $2,577
Love to be close to the action? Want to live within walking distance of the top attractions in San Jose like the SAP Center, museums, and the nightlife? You’ll love living in downtown San Jose. This is one of the most popular neighborhoods in San Jose for millennials, singles, and young professionals. Once a dreary, bland downtown region, recent development has transformed downtown San Jose with upscale lofts and condos and a vibrant sense of community.
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You’ll be within walking distance of concerts and San Jose Sharks games, upscale eateries, sidewalk cafes, art galleries, and museums. Step outside your building and stroll to art festivals and events and enjoy downtown shopping, theater, nightclubs, and bars. Downtown has over 250 places to eat!
What you’ll love: Walk to work; concerts, sports, and nightlife at your fingertips; exciting urban living
Evergreen – Safest Neighborhood in San Jose, CA with Great Outdoor Attractions
- Population: 77,500
- Average home price: $1.04 million ($646/square foot)
- Average rent: $2,277
Concerned about crime? You’ll love Evergreen, one of the newest and safest neighborhoods in San Jose. Popular with families, retirees, and young professionals, Evergreen seemingly has it all: golfing and hiking, nearby shopping, community parks, and a variety of home styles.
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You’ll enjoy plenty of expansive green space and outdoor attractions like the Silver Creek Valley Country Club, Fowler Creek Park, and tons of hiking trails. The Raging Waters amusement park is in the neighborhood as well as Lake Cunningham for paddle boats and picnics.
What you’ll love: Community parks, hiking, golfing, low crime, shopping
Blossom Valley – Affordable San Jose Neighborhood Perfect for Families
- Population: 78,000
- Average home price: $1.35 million ($736/square foot)
- Average rent: $2,428
Located in southern San Jose and nestled in the foothills of the Almaden Valley, Blossom Valley is a surprisingly affordable community known for its family-friendly amenities like the Leif Erickson Park and the Thousand Oaks Park. It’s just 6 miles from downtown for an easy commute but feels world’s away with a low crime rate and beautiful parks. You’re connected to downtown and the rest of the valley with light rail service and easy access to the highway.
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Most homes in Blossom Valley are smaller. You can see Blossom Valley, San Jose homes for sale here. While the average home price recently hit $1.35 million in early 2021, that’s up 25% year-over-year. Homes spend just 9 days on the market on average! This average also includes a number of large estates; there are plenty of smaller and more affordable homes if you watch the market.
What you’ll love: More affordable condos and townhomes, low crime, excellent schools, short commute, great parks
Willow Glen – Great San Jose Neighborhood for a Small-Town Feel
- Population: 78,500
- Average home price: $1.3 million ($844/square foot)
- Average rent: $2,627
Willow Glen is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in San Jose for renters, but it has so much to offer. While living in Willow Glen, you won’t feel like you’re just minutes from downtown thanks to its wide streets, low crime, and quaint main street.
Willow Glen is perfect for downtown commuters who still want the suburban lifestyle. You will continually marvel at the historic Craftsman bungalows, Spanish stucco homes, and elegant Victorian homes along pristine, walkable streets.
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Families and couples enjoy the break from the hustle and bustle of downtown with a charming “downtown” area with coffee shops, eateries, and boutiques.
Is Willow Glen right for you? Check out Willow Glen, San Jose homes for sale here but note that homes only stay on the market for a median of 16 days!
What you’ll love: Art and wine events and downtown festivals, charming tree-lined main street, beautiful homes, small-town atmosphere
Japantown – One of America’s Last Remaining Japantowns & 1 Mile from Downtown
- Population: 62,000
- Average home price: $828,000 ($700/square foot)
- Average rent: $2,470
San Jose is home to one of just three Japantowns in the United States. This exciting neighborhood in San Jose is popular with young professionals who want to be close to downtown but want a unique and fun lifestyle different from typical urban living. Japantown has a combination of townhouses and high-rise condos set amid cafes, shops, and retail stores. While living in Japantown, you’ll enjoy tons of year-round festivals and farmer’s markets plus regional Japanese, Hawaiian, and Japanese-American cuisine!
What you’ll love: Amazing Japanese cuisine, one-mile commute to downtown, sense of community
The Alameda – One of the Wealthiest Neighborhoods in San Jose, CA
- Population: 3,700
- Average home price: $1 million ($691/square foot)
- Average rent: $3,170
The Alameda is one of the most historic neighborhoods of San Jose, CA and centered around an alameda connecting downtown to Mission Santa Clara de Asis. The alameda was first built in 1795 and lined with willow trees, although the last of these was removed in the 1980s.
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The Alameda is home to several smaller neighborhoods like College Park and St. Leo’s. This stunning neighborhood is known for its historic architecture including Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, and California Churrigueresque. This 200-year-old San Jose neighborhood is also known for its wine and fine dining with a more relaxed lifestyle than the urban core. Enjoy evening strolls to the local J Lohr Winery and eateries but stay close enough to downtown to catch events.
What you’ll love: Fine dining and wineries within walking distance, close to downtown, combination of high-rises and historic homes
West San Jose – Perfect San Jose Neighborhood for Millennials Who Want the Feel of the Suburbs
- Population: 100,000
- Average home price: $1.74 million ($1.11k/square foot)
- Average rent: $2,402
West San Jose is one of San Jose’s largest neighborhoods with a fairly dense population and a median age of almost 40. The neighborhood is popular with millennials and working parents thanks to its easy access to highways that allow you to get downtown in just 15 minutes. Families also appreciate several Distinguished Schools in the area, especially in the Moreland School District in the east.
While living in West San Jose, you’ll find restaurants, grocery stores, movie theaters, and entertainment nearby with roads that aren’t too congested. West San Jose has a distinctly suburban feel with sidewalks, plenty of open space, and parks. There’s a mix of housing options from condos and apartments to townhomes, duplexes, and single-family homes.
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West San Jose is home to tons of attractions and amenities like:
- Westfield Valley Mall
- Westgate Mall
- Santana Row with boutique shopping and upscale dining
- Winchester Mystery House, one of the top attractions in San Jose
What you’ll love: Short commute downtown in 15 minutes, feels like the suburbs, more affordable than downtown
San Jose, CA Neighborhoods Map
Once you’ve settled on the San Jose community you’ll call home, give AMS Relocation a call at 650-284-2931 for a free San Jose moving estimate. We look forward to helping you enjoy everything San Jose has to offer after a seamless and stress-free relocation.
