Currently in the South Bay Area...need help (San Jose, Sunnyvale: apartment complexes, rentals)

[misa1125]

Hey everyone,

I'm relocating to Silicon Valley, so I've come to the area for the weekend to check out some apartments. I was hoping to get some recommendations if possible because I seem to be having trouble finding something I like. As for my requirements, I'm looking to rent a 1 Bed/1 Bath for up to $1500/month. My office is by 1st and Tasman, and I was leaning towards something in the Sunnyvale area.

I also checked out the Rivermark area, which I really liked alot, but I can't seem to find a 1x1 in my budget.

If anyone has any good suggestions for the Sunnyvale area in my budget, it would be much appreciated. I would prefer something more modern/new, but I understand that I may not be able to get anything new in my price range. Thanks!

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by misa1125

Hey everyone,

I'm relocating to Silicon Valley, so I've come to the area for the weekend to check out some apartments. I was hoping to get some recommendations if possible because I seem to be having trouble finding something I like. As for my requirements, I'm looking to rent a 1 Bed/1 Bath for up to $1500/month. My office is by 1st and Tasman, and I was leaning towards something in the Sunnyvale area.

I also checked out the Rivermark area, which I really liked alot, but I can't seem to find a 1x1 in my budget.

If anyone has any good suggestions for the Sunnyvale area in my budget, it would be much appreciated. I would prefer something more modern/new, but I understand that I may not be able to get anything new in my price range. Thanks!

Welcome to the Bay Area. What you're experiencing is the typical sticker shock that people from normal cost of living places experience. You'll pay through the nose to live in housing of mediocre quality here, so you might as well get used to it.

That said, I don't care much for Sunnyvale. But then, I don't really like those large, cookie cutter style apartment complexes that Sunnyvale has even more of than the rest of Silicon Valley.

The larger, newer apartment complexes are expensive...no two ways about it. And they will jack up the rent mercilessly in good economic times. So I think maybe it's time for you to lower your expectations

[misa1125]

Thanks! Yea, its definitely a shock, especially since I'm coming from CO where I paid 800/month for a huge apartment.

Unfortunately, I decided to up my budget to 1600/month and now I'm finding some reasonable places, but still nothing that has gotten me to say "I definitely want to live here".

I hope I find something soon because I'm only around for 3 more days! :/

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by misa1125

Thanks! Yea, its definitely a shock, especially since I'm coming from CO where I paid 800/month for a huge apartment.

Unfortunately, I decided to up my budget to 1600/month and now I'm finding some reasonable places, but still nothing that has gotten me to say "I definitely want to live here".

I hope I find something soon because I'm only around for 3 more days! :/

If you can do without all the amenities, there are some cute, older places with character in downtown SJ and also the area just north of downtown.

And like I said, beware of those newer complexes. If $1600 a month is stretching a little for you, you may really regret it when the economy turns. 10% rent increases are not unheard of when the economy improves.

[sonarrat]

My advice is to forget about apartments and consider condos instead. The newer ones are built to a much better standard and you won't have to deal with a draconian management team. There are also a lot of older apartment conversions, but those are fairly obvious. The Sonora is one new complex I know that's close to the tech quarter.

[misa1125]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

My advice is to forget about apartments and consider condos instead. The newer ones are built to a much better standard and you won't have to deal with a draconian management team. There are also a lot of older apartment conversions, but those are fairly obvious. The Sonora is one new complex I know that's close to the tech quarter.

Actually, thats what I wanted to do from the start, I just havent been able to find a reasonable website that has listings for condo rentals. If anyone knows of a few rental condos in the sunnyvale, cupertino, north cambell area, that would be great!

[sonarrat]

Craigslist is all you'll ever need.

[milnivlek]

I've had good luck with the apartment complexes along Renaissance Dr in San Jose North, very close to where you said you'll be working.

[MichaelDante]

sonarrat is DEAD ON, craigslist is your one stop shopping. Being that its a SF Bay Area original site it's almost a MUST CHECK locally. Not sure your time-frame but rent prices increase more in the summer months and trickle down starting late Sept/ early October so if you can push your relocation out a few months you will have a greater chance to get more for your money than right now.

[tecarroll]

Have you considered the Rose Garden area in San Jose? It's near Santa Clara University. Main street is the Alameda.