San Jose is a powerhouse.
But make no mistake, money runs this town.
But is living in San Jose right foryou?
Pros & Cons of Living in San Jose | (Shutterstock/Uladzik Kryhin)
Thats the million dollar question only you’re able to answer.
But Id like to help.
Read on for things to consider before moving to San Jose, based on firsthand experience.
Living in San Jose
If youre into luxury (or your company is paying),you cant go wrong with this one.
Benefits of Living in San Jose
#1.
Ample Employment opportunities
Moving to San Jose means moving to a city flooded with employment opportunities.
Living in San Jose, California | (Shutterstock/mTaira)
Hell, its what brings most of us here in the first place.
The steep cost of living will keep you humble (well cover that shortly).
Did you know?San Jose is considered thesecond-most college educated city in the country.
Moving to San Jose | (Shutterstock/Sundry Photography)
Expect high standards and touch competition in the job market.
#2.
The Mediterranean Climate
One of the best things about living in San Jose is theperfectweather year-round.
Living in San Jose | (Shutterstock/Sundry Photography)
The average daily temperatures dont fluctuate much throughout the year.
Lows tend to hover around 45-60F and highs linger between 60 and 80F depending on the season.
Summers are manageable and arid, winters are downright enjoyable.
Living in San Jose | (Shutterstock/Sundry Photography)
#3.
There seems to be something going practically everyday thats guaranteed to impress and entertain.
The perks of diversity are plenty.
Moving to San Jose | (Shutterstock/Wang Nanshuo)
The Great Food Scene
Piggy-backing off of diversity, lets talk about the citys great food scene.
In terms of diversity, youll be hard pressed to find a craving that cant be satisfied.
Youre bound to have a good time (and great grub) at both.
Living in San Jose | (Shutterstock/Sundry Photography)
#5.
Diverse Community
If youre moving to San Jose from a different country, youre not the only one.
San Jose is considered one of themost migrant-friendly citiesin the country.
The city is all about providing equal access to opportunities for all residents and strives for financial empowerment.
Migrants make up more than40% of the metros population, which is nothing to scoff at.
#6.
The citys light rail system is well connected and theres a daily train between San Jose and San Francisco.
If you live close to where you work, youll be fine using public transportation.
But if youre just looking to get around the city, the public transportation should fit the bill.
#7.
Also worth mention San Jose is in the process of reducing landfill waste to 0% by 2040.
To that end, I love living in San Jose because Im huge on environmental causes.
Its nice to live in a place where values and daily habits align without much thought.
Heres what you should know.
#1.
Let that sink in.
Expect everything to cost more.
From groceries and restaurants to haircuts and entertainment.
As such, I dont recommend moving to San Jose without a lucrative offer lined up.
#2.
The pace of daily life in San Jose is intense and the pressure is real.
I know that not everyone thinks the work-life balance in San Jose is terrible.
Some of my friends are thriving on the fierce work culture and are getting promotions left and right.
Take that for what you will.
Ive found myself close to burn out a handful of times since moving to San Jose.
#3.
But dont just take my word for it.
San Jose is considered one of theleast affordable citiesin the world to purchase a home.
In addition to lack of affordability, the housing market is extremely competitive.
If youre opting to rent, be prepared for sticker shock in that department as well.
The housing market isnt all that surprising when considering the proximity to the Bay Area and Silicon Valley.
#4.
Lack of affordable housing is a large factor, as is limited access to mental health services.
#5.
The High Tax Burden
Ready for another hit?
Living in San Jose comes with steep tax burdens.
California has the highest income tax in the country (up to 13.3% depending on income bracket).
Couple that with the citys sales tax (9.38%) and youll be feeling the pinch.
Even a lucrative salary can only go so far when home prices start at 1.2 million.
Oh, and dont forget those gnarly California taxes, either.
Yes, marijuana is legal in San Jose, California.
California legalized the use of recreational marijuana through Proposition 64, which was approved by voters in November 2016.
The short answer is no, San Jose is not a tax-friendly city.
If youre aiming for an affordable place to live, moving to San Jose is not a strong contender.
In sum, heres a quick roundup of the pros and cons of living in San Jose, California.
