San Jose born and raised, I wish that California would protect its residents from needing to move out of our home city because we can not afford to live! Currently living in Fremont now. Prices are crazy
from the east bay in my early 20s starting my search for my own place free of roommates so thank you for uploading such real content! ive been trying to find content of every day folks living here in the bay (: first time watching and i appreciate your personality and realness. best of luck to you on your journey ✌🏽💚
This is literally my life right now. We moved to Sunnyvale a year ago from MD and the choices for apartments in Silicon Valley are incredibly disappointing even though there are so many apartments. Many of them are of the "moldy cheese" variety. Paying an obscene amount for moldy cheese is depressing.
What brought you here and did you not research the market before hand? Also for the prices she is quoting you can find mobile homes to actually buy. It's not perfect but it's yours and it's much cheaper than renting a high end apartment.
Oof, as someone who grew up in SJ and still lives in the South Bay, I couldn’t disagree more! I love living here. Also, tip: Mountain View has rent control so while initial rents might be high, if you stay put year after year, you’ll save down the road. And I find MV really walkable.
Totally agree, I lived in Mountain View for a year in a shared house and it was actually quite lovely with the downtown area. The most challenging part seems to be finding a cozy rent controlled house :)
I love living here! I am not so picky about apartments though. I just look for a great location (good neighborhood) and that it’s big enough for what I need. It’s so beautiful here. I go for hikes and walks everyday and there’s so many really beautiful trails here. Food is great if you know where to go. There’s tons of stuff to do here and you can have a great social life if you put in the effort to have one. I’m a nurse in San Francisco living on the peninsula. I’m older than you but I really love it here. I don’t love the high cost of things but I don’t want to move.
It is really about putting in the effort to discover new spots and creating a solid community wherever you go, the weather right now is perf so cheers to many fab hikes to come this summer 😊
This was such a good video and description of the Bay. I moved here bright eyed and bushy tailed a few years ago and more recently I’ve started to question why I’m still here 😂😂
I’ve lived in SJ for the better part of the last 30 years, and no one believes me when I tell them: there’s absolutely nothing to do here, boring AF. Have to go up to SF to do fun things. 🤷♀️ I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who feels this way.
I come from Bakersfield, and there is a ton to do in SJ. If you think there is nothing to do in SJ, then you would commit supoku in Bakersfield. SJ is overall my favorite city. This includes Irvine, LA, SF, NYC, New Orleans, Chicago. Perfect balance between city and suburban (I like suburban more)
Thank you for making this video. I just moved a few weeks ago into a new apartment in Sunnyvale. Unless people live here they don’t understand how expensive it is. It’s such a rip off. When renting people also need to consider rent increase when their lease expires. In Sunnyvale they have the potential to raise your rent 10% every year. When you’re paying 3500 a month that’s a significant amount of money. The local government really has done nothing to rent to limit rent. They say they have rent control but 10% isn’t rent control.
That's why I moved out of my old apt in downtown Sunnyvale, the best is when you can find a nice homeowner that just wants to rent out their place to a stable renter :)
@@elisezliu I had to move after 10 years because of a housemates situation but I agree it’s best to find an apartment or someplace you can live where people actually own the apartment or townhome or space. The rent doesn’t go up that much..
It sounds like you’re ready for a change but not in an urgent situation, so it’s good you can take your time to find the right place. Looking for a new place is so much work!!!. I had no idea apartment rental situation is so grim in the peninsula right now. Don’t rule out Mountain View, though. There are many small apartment complexes near downtown. They’re older, so they’re missing the fun sparkling bubbles, but they’re more cozy and interesting, and if walkability and location are important, they may be worth a look. Thanks for the apartment tours and the fun food analogies. So on point, relatable, and easy to imagine the vibe.
So true about Mountain View! There are def some hidden gems, I just gotta get out there and explore 👀 Also thanks so much for watching and leaving such a sweet comment Addy, it really means a lot :)
I moved to my mom's in Santa Cruz and get to WFH full time. Win-win. Well done video and honestly, I expected worse. I lived in Sunnyvale for 3 yrs and Santa Clara for 15.
Housing in the U.S. is mostly a private, for profit enterprise. Prices are set by supply and demand. Communities like Sunnyvale no longer have much open space to build on, so supply is limited. The climate, social activities, education access, and quality of health care are superior, resulting in high demand. But it is the large amount of high paying technical jobs that is driving up demand the most. Many apartment complexes are owned and managed by large corporations and they will set the price as high as they can. If you really want to live in Sunnyvale, you need to either increase your income or lower your housing expectations. A backyard ADU (accessory dwelling unit, ie. cottage) on the property of a retired person who is more interested in having a good tenant rather than the most possible money, may be a better bet than a brand new apartment in a high rise. The older residential neighborhoods with single family homes are very walk-able and often on bus lines. There is a lot of demand for renting these ADUs, so maybe stand out from the crowd of other applicants by offering meal planning services to the owner, who is probably a little old lady?
In Sunnyvale you’re competing with families who want to get their kids into Sunnyvale schools so they are willing to pay higher rents. Try Santa Clara, Rose Garden, Willow Glen, Campbell. You won’t have the families competing for in district housing and there are walkable areas with local restaurants and community feel.
Looking to be inspired at $1500 a month anywhere is bound to bring disappointment. Thats exacerbated significantly with being in the most expensive area in the US. I love the Bay (moved here four years ago) and there’s so much to do. This video felt overly critical when you’re looking for champagne on a beer budget.
15:07 this is one of the most reflective observations in this video. Sorry you were having such a hard time finding a place. The rent is pretty high. I’ve lived here my entire life.
I remember when I was a teenager think $800 for a studio was so much but wanted so bad to get my own place. Now that I have a family of my own but we can only afford to live with my in laws I saw studios smaller than the old studio double the amount like … what happened yall?! 😭 we live in Palo Alto. We are definitely thinking of going to live in Texas or Utah with our other families, California in general is just too much …
Haha... I used to live at the "DMV".... damn the price has gone up so much! I love your video - it perfectly describes the insanity of Bay Area housing/rental. I make decent money but it always makes my wonder if I am underpaid and how much people are making to live in these apartments or if are people spending 50% or more of their income on rent.
