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2019 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San JoseAbout this List

Explore the best neighborhoods to live in the U.S. based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other sources. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 21 of 21
Best Places to Live
21 results

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  1. West San Jose

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 126 reviews
    #1 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Current Resident: West San Jose is a great neighborhood. There are three great public schools in the area (Forest Hill [elementary], Rolling Hills [middle school], and Westmont [high school]). The community is very nice and because it is in Silicon Valley, it is home to a lot of people with tech careers. It is near beautiful downtown Campbell, as well as Saratoga and Los Gatos, which offer a great atmosphere with restaurants, shops, and lots of wine. For those who like it, there are many wineries close by as well (such as Savannah & Channelle).

    There is a highway nearby, but not so close as to be disruptive. The neighborhood is quite safe and members of the community quickly notify the rest of the community of any possible criminal activity through Nextdoor Westmont. There are many families with kids, as well. The neighborhood has recently become quite sought after because of its many benefits and real estate prices have skyrocketed.
    Read 126 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 128,368 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  2. Almaden Valley

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 83 reviews
    #2 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Current Resident: Almaden Valley is quiet, safe, and well-kept. There are plenty of parks, trails, and hiking areas available for leisure around the area as well as malls and shopping centers. It is not the most exciting place on its own, but it is a 45 minute drive from Santa Cruz, 1-1.5 hours away from San Francisco, and surrounded by nice restaurants. The school district is highly competitive, but houses are often more expensive for that reason.
    Read 83 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 55,103 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  3. Silver Creek Valley

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 7 reviews
    #3 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Niche User: Its a nice peaceful area, residents are also kind.
    Read 7 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • 25,599 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  4. Cambrian

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 68 reviews
    #4 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Current Resident: I was born in San Jose. Have lived in Cambrian 95124 since a baby in 1958. . Growing up there was so nice, orchards , open land, lots of families and kids to play with . Great schools. But all that is changing once Santa Clara Co. became *Silicon Valley* Once people from other states, countries started to come in. We now live and raised 3 kids here. Our kids went to Branham HS, like my husband did.
    We live in Cambrian and I still think it is one of the nicest areas of SJ. A lot of shopping, restaurants nearby. Library is close. Very walkable area. We have the fire dept right down the street Highway 85 is nearby. The cambrian K to 8th grade school system here is the best the HS district, is good also. Lots of dog parks.
    The negative is the cost of living here, way too high, homes are too pricey. More crime is happening here.
    As we are getting closer to retirement, we are going to sell the home and move to a small town.
    Read 68 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 87,438 Population
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  5. Rose Garden

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 6 reviews
    #5 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Current Resident: The Rose Garden neighborhood is beautiful, and it's very easy to walk or bike around the area. There are some parts that feel very safe, and some others you might be a bit intimidated, however any crime reports in the area are not violent in nature. There's an array of cafes and restaurants, and neat little shops. It is very close to downtown, making it a perfect spot to relax in before an evening with friends. Santa Clara University and San Jose State University are also very close to each other! It's a really nice location, with a library right across from the coveted rose garden!
    Read 6 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • 15,273 Population
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  6. Campbell

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 55 reviews
    #6 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Current Resident: As a current resident of Campbell, CA, I find Campbell an amazing place to live no matter how old you are. Public schools are safe, multiple community colleges to choose from or University of Santa Cruz is right over the hill, job opportunities are always blooming in this area in all industries, and no matter where you are commuting from, Campbell is in the middle of the South Bay with the lightest traffic! Things to do -Farmers Market takes place Downtown every single Sunday, rain or shine, and the downtown area offers a lot of organic local shops, restaurants, boutiques, and cafes. It's very family friendly area, and in the evening, downtown is always lively no matter what day of the week it is ~ perfect for those happy hours and evenings with friends. Also, if you are looking for somewhere to dine besides downtown area, Campbell also has an amazing Pruneyard Center with great restaurants, shops, and renovated movie theatre!
    Read 55 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Public Schools
    • 71,826 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  9. Willow Glen

