Best Neighborhoods in San Jose for Singles & Young Professionals

Thinking about living in San Jose? Located about an hour south of San Francisco, this NorCal city continues to draw singles and young professionals with its strong job market, relatively low cost of living (by Bay Area standards), and abundance of fun things to do. If you’re looking to settle down in The Capital of Silicon Valley, here are five great neighborhoods to consider!

• Burbank
• Downtown
• Evergreen
• West San Jose
• Willow Glen

Burbank

Photo via @siliconvalleylofts

• Home Price: $556,183 median purchase; $1,455 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 67% of San Jose neighborhoods

Is convenience a major factor for you? Burbank might be the spot you’re looking for! This San Jose neighborhood sits along the I-280 and I-880 interchange—so commuting into other areas of the Bay Area is quick and easy—and is near popular shopping centers like Santana Row and Westfield Valley Fair. And if you’re thinking about buying a home in San Jose, Burbank’s collection of cozy bungalows and Craftsman-style houses are sure to please!

Things to Do in Burbank

Pick up new furniture, home decor, and antique trinkets at Antiques Colony. Work with a personal trainer or join a fitness group to achieve your wellness goals at Brick House Fitness. Prepare for upcoming costume parties with vintage fashion and wacky costumes from Moon Zooom. Visit Falafel’s Drive In—a local favorite that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives—to grab some Baklava and Chicken in a Pita. Try Middle-Eastern dishes like Chicken Samosa, Bolani, or Fried Eggplant at Gulzaar Halaal. Expand your palate with Spicy Pork Bulgogi and Rice Cake Wraps at YakiniQ. Enjoy trivia nights, karaoke, and Star Wars-inspired cocktails like the Blue Milk at 7 Stars Bar & Grill. Or challenge your friends to a game of pool while throwing back cheap drinks at The Bears Cocktail Lounge.

Downtown San Jose

Photo via @bayarearealestate

• Home Price: $477,611 median purchase; $1,410 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 0% of San Jose neighborhoods

Live in the heart of the city by settling down in Downtown San Jose! While this neighborhood houses campuses for top tech companies like Adobe and Cohesity, it’s not all business all the time—Downtown is where you’ll find many of the best things to do in San Jose! With its trendy restaurants and bars, museums, music venues, and community events, Downtown San Jose is easily one of the top neighborhoods for singles and young professionals who want to be right in the center of the action!

Things to Do in Downtown San Jose

Cheer on the San Jose Sharks (NHL) during a hockey game at the SAP Center. See some of the best modern and contemporary art California has to offer at the San Jose Museum of Art. Play a super-sized version of the classic board game with Monopoly in the Park. Catch hilarious sketch comedy acts, epic concerts, and thought-provoking speakers at San Jose Civic. Feel the thrill of flight while using the Birdly flight simulator at The Tech Interactive. Enjoy live music while you chow down at one of the 15 restaurants at San Pedro Square Market. Feast on the famous Baby Back Ribs at Henry’s Hi-Life. Create your dream ice cream sandwich at CREAM San Jose. Order classic cold-cut sandwiches like the Old Country Favorite at The Freshly Baked Eatery. Or sample handcrafted cocktails like the Kentucky Pie or Hot-Buttered Rum atHaberdasher.

Evergreen

Photo via @hueynguyenhomes

• Home Price: $758,112 median purchase; $1,638 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 94% of San Jose neighborhoods

Located in East San Jose, Evergreen is perhaps better known as a spot where families and retirees move to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. But it’s also one of the best San Jose neighborhoods for singles and young professionals who want more spacious housing, access to green space, and a place where they can raise kids someday. With its hiking trails, scenic foothills, golf courses, and abundance of local parks, Evergreen truly lives up to its name!

Things to Do in Evergreen

Earn your degree in health science, business administration, or another program at Evergreen Valley College. Host a picnic for friends and family at Silver Creek Linear Park. Establish a balanced lifestyle with health and wellness classes at the Evergreen Community Center. Hit the links with a round at The Villages Golf & Country Club. Refresh with boba tea options like Life’s a Peach or Pretty in Pink from Pekoe. Crush your appetite with Snow Crab Legs and Shabang Bang Shrimp from The Boiling Crab. Get brunch favorites like Chicken Fried Steak and French Toast at neighborhood tavern Evergreen Inn & Pub. Order a Classic Margarita with some Chile Verde or Mole at Mexico Lindo. Or kick back with a drink and enjoy live DJs at Foothill Lounge.

West San Jose

Photo via @adrianealstonhomes

• Home Price: $850,944 median purchase; $1,677 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 78% of San Jose neighborhoods

Are you looking for a suburban area that comes with the perks of urban living? West San Jose gives you the best of both worlds! Not only does this incredibly safe neighborhood offer a mix of affordable apartments, condos, and single-family houses, but it provides access to I-280 as well, so commuting into Downtown San Jose or San Francisco is easy! West San Jose is also home to some of the city’s best restaurants, shopping, and nightlife, so it’s an ideal spot for singles and young professionals!

Things to Do in West San Jose

Visit the haunted Winchester Mystery House, where you can tour the manor’s bizarre rooms and hallways. Break out the bike and test your skills on the BMX course at Calabazas Park. Unwind and recharge with a Pure Relaxation Massage at Burke Williams Spa. Get in some retail therapy at stores like Nordstrom Rack, TJMaxx, and Nike Factory at Westgate Center. Grab a slice of Munchie Lunchie Pizza at A Slice of New York. Sample local cold brews like the Pleasure Cruise and Pardon My French at Uproar Brewing Company. Make the most out of happy hour with a Hibiscus Margarita and Guacamole with bacon at Zona Rosa. Or belt out your favorite songs during nightly karaoke at Alex’s 49er Inn.

Willow Glen

Photo via @ihsrealestate

• Home Price: $776,100 median purchase; $1,689 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 44% of San Jose neighborhoods

If you want to experience suburbia in a big city, Willow Glen is the perfect choice! Though it’s located just a few minutes from Downtown San Jose, this neighborhood has a unique identity that makes it feel removed from the rest of the city. With its tree-lined streets, Victorian-style bungalows mixed in with new construction, quirky local businesses, and friendly neighbors, you won’t have to choose between the fast-paced Silicon Valley lifestyle and the idyllic suburban background—Willow Glen offers both!

Things to Do in Willow Glen

Take an art class, join a fitness group, or play in an adult sports league at the Camden Community Center. Show off your culinary prowess with cooking classes and dessert workshops at Cucina Bambini. Participate in the community garden or work on your tennis skills at Wallenberg Park. Create your next pottery masterpiece at Petroglyph. Try elevated takes on diner classics like the Pumpkin Pancake Combo or a Crab Melt at Jack Holder’s Restaurant & Bar. Work your way through the vast selection of homemade raviolis at Bertucelli’s La Villa. Enjoy live music while savoring a Carolina Pulled Pork Platter at Sam’s Bar-B-Que. Get a taste of Greece with a Super Pork Souvlaki Sandwich at Yiasso. Or unleash your inner sommelier by judging 20 craft beers and 20 artisanal wines at 20twenty Cheese Bar.

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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes