Where are the nice/not so nice areas of San Jose?

[moovin]

Expensive communities are nice. Cheap communities are not so nice. That's pretty much how it works anywhere in the world doesn't it?

Just go to zillow.com or something like that and look for homes that are in the 700k+ price range (or whatever price range you find in the "nice" communities).

[MichaelinWA]

I lived in 95112 from 1998 until 2003, in a then-new condo complex. I enjoyed living downtown and found it fun, safe and clean, but there were indeed some "dumpy" places nearby. I went to San Jose in December and noted that yet another development of upscale condos had gone up, next to where I used to live.

The guy who bought my condo back in 2003 did quite well for himself, based on a recent look at prices.

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

Also the downtown area (95112) is kind of a zip code where the trendy and the dumpy co-exist in close proximity. The downtown has lots of upscale bulding projects under construction right now, so it may be an "up and coming" area.

San Jose is a fairly safe city. Even the bad neighborhoods are fairly livable compared with bad neighborhoods in other large cities.

[cramming]

I agree with what has been said about the Berryessa area and environs. I lived in 95127, next to Penitencia Creek, for about a year and a half; it's a decent area, and except for one incident, there have been no incidents that I'm aware of that would be reason for concern.

[whorl1quote]

anyone familiar with 12th St? I am looking into buying one on 951 S 12th. Is it a good area in San Jose?

[sonarrat]

It is a good area and a convenient area, but certainly go see the location and check if the noise is excessive. I see both the 280 freeway and the Caltrain tracks within earshot of that condo complex.

[JustMike]

[color=Black] http://www.crimereports.com/map?search=San%20Jose,%20CA]CrimeReports.com (broken link)

(sorry if my links aren't clickable)

When I was looking at buying, I checked up on crime statistics. San Jose currently rates 3rd (If I recall correctly - Often 1st) safest large city. I found that most areas had about an average amount of crime. There are a few intersection notoriously bad; I don't recall them. Overall, most areas aren't that bad. You might want to stay away from High Schools, as they attract vandalism.

South San Jose is a bit industrial, but it's slowly growing out of that. The old GE plant has been replaced with "The Plant," a new shopping center hosting Best Buy, Target, Petsmart, Ross, and many smaller shops.

Near Monterey Rd and Capitol Expressway is a condo complex. (Kenbrook Cir -95111 )
Kenwood/Crosspoint
Big thing here, GARAGE and in unit LAUNDRY. (big for me) These range from $300k for 1 bed/1 bath 1 car garage, to 3 bed/2 bath 2car garage $450k. There are some 2bed/1 bath listing around 300k (which is low - 350k+ is usual- something's probably wrong with them, or foreclosing) HOA is $260 Cable (HDTV), Water, Garbage included. There have been a few auto's broken into, not a big problem. Seems like a safe complex. It's near a limited stop Caltrain, and 2 miles from light rail or a single bus to get Downtown. Parking seems to be reasonable, and it's a block from a park'n'ride with plenty of parking. Starbucks is a block up the street, and there are a couple places to eat within walking distance. 22 min to 101/Montague (Santa Clara) before 7am, otherwise 45 min, return trip is the same before 2:45pm 22min, after 45min. HWY 87 can be a pain. The train noise isn't often or especially bad, and plane noise is minimal inside, though it is in the flight path.

Near Blossom Hill and Snell is the Tradewinds complex. No garages here, but they make up for it in toys. Indoor pool/spa, pool tables, Basketball, Gym, and possibly more, all indoors. I think there is tennis outside. Seems like a great place for a single guy. 1 bed/1 bath $280k to 3bed/2 bath $480k. 2 miles to light rail, shopping center nearby, but not a lot to do. There is a (hold your breath) roller rink, and a few malls 10 miles away. It seems like a good area.
Tradewinds

Campbell had some places near the Pruneyard shopping center (Bascom ave/Union ave)

[moovin]

Huge mall is just 2 miles from this area. Oakridge Mall.

Originally Posted by JustMike

Near Blossom Hill and Snell is the Tradewinds complex. No garages here, but they make up for it in toys. Indoor pool/spa, pool tables, Basketball, Gym, and possibly more, all indoors. I think there is tennis outside. Seems like a great place for a single guy. 1 bed/1 bath $280k to 3bed/2 bath $480k. 2 miles to light rail, shopping center nearby, but not a lot to do. There is a (hold your breath) roller rink, and a few malls 10 miles away. It seems like a good area.
Tradewinds

Campbell had some places near the Pruneyard shopping center (Bascom ave/Union ave)

[memrab]

So what are the good zip codes again for apartments?

[sonarrat]

I would start with 95131, 95132 (both north SJ) and 95118 (Cambrian), as well as 95126 (Midtown and Rosegarden). Also 95120 (Almaden Valley) if you can afford it!