Imagine oranges growing in your back yard all year round. During any season, simply stretching your arm in the leaves and coming out with a healthy, juicy treat that just so happens to be a great color. If you like the thought, imagine the reality of living in such a luscious locale.
Though it sees like a dream, Santa Clara is very much alive with old and young residents who are proud to call the province home. If you have ever considered moving to the municipality and you love oranges, you should really take a moment and read on and give it some thought!
Santa Clara Climate
The coldest month is January, average low of 38, and the warmest month is July, average high of 82. With only 14 inches of rain spread over 54 days annually and no snowfall, locals here love the area that has 261 sunny days a year. Of course as in any California community, you must always be aware of a potential earthquake in the province. That is why it is so important to know how to prepare for an earthquake since they can happen at any given time, any day of the year.
Santa Clara Neighborhoods
Twenty-three constituent neighborhoods make up Santa Clara, which is the 48th biggest community in California. As far as an affluent area in town where the upper middle-class reside, Homestead Road rates high among the wealthy. Many middle-class families with children appreciate living close to the school system on many roads including Steven's Creek Boulevard, Miramar Way and Benton Street. While some of the sector is simply lovely, it is just as important that it is out of harm's way. Some of the safest areas to live in town are Pruneridge Avenue, Benton Street and Bower's Avenue.
Registering Your Car
To complete the registration process, your vehicle must also be inspected by the California Division of Motor Vehicles. You have 20 days to register your car after becoming a state resident and you must provide smog and weight certification, your last issued out of state title and proof of insurance. You only have 10 days to acquire a driver's license after becoming a resident and you must provide a thumbprint, fill out a DL 44 form, have your photo taken, and provide your full name and Social Security number. You must also pass vision, traffic and road sign tests.
Santa Clara Schools
The Santa Clara Unified School District serves area students in its 16 elementary, 3 middle and 2 high schools. The system also has a K-8 site, continuation high school and an adult education campus. In whole, the system educates more than 15,000 students. With an average class size of 30 in all grades, students receive the one-on-one attention from professors needed for success. Of course there are several specialized schools in the sector, with many students attending religious-based campuses. As for post-secondary schools, the Santa Clara University, Jesuit college; Mission College, junior college; and Golden State Baptist are the choices within town borders.
Santa Clara Employment
With a 6.5 percent unemployment rate, almost two points down from the national average, and 2.67 percent job growth, Santa Clara has remained an economically successful sector during the recession. Top employers in the area keep locals working full-time in various industries. According to the City's 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Applied Materials and Intel together had more than 15,000 employees. Texas Instruments comes in as the third top employer with 3,500 workers and California's Great America staffs 2,500 laborers. When looking to start a business rather than work at one, local merchants partner with the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce, an organization that is dedicated to keeping economic development strong in the city.
Living Costs in the City
The cost of living in Santa Clara County community is higher than the state and national average. Coming in at 55.1 percent more than the U.S. average and 18.2 percent greater than the California average, the sector can seem a little pricey. However, according to CNN Money reports, the median family income of $94,193 and the median home price of 495,500 seemingly balances out the high cost of living in the community. As a new resident, renting before you own may be the right choice until you are sure you're happy in the community. Be that the case, then expect to pay a minimum of $1,500 a month for a one-bedroom unit and higher for two or three-bedrooms. As for utility costs in Santa Clara, those will and do vary depending on family size and usage.
Santa Clara Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Santa Clara, whether you’re moving from out of state or from another county in California. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Santa Clara Transportation
With two major train locations, Santa Clara is home to the Great American Station and the Santa Clare Station. The rails, respectively run by Amtrak's Capital Corridor, Altamont Commuter Express and Caltrain, take locals in and out of town on the tracks. Another way to travel publicly is by bus with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. With many routes and reasonable rates, residents enjoy riding around the region. As for airports, Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport are three nearby landing strips locals use when flying in and out of town.
Culture & Contemporary Life
Between the Santa Clara Senior and Teen Center and the Walter E. Schmidt Youth Activity Center, residents of all ages enjoy everything the region has to offer. Aside from government services engaging locals, residents love to play outside at any of the province's 38 parks. Agnew, Maywood and Steve Carli Parks are three hot spots to hang out while Reed Street Dog Park is the perfect place to enjoy time with a furry friend. When locals are looking for a friendly game of competition, they frequent the newly-constructed San Francisco 49ers stadium, or if they desire to take a wild ride, they visit California's Great America, a largely attended amusement park. As for dinner and a show, it's never a problem in a province that has excellent eateries, theaters and museums.
Santa Clara Relocation Tips
- It may be one of life's biggest stressors, but it doesn't always have to strap you for cash. Moving and saving money is possible if you simply follow a few suggestions.
- Make sure when you oversee the move-out, you have a pen and pad near so you can check off all that needs to be done.
- Meet the neighbors and begin life-long friendships in the California Community.