Moving to San Jose, CA

San Jose is the city of Silicon Valley, making it a great place for technology entrepreneurs, advocates, and workers, like web developers and salespersons.  Huge employers, including Cisco Systems with 11,600 employees and IBM with 7,460 employees, are based in San Jose, along with countless startup and tech companies.

Located in the south San Francisco bay area, San Jose is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.  In addition to its professional opportunities, it offers interesting experiences and an ideal climate to its residents.

San Jose’s Layout

San Jose is located on flat land just south of the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay.  To the west and east of the city are small mountain ranges; the western range separates San Jose from the Pacific Ocean; the eastern range separates it from California’s central valley.

San Jose is a large, sprawling metropolitan area that is home to nearly 2 million people.  It is located in Santa Clara County, and is near neighbors to the cities of Mountain View, Santa Clara, Los Gatos and Sunnyvale.  San Jose is often grouped with the larger San Francisco Bay Area, which is home to over 7 million people.

Positives of Moving to San Jose

Silicon Valley – Silicon Valley is an area near San Jose that is dominated by tech companies. The local industry accounts for about a third of all venture capital investments in the US and is seen as a forerunner in business and innovation. Some of the most famous companies in the world have roots here, including Apple, Cisco, eBay, Google, and Intel.

Weather – San Jose’s weather might be the best in the country, if not the world.  Like Phoenix, Arizona, it averages more than 300 days of sunshine out of the year; however, unlike Phoenix, its average high is a very comfortable 73 degrees Fahrenheit. The weather is so temperate that it all but erases the winter season, when the daily low comes out to be about 52 degrees Fahrenheit.

Proximity to San Francisco – Being close to San Francisco and Palo Alto allows for people to live in San Jose and commute to a host of other nearby cities for work. For this reason, San Jose is a good fit for many working families.

Growing Population and Culture – San Jose’s population is growing more and more every year. It is currently the third largest city in California and the tenth largest overall in the US. As the epicenter of the booming Silicon Valley, it has seen a huge population growth spurt recently, leading to investment opportunities. At its peak, the price of housing in the area increased by 936%.

Negatives of moving to San Jose

Urban Sprawl – Like Phoenix and L.A., San Jose has grown quickly since the 1950’s, leading to a very expansive structure filled with strip malls and office complexes.  Walking around in San Jose, even downtown, isn’t a good option, and the city’s most interesting spots usually require a lengthy drive.

Traffic – Because many people live in the suburbs of San Jose and commute to nearby cities for work, traffic is a nightmare during rush hour. We encourage checking major highway routes because there is often more than one way to get to your destination. You can then pick the quickest route accordingly. Also, consider carpooling to work or taking the Caltrain.

Earthquakes – Like all bay area cities, San Jose is at risk of earthquakes. Read our Moving Guide article on the best ways to prepare before, during, and after an earthquake.

Are you moving to San Jose? Check out some San Jose moving companies right here: San Jose movers.