Best areas for Divorced L.A Mom in San Jose? (San Francisco: apartment, foreclosure)

[zengirl888]

I have some questions about San Jose and how it compares to L.A?

Is the traffic just as bad up north in the San Jose, San Francisco areas?

How are the job opportunites up there compared to L.A?

I am starting over after a divorce and need entry level administrative positions, my last job I was a Billing Coordinator for a large bank in their Foreclosure department, it was very depressing so I am not looking to work in that area again. I also want to go back to school to get a Healthcare Mgmt degree because of it's job security and my genuine interest in Healthcare. (I don't want to be a nurse though).

I am looking to move out of L.A and go up North (San Jose area). I have one 3rd grader (need good school district) and hope to find a clean, safe apartment.
My budget is $1500 per month for a 1 bedroom.

What areas or neighborhoods would you suggest.

Sacramento looks very affordable but I am worried I will be bored to death, I am not necessarily a downtown city girl (anymore!), but because I'm divorced I don't want to be a white picket fence suburbia either.

Looking for something in between, possibly a nice suburb super close to a major area.

I know there is tons of information on this site, but was hoping someone could give me customized info? A lot of the info I found was answered on other posters preferences etc.

Thanks in advance!

[jaijai]

I like Los Gatos ... just a bit west of San Jose ... easy access to it and also relatively close to the ocean, ie; Santa Cruz county which is just over the Santa Cruz mountains and, from downtown Los Gatos, you can get to the coast in about a half hour when there's no commuter traffic.
Los Gatos is kinda upscale and i imagine that there schools are good although i don't know as i don't have children.
Though it's kinda pricey, you should be able to find a one bedroom in your price range.
I would think it would be a good place for a single mom to start over ... safe and pretty, nice shops, etc. and good location.
Living close to the down town of L.G. might be really nice so you won't feel have that isolated suburbia feeling.

the Los Gatos CA Official Site

south bay area apts/housing for rent classifieds - craigslist

[zengirl888]

Originally Posted by jaijai

I like Los Gatos ... just a bit west of San Jose ... easy access to it and also relatively close to the ocean, ie; Santa Cruz county which is just over the Santa Cruz mountains and, from downtown Los Gatos, you can get to the coast in about a half hour when there's no commuter traffic.
Los Gatos is kinda upscale and i imagine that there schools are good although i don't know as i don't have children.
Though it's kinda pricey, you should be able to find a one bedroom in your price range.
I would think it would be a good place for a single mom to start over ... safe and pretty, nice shops, etc. and good location.
Living close to the down town of L.G. might be really nice so you won't feel have that isolated suburbia feeling.

the Los Gatos CA Official Site

south bay area apts/housing for rent classifieds - craigslist

Thanks Jaijai for replying, Los Gatos sounds exactly like the type of area I'm looking for, I will research it now.
Thanks for replying!!

[jaijai]

Originally Posted by zengirl888

Thanks Jaijai for replying, Los Gatos sounds exactly like the type of area I'm looking for, I will research it now.
Thanks for replying!!

Oh good.
I've said before on this forum that if i had to live on the San Jose side of the Santa Cruz mountains, i'd definitely live in Los Gatos.
Good luck!

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by jaijai

I like Los Gatos ... just a bit west of San Jose ... easy access to it and also relatively close to the ocean, ie; Santa Cruz county which is just over the Santa Cruz mountains and, from downtown Los Gatos, you can get to the coast in about a half hour when there's no commuter traffic.
Los Gatos is kinda upscale and i imagine that there schools are good although i don't know as i don't have children.
Though it's kinda pricey, you should be able to find a one bedroom in your price range.
I would think it would be a good place for a single mom to start over ... safe and pretty, nice shops, etc. and good location.
Living close to the down town of L.G. might be really nice so you won't feel have that isolated suburbia feeling.

the Los Gatos CA Official Site

south bay area apts/housing for rent classifieds - craigslist

Is $1500 a month for a 1BR a realistic rent for Los Gatos?

Also, LG is not really that close to SV job centers, although certainly not an impossible commute.

[jaijai]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

Is $1500 a month for a 1BR a realistic rent for Los Gatos?

Also, LG is not really that close to SV job centers, although certainly not an impossible commute.

Yes i think so.
If you look on craiglist there are actually a number of 1 bedrooms in that price range.
I guess it depends on how you define "close".
For me, a good dwelling in a good community is worth it and mitigates a bit more of a commute.
Also, she's used to L.A. traffic so it seems like it may be o.k. for her.
And for me, to be closer to the coast is worth it too.
Another poster was concerned about Los Gatos air quality.
I bet it's better in L.G. than other San Jose area communities ... i'd say quite a bit better but i don't know stats.

[mayorhaggar]

I would look for jobs in both the San Francisco and San Jose areas, then once you have a job lined up find a town to live in that has good schools and fits your budget and isn't too far away of a commute. San Jose/Silicon Valley has an economy dominated by tech but has a lot of general offices too, but San Francisco has a wide variety of general office firms too--law firms, national bank HQ's, etc. And there's lots of offices spread around suburban areas like Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, etc.

[blueyes2]

Check out the Willow Glen area as well. Nice there. You will see a big change when driving around, traffic much, much better. As for jobs, well, there lies the problem. Moved from SJ to LA several years ago due to no work in SJ. If there were work there for me, never would have left. Good luck finding a better situation.

[zengirl888]

Thank you very much for the replies, yes I am very used to the horrible traffic here in L.A, it is sickening how bad it is here. So I think anything out of L.A would be an improvement.

blueyes- I'm surprised you couldn't find a job in San Jose over L.A? There are numerous lists that have San Jose doing much better than L.A as far as economy.

To all others, I will look for jobs in SF, but I really want to live/work only in the SJ area, I could be wrong but SF seems like L.A traffic to me with excessive population etc. I will do my best to keep an open mind though, a job is a JOB after all!

Thanks again guys!!!

[mayorhaggar]

I think you'll find traffic is heavy all around the Bay Area during rush hour, it's not bad like Socal where it's heavy all day long and on the weekend, but it's heavy during commute hours. There's a LOT of people who live in SF and up and down the Peninsula who drive to work in Silicon Valley, 280 is ok but 101 can be a parking lot. I'd say the SF area has more public transit options but the San Jose area has more highway options plus it's in a valley so the geography isn't as restrictive until you get to some of the steep areas.