Best area in SJ to buy a condo under $150K (San Jose: foreclosed, condos)

[asnlc]

I'm currently living elsewhere in the Bay Area with my parents, and would like to purchase a home in the South Bay for under 150K (which translates to a foreclosed condo in a somewhat so-so to ghettoish neighborhood). In terms of city, I think SJ would be the only city where I can find something within this price range. I'm not super familiar with SJ, so I'm hoping someone can tell me what area (intersection or neighborhood) I can find the "nicest" condo, for the least price. I know "nice" and "cheap" don't go hand in hand, but I'm trying to find the optimal spot, where they meet in the middle.

I've looked at ziprealty & zillow, and have come up with these areas in terms of price (around the 150K range):

Blossom Hill & Snell (Judith Dr, Tyhurst, Spinnaker, Tradewinds, Coy)
Senter & Capitol Expy (Sieber)
Berryessa & Capital Ave (Wyman)
Monterey Hwy & Blossom Hill (Monterey Hwy)
McQuesten (near the Tropicana area which I heard was kinda run down?)
San Carlos & Meridian (Chiechi)
Jackson Ave & Alum Rock (Castlebridge, Alexian)

Does anyone have comments on these areas or have suggestions on other locations? I'd greatly appreciate any info!

Thanks!

[mstnghu2]

There are definitely numerous variables involved, but to make it a bit easier for you, I'll tell you which zip codes to avoid if you don't want to live in a bad part of town. SJ's worst neighborhoods aren't particularly scary, but your quality of life will be pretty low (too many cars for each house/no parking, trash, nobody speaking English, can collectors pushing shopping carts around at all hours of the night, etc.). Some of the main zip codes I'd avoid would be 95122, 95116, and 95111. Some East Side zip codes, especially around Evergreen are very hit or miss. 95121, 95127 and 95148 all have both good parts and not-so-great parts, so it can get confusing. 95112 around downtown also has some run-down areas, but also some beautiful, safe areas such as Naglee Park. Some of the nicer and safer zip codes (which unfortunately, some will probably be out of your price range) are 95118, 95119, 95120, 95123, 95124, 95125, 95126, 95132, 95133, 95134, 95135, 95136, 95138. Hopefully, this helps a little bit and didn't confuse you too much!

[sonarrat]

Anywhere around Blossom Hill or Berryessa is going to be passable. Alum Rock/Jackson and Monterey/Senter are the areas I would avoid personally, because there's just such a pervasive culture of poverty. The others are better. If you can find a place around Capitol/Silver Creek, that's Evergreen and a markedly nicer neighborhood than any of the above.

[Ludachris]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

Anywhere around Blossom Hill or Berryessa is going to be passable. Alum Rock/Jackson and Monterey/Senter are the areas I would avoid personally, because there's just such a pervasive culture of poverty. The others are better. If you can find a place around Capitol/Silver Creek, that's Evergreen and a markedly nicer neighborhood than any of the above.

But are there condos in that area in his price range? I know the prices have come down a lot, but $150k just seems really low still.

I would agree with sonarrat on the Alum Rock/Jackson and Monterey/Senter/Capitol areas. I think the two best options of those listed would be Berryessa/Capitol (I have a friend who lives near there and it doesn't seem as bad as the other areas you listed) and San Carlos/Meridian (at least you'd be closer to downtown to take advantage of the positive aspects of living in a not-so-nice area).

[asnlc]

mstnghu2: Thanks for all the data - I didn't realize SJ had so many zip codes
sonarrat & ludachris: I'll try to avoid or be cautious of the Alum Rock/Jackson and Monterey/Senter/Capitol areas, especially Alum Rock, based on things I've heard overall.

Everything is hit or miss - one street can be fine....and go down several blocks and it's a different story.

[Ludachris]

Originally Posted by asnlc

mstnghu2: Thanks for all the data - I didn't realize SJ had so many zip codes
sonarrat & ludachris: I'll try to avoid or be cautious of the Alum Rock/Jackson and Monterey/Senter/Capitol areas, especially Alum Rock, based on things I've heard overall.

Everything is hit or miss - one street can be fine....and go down several blocks and it's a different story.

Exactly. I'd suggest going to the shopping centers in each area where you'd end up doing your shopping. That always helps give you a good feel for the area and how bad it might be. Drive through the areas at different times of the day and at night. See if you'd feel comfortable walking to the store or just around the neighborhoods.

I never liked Senter/Monterey/Capitol. I had friends that lived around there. I lived down near Blossom Hill/101, so I ended up driving around there quite a bit. Not a nice looking area. I actually spent time in most of the areas you mentioned, with the least amount of time spent in the San Carlos/Meridian area. But that area seemed to be better than the others when I did drive through it. And again, it's closer to downtown, which makes it more convenient and might offset the negatives.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

San Carlos / Meridian - classic.

[krudmonk]

I would also go for San Carlos and Meridian. Next would be Jackson and Alum Rock, then near the Tropicana. The rest of those areas are rather impersonal and utilitarian.

[Ludachris]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

San Carlos / Meridian - classic.

Definitely. It's what most remember about old San Jose.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by mstnghu2

There are definitely numerous variables involved, but to make it a bit easier for you, I'll tell you which zip codes to avoid if you don't want to live in a bad part of town. SJ's worst neighborhoods aren't particularly scary, but your quality of life will be pretty low (too many cars for each house/no parking, trash, nobody speaking English, can collectors pushing shopping carts around at all hours of the night, etc.). Some of the main zip codes I'd avoid would be 95122, 95116, and 95111. Some East Side zip codes, especially around Evergreen are very hit or miss. 95121, 95127 and 95148 all have both good parts and not-so-great parts, so it can get confusing. 95112 around downtown also has some run-down areas, but also some beautiful, safe areas such as Naglee Park. Some of the nicer and safer zip codes (which unfortunately, some will probably be out of your price range) are 95118, 95119, 95120, 95123, 95124, 95125, 95126, 95132, 95133, 95134, 95135, 95136, 95138. Hopefully, this helps a little bit and didn't confuse you too much!

To the OP, this is an excellent post on which zip codes are good and which ones aren't.