San Jose

About San Jose

San Jose is located in Northern California, nestled in the heart of the Santa Clara Valley and bordering the southern shore of the San Francisco Bay. It's one of the most populous cities in California, and has earned the unofficial title of one of America's most fun cities. Whether you're a culture buff, a nature lover or a passionate foodie, San Jose has plenty for you to enjoy.

San Jose Industry and Employment

San Jose is home to the headquarters of some of the nation's most successful companies, including Adobe, PayPal, Samsung and Cisco. The city is part of an area of California nicknamed Silicon Valley, known as an epicenter of information technology. Many of the companies in San Jose are considered fairly young, and most of them share the common denominator of an exciting rate of business growth.

Other top employers in San Jose include eBay, the City of San Jose, Hitachi and the Good Samaritan Hospital.

Things to Do in San Jose

You'll find it easy to keep yourself busy in San Jose, because there are plenty of things to do in the area. One of its most famous landmarks is the Winchester Mystery House, a quirky mansion owned by the widowed heiress of the Winchester Arms fortune, Sarah Winchester. The home has over 150 rooms, allegedly arranged to confuse the ghostly spirits Mrs. Winchester believed were residing there.

If spooky history isn't your style, you can enjoy the local scenery by hiking Mission Peak or exploring the massive Sunol Regional Wilderness. San Jose also has its fair share of museums, including The Tech Museum of Innovation, where you can experience the cutting-edge technology the city is so famous for.

San Jose Neighborhoods

Here are a few neighborhoods that you won't want to miss when you are in San Jose:

Rose Garden

As the name of this neighborhood suggests, Rose Garden is a community of lush greenery and landscaping, home of the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden. The expansive garden has over 3,000 rosebushes and a well-deserved title as "America's Best Rose Garden."

Willow Glen

Willow Glen embodies that friendly small-town feeling, with its historic streets lined with family-friendly shops and eclectic sidewalk cafes. You can get to know your neighbors at the annual Dancin' on the Avenue event, a summer festival that brings everyone in the community together.

Japantown

Japantown originated over 100 years ago as the main settling point for Japanese immigrants arriving in the San Jose area. Today, it maintains its vibrant culture, and is actually one of just three surviving historic Japantowns in the U.S.

Downtown

Downtown San Jose is in the heart of the city, where you can go to find a variety of cultural sites, shopping and hundreds of restaurants. The SoFA District of downtown offers a rich and exciting nightlife, with live music lounges and hip nightclubs galore.

San Jose Schools

The San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD) covers most of San Jose, serving students from pre-kindergarten to high school. The district's schools include traditional public schools, magnet schools and even Montessori-style options.

You can also explore the range of private school options in the area, including both elementary and secondary schools.

Tips for Moving to San Jose

When relocating to San Jose, it helps to know where you can find the information you need to set up your home and get acclimated to the city. Here are a few things that can make the process easier:

• Water: The City of San Jose manages resident water supply. You should be aware that because of the city's dedication to environmental protection, there are water usage restrictions to prevent waste.
• Power and Gas: Your electricity and gas services in San Jose are provided by Pacific Gas and Electric, and you can enjoy the convenience of their online system that allows bill pay, service stop and start and more.
• Garbage and Recycling: Garbage and recyclables collection is managed by the City of San Jose, and you can schedule free pick-up of large items as well.
• Public Transit: The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority makes it easy for you to get around the city, with options for public transit including the well-known BART system.

San Jose Housing Information

The housing market in San Jose has flourished in recent years, recovering slightly faster from the recession than other cities in California. A healthy job market contributes to excellent home values because the demand for housing remains high. However, the high demand can result in low housing inventories, which sometimes makes it challenging to find homes for sale.