Moving to San Jose, commute time

cossie1600

My wife and I are thinking about moving to San Jose. I really want to have a house as I can't stand the idea of renting for obvious reasons. What neighborhood do you guys recommend for low crimes, good public school for a decent price. The commute would most likely be to Cuppertino and Palo Alto, so something close to that area would be nice. Of course I think that is some of the more expensive real estate in the country, anyone have any recommendation for something that is within 30 minutes during rush hour?

Thanks

Also any other tips for working/living in California? Are there any special things that I should know about (outside of high taxes)

Cbtech

Home prices in the San Jose area are going to run you around the 325-375k for a mid level 3 bed 2 bath home on the east side of San Jose. Mid level being around 1200-1900 square feet with an ok yard. If you're looking for a little higher end neighborhood (west SJ) you're going to be starting around 425 for the same size home. The bonus to buying right now is that rates are stupid low and you can buy more home for less money per month... but on the flip side inventory is way down are there are huge bidding wars going on. Check area's like Willow Glen, Evergreen hills or even Santa Clara. All are decent places.


Taxes are a tad bit higher in CA versus NY but you wont have to deal with the dreaded Tax Stamp that comes with buying in NY. Ive seen those go for 10-15k in NY for a similarly priced home depending on what part of NY you're in.

cossie1600

Problem is I have two homes bleeding out my anus that I have to get rid of too, so that makes it even harder. ARGGGGG. All the homes on the west side is over $800K. I dont want to live in a condo or townhouse, so sick of the association nazis ruining my life.

Thanks by the way

My budget doesn't allow me to get any single family home unless it is old or in the ghetto. My only option is to get in a townhouse, stay in maybe Cambrian area, Milpitas or if I want to keep my current living style, maybe I have to do the long commute from Pleasanton or Dublin? What do you guys think.

Also what is worse, the commute from Pleasanton/Dublin or from Scott's Valley.

Cbtech

Yeah the west side closer to the bay you're going to be spending much more. The houses in the 800k range are staying on the market a little longer since they are more of a "niche" type of property. Yeah HOA's are the worst when you pay $300 a month and all they do is maintain the pool.

are you renting one of those 2 other houses? Have you looked into the HARP programs? is one an FHA home? Just a few things to look at instead of letting a house go.

Also you might want to look at Vallejo or fairfield. The drive is a bit longer but you look to save a little more off the "bay area" pricing. PM me if you want and ill give you my contact info, I work for Wells Fargo I can maybe give you some idea's or a place to start.

cossie1600

It's funny I look at the actual miles, it is no different than me visiting my friends for coffee. I am just scared of the morning commute as I am used to working 2 miles from work. Housing is definitely what's keeping us from accepting the job offer.

Cbtech

I feel yah about that. I used to work 3 miles from work and it was awesome! I got a job offer that was something that I have wanted for 4 years so I jumped on it before i realized its a 22 mile ONE WAY trip to the office! Im happy with the choice that I made even though the commute is brutal so i say go with what's awesome!

XPNSD IT

The commute from pleasanton/dublin/livermore area isn't that bad. Roughly 30-40min depending on time of day and if you have a commuter. I commute from Tracy-Milpitas everyday and takes roughly 1-1:30 hours. Been doing it for 3 years and it is a pain but the pay in the Silicon Valley and pricing in the Valley can't complain. I looked at dublin/pleasanton area but still to expensive for me. A co-worker just purchased a townhouse in dublin for ~$350k as the commute was too much for them. They use to live in tracy.

I would recommend Milpitas area as it's a housing community, but pricing may be a tad high, not as much as San Jose/Campbell/Santa Clara area though.

cossie1600

Thanks guys. I did more research. The school in Milpita seems suspect at best. Does traffic start all the way from Dublin all the way into San Jose or does it only start when you get into San Jose?

If we do this, I should seriously consider selling the RX and get the Prius back

Cbtech

From what i have experienced traffic from anywhere going into the bay area is going to be bad. Depending on where you are going there are several trains that you can hop on like BART and even Amtrak to get you into town without dealing with traffic.

icormba

I am in the Cambrian area right now... the Cambrian area is nicer than almost any affordable housing on the East Side SJ or Milpitas. Leigh HS is one of the best HS's in the area.

I've lived in San Jose for over 40 years and have seen the changes in communities over time and the Cambrian area is doing well... the boarders touch Willow Glenn, Campbell, Los Gatos, and Almaden... all TOP notch areas.

With Scott's Valley you are limited on travel routes but the area has a small town feel to it if you like that and the limited travel routes are some of the nicest in the State when there's no traffic. I do not know much about the East Bay but what my friends say and that is the traffic sucks!

What company gave you an offer, if you don't mind me asking? (pm if you want it private)?

cossie1600

Given I have two homes that are nearly impossible to sell on the east coast, I am just going to bite the bullet and rent near West San Jose to save on travel time. We would also get to spend more time with the baby if we are close to work. I don't want to have him raised by daycare. It's going to suck to not be a homeowner, hopefully I find a nice place with a garage for a decent price.

It's with Oracle.

icormba

Nice! & Congrats!!!!
West San Jose isn't bad at all, borders some of those areas I mentioned above, but includes Saratoga... Very Nice! Highway 9, look out!!!!
by the way... you cut 10-15 minutes, at least, off my commute from the Cambrian area.

Have you been out here before? We hit 80F something today.

Cbtech

Awesome man, congrats!!

cossie1600

If you guys have any recommendation to good places for rent, let me know. It must have a garage. Instead of paying extra at some apartment complex, I should look for a townhouse someone is renting out.

chops

i dont know where you live, but 425? yea right. most single story homes in the 1500 square feet range are in the 600k range, especially in the nicer parts of SJ. you can find upto 800k for a single story as well. go check zillow.com.