It's great knowing you enjoying neighbor walks. Would only put a very subtle reminder of safety issue when walking in the evening, especially if just by yourself.
@@DaBinCheagree. I liked living in The Franciscan apartment in Campbell. Walking to Panera for fresh baguette in the morning. VTA station close by so I could go to SJSU when I didn’t have a car. Closed community felt safe too.
There is no hunting. If you can afford $4k a month, close your eyes and pick one. Good luck! New sub. Glad that you're not in "tech". Will be interesting to see how a non-techie or as you said, the lowest paying healthcare position survives in Silicon Valley.
Very in depth analysis! I also saw no issues with sharing a dorm room with two other girls or a small house with three girls back in the day but absolutely can’t do it now!
Maybe it was too far south for you, but downtown SJ, especially along the Alameda sounds like an area you’d like. Also near downtown Campbell. It’s an overused word, but both of these places have a “vibrancy” I’d describe as small town big city.
Agree, I have a particular place in my heart for The Alameda section of San Jose. Very convenient and lots of stuff around including Whole Foods Sharks arena etc.
I recommend checking out privately owned properties for rent, which allows for a more flexible option. You may surprised by some of the available options for rent, compared to large property managed apartment complexes. Sometimes you can negotiate with the landlords on the rent price and length of lease.
Relocated to Sunnyvale from out of state and was put into corporate housing at Shadowbrook. The apartment reeked of mildew and you could find mold growing all around the bathroom. I left the fully furnished, fully paid for apartment after 2 days and checked into a hotel.
I lived in the first apartment you showed in 1999 when it was much newer and walked to work from there. It was expensive then too and I have no idea how people without tech jobs afford it or what ties them to the area in the first place (other than family). If you're tied to the local area I found that mountain view was most walkable halfway between downtown and Google, and second choice is Cupertino near foothill between homestead and Stevens Creek
Loved this overview! Southerner here, soon moving to the Bay and very much anxious about the 80% increase in rent. Any reason why you didn’t consider San Jose?
I live in SF in a studio in a decent sized complex for $1800 plus some moderately expensive utilities. I live on the border of one of the not so nice neighborhoods in the city. I was previously renting rooms in a nice, clean neighborhood on the other side of the city for about $1000-$1200/month. I got tired of dealing with rude roommates who don’t help clean and tried to find a studio for $1500 but the only thing I could find for that were tiny SROs in dump neighborhoods. It will be very difficult, likely impossible, to find the kind of modern, spacious apartment you are looking for in a good neighborhood in SF in your budget. Even with a roommate.
you can also look for homes with different layouts that meet your needs. That will let you keep rent relatively low so you can contribute to 401k + travel. And you can find sunny, south-facing, etc. It's not bad to have more roommates, it is bad to have roommates who aren't good for you.
DTSJ has decent options near San Pedro Square Market. Although it is on the flight path, newer buildings do a good job with noise isolation if windows are closed. Axis or Centerra are good options.
Hello fellow RDN! I'm also a dietitian here in the South Bay!! I live in San José with roommates in a house, I pay around $800/mo for my single 8x12 bedroom, with shared bath and common areas. I actually like living in San José, didn't grow up here but am local to the Bay and there is definitely more to do here than where I grew up. Dietitian pay, it sucks so much that I either have to be partnered with a SO or live with family or live with housemates or pay more than 50% of my gross pay. Can't even invest in my retirement, save, and travel with a "decent" $2500+ 1 bed apartment with the amenities that I would like (like in unit laundry, a parking space) with this dietitian pay. I love my career but I agree us RDNs can't do much with the rents here. 😭
Hahahah it can be such rewarding work but definitely a financial struggle. I can’t imagine staying in this career for a lifetime and hope one day we can all meet our financial goals and travel comfortably with a job we love 🤗
Silicon Valley is generally considered to include all of Santa Clara County, which has 13 cities: Campbell Cupertino Gilroy Los Altos Los Gatos Milpitas Morgan Hill Mountain View Palo Alto San Jose Santa Clara Saratoga Sunnyvale
Have you considered renting a Duplex or a Single family home with other people? You may have to stretch your budget depending on the rent, # of roommates and utilities.
I love the landscapes and go hiking, the houses are really old and moldy in winter, but I wasn't picky at the time I was living here, because the neighborhood was really good.
I moved to the bay area and I got lucky to find a roommate who many years ago only charged me under 1k, 10 years later it's now at 1300. Our schedules are complete opposite so we never see each other so it's like having a house all to myself. I'm scared to pay full price for rent especially since I also travel accumulated 3 months out of the year.
I can relate. I'm in Sunnyvale currently and been meaning to move to an apartment where i can just walk to caltrain or stores. Nope, those locations are way too expensive.
I'm a Chicano who grew up in Silicon valley, late 20s, actually lived in Sunnyvale much of my life. All the area's you toured I've never even considered living in. I love my south bay but it's definitely true that it's not cheap. Nonetheless I've never paid close to $2000 for an apartment.. even the one I grew up in where my family still lives hasn't hit $2000 because of rent control. I haven't had roommates either. At that budget tho you can't be too picky. That's how we lived growing up too so I can make these places feel like home, don't need a roommate either which is nice. There are working class neighborhoods all over silicon valley where you can find cheaper options, they're just gonna be a 'you get what you pay for' situation. Nonetheless, as a construction worker I feel blessed to be able to live comfortably close to where I grew up. Many of my friends and family are still in this area so the social aspect has always been covered for me. I'm in the East Bay now but not too far away and still not paying $2000. I live in a one bedroom with just me and my pets. Just gotta know where to look, be prepared for it, stay on budget regardless and know how to move. Get put on game.
Hit the nail on the head with this imo. I had no idea Silicon Valley was such a non-place until I actually tried to live in it. Moved up to SF and am having a much better time there now
So glad I found your channel someone finally did a video on apartment hunting in the Bay Area, talking about reality not all the fluffy things. I couldn’t agree more and totally resonate with you. This video makes me feel less alone. I recently moved here for a new job from SoCal, prices here are just as ridiculous as in the Southern California 😂
Look in downtown San Jose, it’s very walkable and still freeway accessible. Plus there is VTA which can be very handy when you don’t want to drive. There is a studio in my neighborhood for less than 1,800. Lower cost apartments exist you just have to search more carefully. Good luck.
