Milpitas
Ranked 94th best city in California
- Follow
- Write a review
- Ask a question
Great for
- Internet Access
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Parks & Recreation
- Peace & Quiet
Not great for
- Nightlife
- Lack of Traffic
- Pest Free
- Eating Out
- Cost of Living
Who lives here?
- Professionals
- Retirees
- Families with kids
- Singles
- Country Lovers
Got a burning question? Why not ask the locals! Simply ask your question below
Reviews
Milpitas
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Shopping Options
- Lack of Traffic
- Cost of Living
- Schools
"Commonplace middle-class community"
Bounded by Fremont to the north and San Jose to its south, Milpitas is a thriving area surrounded by the bustling and widely popular Silicon Valley. It spans almost 14 square miles of suburban terrain but is over-occupied by a densely packed community. In fact, its population is approaching 70,000, according to the 2010 US Census. Demographically speaking, the city of Milpitas has a widely asian ethnic makeup with white and hispanics making up a rather sizable minority. It sits mostly at sea level elevation except for its easternmost side, which lies at the base of steep foothills and rolling mountains. The area’s most attractive quality is it that it enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate throughout most of the year, thanks in part to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
Milpitas’ proximity to Silicon Valley in the South Bay makes it a perfect bedroom community for computer specialists and engineers. However, the residential quarters are all too familiar with middle-class appeal. Aesthetically speaking, houses tend to be one-story in size, line the streets in orderly fashion and have neat front yards. For numbers sake, median household incomes are estimated at $85,000 while median house prices (which include condos) circle around half a million dollars. If you’re looking to rent, prices are estimated at $1,600/month. For young families, the school system here is run by Milpitas Unified School District, which oversees almost a dozen elementary schools, two middle schools and the locally recognized Milpitas High School.
Considering Milpitas’ dense population, the city’s traffic gets rather congested. The only options for transportation lie in Interstate 680 and 880, which skirt the east and west boundaries respectively. Yet within the city, there are a dozen technology firms, design agencies and medical labs for job seekers. The city’s largest employer is Cisco Systems, which provides 4,500 jobs to locals. Milpitas is also home to the largest enclosed shopping mall in the Bay Area in the Great Mall of the Bay Area. Its large outdoor outlet shopping center hosts everything from large department stores to chain restaurants to small boutique shops.
Milpitas’ proximity to Silicon Valley in the South Bay makes it a perfect bedroom community for computer specialists and engineers. However, the residential quarters are all too familiar with middle-class appeal. Aesthetically speaking, houses tend to be one-story in size, line the streets in orderly fashion and have neat front yards. For numbers sake, median household incomes are estimated at $85,000 while median house prices (which include condos) circle around half a million dollars. If you’re looking to rent, prices are estimated at $1,600/month. For young families, the school system here is run by Milpitas Unified School District, which oversees almost a dozen elementary schools, two middle schools and the locally recognized Milpitas High School.
Considering Milpitas’ dense population, the city’s traffic gets rather congested. The only options for transportation lie in Interstate 680 and 880, which skirt the east and west boundaries respectively. Yet within the city, there are a dozen technology firms, design agencies and medical labs for job seekers. The city’s largest employer is Cisco Systems, which provides 4,500 jobs to locals. Milpitas is also home to the largest enclosed shopping mall in the Bay Area in the Great Mall of the Bay Area. Its large outdoor outlet shopping center hosts everything from large department stores to chain restaurants to small boutique shops.
Pros
- Affordable
- Close to San Jose
- The Great Mall
Cons
- A Little On the Ugly Side
- Little Nightlife
- Near By Waste Treatment Plant
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Retirees
- Students
Milpitas
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"Stinks a Bit But Its Affordable"
Nestled right up against the Contra Costas that make up the barrier between the East Bay and the outlying area out to Mt. Diablo and home to the tech giant Cisco, Milpitas is the northeastern end of the Silicon Valley. This is actually one of the more affordable areas of the Silicon Valley. The homes here—mostly Ranch homes dating from the 1960’s up until the present—are relatively affordable with the average home price hovering at around $425K.
On the far western end of Milpitas there is a water treatment area that used to make Milpitas literally stink. What I hear from residents these days, however, is that it isn’t that bad anymore and that only on rare occasions does the wind hit just right that you get some bad odor in some parts of town. Luckily the residential areas tend to be on the eastern end with the Great Mall, freeway and commercial areas providing a sort of buffer.
The Great Mall is exactly what it sounds like—a giant 1980s style mall, with all the usual suspects in terms of stores contained within. There is a giant Cineplex on the northern end as well.
As you may have gathered from my description so far, Milpitas is not the most attractive of places. In fact, a lot of people consider it to be a bit of pit. That said, it is probably one of the most affordable areas in the Silicon Valley and definitely beats spending hours in traffic commuting into San Jose.
On the far western end of Milpitas there is a water treatment area that used to make Milpitas literally stink. What I hear from residents these days, however, is that it isn’t that bad anymore and that only on rare occasions does the wind hit just right that you get some bad odor in some parts of town. Luckily the residential areas tend to be on the eastern end with the Great Mall, freeway and commercial areas providing a sort of buffer.
The Great Mall is exactly what it sounds like—a giant 1980s style mall, with all the usual suspects in terms of stores contained within. There is a giant Cineplex on the northern end as well.
As you may have gathered from my description so far, Milpitas is not the most attractive of places. In fact, a lot of people consider it to be a bit of pit. That said, it is probably one of the most affordable areas in the Silicon Valley and definitely beats spending hours in traffic commuting into San Jose.
Pros
- Affordable
- Close to San Jose
- The Great Mall
Cons
- A Little On the Ugly Side
- Near By Waste Treatment Plant
- Little Nightlife
Recommended for
- Singles
