evergreen community (San Jose, Santa Clara, Paradise: middle-class, transplants, leasing)

[sjnew]

I just visited several house/townhouses in evergreen area (zip code 95135), all looked nicer and newer than houses/apts I have visited before in cupertino or west san jose.

Just want to be sure if the decision to live in evergreen area is good or not.

Learnt from past discussions that the two biggest problems about this area is traffic and crime (gang activity sometimes). Since I am new to California, I want to be 100% assured of safety and good balance of work/life (dont want to spent too much on the commute - within half an hour is good for me). Other important thing to consider is top elementary school since I have a boy about school age.

Help!!!!!!

[bobby_guz_man]

Traffic is by far the the biggest problem, coupled with a lack of a decent public transit option and inconvenient freeway access. Just lining up to get onto 101 in the morning will take you half an hour.

Crime is barely there. Some graffiti here and there, and occasional kids smoking weed out at the park way up the hill on Tully or at the pond on Lakeview Drive. If you don't find Evergreen to be safe, then only Paradise will be deemed safe for you We are talking about a neighborhood of millionaires here.

The area is dominated by middle-class to upper-middle-class Asians, so take it for what that's worth. I noticed for many new transplants into the Bay Area, and into San Jose, this could be an even bigger problem than traffic

[bobby_guz_man]

The area you're looking at, 95135, is considered the deep hilly part of Evergreen. Crime is non-existent there, and you will have access to some of the best views of Santa Clara Valley, along with some awesome driving roads (San Felipe, Metcalf). You can use freeway access at Yerba Buena or Hellyer to jump on 101, instead of sitting in traffic with everyone and their Mom at Capitol and Tully.

[ccm123]

Your biggest danger may be the fact that these new immigrant Asians cannot drive a car properly. I see all sorts of terrible driving by these folks.

A 3000 pound BMW being driven improperly is just as dangerous as a 12 gauge in the hands of a gang member.

Originally Posted by bobby_guz_man

Traffic is by far the the biggest problem, coupled with a lack of a decent public transit option and inconvenient freeway access. Just lining up to get onto 101 in the morning will take you half an hour.

Crime is barely there. Some graffiti here and there, and occasional kids smoking weed out at the park way up the hill on Tully or at the pond on Lakeview Drive. If you don't find Evergreen to be safe, then only Paradise will be deemed safe for you We are talking about a neighborhood of millionaires here.

The area is dominated by middle-class to upper-middle-class Asians, so take it for what that's worth. I noticed for many new transplants into the Bay Area, and into San Jose, this could be an even bigger problem than traffic

[silverkris]

Originally Posted by ccm123

Your biggest danger may be the fact that these new immigrant Asians cannot drive a car properly. I see all sorts of terrible driving by these folks.

A 3000 pound BMW being driven improperly is just as dangerous as a 12 gauge in the hands of a gang member.

C'mon now. I've driven in Taipei and if you can drive there, SJ, SF, even New York City and Boston are a piece of cake.

Let's not go down this path again and see this turn into an ugly thread.

[bobby_guz_man]

Originally Posted by silverkris

C'mon now. I've driven in Taipei and if you can drive there, SJ, SF, even New York City and Boston are a piece of cake.

Let's not go down this path again and see this turn into an ugly thread.

Bleh, I'm sure ccm is being cheeky with his comments--though to be honest it holds more truth than not

Only thing I'd disagree with ccm's comments are the makeup of the Asians in Evergreen. You got a smattering of newly-immigrated Asian folks, but most of the Asians in that neighborhood are folks who have been in America for 30+ years.

[sjnew]

Originally Posted by bobby_guz_man

The area you're looking at, 95135, is considered the deep hilly part of Evergreen. Crime is non-existent there, and you will have access to some of the best views of Santa Clara Valley, along with some awesome driving roads (San Felipe, Metcalf). You can use freeway access at Yerba Buena or Hellyer to jump on 101, instead of sitting in traffic with everyone and their Mom at Capitol and Tully.

Thanks for the tips

Another thing I want to confirm with you guys is if it is safe to directly sign the leasing contract without an agency? It is a townhouse that I intend to rent for a year for now...

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by sjnew

Thanks for the tips

Another thing I want to confirm with you guys is if it is safe to directly sign the leasing contract without an agency? It is a townhouse that I intend to rent for a year for now...

Never signed a lease with an agency. Just review all the terms and understand what you are signing.

[Wintermomma]

We leased directly from the property owner before, we didn't have any issues and it even worked out much better than the time we had a property management agency b/c he actually cared about the property. Has there been anything that would raise red flags to make you think it may be a scam?