Hello Elise, you should check out the San Mateo Luxury Apartments available. Many brand new builds so prices are kept affordable. Easy freeway access to the “92”, “101”, “280” and convenient access to Caltrain and a quick transfer at the Millbrae station to BART. Downtown San Mateo has some of the best Asian restaurants that “fly under the radar” and there are the Marina Market, Ranch 99 and Nijiya, all conveniently located nearby. The pricing is competitive with any of the three areas you mentioned in your video. Worth researching when your lease is up. One more thing, mostly all of them are pet friendly.
median rent for a studio in san jose is $2,294. median rent for a studio in SF is $2,000. i don’t remember there ever being a time where it was cheaper to live in SF than south bay as a young professional
I hope you're as "picky" with your choice of room mate as you are with finding an apartment. Anyway, the reason many of the housing in Silicon Valley are "meh" is that because the market would allow it. At some point, an available apartment is gold no matter the price. Let's be honest too, most of the "market" are from tech so most of them don't care about layouts, design, and walkability. They only start caring about that when they start families and need more space.
born and raised in the Bay Area, the last time I could afford a 1 bd 1bth apartment was in 1988, in Daly City, the rent was $595 a month. The good ole days!!
Watching this while living at spruce and looking for other places.. everything you said was true. The tennis courts and ambiance are great but your experience highly depends on your neighbors as its shared walls
Check in with a real estate agent. Next, make sure you get to know the management companies and sometimes they have spots where the lease is broke and you can get the remaining months on the lease at the price they got. Finally, ADU ADU ADU! Thanks for sharing!
Had the same experience last year plus Realpages price fixing most the areas rental prices. It’s frustrating! I do have a walkable area near tons of mass transit and activity so at least my current place works for me.
I moved from Cupertino to NYC in 2009 so I was curious what SV was like. It's kinda funny to hear you say things are walkable and downtown. Lol. Like I never imagined Sunnyvale would be anything but cookie cutter houses.
I'm curious what the house rental market looks like. It's a known issue of housing in the bay area that apartments suck, but that's because house prices are crazy. It may take more roommates but I would think those in houses actually enjoy it way better
I feel you. I worked for Google for 12 years and lived in the SF Bay for 35 years. I ended up converting my money and moved to the Philippines 'cause I was lucky to have the means. Sadly, SF is much of the same. You'll find some different challenges with the apartments & victorian homes; however, you'll want to live/work somewhere doesn't involve going past some tent cities. Downtown Sunnyvale is nice 'cause of the Murphy St. vibe, but as you've found out, the California SF Bay lifestyle doesn't make up for the price--hence my move. Hope you don't stay too long and suggeset you move away from California if you're willing to make some sacrifices.
I live in Sunnyvale! Have you looked at places closer to/on El Camino Real? Not walkable to downtown Sunnyvale but still close to shops and restaurants.
Somehow your video popped up on my feed but I totally agree with you. I’m almost close to 30 some more months and apartment hunting is stressful. I’m moving from one city to another in Washington and you have to make sure to tour and search because I don’t want to be in the middle of no where and have a view facing another apartment lol 😂 I know I’m thankful for extra income from being in the military but I can’t imagine having to have a roommate and factor in the cost of having one. Hope you find or found one you love!
Moving to a suburb from a big Asian city killed me. Moving to SF has been the best decision. Btw I stayed at Ironworks for a company stay and the floors and ceilings are paper thin.
yeah -- agree about uninspirational. That matters for mental health. Rentals need to be higher quality for the price you pay...like soundproofing walls, air filtration systems, trimming the trees, and overall taking care of the complexes.
Construction and renovation super expensive in Bay area, everyone would love to update their places but high labor prices, long waiting line for permits, and high cost permit made it impossible.
Have you ever considered moving to Europe? I don't know if it would be possible with your job but, any city that isn't London or Paris are Geneva (Switzerland in general is pretty expensive) are way cheaper than that and it's so beautiful and walkable and alive !
You read my mind!! I’ve had this exact thought for YEARS and totally get that feeling of aliveness in European cities. I just can’t figure out whether or not I just need to take more vacations or move completely 😅 but I am booking a trip to London/Edinburgh later this year so we shall see, thanks so much for watching btw!
It's not "the" Silicon Valley; it's Silicon Valley. And San Jose isn't maybe included; it was the epicenter when the term was created. Also if you're looking to move to SF, now's the time to look. Lots of people left (no tech jobs, high crime, lifestyle feels kind of meh compared to recent years) so lots of vacancies and lower rents, especially compared to the South Bay (which has traditionally had a more stable population). You can find studios under $2000 these days, and maybe even some in the $1800 range.
@@elisezliu i think SF is really depressing these days. that will turn around with time but it will be years. lots of empty office and retail space and crime. when office and retail space goes unfilled, the bank loans can't be paid.
True but if you work in the Sunnyvale / mtn view area the commute is brutal. I’ve done it myself for serveral years. Caltrain has stops along these cities, could use the train if the SF apt is near 4th and Townsend where the train station is
Move to Las Colinas, Texas. I am British, lived in South West Greater London, moved to Madrid, Spain, lived in Cambridge , Massachusetts, and, aside from Madrid, feel that I now have the best value of all the places I lived.
Try Willow Glen in the South Bay. I loved very happy in that community for five years. Even though it wasn’t walking distance to downtown, I used Uber. I think a huge criterion will probably cost 4K per month. Based on the cities you mentioned that’s where they tech people earning six digits plus and naturally drive up the rents.
I don't know how I found my way here, but I laughed so hard ... I lived in Shadowbrook for 5+ years in early 2000s while working at Google. Now "retired" we live in San Diego and haven't been back to the bay in over 10 years.
