San Jose is home to some of the most influential innovations in California, from the floppy disk and hard disk drives to Eggo waffles and The Wave. The ultrawealthy community is home to some of the largest industries in the nation, including manufacturing, high-tech, scientific, and more. As a result, residents in the area are among the most affluent in California.
Making up most of the residential and commercial building designs and styles, San Jose is made up of primarily Greek Revival, Carpenter Gothic, Folk Victorian, Queen Anne, Stick, Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Bungalow, Prairie, Tudor Revival, Art Deco, Art Modern, Italian Renassaince, and Mid-Century Modern. Major attractions characteristic of these styles over the last two or more centuries include the Winchester Mystery House and Villa Mira Monte.
Living in San Jose offers a host of benefits to residents. Not only is the weather beautiful, making it perfect for walking downtown streets and nearby parks & recreation, but the area is bustling with upscale retail and fine dining restaurants. It's also the prime spot for starting your own company or joining one of the biggest in its industry, so job opportunities are plenty.
When shopping in San Jose, there are no better places to shop than Valley Fair Mall for high-end fragrances, clothing, and handbags, and Oakridge Mall for upscale brands, a connected movie theater, and a bowling alley.
However, boutiques like Hidden Hype and Francesca's are also major hits in the area for clothing, accessories, decor, and more.
When it comes to dining, most locals make their way to La Forêt for French fare, ADEGA for the best Portuguese dishes, and Morton's The Steakhouse for prime beef and seafood. For entertainment, visit The Caravan Lounge for drinks and local bands.
As the home of the San Jose Sharks (Hockey team), many San Jose residents enjoy watching home games throughout the hockey season. Throughout fall and winter, the San Francisco 49ers play in Santa Clara — within minutes of San Jose — capturing a significant portion of the attention of San Jose locals. And when looking for great concerts and events, the SAP Arena is a well-known venue many flock to for unforgettable performances.
In San Jose, there are many choices for excellent public schools in the San Jose Unified School District; however, the nearby private schools are the most notable in the area: