Santa Clara, also known as Silicon Valley, is beautifully situated between the Pacific coast and various mountain ranges. Roughly 30 minutes from downtown San Jose to downtown San Francisco, Santa Clara County is an ideal location. It has an exceptional reputation for diverse living and cultural awareness. So let’s get into some of the pros and cons of living here. 

If you are an outdoor enthusiast, Santa Clara County has many parks, hiking trails, and lakes that are readily available to you.

If you prefer more leisure activities, Santa Clara County will not disappoint with an abundance of high-end restaurants, beautiful indoor and outdoor shopping options, and a variety of wineries. Some of my favorites include Santana Row, downtown Los Gatos, and the up-and-coming rose gardens. There really is something to fit everybody’s needs.

Of course, if you were looking for a career in the tech industry, Santa Clara County is your spot, where some of the largest tech companies have gotten their start, such as Apple and Google. Being a native of Santa Clara County, I have seen this beautiful area transform.

Of course, with all the transformations, there are going to be a few negatives, so let’s get into some of the cons of this valley.

The county is quite large; there are 15 cities within Santa Clara County, with San Jose being the largest. Currently,  there are roughly 1.8 million people living in Santa Clara County. Santa Clara County has a lot of traffic, and this can mean commuting throughout the area is time-consuming and frustrating.

The county is also faced with high home prices and high property taxes. The average home in Santa Clara County is roughly 1.3 million and is currently ranked number 38 in the United States with regards to county property tax. With the high cost of living, unfortunately, the county has a high rate of unhoused individuals. 

With all this said, I believe the pros far outweigh the cons. But you will have to make that decision for yourself, of course.

Lastly, Santa Clara County spans a large area with many pocket neighborhoods, so stay tuned to my next video series where we will review the pros and cons of living in Los Gatos. Willow Glen and Cambell.