Wow i rented a two bedroom two bathroom townhouse in Redwood City for $1250 from 2003-2011 my rent never was increased that whole time. It wasn't inspirational. Im sure that place is at least $2800 a month now and im glad to have escaped that place. I go visit for work and its just like something is wrong with the bay area, like its trying too hard lol. When i was a kid growing up in san jose it was like a cowtown with orchards and stuff we would play in them and up in the foothills. The fun orchards have turned into boba shops and 24hr fitnesses. Im not saying stuff should stay the same, but underneath all those asian markets, stripmalls, and all inclusive resort living apartments is just grassland with some marshland and rolling hills There is no beach or natural feature that would make it so expensive. Its not like the beach in san diego or even san Francisco. Its old fruit land!
I used to live in sunnyvale and its funny that everyone seems to have the same vibe about it. I moved to SF since and like it a lot more (although paying way more). I need to be able to walk places.
Is there a reason why you choosing to live in silicon valley of all places if you don't work in tech? I'm also from here and still live here only because my parents give me a private studio with my own kitchen and bathroom for free (they are land lords). Otherwise I would not live here because of the prices That being said I use this studio as my HQ and I travel...Basically everywhere you travel to in the world feels cheaper than this place...
I can totally relate. We moved from AZ to San Jose before covid because of better paid job. Since we moved here, I found myself hating this place with a passion. Everyone is rude. Nobody gives a turning signal while changing lane. I miss the life in AZ everyday.
@@christiemoore8545 thank you for your kind words! Yeah not everyone is rude. There are still many nice people here. But generally the vibe here is a lot worse than many other states. We often joke that we want to go back to America.
@elgs1980 I think the people you are encountering that are rude, are likely NOT LOCAL to san jose. There are soooo many expats/transplants here so likely rudeness is coming from out of towners.....
SV isn’t for everyone. Can’t deny it’s ridiculously expensive…but for me it’s worth it. Wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. And FYI, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west 😊
I don't know why I saw this now. But $3100 for 2b2b in South San Jose if not more if you are looking for a nice place. Just moved out of it after almost 4 years but that's before literally everything else you need. Most of the people I know cannot survive on their own without roommates. My roommate and I were even annoyed and we do well as Software Engineers. It's wildly expensive.
For that budget you have, got to lower your standards esp in Bay Area. Sharing with a roomie can be stressful. In my experience, having a studio alone that was way cheaper was the best option. Can't live with random strangers. Good luck!
Sounds like you will be a good fit to relocate to Sacramento. Lower rent, various housing options, plenty of sunshine and walkable distance to stores and restaurants. Plenty of medical offices. Lmk if you're interested
Come check us out location wise we are located close to Downtown Mountain View & it’s walkable to the Caltrain station! You can easily walk to the Caltrain in 10-15 mins depending on your pace. ❤
Im paying mortgage for a cookie cutter in Santa Clara 😖, South bay is good for starting families with a small child. 20’s and 30’s are best in SF👌🏼 except parking and street cleaning, moving cars coz of street cleaning, fighting for permits/spaces, feces near car/garage/front door, but thats all part of the vibe. Everyday you will have a story to tell.. Enjoy your journey i’m wishing you all the best!
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San Jose born and raised, I wish that California would protect its residents from needing to move out of our home city because we can not afford to live! Currently living in Fremont now. Prices are crazy
from the east bay in my early 20s starting my search for my own place free of roommates so thank you for uploading such real content! ive been trying to find content of every day folks living here in the bay (: first time watching and i appreciate your personality and realness. best of luck to you on your journey ✌🏽💚
Thanks Katherine! So glad you found me and watched along. Hope you find yourself a cozy spot soon as well 🥰
This is literally my life right now. We moved to Sunnyvale a year ago from MD and the choices for apartments in Silicon Valley are incredibly disappointing even though there are so many apartments. Many of them are of the "moldy cheese" variety. Paying an obscene amount for moldy cheese is depressing.
We’re all in this together ✊
couldn't agree more with you. doing the math, the most bang for your buck is a shared large home. How many people are willing to do that, though?
What brought you here and did you not research the market before hand?
Also for the prices she is quoting you can find mobile homes to actually buy. It's not perfect but it's yours and it's much cheaper than renting a high end apartment.
Oof, as someone who grew up in SJ and still lives in the South Bay, I couldn’t disagree more! I love living here. Also, tip: Mountain View has rent control so while initial rents might be high, if you stay put year after year, you’ll save down the road. And I find MV really walkable.
Totally agree, I lived in Mountain View for a year in a shared house and it was actually quite lovely with the downtown area. The most challenging part seems to be finding a cozy rent controlled house :)
if you like indians
I love living here! I am not so picky about apartments though. I just look for a great location (good neighborhood) and that it’s big enough for what I need. It’s so beautiful here. I go for hikes and walks everyday and there’s so many really beautiful trails here. Food is great if you know where to go. There’s tons of stuff to do here and you can have a great social life if you put in the effort to have one. I’m a nurse in San Francisco living on the peninsula. I’m older than you but I really love it here. I don’t love the high cost of things but I don’t want to move.
It is really about putting in the effort to discover new spots and creating a solid community wherever you go, the weather right now is perf so cheers to many fab hikes to come this summer 😊
What are some good neighborhoods you’d recommend for a single lady in her 40s who likes to socialize?
This was such a good video and description of the Bay. I moved here bright eyed and bushy tailed a few years ago and more recently I’ve started to question why I’m still here 😂😂
hahahaha at least there's plenty of good food 😆
I luckily found a one bedroom apartment with AC in downtown San Jose starting at $1585 in 2021. Now I pay $1774. I lucked out!
I’ve lived in SJ for the better part of the last 30 years, and no one believes me when I tell them: there’s absolutely nothing to do here, boring AF. Have to go up to SF to do fun things. 🤷♀️ I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who feels this way.
I come from Bakersfield, and there is a ton to do in SJ.
If you think there is nothing to do in SJ, then you would commit supoku in Bakersfield.
SJ is overall my favorite city. This includes Irvine, LA, SF, NYC, New Orleans, Chicago. Perfect balance between city and suburban (I like suburban more)
Thank you for making this video. I just moved a few weeks ago into a new apartment in Sunnyvale. Unless people live here they don’t understand how expensive it is. It’s such a rip off. When renting people also need to consider rent increase when their lease expires. In Sunnyvale they have the potential to raise your rent 10% every year. When you’re paying 3500 a month that’s a significant amount of money. The local government really has done nothing to rent to limit rent. They say they have rent control but 10% isn’t rent control.
