Area suggestions for East Coast transplants (San Jose, Fremont: credit, neighborhoods, elementary schools)

[Pyite14]

Hello everybody I was hoping you could help with living area suggestions in and around San Jose. Between my wife and I we will be making around $180,000 a year. We have 5 year old twins so we are looking for good elementary schools. We are willing to spend around $3000 a month on rent. Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

[Billy Millennium]

I your budget works (I don't know) then check out the Almaden Valley area of San Jose. Down off Almaden Expressway from 85 past Costco. Nice area with good shopping/dining nearby.

Also, could look into West San Jose which is near the Westgate shopping area close to Saratoga.

[ccm123]

Sunnyvale, Cupertino would be good choices. Southern side of Fremont (Mission San Jose High School) is also excellent.

[bigdumbgod]

Almaden and Evergreen might work if the commute isn't a killer. Campbell would be a good addition to the aforementioned areas as well.

[Billy Millennium]

Originally Posted by bigdumbgod

Almaden and Evergreen might work if the commute isn't a killer. Campbell would be a good addition to the aforementioned areas as well.

Forgot about Campbell. The sliver of Campbell off Pollard has some nice neighborhoods and the area between San Tomas Expwy and San Tomas Aquino is pretty nice too and close to a Nob Hill supermarket and some other shopping and a gym. It's also a quick drive to the Westgate shopping area. Great location.

[darkeconomist]

Originally Posted by Pyite14

Hello everybody I was hoping you could help with living area suggestions in and around San Jose. Between my wife and I we will be making around $180,000 a year. We have 5 year old twins so we are looking for good elementary schools. We are willing to spend around $3000 a month on rent. Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

You didn't mention where you'll be working. Commute makes a big difference in your QOL in the south bay.

You should factor this in because many of the more comfortable suburban areas (Willow Glen, Westgate, etc.) can be difficult to get out of and to job centers during rush hours. Many underprice what commutes cost and just accept being in a car 90 minutes or two hours a day (not even including the price of burnt fuel and wear and tear on the car) as part of life.

[Pyite14]

Originally Posted by darkeconomist

You didn't mention where you'll be working. Commute makes a big difference in your QOL in the south bay.

You should factor this in because many of the more comfortable suburban areas (Willow Glen, Westgate, etc.) can be difficult to get out of and to job centers during rush hours. Many underprice what commutes cost and just accept being in a car 90 minutes or two hours a day (not even including the price of burnt fuel and wear and tear on the car) as part of life.

Thank you everybody for talking the time give us suggestions. We'll both be working in downtown San Jose.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by Pyite14

Thank you everybody for talking the time give us suggestions. We'll both be working in downtown San Jose.

If you can find something in Willow Glen, that would make for an excellent living/working arrangement. Right near downtown SJ.

[darkeconomist]

The burbank area is better than people give it credit for, plus it avoids the 87 crawl.

[Pyite14]

I'm well aware of the COL in the Bay Area but I'm starting to worry (due to the comments on this board) that $180,000 for a family of 4 is not enough to live comfortably in the area. Hopefully I'm going crazy but I was hoping some locals could provide some feedback for me? Thanks!