Family with new baby - relocation, please help! (San Jose, Santa Clara: apartments, rental market)

[LisaRose87]

Good morning! So, I have spent hours reading through posts on here, but am still conflicted and would very much appreciate any direct feedback. My husband's work is offering him a great new position in San Jose, near the intersection of 101 and 87. I will lose my job, but that's okay because we have a new baby and I'll be happy to stay at home with him.

Right now, we're in a small town with lots of open land and no traffic. We're close to family, but don't really have any friends close by because it is just not a young families type of area. There is a lot of drug use but it is safe to be out at night, and you never really feel scared. We want to be somewhere where we can find new friends, be beat open land, avoid horrible traffic if somewhat possible, relatively affordable as I won't be working, and most importantly, feel very safe!

My questions are:

- Which areas would you recommend in or near that intersection of 101 and 87? I've been looking at Morgan Hill, Santa Clara, and the Berryessa neighborhood. Gilroy seems a little too far. We're learning towards Morgan Hill.
- Does San Jose feel safe? How about Morgan Hill?
- What's the San Jose to Morgan Hill commute like these days?
- Are there lots of late twenties/early thirties families? Will there be other stay at home moms?
- Are there good parks to go for that feel of nature and openness?
- Based on my description, does it sound like it's a good idea for us to take the new job, or are we crazy to make this move?

THANK YOU so much for your help!

[bobby_guz_man]

How much are you willing to spend on rent/mortgage? How much time in commute will your husband be able to tolerate?

The mantra in the Bay Area is to live as close as affordably possibly to your workplace.

Between San Jose and Morgan Hill, I would definitely recommend Morgan Hill. San Jose is kind of a dump...

[LiaRosa87]

Thanks for your feedback. We are hoping to spend no more than the mid-three thousands on mortgage, less for rent. We can live in a pretty small place since it's just the baby and us right now, but we'd prefer a yard since we have pets. We'd like to keep the husband's commute to half an hour-ish if possible, hopefully helped by the fact that he will work a little earlier and leave a little earlier than the normal eight to five schedule. It sounds like San Jose isn't a good place for us to live... Do you think Santa Clara is too expensive?

[coolwaves]

Just to get an idea of your expectations, where are you living now?
You have to realize that many people rent for a long time without being able to be a homeowner and it is unrealistic to think you can purchase something in the Bay Area without having to save for years. If you want a yard for your animals, then you may have to rent a house, which is going to be unaffordable. You need to be a bit realistic. How many animals are you talking about? Some landlords will allow animals in the apt for an additional rent.

[bobby_guz_man]

Santa Clara is a good place to live, but maybe more expensive than the cheaper parts of San Jose. I don't know if you can find a house to rent for less than $3,000/mo in Santa Clara, as even the crappier parts of San Jose will go for $2,500/mo for a small house.

I would definitely try to look first, but you will end up making some sacrifices. First to go, and easiest to do, would be the pets, I'm afraid

[klavierstuck]

I would consider the rectangle of Lick Mill, Tasman, Montague and River Oaks. This area is very good for 1st timers to the Bay Area. There's easy access to Rivermark, great restaurants, shopping and very nice parks. Ideal for a young family trying to get the vibe of the area. Some new apartments like Epic, River view, Verdant have good deals like free rent.

[Wintermomma]

Parts of San Jose feel safe, parts do not.

Check out www.crimereports.com when you hone in on areas of interest...change filters to 30 days plus...

Once you get here, your best bet to find other moms is to join some classes/activities. It's very expensive to live here, sometimes I wonder if SAHMs are a dying breed, but I'm also an "older" mom (meaning my kids aren't babies anymore) so that could be why they are fewer and far between in my circles.

I think Morgan Hill seems really nice and family friendly (though hotter than I like) but I have a friend who lives there and has told me there are parts she doesn't feel safe at night (which is no different than San Jose).

Mid 3K for rent is reasonable for cheaper areas and since you don't have to worry about school yet you may make it happen. If you don't have pets already, however, don't rush out and get them. It is VERY hard to find a nice and well-priced rental with pets allowed here.

[Lanienguyen]

Base on your description, I think North San Jose is the best for your family, zip code 95131. (Berryessa 95132) Your husband does not have to get into free way to work. Just take a Brokaw street and get to 101/87. 10 minutes commute is the most. Close to Flea Market on Berryessa, close to Costo, Supermarkets and restaurants, and close to all free ways. Lots of young family with young kids live around here. Most of the houses here are build in late 80s and 90s rather than Berryessa, ( in late 60s-or early 70s)

There are some investors recently bought a few condo and put on the rental market with reasonable price.
Here are some links still on Craigslist. I had lived in this area for almost 18 years, before moving to Berryessa 3 yrs ago.

Beautiful 2bdrm 2baths condo for rent!!! Top level with high ceiling
This is a condo viewing a golf court, 2-3 min walk to Townsend park with play ground for kid.
I lived here for 10 years and still have a rental condo in this complex.

Excellent 2 Bed 2 Bath Condo in a great complex
This is another condo complex. Townsend park is just cross the street. I used to rent here for 5 yrs before I own my condo

2-bed 2-bath upgraded spacious condo kids n commuter friendly location
Welcome Home - San Jose - North
These condos is between the Townsend park and Golf course. ( one of the unit sold 2 months ago for 700K)
The Three condo complexes above I strongly recommend because they are next each other, very opened plan ( now the new townhouse or condo they build upward. So owner/renter don't have space in the complex.) close to park, golf court.

There are only 3-4 Apartment rental around but more expensive.
Why commute for hours to and from work when you can live locally
What More Could You Ask For........Sunny, Spacious & Ready!!!
Amberwood Apartments - San Jose, CA 95131 | Apartments for Rent

[Standingroom0nly]

87 and 101? Morgan Hill. No contest. Most of San Jose around those areas IS a dump compared to Morgan Hill. My husband makes the same commute and it is 20 minutes door to door. Driving home on Fridays can take a bit longer, but otherwise an easy-peasy commute.

You will get the wide open feel in Morgan Hill, the relatively small town feel, farm-land feel, slower-paced, more spread-out less cramped feel, run into people you know, getting to know your checkers at Trader Joes, hiking trails, biking trails, well kept kids parks, young moms with little kids galore, general feeling of safety is high compared to other parts of the Bay, awesome recreation center with outdoor waterslides and pools to use during the summer, high quality restaurants downtown, and many new changes to the town (and downtown specifically) which will include more shopping and parks. There are really good schools here, (and you will always get people who complain there is not, my guess is more due to rumor) but you need to look around for yourself and decide what works for your kid(s).

If your budget is around 3000-3500, you will be fine finding a good home to rent in the area. Even in the 2500-3000 range you will find nice places in the area since you are a small family.

[Lanienguyen]

Originally Posted by Standingroom0nly

87 and 101? Morgan Hill. No contest. Most of San Jose around those areas IS a dump compared to Morgan Hill. My husband makes the same commute and it is 20 minutes door to door. Driving home on Fridays can take a bit longer, but otherwise an easy-peasy commute.

Just curious, I try to use google map from Bay 101 Casino (where is 101/87 junction) to Morgan Hill, it shows about 25 miles and estimate driving time is 25' WITHOUT traffic. How can he get there in 20 minutes at the regular commuted time?