Moving to Downtown San Jose, made easy

Get housing costs, school ratings, safety rankings, walkability scores,
and more with our ultimate Downtown San Jose guide.

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Though it's relatively small, Downtown San Jose is in the midst of a renaissance and has a lot to offer those seeking a vibrant urban lifestyle.

Median Home Rent (PER MONTH)

Studio / 1 BR
44% Complete

2,175

2 Bedrooms
58% Complete

2,900

3 Bedrooms
70% Complete

3,497

4 Bedrooms
100% Complete

5,000


Median Home Price

Studio / 1 BR
72% Complete

569K

2 Bedrooms
82% Complete

645K

3 Bedrooms
92% Complete

721K

4 Bedrooms
100% Complete

785K

Good For
  • Couples without kids
  • Creatives
  • Empty nesters / Retirees
  • LGBTQ
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Students

 

What’s around
  • 469 Restaurants
  • 16 Schools
  • 48 Banks
  • 154 Nightlife options
  • 61 Grocery stores/markets
  • 174 Fitness options
  • 443 Shops

 


PUBLIC TRANSITExcellent

WALKABILITYExcellent

Safety

Downtown San Jose has a below average violent crime rate and an above average property crime rate compared to other cities in the United States.

  WHAT’S LIVING IN Downtown San Jose LIKE?

San Jose’s Downtown area is small relative to the rest of the sprawling city, but it packs a lot in. The population here is young and diverse and there’s no shortage of amenities here – restaurants, pubs, clubs, bars, shopping, and parks.

The commercial streets have the bustling energy and look of a typical California downtown: glass office buildings, plazas, tree-lined boulevards, and the occasional historical landmark reminding you of the state's Spanish past. Away from the shiny center of Downtown, however, many of the houses are older and in need of some TLC. But some of Downtown's neighborhoods, such as Naglee Park, are completely gentrified.

A big push to revitalize the Downtown area has drawn both established technology companies and startups alike. Adobe is perhaps the best known company with offices here. Hotels, retail, and residential towers are also being developed.

One of the benefits of living Downtown is the ability to walk to work. But if you have to head elsewhere, commuting is straightforward, even to cities as far away as San Francisco. Public transportation options such as buses, the VTA lightrail, and trains all run through here, making it almost unnecessary to own a car if all you want to do is stay in the Downtown vicinity.

There’s a wide range of housing options to choose from – subsidized affordable housing, apartments, high rise condos, and single family homes are all here. Students attending San Jose State University often rent out older homes together, while high income tech workers in the area often opt for the more expensive high-rise condos in the heart of Downtown.

Young and old alike attracted to the hustle and bustle of a city will like the lifestyle Downtown San Jose offers. It’s got more crime than the surrounding suburbs in the North, South, East, and West, but that's typical of any city.

One tip that may be obvious to those considering Downtown: it's going to be louder than the surrounding areas. This is not just due to the car and train traffic and number of people around, but also because planes landing at the San Jose international airport pass overhead. Some people who live here say they've gotten used to it and don't even notice the noise anymore.

Downtown San Jose is bordered on the north by Santa Clara and North San Jose, on the east by East San Jose, on the south by South San Jose and Willow Glen, and on the west by West San Jose.

Downtown

 

Local Flavor   Downtown San Jose LOCAL schools

K-12 GRADES
Escuela Popular Accelerated Family Learning School

Parent Rating:

Type:charter
Distance:0.25 mi

K-5 GRADES
Horace Mann Elementary School

Parent Rating:

Type:public
Distance:0.64 mi

PK-12 GRADES
St. Patrick Elementary School

Parent Rating:

Type:private
Distance:0.73 mi

9-12 GRADES
Notre Dame High School San Jose

Parent Rating:

Type:private
Distance:0.83 mi

1-12 GRADES
Alternative Private Schooling

Parent Rating:

Type:private
Distance:0.91 mi

 

Local Flavor   Downtown San Jose Local Flavor

San Jose State University

San Jose State University 1 WASHINGTON SQ, SAN JOSE, CA 95192 MAP
http://www.sjsu.edu

Based in the heart of Downtown San Jose, San Jose State University is a major employer and the reason you'll see people with backpacks all over the city. The Martin Luther King Library is also on campus, which is the largest library building in the western United States. Come here to take a stroll and check out the classic architecture or attend a concert held in the university's event center.

Tech Museum of Innovation

Tech Museum of Innovation 201 S MARKET ST, SAN JOSE, CA 95113 MAP
https://www.thetech.org

No matter what age you are, the Tech Museum of Innovation offers a ton of valuable knowledge and hands-on learning experiences. It’s a great way to spend a fun afternoon with the family and learn something about the technologies that we use every day.

SAP Center

SAP Center 525 W SANTA CLARA ST, SAN JOSE, CA 95113 MAP
http://www.sapcenter.com

Home to San Jose's professional NHL team, the Sharks, this is also one of the area's premier concert/show venues.

Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph

Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph 80 SOUTH MARKET STREET, SAN JOSE, CA 95113 MAP
http://www.stjosephcathedral.org

Still at its original building site from the 19th century, Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph shows off the beautiful interior and architectural styling of the missionaries who first came to San Jose. Even if you’re not Catholic, the architecture, artwork, lighting, and stained glass windows are truly beautiful to behold.

Firehouse No. 1 Gastropub

Firehouse No. 1 Gastropub 69 N SAN PEDRO ST, SAN JOSE, CA 95110 MAP
http://firehouse1.com

A favorite amongst locals, Firehouse No. 1 Gastropub is a bar and restaurant that serves as a great spot to come for happy hour, date night, or to hang out before or after a game or event at the SAP Center.

San Pedro Square Market

San Pedro Square Market 87 N SAN PEDRO ST, SAN JOSE, CA 95110 MAP
http://www.sanpedrosquaremarket.com

San Pedro Square market has over 20 unique vendors mostly selling food and drink — though they do have a gift shop and even a barber! This is a favorite for students of San Jose State and young people living in the Downtown area. Features live music and outdoor seating.

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