That's why I moved out of my old apt in downtown Sunnyvale, the best is when you can find a nice homeowner that just wants to rent out their place to a stable renter :)
@@elisezliu I had to move after 10 years because of a housemates situation but I agree it’s best to find an apartment or someplace you can live where people actually own the apartment or townhome or space. The rent doesn’t go up that much..
It sounds like you’re ready for a change but not in an urgent situation, so it’s good you can take your time to find the right place. Looking for a new place is so much work!!!. I had no idea apartment rental situation is so grim in the peninsula right now. Don’t rule out Mountain View, though. There are many small apartment complexes near downtown. They’re older, so they’re missing the fun sparkling bubbles, but they’re more cozy and interesting, and if walkability and location are important, they may be worth a look. Thanks for the apartment tours and the fun food analogies. So on point, relatable, and easy to imagine the vibe.
So true about Mountain View! There are def some hidden gems, I just gotta get out there and explore 👀 Also thanks so much for watching and leaving such a sweet comment Addy, it really means a lot :)
@@elisezliu Creating interesting content people want to watch is hard work! 😘
@@addytude 🫶🫶
Correction: it's not that silicon valley apartments are ugly, your problem IS the nice places are outside of your budget. Big difference.
I moved to my mom's in Santa Cruz and get to WFH full time. Win-win.
Well done video and honestly, I expected worse. I lived in Sunnyvale for 3 yrs and Santa Clara for 15.
Nice!! That sounds like a fab setup :)
Housing in the U.S. is mostly a private, for profit enterprise. Prices are set by supply and demand. Communities like Sunnyvale no longer have much open space to build on, so supply is limited. The climate, social activities, education access, and quality of health care are superior, resulting in high demand. But it is the large amount of high paying technical jobs that is driving up demand the most. Many apartment complexes are owned and managed by large corporations and they will set the price as high as they can. If you really want to live in Sunnyvale, you need to either increase your income or lower your housing expectations. A backyard ADU (accessory dwelling unit, ie. cottage) on the property of a retired person who is more interested in having a good tenant rather than the most possible money, may be a better bet than a brand new apartment in a high rise. The older residential neighborhoods with single family homes are very walk-able and often on bus lines. There is a lot of demand for renting these ADUs, so maybe stand out from the crowd of other applicants by offering meal planning services to the owner, who is probably a little old lady?
In Sunnyvale you’re competing with families who want to get their kids into Sunnyvale schools so they are willing to pay higher rents. Try Santa Clara, Rose Garden, Willow Glen, Campbell. You won’t have the families competing for in district housing and there are walkable areas with local restaurants and community feel.
So true, thanks for the tips!
Looking to be inspired at $1500 a month anywhere is bound to bring disappointment. Thats exacerbated significantly with being in the most expensive area in the US.
I love the Bay (moved here four years ago) and there’s so much to do. This video felt overly critical when you’re looking for champagne on a beer budget.
I think it’s the reality for people that don’t make six figures. Like most locals
15:07 this is one of the most reflective observations in this video. Sorry you were having such a hard time finding a place. The rent is pretty high. I’ve lived here my entire life.
I remember when I was a teenager think $800 for a studio was so much but wanted so bad to get my own place. Now that I have a family of my own but we can only afford to live with my in laws I saw studios smaller than the old studio double the amount like … what happened yall?! 😭 we live in Palo Alto. We are definitely thinking of going to live in Texas or Utah with our other families, California in general is just too much …
The Internet happened
I lived in bay for 2 years in Campbell, 2020-2022. I like the walkability there. I had a 2 bed 2 bath (old complex, nothing fancy, 3,500/m).
Campbell is definitely really nice with a lively downtown area :)
Haha... I used to live at the "DMV".... damn the price has gone up so much! I love your video - it perfectly describes the insanity of Bay Area housing/rental. I make decent money but it always makes my wonder if I am underpaid and how much people are making to live in these apartments or if are people spending 50% or more of their income on rent.
It is truly wild, we shall never know haha :) thanks so much for watching!
It's great knowing you enjoying neighbor walks. Would only put a very subtle reminder of safety issue when walking in the evening, especially if just by yourself.
If you like a downtown walkable vibe look at Campbell or Los Gatos. I freaking love it here though.
Yes for Cambell, no for LosGatos. Cambell is more chill, LosGatos too snobby
@@DaBinCheagree. I liked living in The Franciscan apartment in Campbell. Walking to Panera for fresh baguette in the morning. VTA station close by so I could go to SJSU when I didn’t have a car. Closed community felt safe too.
There is no hunting. If you can afford $4k a month, close your eyes and pick one. Good luck! New sub. Glad that you're not in "tech". Will be interesting to see how a non-techie or as you said, the lowest paying healthcare position survives in Silicon Valley.
You will be seeing me on a lot of hikes and picnics this summer 😅
Go to the east bay, get something in Hayward or Fremont. Its significantly cheaper and the commute isn't TOO bad.
Commuting also sucks!
Cambell, Downtown SJ west of 87, WillowGlen, they all have that walk aroundness
Very in depth analysis! I also saw no issues with sharing a dorm room with two other girls or a small house with three girls back in the day but absolutely can’t do it now!
Those were the simpler days 😌
I lived in Sunnyvale for 20 years and I loved it
Hopefully you bought 20 years ago. 😊
I love it here❤ it is expensive but the return on quality of life is worth it. Sunny days nearly 365 days❤
@@jojoc326 I don’t think that’s a fair comparison. It’s more about the other options in the Bay Area that give far more in return
Maybe it was too far south for you, but downtown SJ, especially along the Alameda sounds like an area you’d like. Also near downtown Campbell. It’s an overused word, but both of these places have a “vibrancy” I’d describe as small town big city.
Indeed ☺️
Agree, I have a particular place in my heart for The Alameda section of San Jose. Very convenient and lots of stuff around including Whole Foods Sharks arena etc.
I can't thank my grandparents enough for leaving me a house to inherit in san Jose.
