Long Read

Studying in San Jose: The Good, the Bad, and the Craziest Neighborhoods

@Julian Moss2/8/2026blog

so i decided to move to san jose, which is basically a whole different world from my hometown in california. i mean, have you seen the tech industry up close? it's wild. i'm a drumming session musician, and i just moved to the south bay to get more gigs. anyway, san jose has its pros and cons. the rent is kinda steep, but if you get a decent job, you can make it work. like, i'm paying $2,500 a month for a tiny studio apartment in the south bay, but it's close to the city and the public transport is okay. according to my research, the cost of living index is around 196, which is pretty high compared to other cities in the us. anyway, here's a breakdown of some costs: | Category | Average cost | | --- | --- | | Rent (1-bedroom) | $2,400 | | Meal at a mid-range restaurant | $15 | | Public transport ticket | $3 | | Beer at a brewery | $7 |

anyway, enough about that. the neighborhood i'm currently living in is called willow ghut, and it's basically a small, quiet area with a bunch of expensive houses and a few bars. the weather is pretty cool, it's always around 75 degrees fahrenheit, even in the winter. it's like the perfect weather for a drumming session. [iframe src="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=9.9325,-84.08&z=12&output=embed" width="100%" height="300">

but seriously, have you ever tried to navigate the streets of san jose? it's like a real-life game of simulator. i swear, i've gotten lost in the system here for hours.

anyway, if you're thinking of moving to san jose, here's some advice from a local:

> "dont believe the hype, dude. san jose is not all tech and innovation. there are actual humans living here, and we're trying to make it through the day without losing our minds."

and here's something a friend of a friend warned me about:

> "the traffic in san jose is insane. unless you have a car, forget about it. you'll be stuck in traffic forever."

oh, and here's a review of the local coffee shop from a friend:

> "this coffee shop is a total rip-off. they charge $5 for a cup of coffee, but you have to wait in line for 20 minutes. dont bother, just go to the other one down the street."


tripadvisor review: 4/5 stars
Yelp review: 3.5/5 stars
reddit r/sanjose: 10,000+ subscribers

but hey, if you're a history buff like me, you'll love the cathedrals here. san jose has a bunch of beautiful cathedrals and churches that date back to the 19th century. and the food? well, you can find everything from mexican to italian to sushi. it's like a food paradise. [img src="https://source.unsplash.com/-/w/1080/q/80"] [img src="https://source.unsplash.com/-/w/1080/q/80"]

so yeah, that's my take on san jose. it's a wild place, but i think i'm starting to get used to it. if you're thinking of moving here, just be prepared for the traffic and the rent prices. but hey, it's worth it if you can get a decent job and find a good place to live."

external links: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-Guide-g45558- traveler-reviews-San_Jose_California.html https://www.yelp.com/u/1/reviews?tags=San%20Jose,%20CA https://www.reddit.com/r/sanjose/comments/90iho/thingstodoinsanjose/ https://www.niche.com/travel/san-jose-ca/sh neighborhoods/best-neighborhoods-0


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About the author: Julian Moss

Unapologetically enthusiastic about niche topics.

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