The 10 Best Places to Live in Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. This location is known for being a global center of technological innovation, so it attracts many people who work in the tech industry. Like any location, there are some places that are better to live in than others. Some elements that make somewhere a great place to live include safety, affordability, decent schools, transportation links, and the general lifestyle that an area offers. Here are the 10 best places to live in Silicon Valley.
10. Atherton
If you want to live in an exclusive area and price is not an issue, then you cannot go wrong with Atherton. You will struggle to get a property for under $1.2 million, and the median home value is $6.67 million. The larger properties are even more expensive, with many exceeding $30 million. However, those who can afford to live in this area have an excellent standard of living. There are outstanding schools, plenty of outdoor spaces, and many restaurants and shops nearby.
9. Sunnyvale
Safety is something that many people take into consideration when choosing somewhere to live. If this applies to you, then one of the safest places to live in Silicon Valley is Sunnyvale. FBI statistics show that the risk of becoming a victim of crime in Sunnyvale is just one in 845. To put that statistic into perspective, the figures are one in 274 in San Jose and one in 236 for California as a whole, says Irvine Company Apartments.
8. Felton
It is hard to find an affordable place to live anywhere in Silicon Valley, as it is amongst the most expensive places to live in the United States. However, there are some areas that are more affordable than others. If affordability is one of your biggest concerns when finding somewhere to live in this area, then you will need to consider some of the mountain communities as both property and rental prices are lower there. One of the best options is Felton, and a further advantage of living in Felton is the stunning surroundings, which are ideal for those who enjoy the outdoors.
7. Fremont
Located in Alameda County, Fremont is a city with good transport links, easy commutability to San Francisco, top-notch schools, and a family-friendly vibe. While the house prices are still high, the median home price of $1.2 million is significantly below the area’s average. There is also plenty going on in Fremont, including outdoor activities nearby, health and fitness facilities, family attractions, and many shops, restaurants, and bars.
6. Menlo Park
One of the smaller towns on the list is Menlo Park, has it has around 33,000 residents. It is one of the top places to live in Silicon Valley for millennials, and it is an affluent community. There are many large tech companies based in this town, including Facebook, Intuit, Sun Microsystems, and E*TRADE. Mover DB says that Menlo Park is also a fantastic place to live for families, as it is a safe area with excellent schools and many family activities to enjoy.
5. Palo Alto
One of the most sought-after areas in Silicon Valley is Palo Alto. It is also one of the most expensive places to live in the San Francisco Bay Area, as the median home price is $3.1 million. However, there are some more affordable properties, and there is also the option to rent in the area, although rental prices are also high. The downtown area has a lively vibe, there are highly-ranked schools, and it is home to Stanford University. Some of the companies that have headquarters in this area are Tesla, HP, and SAP.
4. San Jose
Some of the top companies that are based in San Jose include Adobe, PayPal, and eBay. The size of the city means there is diversity in the neighborhoods, so there are hilly areas with a rural feel, communities that have a suburban vibe, and areas that offer the urban buzz that only comes from living in a bustling city. There are more than a million people living in this city, and one of the largest demographics is families. San Jose sits comfortably on lists of the best cities in America for outdoor activities and the healthiest cities in America, which are two more reasons to consider making San Jose your home.
3. Mountain View
Mountain View has been ranked as the best place to live in Santa Clara County many times. Some of the biggest companies in the world have their headquarters in Mountain View, including Google and LinkedIn. While it is an excellent place to live for those who work in the tech industry, Mountain View is better known for being a family-friendly place to live. Not only are there highly-rated schools in this area, but there are also many family-oriented activities to enjoy. This location also appeals to young professionals and those who want an active social life, as there is a multitude of bars, cafes, and restaurants.
2. Cupertino
The only downside to Cupertino is the high cost of living in this location, as the median home price is almost $2.2 million. However, that is the price you may need to pay to live in such a desirable area. If you can afford the price tag, then there are many benefits to living in this location, and it scores consistently highly across the board. It has some of the best schools in California, a tight-knit community, plenty of nightlife options, and low crime rates. Furthermore, it is a great place to live for foodies, as the neighborhood is known for its varied restaurants and Asian specialty supermarkets.
1. Los Gatos
According to the Suburban Jungle Group, the best place to live in Silicon Valley is Los Gatos. It is home to some major companies, such as Roku and Netflix, and many other smaller companies. Los Gatos has a bustling downtown, top-rated schools, and outstanding schools. It is also a fantastic place to live for outdoor enthusiasts, as Los Gatos is a starting point for many trails leading through the Santa Cruz Mountains.