Pro and contra for these communities (San Jose, Sunnyvale: apartment complexes, renter, crime)

[KayolI]

Hey all,

I just arrived yesterday in San Jose and currently living in a Motel...

Since I dont really like my motel, I already did some viewing yesterday and today.

So far I had viewings in the following communities:

North Park:
The Redwoods
The Sycamores

Cresent Village Apartments

Elan at River Oaks.

Tomorrow:
360 Reseidences Apartments

I am looking for a 1 bedroom apartment and all are around 2000-2150 USD per month.

Do you know any other communities?
What community would you prefer and why?

I am working in Zanker Road and have to take the light rail since I dont have a car

I am more than happy for any kind of feedback.

Thanks again.

[vrhunski]

Don't know but If you are foreigner just stay in hotel/motel for while because all renter will ask for 3x income in US dollars to be eligible for rent.

[KayolI]

Yes I. Already talked to them regards the deposit of one and a half monthly rent as a deposit.

But are there any other communities which are probably cheaper or better?

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by KayolI

Yes I. Already talked to them regards the deposit of one and a half monthly rent as a deposit.

But are there any other communities which are probably cheaper or better?

If you want cheaper, look for the smaller, older, apartment complexes, but they won't have many amenities. If you want all the amenities, they are going to charge a lot.

[marcopolo666]

Since you mention " I am working in Zanker Road and have to take the light rail since I dont have a car", you can look for an apartment that is near a light-rail station - it doesn't have to be near your work at all (most of the apartments up in that area are fairly recent and thus expensive). So you could look in San Jose, or even in Campbell (light rail transit time from the "Hamilton" station to the "Orchard" station on N 1st St is about 45 minutes). You might be able to find a nice apartment in San Jose near light rail for less than $2K.

There are appts listed around San Jose State in older appt complexes (say, 55 S. Sixth St) for about $1100-$1200. Now, I have NO IDEA what the neighborhood is like (I'm sure others can say), but it's about a 10 min walk to light rail and about 20 mins to get to orchard station light rail. (And faster if you had a bike you could ride to-from the light rail stations.)

Can anybody suggest a way to find out what are "good" vs. "bad" neighborhoods? Say, a map of crime rate?

[stc888]

If you don't have a car, I would suggest somewhere around your work, such as North Park Apts. 360 in downtown is nice, but it's probably expensive and you will have to commute on LRT to get to work. Also try craigslist to see if anyone is renting a home or include Milpitas in your search since there's access to LRT and not that far from Zanker. Sunnyvale or Santa Clara near the LRT line may also be a option.