San Jose

I was born here; don’t remember CA at all.

I was there for Thanksgiving 2008, as my wife was doing a seminar there.

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.

I’ve lived in San Jose for a while and the only advice I have to give is…just skip it. No historic landmarks or interesting architecture. There are just big supermarkets and single-level housing. There are a few trashy clubs downtown but that’s about it. The only shopping district other than strip malls (just about on every block) is this place called Santana Row, which is supposed to resemble some European street, but it just feels fake. Honestly, everything there is and feels fake. It’s the Silicon Valley…metaphorically speaking. If you do end up there by some unfortunate and unavoidable twist of fate, you will need a car (and lots of $$$ for gas) since public transport is not even worth a try and cabs are overpriced. Someone said there are good taco joints…I guess that’s true. But whatever you do STAY AWAY FROM TACO BRAVO! I would recommend Santa Cruz instead. Better food, better atmosphere. Heck even downtown Campbell or Palo Alto (which are half the size) have more to offer.

Now I know the way

It’s just like any Bay Area city.. except there’s Juicy Burger! hahah.. I am being silly, though. I dunno. I just moved to San Jose from Fremont and I think I do like San Jose a bit better. There are more quality things like stores, restaurants and hair salons.It’s a great place to spend all your money.

at first glance, san jose seems like nothing other than san francisco’s boring older brother. and while that may be true in some cases, it’s just that san jose has a more quiet sort of charm. it’s not really an under 21 kind of city. you’re going to need a car, you’re going to need a job, and you’re going to need id. but armed with all three, san jose is just thriving with tiny treasures for anyone who appreciates food, architecture and ethnic enclaves.

san jose is california’s oldest city. and the architecture shows it. if you have a dog, san jose can be a great place to take him out for strolls. the city of san jose has set up a series of signs downtown informing passerbys of the historical merit of the random buildings they may happen across. and if you live in the neighborhood, you can get on the web and find out if your building is a structure of merit. and even the new buildings are intriguing. willow glen’s architecture is reminiscent of a visit with david the gnome, and both martin luther king jr library and city hall both try to capture what the name silicon valley really means. space age silver, juxtaposed angles and long curves can fascinate the eye.

the position near the pacific allows for so many different cultures to reside all at once. and the food is the best way to take advantage. authentic ramen from a japanese surfer, polenta dinners at local churches, a chain of super taquerias with a fresh trimmings bar, ethiopian food with music from the country are just a few of the ways to spend a night out. and while san jose’s night scene is rather small, everyone in it is super friendly. the karaoke bar in japantown is a scene where people are comfortable enough to go acapella to the postal service or to rap to the audience sinatra-style & even the local meatmarket of mission ale house is equipped with bouncers so friendly they’ll buy you a strong drink. the blank club stages both local acts and big names that san francisco sees next. but the thing about the blank is that no matter where you stand, you’ll have a good view, and no matter what you drink, it’ll always be good.

there are local spots of culture that require driving to, but they’re really quite eclectic and interesting. there may only be one major art museum but there are museums on random topics such as technology, quilts and egypt. and while you drive to them, you have a choice of three award-winning college music that’ll provide you with the melodies of talented new artists from every genre you could imagine.

there’s nature in this city, too. stacy’s wag’n train, a local business, provides an in-depth guides to all the dog parks and there are many, many other safe and beautiful parks to explore as well. not to mention that even from every suburban block or from every freeway overpass there are beautiful, panoramic vistas of mountains surrounding this valley on every side. the clouds could inspire those from five to ninety-five of what the gods of the skies are trying to express.

people complain about the transportation, but really it’s just another matter of having the right equipment. with an internet connection 511.org is accessible. simply type in where you are and and where you need to be and you’ll have step-by-step directions and maps to wherever you need to go. perhaps it’ll be the yankee pier, located in the trite santana row, but supplied with oysters flown in fresh from maine, delicious ahi tuna, the best cosmos in town and service that can’t be beat. not to mention the fact that this is the safest big city in america. so no matter where you’re riding the bus to, where you’re walking to, you can feel safe with your headphones on, walking to the beat of your favourite drummer.

all in all, i can say that it’s a grownup’s city. if you look on the bayareafamous craigslist, you can find great deals on rentals and the things to furnish it. if you want to party every night and take the train home from the party, move to new york or san francisco. but if you want cheap rent, great food, a wide palette of a variety of culture and a safe place to walk your dog, san jose’s not the stupid bore those under 21 want to tell you it is.

So i hate saying this because i live, and have lived in San Jo all my life, but in all honesty it is a sorry wannabe excuse for a metropolitan area, or “city”. what peopl esay is true, it is a vast expanse of suburbia with a city sized population. GO to San Francisco, thats what we do, or santa cruz for the beach. The thing about San Jose is it isnt as treachorous as it sounds, but if you really want to enjoy your recreational time here you have to get to know the city and really dive in deep to discover its cool places. The problem is is that the promotion of certian neighborhoods is low, and San Joseans themselves dont take advantage of some the the nicer neighborhoods we have to eat, shop, and hangout in. There are the Whored places that only become annoying and full of wannabes, like Santana Row, and Downtown…more or less the pruneyard. not that u cant enjoy urself in these places, its just they are so cliché and like pose to be urban when they are anyhting but. True though, you will see the largest amounts of people in these generic places , which makes them good for people watching, and a good laugh. But my friends and i try to frequent the other gems in San Jose when we are stuck here at the time being. Places like Willow Glen, Burbank and West San Carlos, the Rose Garden, Saratoga, Los Gatos, dowtown Cambell, and Japantown are pretty decent places to grab food (San Jose has a suprising plethura of ethnic restaurants from some of the best Mexican and Vietnamese, to even things like Romanian and Peruvian) get coffee,or pass the time with a friend. these places are much more low key, and far less frequented than places that shouldnt even be bothered with. So to enjoy San Jose you have to not expect much, and really just enjoy the simpleness of enjoying nice weatrher and a newly discovered restaurant, or walk around a neighborhood with quaint “dowtowns”, and impressive housing..San Jose just takes effort…and for most people this would not be worth it… i am not saying dont give the city a visit, cuz for fucks sake what it needs is people visiting its sorry ass, i am just saying DONT EXPECT MUCH and go to SF, berkely, Oakland, Monterey, Carmel, etc…and stop by if you must and make the best of it…and get ready to DRIVE, because you dont walk in san jose…and dear God you dont take public transportation (lame)...o yah and everyone move to europe…now, late

This is where I currently live and the only good thing I have to say about it is this: The place has some kickin’ taco joints. Everything else about this city sucks. The rent is way too high, there is next to no night life beyond pathetic clubs filled with wannabe gangstas, cholos, and silicon valley aristocracy bopping around in there giant SUVs. The arts here is sad, the music scene is dead, and the public transportation (which is important if you like to drink) is some of the worst I have encountered in any major city. If you want a real bay area experience, move to Oakland, San Francisco, or Berkley. South Bay is LAME

born and raised. many never leave. weather. food. diversity.

housing prices make it hard to stay and are driving people out.

but had to leave the hell hole in order to truly appreciate my hometown again… tho, now i’m back and lovingly call my home san ghetto. stupid a$$es being all stupid ghetto…. yah. that’s something to be proud of.