Relocating to either San Jose or Palo Alto (Alameda, Cupertino: 2010, crime)

[Harold10]

I may be transfering to the San Jose area for work but I'm not sure which areas are good in either San Jose or Palo Alto. My wife and I recently visited both in August. The problem is we fell in love with both areas. I have researched different areas and now I would ike to have other views as well. We will be visiting again in May before the transfer in the sunmmer of 2010. If any one can provide either zip codes or area names for us to research and look at when we come that would be awesome.

[sonarrat]

Oh, let's see.. in San Jose, 95130, 95129, 95120, 95135, 95139, all are super super nice.

Palo Alto's best ZIP code is 94304, but that is strictly a multimillionaire's playground.. 94301 is excellent as well.. 94303 is OK if it's on the Palo Alto side, and not East Palo Alto.. 94306 is the least desirable of the bunch but still very desirable. PA is the town that outsiders seem to aspire to the most as it has a lot to offer.. great schools, lots of activities, walkable, flat, green. But don't discount San Jose as it is also a great town.. also look into Cupertino, and if you have deep pockets, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Portola Valley, Monte Sereno..

[nmguy]

I lived in Palo Alto for 35 years. When I left, I referred to it as Shallow Alto.

If you've got a big ego and paycheck, you'll fit right in.

If you like answering questions like, "Where do you work?" at parties, you'll feel at home.

If you like asking, "What college do your kids attend?" you'll love it.

I opted out of living there because I prefer a more real-to-life setting.

My advice: head for San Jose.

[Harold10]

thanks sonarrat. San Jose will be where I'll be heading. I'll check these zips out further. The info is very much appreciated.

[Harold10]

nmguy thanks. that's not what i'm looking for.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by Harold10

thanks sonarrat. San Jose will be where I'll be heading. I'll check these zips out further. The info is very much appreciated.

I think the other posters gave you some good advice. Obviously, not everyone in Palo Alto is shallow, but that vibe does exist there. San Jose is more down to earth, but less status-y.

There are plenty of nice zip codes in San Jose that were not listed. I think it would be easier to list the ones to avoid:

95116
95122
95121
95127

There are livable areas even in the zip codes listed...but for someone who likes Palo Alto, I can't imagine you living in any of the zip codes above.

[mstnghu2]

95125 and 95126 are also excellent zip codes worth checking out. 95125 is the Willow Glen area of SJ which has it's own little "downtown" area and tree-lined streets. There is definitely a strong community sense there and despite the fact that many people in Willow Glen probably make as much money as many people in Palo Alto, it's definitely much more down to earth. 95126 surrounds the SJ municipal rose garden and covers a much smaller area than Willow Glen, but is equally nice...Actually one of the most beautiful streets in all of San Jose, University Ave. directly off of the Alameda near I-880, is in this neighborhood.
Palo Alto is a nice place to live, but in all honesty I think it's completely over-priced. Some Palo Altans may turn their nose at San Jose (despite being part of the same county), but in reality some of the nicest neighborhoods of SJ rival the nicest in PA, at a fraction of the cost.

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

I think the other posters gave you some good advice. Obviously, not everyone in Palo Alto is shallow, but that vibe does exist there. San Jose is more down to earth, but less status-y.

There are plenty of nice zip codes in San Jose that were not listed. I think it would be easier to list the ones to avoid:

95116
95122
95121
95127

There are livable areas even in the zip codes listed...but for someone who likes Palo Alto, I can't imagine you living in any of the zip codes above.

I live in 95121 and I would not say to avoid it.. well, maybe for the traffic. Not because of the people, who are pretty much the same as what you'll find elsewhere in the South Bay.

[Harold10]

thank you all. i'll be researching all of these on city-data and scoping them out on my trip in May. i realli appreciate the GREAT and POSITIVE feedback.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

I live in 95121 and I would not say to avoid it.. well, maybe for the traffic. Not because of the people, who are pretty much the same as what you'll find elsewhere in the South Bay.

Well you're right. That zip is definitely better than 95122 and 95116. I have seen it has quite a few nice sections, but also its share of dumpy pockets. It seems less crime ridden than the other bad areas.

Sorry if I offended you. I admit I don't know that side of town as well as other parts of SJ.