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As with any California city, San Jose has more suburbs than we can count. It’s a tech hub, after all, and residents move this way every year to get a piece of the action and make a name for themselves in the technology and software industries.
San Jose is truly an exceptional place to live–with suburbs for everyone. For example, you can move somewhere central that’s near your work, somewhere with great safety ratings, or somewhere with activities and amenities galore. Whatever your goal is, you’re sure to find a suburb that fits all your needs and more when you move to San Jose.
Now, we’re going to get a little more specific and talk about a few of the best suburbs in San Jose so that you know just where to look for a home. At any time, if you’d like a San Jose mover to help you with your relocation, Bellhop is here to help.
The best suburbs in San Jose
San Jose has suburbs for people in all stages of life, including parenthood. While the best suburbs in San Jose may vary from person to person, we have found that most people simply want a good, quality, safe place to live with things to do or sometimes a quiet oasis on the outskirts of a big city.
Whether you have kids or are building your career, there’s a suburb out there that’s just for you. Let’s chat about a few of the best of the best suburbs here in the Capital of Silicon Valley.
Best suburbs of San Jose for families
When it comes to finding a family-friendly suburb on a San Jose suburbs map, you probably have some questions. For instance, what is the safest place to live in San Jose? What are some highly rated suburbs, and of course, what does each suburb have to offer for kids?
Below are a few suggestions for San Jose suburbs and some things to know about them:
Los Altos
If you go south from San Francisco for about 40 miles, you’ll wind up in Los Altos, a charming suburb with trees up and down the sidewalks. Lisa on Quora says, “I like a lot of things about living in Los Altos – the weather, the people, the activities, the small town feel, the abundant parks and greenery, the walk- and bike-ability, the Silicon Valley innovation, and the ease of access to San Francisco, one of the most beautiful places in the world.”
The city has a whopping seven places to shop, including Downtown Los Altos, Rancho Shopping Center, Village Court, Woodland Plaza, and Foothill Crossing. And don’t get us started on the boutiques. There are so many amazing options to choose from, and you’re sure to head home with something special after a day of shopping with your kids. (Don’t forget to stop by Cetrella, Urfa Bistro, Los Altos Grill, or Casa Lupe for something to eat on the way home!)
Now, as with any place you’re considering moving to, you’re probably curious about the schools. We have two things to say about this: (1) they’re highly rated, and (2) you have many options.
The schools in the area include the Los Altos School District, Loyola Elementary School, Montclaire Elementary School, Egan Junior High School, Pinewood School, Los Altos High School, and School for Independent Learners–to name a few.
Saratoga
You’ll find Saratoga at the bottom of the Santa Cruz Mountains and to the west of the Santa Clara Valley and San Jose. One thing families tell us that they love about Saratoga is the quaint, peaceful, homey feeling you get while living there, without sacrificing your basic amenities. (The city is also near some of the safest neighborhoods in San Jose.)
If you move to Saratoga, there are also many activities to keep you and your kiddos busy. You can stop by the Hakone Gardens, Sanborn Park, Historic Saratoga Village, Saratoga Quarry Park, or Wildwood Park. And if you feel like staying indoors and relaxing with a nice book, the Saratoga Public Library is a great place for that.
Speaking of reading, you might be wondering how the schools are in Saratoga, and they’re great. In fact, Niche rates them an A+! You have Saratoga Elementary School, Argonaut Elementary School, Challenger School – Saratoga, Redwood Middle School, Miller Middle School, Saratoga High School, Prospect High School, and more to choose from.
After school, you can grab a bite to eat with your kids over at The Basin, Bella Saratoga, Mint Leaf Cuisine, Tamra Mediterranean Grill, Jakes of Saratoga, or Big Basin Burger Bar. Saratoga has tons of tasty restaurants with all types of food.