All my friends are moving away :(
I recommend checking out privately owned properties for rent, which allows for a more flexible option. You may surprised by some of the available options for rent, compared to large property managed apartment complexes. Sometimes you can negotiate with the landlords on the rent price and length of lease.
Relocated to Sunnyvale from out of state and was put into corporate housing at Shadowbrook. The apartment reeked of mildew and you could find mold growing all around the bathroom. I left the fully furnished, fully paid for apartment after 2 days and checked into a hotel.
I lived in the first apartment you showed in 1999 when it was much newer and walked to work from there. It was expensive then too and I have no idea how people without tech jobs afford it or what ties them to the area in the first place (other than family). If you're tied to the local area I found that mountain view was most walkable halfway between downtown and Google, and second choice is Cupertino near foothill between homestead and Stevens Creek
Loved this overview! Southerner here, soon moving to the Bay and very much anxious about the 80% increase in rent. Any reason why you didn’t consider San Jose?
I live in SF in a studio in a decent sized complex for $1800 plus some moderately expensive utilities. I live on the border of one of the not so nice neighborhoods in the city. I was previously renting rooms in a nice, clean neighborhood on the other side of the city for about $1000-$1200/month. I got tired of dealing with rude roommates who don’t help clean and tried to find a studio for $1500 but the only thing I could find for that were tiny SROs in dump neighborhoods. It will be very difficult, likely impossible, to find the kind of modern, spacious apartment you are looking for in a good neighborhood in SF in your budget. Even with a roommate.
you can also look for homes with different layouts that meet your needs. That will let you keep rent relatively low so you can contribute to 401k + travel. And you can find sunny, south-facing, etc. It's not bad to have more roommates, it is bad to have roommates who aren't good for you.
DTSJ has decent options near San Pedro Square Market. Although it is on the flight path, newer buildings do a good job with noise isolation if windows are closed. Axis or Centerra are good options.
Hello fellow RDN! I'm also a dietitian here in the South Bay!! I live in San José with roommates in a house, I pay around $800/mo for my single 8x12 bedroom, with shared bath and common areas. I actually like living in San José, didn't grow up here but am local to the Bay and there is definitely more to do here than where I grew up. Dietitian pay, it sucks so much that I either have to be partnered with a SO or live with family or live with housemates or pay more than 50% of my gross pay. Can't even invest in my retirement, save, and travel with a "decent" $2500+ 1 bed apartment with the amenities that I would like (like in unit laundry, a parking space) with this dietitian pay. I love my career but I agree us RDNs can't do much with the rents here. 😭
Hahahah it can be such rewarding work but definitely a financial struggle. I can’t imagine staying in this career for a lifetime and hope one day we can all meet our financial goals and travel comfortably with a job we love 🤗
I feel trauma just watching the housing options. The new peasant economy.
Am I a Hungarian SAHM? Well, yes. Am I watching this video as if I would need this information anytime in the future? Also yes.
I literally JUST realized what SAHM meant 😂 welcome and thanks for tuning in!!
@@xx-vw9ep stay at home mom!!
Silicon Valley is generally considered to include all of Santa Clara County, which has 13 cities:
Campbell
Cupertino
Gilroy
Los Altos
Los Gatos
Milpitas
Morgan Hill
Mountain View
Palo Alto
San Jose
Santa Clara
Saratoga
Sunnyvale
Yeah, and Redwood City is definitely NOT part of Silicon Valley lol
Have you considered renting a Duplex or a Single family home with other people? You may have to stretch your budget depending on the rent, # of roommates and utilities.
Maybe try North SJ or Fremont
I love the landscapes and go hiking, the houses are really old and moldy in winter, but I wasn't picky at the time I was living here, because the neighborhood was really good.
I moved to the bay area and I got lucky to find a roommate who many years ago only charged me under 1k, 10 years later it's now at 1300. Our schedules are complete opposite so we never see each other so it's like having a house all to myself. I'm scared to pay full price for rent especially since I also travel accumulated 3 months out of the year.
That’s the dream!
I love your descriptions. Novato (in Marin County) is full of "moldy cheese" options -- houses and apartments. Great video!
Thanks!! Guess we gotta learn to love moldy cheese at this point 😂
I can relate. I'm in Sunnyvale currently and been meaning to move to an apartment where i can just walk to caltrain or stores. Nope, those locations are way too expensive.
I hope you tour redwood place apartments in Sunnyvale. It’s within that budget and a very nice surrounding!
I'm a Chicano who grew up in Silicon valley, late 20s, actually lived in Sunnyvale much of my life. All the area's you toured I've never even considered living in. I love my south bay but it's definitely true that it's not cheap. Nonetheless I've never paid close to $2000 for an apartment.. even the one I grew up in where my family still lives hasn't hit $2000 because of rent control. I haven't had roommates either. At that budget tho you can't be too picky. That's how we lived growing up too so I can make these places feel like home, don't need a roommate either which is nice. There are working class neighborhoods all over silicon valley where you can find cheaper options, they're just gonna be a 'you get what you pay for' situation. Nonetheless, as a construction worker I feel blessed to be able to live comfortably close to where I grew up. Many of my friends and family are still in this area so the social aspect has always been covered for me. I'm in the East Bay now but not too far away and still not paying $2000. I live in a one bedroom with just me and my pets. Just gotta know where to look, be prepared for it, stay on budget regardless and know how to move. Get put on game.
Hit the nail on the head with this imo. I had no idea Silicon Valley was such a non-place until I actually tried to live in it. Moved up to SF and am having a much better time there now
Me right now. Looking all over SJ, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and everything sucks right now. Even the expensive apartments look terrible
So glad I found your channel someone finally did a video on apartment hunting in the Bay Area, talking about reality not all the fluffy things. I couldn’t agree more and totally resonate with you. This video makes me feel less alone. I recently moved here for a new job from SoCal, prices here are just as ridiculous as in the Southern California 😂
Look in downtown San Jose, it’s very walkable and still freeway accessible. Plus there is VTA which can be very handy when you don’t want to drive. There is a studio in my neighborhood for less than 1,800. Lower cost apartments exist you just have to search more carefully. Good luck.
