Thoughts on 5 mile region to the west of the Diridon station? (San Jose: for sale, apartment complexes)

[syborg]

I'll be working in Palo Alto, but looking to get a place around the San Jose Diridon station (south of the alameda, north of Park Ave ) as it has the express line to work. What are you thoughts on this location? We are newbs to the entire region.

Many offerings seem to be townhomes and other tri level homes. I see it billed as downtown, but it does appear to be on the western outskirts. Close to the HP Pavilion might indicate heavy traffic at times? This would be for a small family (baby, stay home wife). Obviously safety is paramount, but would be nice to know if there are walkable cafes, markets, etc.

[Luke9686]

It's a pretty good area. Closer to and west of Race Street is very nice.

[syborg]

Thanks, anything specific about west of Race thats better? Also, hows the train noise in this area?

[511pf]

Originally Posted by syborg

I'll be working in Palo Alto, but looking to get a place around the San Jose Diridon station (south of the alameda, north of Park Ave ) as it has the express line to work. What are you thoughts on this location? We are newbs to the entire region.

Many offerings seem to be townhomes and other tri level homes. I see it billed as downtown, but it does appear to be on the western outskirts. Close to the HP Pavilion might indicate heavy traffic at times? This would be for a small family (baby, stay home wife). Obviously safety is paramount, but would be nice to know if there are walkable cafes, markets, etc.

The area you're referring to is generally known as the Alameda/Rose Garden and is generally very nice. East of Race and north of San Carlos is almost universally the most attractive neighborhood in the area (along with Willow Glen).

The area bounded by Park, San Carlos, Meridian and Montgomery is not quite as nice. I would also stay away from the area between the train tracks and Highway 87. Most of it is not dangerous, just kind of deserted a lot of the time. I also wouldn't live on San Carlos, just because it's such an ugly street.

This is not Downtown San Jose, as downtown ends at highway 87. Be sure to check the block you're living on, but in general the immediate area is safe. Downtown itself is hit and miss as far as safety and pedestrian activity. Nowhere in the South Bay is particularly walkable, but there are some shops on the Alameda, a great coffee shop, a few restaurants and the local YMCA. I would expect the area's retail to expand quickly if the A's end up moving to San Jose. Be aware that the two apartment complexes on the Alameda are owned by Avalon, who are notorious for raising rent up to $300 per month at the end of a lease. There are some places near Auzerais and Sunol which I'm sure are fine, but be aware that even though they look close to the Alameda, you will be fairly car-oriented because there's just nothing over there to do.

If you do end up making the drive to Palo Alto, expect it to take 45-50 minutes on a normal day and much worse if it rains. I don't think train noise is generally a problem unless you're living in Plant 51 (across from the station) and facing the tracks.

The townhomes you're seeing may be the ones right next to Diridon station, and that would probably be ideal if that's the area you want and you can afford them. Traffic in the area really isn't that much worse when there is an event, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Caltrain is generally clean and reliable, and taking the train to work in an absolute pleasure compared with driving.

Visit and walk the neighborhood, especially before you sign a lease. Also, if you consider moving Downtown, live on an inside courtyard apartment, as the near-nightly wild partying and fighting may otherwise keep you awake. You're probably better off in the Alameda/Rose Garden, even if rentals are a little tough to find over there.

[syborg]

Fantastic info, thank you! We will stay away from the Avalon rentals. The condos/townhomes we are looking at are in fact next to the station (half mile away max), so the noise was a concern. Good to hear that it shouldnt be a concern. I will take the baby bullet for sure, so hopefully no driving to PA. I dont see any of these townhomes for sale, so Im thinking the area is generally liked and homes get snatched up fairly quickly.

[syborg]

A silly question, if we live West of the tracks (alameda, rose garden), is there a bridge that gets me to the station entrance across the tracks?

[Jarkatmu]

Originally Posted by syborg

A silly question, if we live West of the tracks (alameda, rose garden), is there a bridge that gets me to the station entrance across the tracks?

Yes. The pedestrian tunnel that links the main station building on the east side of the tracks to the platforms extends to the light rail station near the townhomes and plant 51 so there's no problem accessing the station from the west side of the tracks.

Here's some info on transit oriented living in that area:

If your employer doesn't provide a transit pass, consider buying a Caltrain monthly pass as it will also give you unlimited rides on VTA, which is the local bus and light rail transit provider in your neighborhood and greater Santa Clara County. You'll need to get a Clipper Card, which is an electronic smart card to purchase a monthly pass. Another transit note: Caltrain is generally reliable, but it melts down every once and a while due to suicides (people jump in front of the train) and train mechanical problems, but lucky for you VTA runs a bus route from Palo Alto Caltrain, down El Camino and The Alameda which is a good, albiet slow, alternative if Caltrain has issues. Follow @caltrain on twitter for crowdsourced information on train delays and issues.

If you ever take the bus to or from Palo Alto, try and take the 522, which is a limited stop version of line 22. 522 runs every 15 minutes until 7PM or so and it stops at the Alameda and Race. The 22 runs every 12 minutes all day long with limited 24 hour service in the early morning. Line 22 is a convenient way to get to downtown San Jose because of its frequency. Just show up at a stop and a bus will probably be along shortly. It's good for traveling short distances to downtown.

Day to day needs: There's a mega sized Safeway on the corner of San Carlos and Race, which is pretty convenient. Depending on how your train home meshes with the line 63 schedule, you could hop on line 63 at Diridon station, which will take you to the Safeway, do your shopping and walk home. Not bad. Additionally, sometime soon Whole foods will start construction on their latest branch across the street from Diridon station. There's a Walgreens downtown on the corner of 1st and Santa Clara.

Finally, if you're itching for a different neighborhood to experience outside of Downtown SJ, the Alamdea, and Palo Alto, consider hopping light rail to Downtown Campbell. It's a 10 minute ride, and the area has a nice mix of small shops, restaurants, etc.

[syborg]

Thanks Jarkatmu! Sounds like you know the area very well. It'll take me time to figure out the bus routes and Caltrain, but it doesnt seem overwhelming. Whole foods is a welcome addition, thanks for that tip...the twitter one as well

[sonarrat]

I'm wondering about where you think there's an express route to Palo Alto around there. I'm pretty familiar with VTA's offerings. If you're thinking of taking the 103, it only stops at the Fruitdale LRT station on Southwest Expressway, and not on Race or Meridian.

[syborg]

Sonarrat, just so this newb doesnt freak out about anything, the Caltrain does have the baby bullet express to PA right? You are only asking about VTA, which is the "light rail?" Im guessing this is another train service that stops at Diridon as well? Thanks