San Jose CA homes for sale vary widely in type and price depending on which neighborhood the buyer is considering. While the median price for the entire range of San Jose CA homes for sale is around $380,000, homes in desirable and upscale neighborhoods like West San Jose and Almaden Valley can bring much more on the housing market. Bargains can be found in areas like Alviso and Alum Rock.
Almaden Valley offers upscale living at an upscale price. Serving the needs of Silicon Valley executives, it still retains the legacy of the quicksilver mines that once provided employment for local residents. The Almaden Quicksilver County Park is a rustic retreat on the site of the mines, and residents enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Despite recent housing industry woes, the market in Almaden Valley has remained strong.
West San Jose is the neighborhood most people think of as the “real” San Jose; less exclusive than Almaden Valley, it offers high-end luxury homes and equally high-end prices. Shoppers in the area flock to the local Westgate Mall and the Paseo de Saratoga.
Contrasting sharply with these upscale areas, Alviso is a small suburban community far from the employment opportunities and shopping centers to the south. With average prices around $210,000, location makes all the difference in home costs here. Alviso remains small and inexpensive due to the inconvenience and cost of the long commute in to the main population center of San Jose.
Alum Rock also suffers due to location; fruit orchards still dominate this largely rural and residential area. Home prices average around $310,000, a real bargain in the San Jose area.
When price is no object, West San Jose offers multimillion dollar estates with prestigious addresses and easy access to all that San Jose has to offer. While some homes may sell for less, million-dollar homes are more the norm than the exception in this exclusive neighborhood. Median home prices are slightly over $550,000.
Alum Rock offers affordable housing and unique history; originally founded as an agricultural village, the legacy of the local fruit orchards have left their mark on the community. More rural in nature than most of the San Jose area, Alum Rock is a unique area with a diverse population.
While these brief snapshot can give you an impression of San Jose neighborhoods, San Jose CA homes for sale truly are as unique as the individuals who buy and live in them. Prospective buyers should weigh their options carefully and consider their priorities before deciding on any neighborhood or home.