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These 6 San Jose Neighborhoods Are Fantastic

Posted by Sandy Jamison on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 9:00:18 AM By Sandy Jamison / April 20, 2023 Comment

San Jose, California, is one of the best places to start a family and raise children. The city is a hive of business opportunities and full of gorgeous neighborhoods; an ideal place to start a new chapter in your life.

Finding somewhere beautiful isn’t a problem, but knowing which neighborhoods to avoid is vital. Future construction, highway access points, and nearby schools are a few factors to be mindful of.

San Jose is in the San Francisco Bay Area, and part of Santa Clara County. Most people don’t know that San Jose began as a farming community in 1777. A boom in the economy and population began after World War II, eventually turning San Jose into the modern tech hub of California.

This article will showcase several of the best zip codes in San Jose.

In the Heart of the City: Downtown San Jose
Living in Downtown San Jose puts everything within your grasp. This area is for anyone seeking a modern lifestyle in a city that’s ready for the future. Cafes and restaurants cater to the working professionals in the area, with nightlife just a stroll away when the day’s over. Fitness facilities are easy to come by and the twelve-and-a-half-mile Guadalupe River Trail is great for pet owners.


Fourth Street in Downtown San Jose

Because tech giants like Google, Amazon, LinkedIn, and HP operate nearby, housing prices might be slightly higher than in outlying areas.

Attractions:

  •   Tech Museum of Innovation
  •   SAP Center (venue for sports and concerts, including NHL games)
  •   San Jose Center for Performing Arts
  •   Plaza de César Chávez (open-air theater for festivals, music, and plays)
  •   San Jose Museum of Art


A Community With Unique Personality: Japantown
Japantown is known as J-Town to residents and it’s one of the last authentic Japantowns left in the US. This lively area grew from a group of boarding houses for Japanese men in 1887 and the cultural influence is still strong today. There are also a number of Hawaiian, Mexican, and Korean restaurants in the area.


Japantown has a mellow atmosphere and bayside weather

Japantown offers a thriving mix of small businesses and delicious lunch or dinner options. Every Sunday there’s a farmers’ market and festivals run regularly in the area. The proximity to Downtown San Jose also makes it a less expensive place to live for commuters.

Attractions:

Downtown Feeling Without the Price: Campbell
Campbell is a suburban neighborhood home to around 70,000 people and sits close to the downtown area. It’s one of the best spots for young professionals with restaurants, bars, and coffee shops to please anyone’s tastebuds.


Campbell's historic water tower

Weekends are a great time to live in Campbell, with a Sunday farmers’ market that draws crowds. The parks and recreational facilities in the neighborhood are perfect for staying healthy, enjoying nature, and raising a family. Campbell also has highly-rated public schools.

Attractions:

  • John D. Morgan Park
  • The Campell Historical Museum
  • The Ainsley House (a historical home on the National Register of Historic Places)
  • The Los Gatos Creek Trail (9.7 miles of trail running through Campbell)


Escape the Hustle and Bustle: West San Jose
West San Jose offers more space and peace, while only being 15 minutes away from the downtown core. The area has a penchant for high-end retail, designer boutique stores, luxury dining, and other amenities to match. It’s also considered one of the safest places to live in San Jose.

Santana Row is a fantastic open-air shopping center with fitness facilities and an apartment complex. If you move to the area, you’re going to love the summer concert series and the farmers market there.

The area was home to the heiress of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company and the mysterious mansion is available for tours.

Attractions:


For Those Who Want Space: Willow Glen
Spend a little time in Willow Glen and you’ll agree; this neighborhood is cozy and inviting. Many of the homes in the area have been lovingly restored to reflect the heritage of the area. The small-town feel is everywhere, from the bookstores and trendy brunch spots to the tree-lined roads and bungalows.

You’ll find enough festivals and live music in Willow Glen to stay busy throughout the year and the nightlife of a tight-knit community. The tranquility of Willow Glen is only a short commute from downtown San Jose.

Attractions:


Fresh Air on Land or Lake: Los Gatos
Los Gatos is nestled at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains, in the Bay Area. It’s one of the oldest communities in Santa Clara County (dating back to 1840) and gives residents a gorgeous backdrop of mountains. The area is defined by its mix of raw nature and spacious properties.