Moving Advice
With 945,000 residents and a metro population of almost 2 million, San Jose is a great city to live in that offers a diversity of culture, arts and careers. If you’re not sure what to expect when moving to San Jose, the following insider tips will help.
The best time of year to move into San Jose is…anytime! The climate here is temperate year round and you won’t encounter any inclement weather conditions more severe than rain. Weather hindering move-day safety shouldn’t be a concern, but keep in mind that heaviest rainfall occurs between November and April.
You can trace the prosperity of San Jose by measuring its traffic congestion. Historically, freeway traffic has eased as unemployment rates have risen. Lately, those moving to San Jose have found increased job opportunities but increased daily commute times.
Expect significant traffic delays if you’re moving to San Jose during the week and find yourself on the freeway in the morning (between 6-9 a.m.) or the afternoon (between 3-7 p.m.).
Get Organized
Check out our downloadable planners and checklists.
Neighborhoods
The city of San Jose is just under 180 square miles, a figure that’s dwarfed by the size of its surrounding metro area, which racks up an impressive 8,800 square miles. Still, there is plenty of room within those comparatively small 180 square miles of “San Jose Proper” for numerous neighborhoods and suburban areas. The following are some of the San Jose area’s most prominent and noteworthy neighborhoods.
- Downtown San Jose
- Japantown
- Rose Garden
- Winchester
- Almaden Valley
Cost of Living
The cost of living in San Jose is far and above the average found in many other places throughout the country, but don’t let that discourage you from moving here. The fact is, you stand to make a much higher salary by moving to San Jose than you would by living elsewhere. Here’s how the cost of living in San Jose breaks down.
Getting Around
After moving to San Jose, take advantage of the city’s developing public transportation system. Although the transportation network in the San Jose area isn’t quite as extensive as what you’ll find further north in San Francisco, getting in and out of the downtown area, to and from Norm Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, and other points of interest can be easily accomplished by bus or light rail. Better yet, both systems are bicycle-friendly and allow riders to bring their bikes on board. Refer to the links below for more information, including maps, schedules and rates for all bus and light rail routes.
Relocation Resources
Qualified job seekers will discover that moving to San Jose will put them in contention for some of the top paying jobs in the country. And even if you aren’t able to command a six-figure salary, there are plenty of entry-level jobs in San Jose to start your career off right. The primary component of the job market in San Jose is owned by the large number of high-tech computer, microprocessor and engineering companies.
Media Outlets
When moving to San Jose, you can discover the city with the help of the following local newspapers and TV stations. They’ll lead you in the right direction for the city’s numerous points of interest and events, while simultaneously keeping you abreast of local breaking news.
San Jose Mercury News
With a weekly circulation of 530,000 and a Sunday edition circulation over 600,000, theSan Jose Mercury News is the second most widely read newspaper in California. A winner of numerous awards including two Pulitzer Prizes, the Mercury News offers local and world news coverage, including politics, business, sports, job listings, arts and entertainment.
With a weekly circulation of 530,000 and a Sunday edition circulation over 600,000, theSan Jose Mercury News is the second most widely read newspaper in California. A winner of numerous awards including two Pulitzer Prizes, the Mercury News offers local and world news coverage, including politics, business, sports, job listings, arts and entertainment.
Metro Silicon Valley
A free weekly city guide, Metro Silicon Valley(more widely known as simply “Metro”) launched in 1985 and has been one of the premiere sources of information on the local culture and entertainment scene ever since. With a circulation over 70,000, Metro is distributed not only throughout San Jose, but also to surrounding cities encompassing the greater metro region.
A free weekly city guide, Metro Silicon Valley(more widely known as simply “Metro”) launched in 1985 and has been one of the premiere sources of information on the local culture and entertainment scene ever since. With a circulation over 70,000, Metro is distributed not only throughout San Jose, but also to surrounding cities encompassing the greater metro region.
