Where to rent for SJD job (San Jose, Santa Clara: lease, condo, townhome)

[212times]

We are a European couple in our early 30s moving to the Bay Area in May for a job in downtown San Jose. We are evaluating our options for where to rent and would very much appreciate suggestions and insights.

We will be having a baby later this year and therefore we expect to live on 1 salary of $160k (we expect that dad will work while mom will stay at home with the baby).

Our preferences are:
- 2BR/1BA in a SFH or condo (SFH preferred, if we find one of course) with dedicated parking and 1 yr term (extendible to 2yrs)
- either close to workplace (40 mins walk) or along VTA or Caltrain with a max. 40 mins commute door-to-door (not with a car) - this is our idea as we plan to have 1 car only and it would be great to have that car available for mom
- family friendly location, walkable area (e.g. close to small downtown for if mom wants to walk around with stroller), calm with no bars/clubs, etc. Would be nice if close to park, green area.
- we are budgeting $3k per month for rent (10% +/- is ok)
- mid June lease begin date (don't know if this is fortunate)
- if condo, then jacuzzi/elevator/bike storage/in-unit W/D preferred

Right now, the only area I could think of is Willow Glen (around Lincoln/Willow) but I do not see much inventory there.

[Lanienguyen]

But where is your work place? Need more specific location.

[212times]

It is very close to Convention Center VTA station or the Children's Discovery Museum. Thanks.

[bobby_guz_man]

I would not recommend Willow Glen if your husband will not get the car. It is more than an hour walk to his workplace, and he will have to walk into some shady neighborhoods between Downtown and Willow Glen, so not recommended. You could make it work with buses though, so he will have to check the bus schedules. If he finds a good bus schedule then Willow Glen is fine for you.

I would recommend any place that has light rail access. Based on your requirement for "small downtown" feel and your husband's non-car commute, I would recommend the following:

1) North Downtown, or what we call North Side or Vendome, situated along 1st and 2nd, where the light rail lines are. 10 minute commute.

2) Japantown, with access to lightrail station on Taylor and Ayer, also direct line to Convention Center. 10-12 minute commute.

3) The Alameda. Your husband can take the 23 bus up and down that road, and then do some walking from Santa Clara Street to Convention Center. The commute will depend on which section of The Alameda you live at, and could range from 10 minutes to 25 minutes.

4) The area immediately surrounding downtown Campbell/Pruneyard, near the Campbell light rail station. This has a direct line to Convention Center in Downtown SJ. 25 minute commute.

[spicydreamt]

how about bicycling?

[Standingroom0nly]

I'm a fan of Paseo Plaza in downtown San Jose since I rented there some 10 years ago. There is a small pool, gym, elevator, parking spaces underground, and relatively very quiet units (at least mine was). It is right across from the main library (there should be quite a few mom-baby/kid activities offered), SJSU campus, restaurants, etc.. Here are a couple units on Craigslist at the moment: Luxurious and Spacious 1 Bedroom 1 Bath Downtown Condo and Paseo Plaza Townhome in Downtown San Jose

[darkeconomist]

Originally Posted by spicydreamt

how about bicycling?

I was about to ask the same question. The Willow Glen-Downtown ride is pretty easy (by American standards). Basically, you either take Lincoln to the Three Creeks Trail to Auzerias or Bird to Auzerias.

Bobby_Guz_Man's recommendations are spot on.

I'd add the area around SCU, as it is also off the Alameda and has Caltrain access.

[teoreticar]

Originally Posted by 212times

We are a European couple in our early 30s moving to the Bay Area in May for a job in downtown San Jose. We are evaluating our options for where to rent and would very much appreciate suggestions and insights.

We will be having a baby later this year and therefore we expect to live on 1 salary of $160k (we expect that dad will work while mom will stay at home with the baby).

Our preferences are:
- 2BR/1BA in a SFH or condo (SFH preferred, if we find one of course) with dedicated parking and 1 yr term (extendible to 2yrs)
- either close to workplace (40 mins walk) or along VTA or Caltrain with a max. 40 mins commute door-to-door (not with a car) - this is our idea as we plan to have 1 car only and it would be great to have that car available for mom
- family friendly location, walkable area (e.g. close to small downtown for if mom wants to walk around with stroller), calm with no bars/clubs, etc. Would be nice if close to park, green area.
- we are budgeting $3k per month for rent (10% +/- is ok)
- mid June lease begin date (don't know if this is fortunate)
- if condo, then jacuzzi/elevator/bike storage/in-unit W/D preferred

Right now, the only area I could think of is Willow Glen (around Lincoln/Willow) but I do not see much inventory there.

You should start with condo. Something like this
Beautiful 1x1 across from new Whole Foods!

That location is nice. Caltrain station is close and also whole foods.