United States: California: San Jose

Cherie
San Jose

Its not that bad

I’ve lived in worse places and I’ve lived in better places. As it stacks up to everything else, its slightly more interesting but still has a way to go. It feels more like suburbia than it does a metropolitan area. Doesn’t matter though, because if you want to go metro go to SF which is only an hour away. I work during the week, and go to SF on the weekends. SJ is also driving distance to other beautiful parts of California like Monterrey and Napa. So yeah, I agree with the guy who points out that SJ is for those with jobs. Good paying jobs. But if you work in the tech industry like everyone else, that’s not really a problem. If you want to blow your money on rent, SF is the place for you. That’s the reason I moved here from NYC, living paycheck to paycheck isn’t worth having an interesting nightlife. That’s what weekends are for. And don’t get me started on comparing SF to NYC—there is no comparison.

Comments:

violetsprite
New York City

Thanks for your input, it really helps. I am thinking about moving from NYC to Cali (in next 3 months to a 1 year). San Fran is my 1st choice but I’ve heard rent is as expensive as NYC. I was told San Jose is the next closest thing to living in a city but cheaper. Was the transition hard? Is public transportation good? Comng from NYC I like being able to hop on a train or bus to get to where I need to go. Will I need to invest in a bike, vespa or car?

Cherie
San Jose

SF is pretty expensive. I think it’s like anywhere else, you may be able to find some cheap places or roommates and such.

I would say that San Jose feels a bit suburban, and if you are a true city girl that likes to be within walking distance to public transport, boutiques, restaurants, and trendy bars and clubs, San Jose probably isn’t a good place for that.

But, if you are the kind of person, that plans on focussing on other things during the week, and saves her fun for the weekend, than San Jose might work for you.

The public transport in San Jose isn’t that great. There is a VTA http://www.vta.org/ a bus system, and a Caltrain. But SF is definitely better connected within SF. They have a full public transport system there.

You definitely need a car in the south bay area or you will be stuck taking either the VTA or Caltrain http://www.caltrain.com/ from where you are going.
Or you can ride a bike, a lot of people do that, if you feel comfortable in traffic.

San Jose is a very large area. Are you moving here for a job? I’m happy to answer any more questions you may have.

violetsprite
New York City

Thank you for replying and answering my questions :-).
I am a city girl, but for the past couple of years I haven’t really hung out after work much (last year because of a job, this year because of grad school). I’ve been saving my hanging out for the weekends, so I think that won’t bother me too much … I think.

I want to move because I need a change of pace. I’ve never lived anywhere but the NYC metro area. I choose San Fran because it is very similar to NYC and I have a huge crush on it. I visited San fran last year and loved it. San Jose was recommended to me because it is cheaper and the central spot for the Silicon Valley tech jobs. So yeah I would be moving out there because of a job, but I have gotten a job yet. Would one of the near by cities be better? Like Campbell or something?

violetsprite
New York City

Also, how hard was it to make that HUGE leap from NYC to San Jose? Did you have the job first or did you move and then find a job?

Thanks :-)


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