Nice, great tip! Thanks for sharing and tuning in :)
Less than 1800 for a studio downtown SJ. That neighborhood is sketchy.
You have great skin. What do you use for face wash & moisturizer- no pressure. Thxs
Hello Elise, you should check out the San Mateo Luxury Apartments available. Many brand new builds so prices are kept affordable. Easy freeway access to the “92”, “101”, “280” and convenient access to Caltrain and a quick transfer at the Millbrae station to BART. Downtown San Mateo has some of the best Asian restaurants that “fly under the radar” and there are the Marina Market, Ranch 99 and Nijiya, all conveniently located nearby. The pricing is competitive with any of the three areas you mentioned in your video. Worth researching when your lease is up. One more thing, mostly all of them are pet friendly.
One more thing to note, there are at least 11 boba places in downtown San Mateo 😊
Bay area apartments are Soylent Green. Blocky, soulless, functional. Then you look at the price, it costs an arm and a leg.
I payed $400 a month in Santa Clara! However it was with roommates and 18 years ago. In Santa Clara county.
I feel you on these prices! I live in the Bay as well. Hope you found an apartment by now!
One of these days I’ll do an update video, thank you so much for watching ☺️
median rent for a studio in san jose is $2,294. median rent for a studio in SF is $2,000. i don’t remember there ever being a time where it was cheaper to live in SF than south bay as a young professional
I hope you're as "picky" with your choice of room mate as you are with finding an apartment. Anyway, the reason many of the housing in Silicon Valley are "meh" is that because the market would allow it. At some point, an available apartment is gold no matter the price. Let's be honest too, most of the "market" are from tech so most of them don't care about layouts, design, and walkability. They only start caring about that when they start families and need more space.
That’s a weird take on ‘techs”.
born and raised in the Bay Area, the last time I could afford a 1 bd 1bth apartment was in 1988, in Daly City, the rent was $595 a month. The good ole days!!
😂😭😅
How about downtown in San Mateo,Burlingame or Millbrae?
Hey @elise did you ever find an apartment? If so, how much? I am looking to move there from Berkeley for work…
Watching this while living at spruce and looking for other places.. everything you said was true. The tennis courts and ambiance are great but your experience highly depends on your neighbors as its shared walls
Great video.. super real, funny and smart. Helpful to know I’m not the only one that feels like this about Silicon Valley apts
Thank you!! We’re all in this together 😅
Check in with a real estate agent. Next, make sure you get to know the management companies and sometimes they have spots where the lease is broke and you can get the remaining months on the lease at the price they got. Finally, ADU ADU ADU! Thanks for sharing!
You need to try Fremont or Newark. Better prices and 15 minute commute.
Interesting because the gsa rates have dropped everywhere in the Bay Area. Like by 1/3 in east bay and a 1/4 in Palo Alto area.
Had the same experience last year plus Realpages price fixing most the areas rental prices. It’s frustrating!
I do have a walkable area near tons of mass transit and activity so at least my current place works for me.
Could you share the area?
I moved from Cupertino to NYC in 2009 so I was curious what SV was like. It's kinda funny to hear you say things are walkable and downtown. Lol. Like I never imagined Sunnyvale would be anything but cookie cutter houses.
I'm curious what the house rental market looks like. It's a known issue of housing in the bay area that apartments suck, but that's because house prices are crazy. It may take more roommates but I would think those in houses actually enjoy it way better
I feel you. I worked for Google for 12 years and lived in the SF Bay for 35 years. I ended up converting my money and moved to the Philippines 'cause I was lucky to have the means. Sadly, SF is much of the same. You'll find some different challenges with the apartments & victorian homes; however, you'll want to live/work somewhere doesn't involve going past some tent cities.
Downtown Sunnyvale is nice 'cause of the Murphy St. vibe, but as you've found out, the California SF Bay lifestyle doesn't make up for the price--hence my move. Hope you don't stay too long and suggeset you move away from California if you're willing to make some sacrifices.
I live in Sunnyvale! Have you looked at places closer to/on El Camino Real? Not walkable to downtown Sunnyvale but still close to shops and restaurants.
That’s true!
Somehow your video popped up on my feed but I totally agree with you. I’m almost close to 30 some more months and apartment hunting is stressful. I’m moving from one city to another in Washington and you have to make sure to tour and search because I don’t want to be in the middle of no where and have a view facing another apartment lol 😂 I know I’m thankful for extra income from being in the military but I can’t imagine having to have a roommate and factor in the cost of having one. Hope you find or found one you love!
That’s so sweet, you’re absolutely right! I’m so glad my video found you 😊
Moving to a suburb from a big Asian city killed me. Moving to SF has been the best decision.
Btw I stayed at Ironworks for a company stay and the floors and ceilings are paper thin.
Hahahaha good insider tip :) and totally, sf feels so much more alive!! so glad you made the move 😊
yeah -- agree about uninspirational. That matters for mental health. Rentals need to be higher quality for the price you pay...like soundproofing walls, air filtration systems, trimming the trees, and overall taking care of the complexes.
Construction and renovation super expensive in Bay area, everyone would love to update their places but high labor prices, long waiting line for permits, and high cost permit made it impossible.
Have you checked out Fremont/Milpitas/North SJ Area? I feel like you can fulfill most of your requirements
Have you ever considered moving to Europe? I don't know if it would be possible with your job but, any city that isn't London or Paris are Geneva (Switzerland in general is pretty expensive) are way cheaper than that and it's so beautiful and walkable and alive !
You read my mind!! I’ve had this exact thought for YEARS and totally get that feeling of aliveness in European cities. I just can’t figure out whether or not I just need to take more vacations or move completely 😅 but I am booking a trip to London/Edinburgh later this year so we shall see, thanks so much for watching btw!
@@elisezliu you’re welcome ! Edinburgh is one of the most precious cities in Europe, have a nice trip ✨
@@BreathSearch thank you will do 🥰
Great video, I’m thinking of living there too, so thanks
Girl I am thinking of moving from VA to Sunnyvale. I am so not excited
love your food analogies to these apts you viewed.
