new job in Milpitas, looking for a lively community (San Jose: to rent, living in)

[newtotheSFbay]

Hi all-

I'm a 30 year old professional in the tech industry, and I got a job in Milpitas. I would love to take this opportunity to live in San Francisco, but the commute seems too long.

My boyfriend and I will be moving up there together, and I'd like to rent in a spot where there's a lot going on for people our age. Is there a downtown area near milpitas that anyone would recommend? Where should I start looking?

thanks for your input!

[your_chum]

I live in Milpitas! And you're not going to like this but Milpitas itself is a fairly sleepy suburb stuck between Fremont and San Jose. Lots of Dining and lot's of retail but no "downtown" area to speak of.

It's worlds apart from the busy SF hustle and bustle, but it is what it is. The nearest nightlife is going to be Downtown San Jose or SF which is just an hour away.

I guess the redeeming factor is that if you like a really chill, lifestyle where you can go hiking, biking, and do outdoorsy stuff, the south bay (especially around Milpitas) is a good central location.

[ccm123]

There is some nightlife close to Milpitas: Downtown Mountain View, Downtown Palo Alto, Downtown Los Gatos, but the city is where most of the nightlife is at. You definitely do not want to commute from the city to Milpitas.

[silverkris]

Concur that it's not feasible to commute from SF to Milpitas, it will get old really fast. Best to live near your work, and if need be, go to the big city on the weekends. I have a (single) cousin who lives in Mountain View, works in Santa Clara, but is up in SF every weekend. Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose have decent downtowns that have some activity, though not to the level of SF's.

[JenniferBowman]

I dont think its a nice place for life

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I'm thinking downtown SJ would suit you. Then you could even go to SF for weekends, etc.

[darkeconomist]

Originally Posted by ccm123

There is some nightlife close to Milpitas: Downtown Mountain View, Downtown Palo Alto, Downtown Los Gatos....

+1 this.

Living in Milpitas, however, does mean driving (no reasonable public options to speak of) to these locations.

All of these locations are strong draws for young people because they are walkable and have a lot of great places to eat and drink.

Also to include in that list is San Pedro Square in San Jose.

[ccm123]

Santana Row in San Jose is another good nightlife spot.

Originally Posted by darkeconomist

+1 this.

Living in Milpitas, however, does mean driving (no reasonable public options to speak of) to these locations.

All of these locations are strong draws for young people because they are walkable and have a lot of great places to eat and drink.

Also to include in that list is San Pedro Square in San Jose.

[zitsky]

I'd also recommend the peninsula, Mountain View, Palo Alto etc. You can have a lot of fun in Mountain View during the week. There are several bars, a few clubs and a performing arts center. Then head up to the city on Friday night or Saturday. And of course, San Jose is not far away and more convenient than San Francisco Mon-Fri.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by zitsky

I'd also recommend the peninsula, Mountain View, Palo Alto etc. You can have a lot of fun in Mountain View during the week. There are several bars, a few clubs and a performing arts center. Then head up to the city on Friday night or Saturday. And of course, San Jose is not far away and more convenient than San Francisco Mon-Fri.

Yep. Plenty to do in the South Bay, and SF and Oakland are always there for the weekends.

Of course, if you would like to do a little off-beat stuff locally, there's always Niles