Palo Alto
Another one of the best suburbs in San Jose for families, Palo Alto is a beautiful city situated in the northwest region of Santa Clara County near Stanford University. Many companies are based out of Palo Alto (Ford Research and Innovation Center, Skype, Lockheed Martin, HP, etc.), making it easy to go back and forth to work if you choose to live there.
Regarding schools, you can send your kids to Fairmeadow Elementary School, Addison Elementary School, Palo Verde Elementary School, Ellen Fletcher Middle School, Greene Middle School, Palo Alto High School, Living Wisdom High School, or Henry M Gunn High School. One thing to know about Palo Alto schools is that they are very invested in your kids’ success, so if you’re looking for a place that’s going to push your kids to excel, this is it.
As for life in Palo Alto, one person says, “…Pretty much most parts of the city are walkable. The city is known for a ton of parks if that’s your thing. Biking across the city is super easy and you can pretty much do anything with a bike (groceries, coffee, restaurants, etc).”
Restaurant-wise, you have La Boheme, The Fish Market – Palo Alto, Local Union 271, Nola, Palo Alto Creamery, and many others. Whether you enjoy seafood or Italian cuisine, this city has something for you.
Best San Jose suburbs for young professionals and singles
Between great jobs, upscale amenities, events, and top-notch bars and restaurants, it’s clear why San Jose is so attractive to young professionals and singles on the search for a place to live in the Golden State.
If you’re interested in a nice suburb with a high quality of living and lots to do, here are two suggestions:
Cupertino
Work in tech? If so, consider Cupertino on your list of potential suburbs in San Jose. It’s one of the best places to live in San Jose for young professionals, particularly those who work for Apple Inc., as the company has its headquarters in town at Apple Park.
Cupertino is located in Santa Clara County to the west of San Jose. Parts of the city even touch the Santa Cruz Mountains, ensuring a view you won’t soon forget. One person says, “I love the locality as a whole! There’s great restaurants, parks to walk around, proximity of groceries, and extremely nice people!”
The city of Cupertino is highly affluent, and there’s no shortage of things to do. You can check out Ridge Vineyards, Picchetti Winery, Stevens Creek County Park, Cupertino Memorial Park, Flint Center for the Performing Arts, the West Coast Farmers’ Market, or one of the city’s many popular events (Cherry Blossom Festival, Moon Festival, Diwali Festival of Lights, etc.).
If you want to head out and grab something to eat, there are also many bars and restaurants to choose from. A few of our top picks include Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Duke of Edinburgh, or The Blue Pheasant Restaurant.
Campbell
If you’re moving to San Jose as a young professional or single looking to mingle, check out Campbell. It’s less than five miles south of Santa Clara and southwest of San Jose, making it a prime location for working professionals looking to network and meet people.
Many young professionals moving to San Jose choose to get an apartment or home in Campbell, CA. Why? There are a few reasons for this. For one, housing is slightly more economical there than in other San Jose suburbs.
The city also has a high walk score, meaning that it’s a breeze to get around, with or without a car. And while you’re out, why not enjoy some of the city’s many attractions? Some of our favorites include the Ainsley House, Heritage Theatre, Municipal Rose Garden, Campbell Park, Downtown Campbell Farmers’ Market, and Campbell Historical Museum. Also, in your free time, don’t forget to check out the Pruneyard Shopping Center, or just spend time in the historic Downtown Campbell, known for its boutiques, art galleries, music festivals, and more.
As for bars and restaurants, you have the Rendezvous Wine Bar (yep – you heard that right), Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, Coach’s Sports Bar & Grill, The Vesper, and Effie’s Restaurant & Bar. Whatever type of food you like, you’re sure to find it in Campbell (and plenty of like-minded young professionals and singles to enjoy it with!)
Need a hand moving to San Jose?
If a local move or long-distance move to San Jose is in the cards, the Bellhop team has you covered. We’re happy to help you move by providing the necessary packing supplies, setting you up with a delivery truck, and even helping load and unload items for you. We even help with moves to nearby cities such as San Francisco. Ready to move to one of the best suburbs in San Jose? Book a move online today.
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