It's not "the" Silicon Valley; it's Silicon Valley. And San Jose isn't maybe included; it was the epicenter when the term was created. Also if you're looking to move to SF, now's the time to look. Lots of people left (no tech jobs, high crime, lifestyle feels kind of meh compared to recent years) so lots of vacancies and lower rents, especially compared to the South Bay (which has traditionally had a more stable population). You can find studios under $2000 these days, and maybe even some in the $1800 range.
Thanks for tuning in and the suggestion!
@@elisezliu i think SF is really depressing these days. that will turn around with time but it will be years. lots of empty office and retail space and crime. when office and retail space goes unfilled, the bank loans can't be paid.
it's not "the" south bay; its south bay stuffy.😂🤣
@@catea2551 only up from here, thanks for watching! ☺️
True but if you work in the Sunnyvale / mtn view area the commute is brutal.
I’ve done it myself for serveral years. Caltrain has stops along these cities, could use the train if the SF apt is near 4th and Townsend where the train station is
Move to Las Colinas, Texas. I am British, lived in South West Greater London, moved to Madrid, Spain, lived in Cambridge , Massachusetts, and, aside from Madrid, feel that I now have the best value of all the places I lived.
Wow what a line up! If I’m ever in Texas I’ll try to scope it out 👁️ thanks for sharing 😊
Try Willow Glen in the South Bay. I loved very happy in that community for five years. Even though it wasn’t walking distance to downtown, I used Uber. I think a huge criterion will probably cost 4K per month.
Based on the cities you mentioned that’s where they tech people earning six digits plus and naturally drive up the rents.
So true! I will have to check it out one of these weekends :)
I don't know how I found my way here, but I laughed so hard ... I lived in Shadowbrook for 5+ years in early 2000s while working at Google. Now "retired" we live in San Diego and haven't been back to the bay in over 10 years.
Hahaha that is amazing, I feel like people are always happier in SD 😊
@@elisezliuI agree! San Diego! Especially since you're not in tech.
this is SO informative thank you! are you going to put a portable ac unit or do these have ac already?
these apts should all have ac installed already but def double check and ask beforehand
sunnyvale rents go up about 8% a year.
so you might want to look at san jose again.
I agree. I recently moved out here and the APTs are outdated, ugly and yet expensive
Wow i rented a two bedroom two bathroom townhouse in Redwood City for $1250 from 2003-2011 my rent never was increased that whole time. It wasn't inspirational. Im sure that place is at least $2800 a month now and im glad to have escaped that place. I go visit for work and its just like something is wrong with the bay area, like its trying too hard lol. When i was a kid growing up in san jose it was like a cowtown with orchards and stuff we would play in them and up in the foothills. The fun orchards have turned into boba shops and 24hr fitnesses. Im not saying stuff should stay the same, but underneath all those asian markets, stripmalls, and all inclusive resort living apartments is just grassland with some marshland and rolling hills There is no beach or natural feature that would make it so expensive. Its not like the beach in san diego or even san Francisco. Its old fruit land!
I used to live in sunnyvale and its funny that everyone seems to have the same vibe about it. I moved to SF since and like it a lot more (although paying way more). I need to be able to walk places.
I always find myself itching to go up to the city on weekends, I’m glad you made the move :) and thanks for watching!
Is there a reason why you choosing to live in silicon valley of all places if you don't work in tech?
I'm also from here and still live here only because my parents give me a private studio with my own kitchen and bathroom for free (they are land lords).
Otherwise I would not live here because of the prices
That being said I use this studio as my HQ and I travel...Basically everywhere you travel to in the world feels cheaper than this place...
I can totally relate. We moved from AZ to San Jose before covid because of better paid job. Since we moved here, I found myself hating this place with a passion. Everyone is rude. Nobody gives a turning signal while changing lane. I miss the life in AZ everyday.
I was born and raised in San Jose, we're not all rude. If you pass me walking in the neighborhood or trail, I will always smile and say hello. 😊
@@christiemoore8545 thank you for your kind words! Yeah not everyone is rude. There are still many nice people here. But generally the vibe here is a lot worse than many other states. We often joke that we want to go back to America.
They've migrated to Gold Country, where driving is now a nightmare. What are those octagonal red signs? No idea!
Move!
@elgs1980 I think the people you are encountering that are rude, are likely NOT LOCAL to san jose. There are soooo many expats/transplants here so likely rudeness is coming from out of towners.....
The time to look for best pricing is November/December. No one wants to move during the holidays, so you’re getting the best deal.
That’s so true!
SV isn’t for everyone. Can’t deny it’s ridiculously expensive…but for me it’s worth it. Wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. And FYI, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west 😊
Totally it can be really lovely 😊
I don't know why I saw this now. But $3100 for 2b2b in South San Jose if not more if you are looking for a nice place. Just moved out of it after almost 4 years but that's before literally everything else you need. Most of the people I know cannot survive on their own without roommates. My roommate and I were even annoyed and we do well as Software Engineers. It's wildly expensive.
For that budget you have, got to lower your standards esp in Bay Area. Sharing with a roomie can be stressful. In my experience, having a studio alone that was way cheaper was the best option. Can't live with random strangers. Good luck!
Very true and thanks for sharing!
One bedroom is available for $2100-2300 in mid town of Palo Alto. Why don’t you love alone by paying a few hundred dollars more?
Sounds like you will be a good fit to relocate to Sacramento. Lower rent, various housing options, plenty of sunshine and walkable distance to stores and restaurants. Plenty of medical offices. Lmk if you're interested
Come check us out location wise we are located close to Downtown Mountain View & it’s walkable to the Caltrain station! You can easily walk to the Caltrain in 10-15 mins depending on your pace. ❤
Lol i like the nicknames of each place. But yea living in the bay area is expensivel 😢 every place i like would eat into my savings
Im paying mortgage for a cookie cutter in Santa Clara 😖, South bay is good for starting families with a small child. 20’s and 30’s are best in SF👌🏼 except parking and street cleaning, moving cars coz of street cleaning, fighting for permits/spaces, feces near car/garage/front door, but thats all part of the vibe. Everyday you will have a story to tell.. Enjoy your journey i’m wishing you all the best!
Hahah couldn’t agree more, we’re all out here just vibing as best we can ✌️