*-* Buying a townhome near intersection of Sierra Rd/Berryessa Road. Is that a good idea ? ZipCode : 95131 (San Jose: renting)

[saul_f9]

I have recently moved to the Bay Area and currently renting. I am very excited as I was looking at buying my first ever home and it happens to be a town-home near the Sierra Rd/Lundy/Berryessa intersection.
Zipcode : 95131. I have toured the area a few times and checked most of the forums but I see mixed reviews in general in terms of schools and crime.

I do not know anyone in that area personally and would love to get some first-hand thoughts or experiences about that area in general and about schools, crime and neighborhood.

Thank you,
Future neighbor.

[Jane M]

Where are you going to be working? You might want to consider what your commute will be like before you buy. Traffic in that NE area is murderous. (Although, this describes most of the bay. lol)

Can't really help you with the crime/school thing. I don't think crime in Berryessa is considered bad. Only bad areas are east SJ around Tully, King, Story and McLaughlin. Berryessa, although East, is North of the most crime ridden sections.

[ac-dc]

I think the house at that location would either maintain the price or very likely will go up. Reason being, there's a new BART station that's coming up there, which will become operational pretty soon. That's why you would have noticed lots of new construction happening around that area.


Can't say much about schools and crime since I don't live there, but I just know a little about that area.


Hope that helps.

[artillery77]

I live in the area. Welcome.



You get easy access from there to 101, 680 and 880. Not saying they move from there...but you can get to them fairly easy. The roads jam up badly during rush hour. The city hasn't built enough east-west routes to cross the river/railroad tracks. Your easy commutes are north towards Milpitas/Fremont or south towards downtown/Gilroy. The commute up the peninsula sucks as does further to west San Jose.



The city's going high density around the Berryessa station set to open there. It's been delayed for years but it's eventually going to get there. Unfortunately, it will only go north at first when what's needed is a straight shot up the peninsula...but it's a start. Milpitas has turned all the old industrial in the Montague area into townhomes between where you are and the Great Mall...again, no new roads. VTA along Capital is worthless until it connects to something. I've never taken the bus.



The schools are fine, albeit a bit underwhelming at times. Its got both good/bad teachers that really make the difference. They continue to improve as the population does. Independence High was notoriously bad for awhile, but is now much better. It's a mixed system with 3 levels and a huge coverage area. Make sure your kid doesn't get in the bottom one. If they do, you may want to opt for private education. The elementary and middle schools are fine. There's plenty of after school places that teach kids if you don't want their sole input to be this common core garbage.



Crime is basically non-existent. People like to talk about how back in the day this area may have been bad...but I have no idea what they're talking about. Being out of Chicago, and having lived in semi-sketch neighborhoods, perhaps I'm numb, but this area's about as dangerous as cotton candy.


In many ways it's both an old neighborhood and a new one. Lots of first generation, and lots that, like yourself, just plunked down a lot of money for a new place and have a mortgage to deal with...that impedes some of the old traditions neighborhoods can develop and be widespread, but they're coming.



See you on the golf course.

[treedroppings]

That area is at the bottom of a hill and there's a winding road with potholes going steeply up the hill. Crime is fairly rare, I mean you can probably find your phone if misplaced, I did.

Olivera farms is right by the intersection, it has cheap eggs and a small grocery selection. Nearby is a bar, pizza hut, greasy spoon and convenience store. It's a short walk.

The Safeway, restaurants and the CVS pharmacy are about a mile and a half away. I live 2 miles from there, so I am giving you a small geography lecture.

[Lanienguyen]

Originally Posted by treedroppings

That area is at the bottom of a hill and there's a winding road with potholes going steeply up the hill. Crime is fairly rare, I mean you can probably find your phone if misplaced, I did.

Olivera farms is right by the intersection, it has cheap eggs and a small grocery selection. Nearby is a bar, pizza hut, greasy spoon and convenience store. It's a short walk.

The Safeway, restaurants and the CVS pharmacy are about a mile and a half away. I live 2 miles from there, so I am giving you a small geography lecture.

The OP buying other other side of 680 freeway. 95131. The location you mention is 95132.