San Jose sits at the heart of Silicon Valley, and people move here every year for tech jobs at companies like Apple, Google, Adobe, and Netflix. The city has over 1 million people and continues to grow. But finding the right place to live can be hard because there are so many options. Here are the best suburbs around San Jose if you're thinking about moving to the area.

Los Gatos - Best Suburb For Activities

Los Gatos sits about 10 miles from San Jose at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The town has an artsy vibe and European feel that makes it one of the most wanted areas in South San Jose. It's known as a place where history meets modern life because you have charming old districts mixed with tech company headquarters like Netflix.

The town covers 11 square miles and is mostly residential. Single-family homes line quiet, tree-lined streets with well-kept landscaping. Beautiful heritage homes sit in historic districts like Fairview Plaza and Almond Grove. The median home price is around $1.6 million.

Los Gatos gives you the small-town charm without being sleepy or boring. There's always something happening. Residents enjoy breathtaking sunsets, a welcoming community, and easy access to Vasona Lake Park for outdoor fun.

Due to its community-focused local infrastructure, hiring Los Gatos movers with local experience and knowledge makes moving around the area a breeze.

Campbell - Most Balanced Suburb

Campbell offers a more middle ground. It is more densely developed than Saratoga, for example, with a more “lively” downtown, easier access to freeways and commuting, and somewhat more diverse housing options.

Condos, townhomes, and smaller single-family homes are more available (though still expensive), so there is good flexibility. Schools are good: the high school district is well regarded, and many parts of Campbell have solid elementary and middle-school districts.

Trade-offs: Even in Campbell, the housing is pricey, especially in the best neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods are older; some homes are more modest. The character is more suburban/urban mix, so you have more traffic, more density, less of the “semi-rural peace” that a suburb like Saratoga offers. Also, for top-tier schools, you often need to choose carefully which part of Campbell you live in.

Willow Glen - Best Suburb For Families

Willow Glen in San Jose is considered very family-friendly, with good schools, lots of parks, and recreational space. The streets are green with pretty tree lines. Willow Glen’s downtown area is cute with shops, cafes, and a more “walkable suburban yet close to city” feel.

However, Willow Glen is a bit more expensive compared to other areas, and major roads can get a bit packed during peak hours. About 50,000 people live in this part of the city.

The neighborhood has great schools like Willow Glen Elementary and Hoover Middle School. Families love the safe streets and parks like Willow Glen Park and the Los Gatos Creek Trail. The downtown area along Lincoln Avenue has boutique shops, restaurants, cafes, and seasonal festivals.

Victorian and Spanish-style homes from the 1920s and 1930s are common here. There's also a trend of modern, multi-million-dollar homes being built.

Cupertino - Best Suburb For School and Work

Cupertino is famous for being home to Apple's headquarters at One Infinite Loop. The city has a strong economy with plenty of jobs at Apple and other tech companies like Seagate Technologies and SugarCRM. About 75,000 people live here, and the median income is $121,573.

Schools in Cupertino rank in the top 10 percent of all public schools in the Bay Area. The Monta Vista School District is highly desired by families moving to the area. Outside of work, you can visit Rancho San Antonio Park and Open Space Preserve or Stevens Creek County Park for hiking and outdoor activities.

Cupertino also has amazing restaurants, including Michelin-star places and some of the best Asian food in California. The city is very diverse, with close to 40 percent of the population being Asian. Homes here cost around $1.6 million on average.

Saratoga - Best Suburb For Nature and Quiet

Saratoga is one of the more upscale, quiet suburbs in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It has excellent schools (Saratoga High is highly ranked), and it’s surrounded by lush natural beauty (many trails, parks, open space). There are also many fun things to do around the area; it has gourmet restaurants, boutique shops, and cultural places like Hakone Gardens, Villa Montalvo, and Mountain Winery.

But it comes with a steep price tag. Housing tends to be very expensive (single-family homes with large lots are common), property values are high, cost of living is above the Bay Area average. Also, because it is more secluded/nature adjacent, commutes to tech centers can be longer, and nightlife/faster-paced urban activities are a bit further away.

What to Know Before Moving to a San Jose Suburb

The cost of living in San Jose and nearby suburbs is higher than almost anywhere else in the country. For example, many locals say that people earning around $80,000 to $85,000 per year would find it nearly impossible to live in San Jose, especially with a family.

Traffic is another big issue. San Jose has some of the worst traffic in the country. Rush hour commutes can turn a 25-mile drive into an hour-and-a-half trip. Many people use the VTA Light Rail or BART to cut down on driving time and stress.

The Bay Area weather is one of the best parts of living in the San Jose area. The Mediterranean climate means warm, dry summers and cool, mild winters. The average daily temperature is 68 degrees.

The diversity in San Jose and the surrounding suburbs is a big plus. A good chunk of the population is Asian, Hispanic, or Latino. You'll find an incredible variety in restaurants, especially Asian cuisine. This diversity makes newcomers feel welcome.

Choosing The Best San Jose Suburb For You

Which suburb you pick depends on your budget and what you value most. If money isn't a problem and you want the absolute best schools and safety, look at Saratoga or Cupertino. If you work at a specific company, living close to that office makes sense because traffic is brutal.

Families often choose Los Gatos, Willow Glen, or Cupertino for the combination of good schools, parks, and community feel. Young professionals working in tech might prefer other surrounding suburbs like Mountain View or Palo Alto to be near their jobs and have access to city amenities.

Before you move, visit the area if you can. Make sure to get help from local movers in San Jose, since they’re experienced with the area and can help you understand the community better. Drive around different neighborhoods at different times of day. Check out the commute from each suburb to where you'll work. Talk to people who live there about what it's really like.

The right suburb for one person might be wrong for another, so do your homework before making this expensive move.