Downtown San Jose offers more than a diverse array of architecture, entertainment, and people. It also delivers a variety of lifestyles. Downtown offers a vibe all its own, and each block differs from the next. Few realize that the city of San Jose was actually California's first state capital, and it remains a large influence on the rest of the state today. If you are thinking about moving to San Jose, Downtown may be near the top of your list of neighborhoods to consider. This guide will help you figure out if this is the best place to move your family.
San Jose is the third largest city in California, and it hosts the largest population in the state's northern region. This makes Downtown San Jose more of an urban environment than some might expect with more than 54,000 people. The median household income Downtown is about $61,000 annually. Additionally, the median age is about 33 years old, which is lower than the city's median. About 16% of San Jose's Downtown residents are single, and nearly 65% are married.
Living in Downtown San Jose, you will have your pick of apartments, condos, and homes. Many apartments and condos are situated right on the main streets, allowing you to get in touch with the busy energy of the city without getting in a car. Just a few blocks away, 100-year-old homes provide a sense of peace.
St. James Historic District offers a unique juxtaposition of historic residences alongside condominiums. On the other hand, the Convention and Cultural District provides the prime opportunity for high-density living in large urban complexes. Some of San Jose's oldest and arguably most beautiful businesses are situated in the Historic District. If you are looking for an elegant Queen Anne, Italianate, Colonial Revival, or Dutch Colonial home, the Hensley District could be right up your alley.
Buildings in Downtown are not allowed to reach higher than 27 stories. The City Hall and 88 Tower are the tallest structures, thanks to the nearby Mineta San Jose International Airport. Still, this does not put a damper on architecture. Many San Jose landmarks are still quite remarkable, including the San Jose Museum of Art and San Jose State University.
As the urban center of San Jose, Downtown offers quite a combination of theaters, restaurants, art galleries, and music venues.
The City National Civic Center was designed in the 1930's, and the Spanish mission architecture has held up beautifully. The venue has hosted some of the world's most famous acts, including Frank Sinatra and The Rolling Stones. After a concert, visitors and residents head over to nearby bars and restaurants to enjoy the evening.
Comedy clubs like Comedy Sportz and The Improv, both located on 2nd Street, are interspersed between billiards clubs, hookah lounges, and movie theaters. Microbreweries and pubs, like O'Flaherty's Irish Pub, are commonplace in San Jose, just like any other college town. Other nightclubs and bars are also easy to find along 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Streets.
In the summer, outdoor concerts are easy to find in Downtown parks. During the winter, ice skating takes precedent. Skating Under the Palms is an annual event and is highly acclaimed.
Downtown San Jose is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in California, and it's also bike-friendly. The availability of retailers is one reason this neighborhood is so easy to walk. It offers more than 1.4 million square feet of space, which includes restaurants, big box stores, and small boutiques.
Additionally, San Jose's Downtown has a light rail system to make public transportation easy. Several bus lines are also available for commuters and students looking to travel outside the confines of Downtown.
More interested in biking? An abundance of bike lanes makes Downtown San Jose easy for riding.
For those not keen on walking, Downtown San Jose is also situated near several major highways. It is north of I-280 and also north of US-101. Car shares are also available for Downtown residents.
Technology has paved a way for San Jose's Downtown. As tech companies move in, so do law firms, banks, and real estate moguls. The biggest tech companies you are likely to spot Downtown are Adobe and Acer. Other big employers in Downtown San Jose include Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and PG&E. This is great news for graduates from San Jose State University. Firms throughout the Silicon Valley tend to hire them more often than graduates from any other school in the United States.
Downtown is a university community, and it is actually the first campus to join the California State University system. The university is also the oldest public four-year institution on the west coast. More than 31,000 students attend the college campus each year. The school's most popular majors include psychology, marketing, accounting, business management, and biological science.
As you can see, Downtown San Jose has a lot to offer. Not only does it provide an urban center for commuters, shoppers, and visitors, but it is also an intriguing residential, commercial, and industrial location in which to consider moving.
