The Best Neighborhoods to Live in While Working at eBay

Are you an eBay employee looking for the perfect place to call home near your workplace? In this blog, we explore a range of vibrant communities from the bustling downtowns to the serene suburban streets, all ideal for eBay team members. Join us as we dive into the top neighborhoods in Campbell, San Jose, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale, highlighting their unique features, excellent schools, and convenient commute options.

Table of Contents

• Campbell
• Central San Jose
• Top Schools near eBay
• Cupertino
• Sunnyvale
• Commute Tips

Campbell

Campbell is an ideal neighboring city right next to eBay, located on the border of San Jose. It boasts several desirable neighborhoods, including the vibrant downtown area, offering a range of housing options from condos to single-family homes.

Downtown Campbell

Downtown Campbell is a lively and walkable area known for its eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. It offers a vibrant urban lifestyle with easy access to dining, nightlife, and community events. Popular spots include the Campell Historical Museum, Campbell Brewing Company, and the Campbell Farmer's Market, known as one of the best in the Bay Area.

Dry Creek, Campbell

Dry Creek is a picturesque neighborhood with wide tree-lined streets, elegant estates, and classic ranch-style residences. It's a serene and beautiful area, offering a peaceful living environment.

The Pruneyard, Campbell

The Pruneyard is a well-established neighborhood located close to downtown Campbell. It offers a range of housing types all within walking distance to the vibrant downtown area. Residents of the Pruneyard enjoy a convenient and lively urban lifestyle. The neighborhood is also home to the Pruneyard Shopping Center, a popular destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Forest Hill, Campbell

The Forest Hill Neighborhood in Campbell is a family-friendly area known for its proximity to Forest Hill Elementary School, which is part of the Campbell Union School District. Residents appreciate the neighborhood's convenient location near major roadways, shopping centers, and parks. It is also right next to Las Gatos, surrounded by green spaces like San Tomas Aquino Creek and the Las Gatos Creek Trail, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation. Overall, Forest Hill is a sought-after neighborhood known for its excellent schools and family-oriented environment.

Central San Jose

Central San Jose is a diverse area offering a wide range of neighborhoods, lifestyles, and housing options. The overall price range in Central San Jose typically starts at around $800,000 for condos and townhomes and about $1.1 million for single-family homes.

Downtown San Jose

Central San Jose's downtown is bustling with entertainment options, including the vibrant San Pedro Square, The Improv Comedy Club, eclectic bars and brew houses, the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, the Opera House First Friday's Art Walk. This area also boasts fantastic dining experiences and easy access to public transportation like light rail and the train station. For sports enthusiasts, the SAP Center, home to the Sharks hockey team and major concerts, is also nearby.

Japantown, San Jose

Japantown is known for its charm and features excellent restaurants, coffee spots like Roy's Station, Karaoke Joints, and the Japanese American Museum. The neighborhood offers a mix of modern condos, townhomes, cute little bungalows, and historic homes, creating a unique blend of cultures and architectural styles.

Naglee Park, San Jose

Naglee Park is nestled between Santa Clara Street and Interstate 280, showcasing stunning and cute historic homes, including Victorian, Craftsman, and Spanish style residences. It is a community-oriented neighborhood where neighbors truly know one another, hosting block parties and events together. The median price point for this area is around $1.5M, which is higher than the median average of all of Central San Jose. Naglee Park mainly consists of single-family homes, with a few pockets of newer homes built around 2000.

Rose Garden, San Jose

The Rose Garden area in Central San Jose is a picturesque neighborhood known for its classic estates, including Colonial, Craftsman, Victorian, and Tudor style homes. This neighborhood features large, exquisite homes situated on spacious lots, creating a sense of grandeur and luxury. University Street, in particular, offers an impressive display of stunning homes, perfect for those interested in admiring architectural beauty. Martin Street, with its beautiful roundabout and palm trees, adds to the overall charm and elegance of the area.

Burbank, San Jose

Located just south of the Rose Garden area, Burbank offers a different yet equally appealing atmosphere. While it may not have the grand estates of the Rose Garden, Burbank features smaller lots and homes, creating a quaint and cozy environment. Despite the narrower streets, Burbank provides a convenient location with easy access to freeways, Santana Row, Westfield Shopping Center, Downtown San Jose, and San Carlos Street. This neighborhood showcases charming bungalows, craftsman homes, and offers excellent value for homebuyers conscious of pricing.

Fruitdale, San Jose

The Fruitdale area is characterized by ranch-style homes built in the 1950s and 1960s, offering diverse housing options to potential buyers. With its proximity to freeways, Valley Medical Center, and San Jose City College, Fruitdale provides practical and convenient living. This neighborhood is an excellent choice for those seeking a more affordable yet still desirable location, bringing residents much closer to eBay's headquarters.

Hamilton Place, San Jose

Located right behind eBay, Hamilton Place is a condo and townhome complex that offers a convenient living situation for eBay employees. With single-level and two-story units, some with garages, this community provides a range of housing options. Prices range from $600,000 for a small one-bedroom unit to $1.2 million for a three-bedroom, three-bath unit. Hamilton Place features barbecue areas, pools, and mature trees, creating a wonderful living environment for its residents. Its proximity to the eBay campus makes it an ideal choice for those looking for easy access to their workplace.