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 72 reviews
    #7 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Current Resident: Downtown Willow Glen sports an array of restaurants, antique shops, and places to fix bikes and spend the afternoon painting sculptures. Overall a pretty safe neighborhood, within miles of local fire station and police department that is easy to access. Several public schools are accessible within 15 minutes. Commute isn't too constipated, even during rush hour. There are multiple smaller grocery stores and convenience stores around the neighborhood, even within walking or biking distance. Neighbors are generally friendly, many with children, and it's easy to get to know them. There are local events such as biking, barbeques, and volleyball tournaments at the parks. Parks and streets are clean. It's diverse and accessible to the Spanish-speaking population. Local students are generally respectful. Although there have been break-ins and it is quite expensive to live here, I've had an overall positive experience. I do think more street lights should be added, though.
    Read 72 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • 79,706 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  10. Cambrian Park

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 2 reviews
    #8 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Current Resident: Cambrian Park is a pleasant suburban community in San Jose. Located within driving distance of several malls and shopping centers, it is a great place to live. Although the appearance of different residences may vary, most people are kind and polite, and, if you get to know your neighbors, you will find many of them to be wonderful people. The main school districts provide decent education, as recent bond measures have provided tax dollars specifically for the school districts. However, the local schools are about average in the academic rigor and achievement when compared to other regional districts. Commutes will be slow unless you are lucky enough to counter-commute. The area has many great parks and sources of entertainment are easy to come by so long as you have a car--public transportation is inefficient and expensive. If you do choose to live in Cambrian Park, you will definitely enjoy it, especially because of the temperate Bay Area climate.
    Read 2 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 5,824 Population
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  11. Evergreen

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 173 reviews
    #9 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Current Resident: The Evergreen area has a lot going for it. Its location within a spur that juts into the eastern foothills helps isolate it. The location also makes for fine views up to the ridge more than 2,000 above the streets.
    Much of Evergreen is a part of the 1980 Specific Plan which guided the development of the area and created an organized plan for growth. Linear parks, landscaped pedestrian trails, several "pocket parks" with playgrounds create valuable amenities. The shining star of the specific plan is the Village Square which serves as the neighborhood's "downtown." With a mix of retailers, services, and restaurants, plus a library and fire station the square is centered by public fountain in the center of a spacious traffic circle in which hosts a number of seasonal and community events and twice-weekly farmer's market.
    The neighborhood schools are all highly-ranked with state standard student performance test scores rivaling those within Cupertino and even Palo Alto.
    Read 173 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Public Schools
    • 79,941 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  12. Santa Teresa

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 85 reviews
    #10 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Current Resident: I've lived in the Santa Teresa neighborhood for 14 years, and every year I meet new, exciting, genuine people who are an excellent support system and great neighbors. People are involved, and there is a good balance of new residents and original homeowners. The are is gentrifying because of its location on the edge of Silicon Valley, but there are still tight-knit communities of real old-timers, who remember when the area was mostly fruit orchards. There are tons of things to do, from the hikng trails to nearby shopping malls and movie theaters.
    Read 85 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • 62,211 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  13. Downtown San Jose

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 122 reviews
    #11 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Current Resident: I was born and raised in downtown San Jose and I love it. I love how my house is in downtown and I can walk five minutes if I want to go deeper into downtown. Just watching the city lights and the palm trees is beautiful. San Jose is expensive and sometimes things are overpriced. But who doesn't want to live in the capital of Silicon Valley.
    Read 122 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B-
      Public Schools
    • 88,541 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  14. Berryessa

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 53 reviews
    #12 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Current Resident: Been here since I was born! Quiet neighborhood but lively when needed. There is a flee market across form the high school every Saturday with good produce. Great milk tea spots, although maybe not as notable as other areas.
    Read 53 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • 48,097 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  15. Blossom Valley

