Willow Glen
From ~$1.6MCharm & community
Storybook craftsman homes, a walkable downtown along Lincoln Avenue, and one of the city's strongest neighborhood identities.
The 2026 San Jose relocation guide
Everything to know before you call San Jose home.
I'm Geeta Phadte, a real estate agent with Century 21 Masters. This guide walks you through the neighborhoods, numbers, schools, and everyday life of San Jose — so your move in 2026 feels considered from the very first step.
CA DRE #01371806Century 21 MastersSan Jose, California
Geeta Phadte
Relocation specialist · (408) 483-0719
~300
days of sunshine each year
#1
job market in Silicon Valley's capital
~1 hr
to San Francisco by Caltrain
35 min
to the beaches of Santa Cruz
Where you'll live
Neighborhoods, matched to how you live
San Jose is a city of villages. Each neighborhood has its own pace, architecture, and price point — these are the four families ask me about most.
Almaden Valley
From ~$1.4MTop schools & space
Quiet suburban streets against the Quicksilver hills, with some of San Jose Unified's most sought-after schools.
Silver Creek
From ~$2MLuxury & views
Gated estates around a championship golf course, valley views, and Evergreen's well-regarded schools.
Rose Garden
From ~$1.5MHistoric & central
Heritage homes wrapped around the Municipal Rose Garden — minutes to downtown, Santa Clara University, and Santana Row.
Also worth exploring: Cambrian Park, Evergreen, Blossom Valley, and Downtown — ask me which fits you.
The numbers, plainly
What it costs to live well in San Jose
Honest ballpark figures to ground your planning. I'll refine them to your exact search before you spend a dollar.
≈ $1.4M
Median single-family home price
San Jose, 2025–2026 range
≈ $2,900
Median rent for a 2-bedroom
Varies widely by neighborhood
9.375%
Sales tax in San Jose
CA income tax up to 13.3%
~1.2%
Effective property tax
Of purchase price, annually
Figures are 2025–2026 planning estimates, not quotes. Housing costs vary significantly by neighborhood, size, and timing.
For your children
Schools that set a high bar
The South Bay is known for education. San Jose and its neighboring districts offer exceptional public options — and some of the country's most respected private schools.
School boundaries change street by street — I verify assignments for every home I show.
Public standouts
Leland High School
Almaden Valley · Consistently among the top-rated public high schools in the South Bay
Evergreen Valley High School
Evergreen · Strong STEM and AP programs, modern campus
Booksin Elementary
Willow Glen · Beloved neighborhood school with deep parent involvement
Williams Elementary
Almaden Valley · Feeds the sought-after Bret Harte → Leland track
Private & parochial
The Harker School
K–12 · One of the nation's most decorated private schools, right here in San Jose
Bellarmine College Prep
9–12 · Jesuit boys' school with a storied academic and athletics tradition
Archbishop Mitty High School
9–12 · Co-ed Catholic college prep known for arts and athletics
Presentation High School
9–12 · All-girls college prep in the heart of Willow Glen
After the keys
What fills your weekends here
01
Santana Row
The Valley's open-air dining and shopping destination — dinner, a film, and a stroll in one evening.
02
Winchester Mystery House
San Jose's famously curious Victorian mansion — a must-tour for every visiting relative.
03
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
4,000+ acres of oak-studded trails and mining history at the city's southern edge.
04
SAP Center & the Sharks
NHL hockey, headline concerts, and big-event nights, ten minutes from downtown.
05
Municipal Rose Garden
3,500 rose bushes in bloom — the neighborhood picnic spot from April through November.
06
San Pedro Square Market
Downtown's gathering place for food halls, live music, and weekend energy.
Good to know
The everyday practicalities
Climate
A Mediterranean pattern — roughly 300 days of sunshine a year, warm dry summers, and mild winters that rarely dip below the 40s.
Getting around
Mineta San Jose International sits inside the city. Caltrain reaches San Francisco in about an hour, and BART now serves North San Jose and Berryessa.
Careers & commute
The heart of Silicon Valley: Apple, Google, Nvidia, Adobe and hundreds more are a short drive — many neighborhoods commute in under 25 minutes.
Weekend escapes
Santa Cruz beaches in 35 minutes, Santa Cruz Mountain wineries in 20, Monterey and Carmel in about an hour, and Lake Tahoe for long weekends.
Your guide in San Jose
"Moving cities is one of life's big decisions. My job is to make sure you make it with clear numbers, honest advice, and a neighborhood you'll love."
As a Century 21 Masters agent serving San Jose and the South Bay, I help relocating families compare neighborhoods, decode school boundaries, plan budgets, and land the right home — whether you're arriving from across the Bay or across the world.
Begin the conversation
Let's plan your move to San Jose.
A relaxed, no-pressure conversation about your timeline, your budget, and the life you're picturing. Every question is welcome — that's what I'm here for.