Top Schools near eBay

When moving to the Bay Area with a family, the quality of nearby schools is a crucial consideration. Within a 20-minute commute of eBay offices, two standout areas known for their excellent school systems are Cupertino and Sunnyvale.

Cupertino

Monta Vista, Cupertino

Monta Vista in Cupertino is a highly sought-after neighborhood known for its hillside views and proximity to top-rated schools. Originally an orchard and vineyard, Monta Vista became the first housing tract in the region during the 1940s. Its appeal lies in the prime location, low crime rate, and excellent educational opportunities. Residents of Monta Vista enjoy diverse outdoor recreation options, including hiking and biking at Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, sports and play areas at Hoover Park, and golfing at Blackberry Farm. For equestrian enthusiasts, McClellan Ranch offers preserved acres with historical ranch buildings and nature reserves.

Inspiration Heights, Cupertino

Inspiration Heights, a part of Monta Vista in Cupertino, offers breathtaking city views and a variety of architectural styles. This neighborhood provides access to top-rated schools like Monta Vista High School, making it an ideal choice for families seeking quality education and stunning vistas. Additionally, at the top of the hills in Cupertino, residents can enjoy the incredible views from Ridge Winery, adding to the allure of this prestigious neighborhood.

Rancho Rinconada, Cupertino

Rancho Rinconada, originally a Cherry Orchard, transformed in the 1950s into a community of affordable ranch-style homes. With the growth of the tech industry in the vicinity, Rancho Rinconada underwent gentrification, leading to the replacement of older homes with newer and larger constructions. This evolving neighborhood offers a blend of history and modernity, making it an attractive residential area for those seeking a mix of tradition and innovation.

Fairgrove, Cupertino

Fairgrove, an offshoot of Rancho Rinconada, flourished in the 1960s with the introduction of the iconic Eichler homes. The neighborhood, consisting of around 220 Eichler homes along Miller Avenue and Bollinger Road, maintains a serene atmosphere despite its proximity to busy streets. Residents actively preserve the architectural style and charm of Fairgrove amidst ongoing development. Additionally, Fairgrove benefits from its close proximity to top-rated schools, including Cupertino High School, further enhancing its appeal within the Cupertino community.

What it's like living in Cupertino

Cupertino offers a manageable commute of around 20 to 25 minutes to eBay. The housing landscape showcases midcentury and ranch-style homes, with median prices ranging from about $1.39 million for townhomes and condos to $3.59 million for single-family homes. Despite the higher prices, Cupertino is highly desirable, especially for its excellent schools and family-friendly environment.

Sunnyvale

Cherry Chase, Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale is close to eBay and offers pockets with great schools. The Cherry Chase neighborhood in Sunnyvale is a peaceful area known for its close-knit community and excellent schools, including Cherry Chase Elementary, Sunnyvale Middle School, and Homestead High School. With approximately 2500 homes, the majority are Eichler and ranch-style, known for their curb appeal and outdoor living spaces. Residents enjoy easy access to Highway 85 and 280, making commuting very convenient. Nearby De Anza Park offers 9.4 acres of amenities, including picnic areas, basketball and racquetball courts, athletic fields, and a skateboard park, while Mango Park is perfect for swimming.

Birdland, Sunnyvale

Birdland is one of Sunnyvale's most sought-after neighborhoods, known for its serene surroundings and convenient amenities. Originally consisting of single-family homes from the 1960s, Birdland has evolved to include larger, luxurious two-story residences with generous lot sizes, attracting developers and new construction.

Key Features

• Streets named after birds like peacock, nightingale, and quail
• Presence of 99 Ranch Market and Homestead Square Shopping Center
• Proximity to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center
• Esteemed school district with top-rated schools like Stocklmeir Elementary, Cupertino Middle, and Cupertino Union School District

Cumberland, Sunnyvale

Cumberland is a premier neighborhood in Sunnyvale, once known for its agricultural roots and fruit orchards. Today, it features predominantly ranch-style homes on spacious lots, ideal for hosting gatherings and enjoying outdoor activities. Residents benefit from proximity to top-rated schools like Cumberland Elementary, Sunnyvale Middle, and Fremont High, as well as convenient access to Highway 85 and the Caltrain station for commuting.

Local Amenities

• Proximity to Los Palmas Park and Mango Park
• Convenient access to Sunnyvale Public Library, City Hall, and popular shops like CVS, Target, and Starbucks
• Central location providing access to renowned parks and essential amenities

Commute Tips

When considering the commute to eBay's offices, it's important to note that while freeway commutes are common, there are alternative routes such as Santa Moss Expressway and Winchester Boulevard that can provide convenient options. Each of the discussed neighborhoods offers manageable commutes to eBay's headquarters, allowing for flexibility in choosing the best route based on individual preferences and traffic conditions.

Contact Info

Ready to find your cozy corner near eBay? Let's check out Campbell, San Jose, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale together! Dive into these awesome neighborhoods with great schools and easy commutes. Your dream home is just around the corner—let's get started!

Phone: 408-209-2291  
Email: thelocals@compass.com
Website: www.siliconvalleylocals.com