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 67 reviews
    #13 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Current Resident: Wonderful place to live in San Jose, although it is by no means affordable, it is still slightly cheaper than other areas of San Jose such as neighboring Almaden Valley and Willow Glen. It is also a great place to raise kids, the public schools are steadily improving and there are a host of private schools nearby. Parks, shopping, and other amenities are all very close by and convenient.
    Read 67 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • 79,211 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  16. Burbank

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 6 reviews
    #14 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Niche User: Living in a city is great! Everything you need is close by, whether it be an errand or going out for fun. However, with the population increasing there is more traffic which gets pretty bad during rush hours.
    Read 6 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • 15,954 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  17. North Valley

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 100 reviews
    #15 Best Neighborhoods to Live in San Jose

    Niche User: I love San Jose! It's a big city, you will never get bored here. There isn't too much traffic like in LA. The price of living here, however, is getting ridiculously expensive.
    Read 100 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • 89,627 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  18. Fairgrounds

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 70 reviews

    Niche User: Although this area has many flaws, many of the pros outweighs the cons. And what area doesn't have negatives! The general community is welcoming and very casual. The people here are so diverse that you'll definitely find people who are like-minded and enjoyable to spend time with. It isn't an understatement to say that there are a lot of food places around here. The number of milk tea boba places are limitless, which are great to-go-drink or -snack places, and nice casual hang out areas. The food here is generally very good and pretty diverse. We have an exceptional number of Vietnamese and Mexican food places to point out.
    Read 70 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B-
      Public Schools
    • 59,120 Population
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  19. East Foothills

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 8 reviews

    Niche User: Most houses have enough yard, privacy, and the city view is beautiful. If I could choose where to live all over again I would pick this area. I like that downtown is close to the hills. Its population is fair enough, you have everything near you and there's a variety of people; all sorts of people live in this area. There's really nothing I would change about San Jose. The atmosphere is my favorite because when its summer its hot and its enjoyable. Just like when its winter, the temperature drops and it gives you that sensation that Christmas is finally here.
    Read 8 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C
      Public Schools
    • 14,679 Population
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  22. Edenvale

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 62 reviews

    Niche User: The neighborhood is very quiet and there are many shops around. There is also incredibly easy access to public transportation, being less than a five minute walk to the bus stop.
    Read 62 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • 43,134 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  23. Alum Rock

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 50 reviews

    Niche User: San Jose is a city I will always come back to. It's where all my friends are, and the community is vivid and vast. The Bay Area is a hotspot for clubs and concerts, and the food scene is incredible and fresh. So many things are within an hour or 2 hour drive with a price tag that isn't too outrageous. The sights are majorly beautiful, and hiking trails are a constant in this area.
    Read 50 Reviews

    • C
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C+
      Public Schools
    • 63,187 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  24. East San Jose

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 195 reviews

    Current Resident: East San Jose is a rather quaint neighborhood. Wherever you go, there's usually some life to it - unless you go pretty far out, of course. With the numerous sidewalks, it's easy to walk around, though summer heat makes it a tad troublesome.

    There's plenty of things to do here, and a wide variety of cuisine. Down my street is a Mexican, Chinese, Italian, and perhaps a Hawaiian place. There's a McDonald's and Starbucks nearly right next to each other. The retirement home is nearby, so those individuals don't have to walk out too far, should they choose to do so.
    Read 195 Reviews

    • C
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C+
      Public Schools
    • 124,030 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  25. Airport/North San Jose

    • Neighborhood in San Jose, CA
    • 22 reviews

    Current Resident: Great city for families. Convenient shopping, restaurants, parks, schools etc. This is a safe neighborhood with good public and private schools. The weather is excellent with warm weather and winters are not too cold. Traffic is heavy but if you learn to drive during off hours you can get around the traffic.
    Read 22 Reviews

    • NG
      Overall Niche Grade
    • NG
      Public Schools
    • 53,682 Population
    View Nearby Homes