Neighborhood Factors

Market Conditions

  • Neighborhood Factors
    Price
    $1.07M
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Value
    -
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Appreciation
    -13%

At a glance

Buena Vista is ranked #87 of 112 neighborhoods in San Jose with an overall score of 2.7/5. Its standout factor is nearby merchants (4.7/5), at a median home price of $1.07M. It ranks 100th of 112 in San Jose for safety. The trade-offs are schools (2.8/5) and safety (2.8/5), though prices run about 34% below the San Jose median.

Neighborhood Reviews & Questions

Neighborhood Review
Key Words: Central-West Position, Established Blocks, Alameda Reach

Buena Vista is a broad, established swath of central-west San Jose, stretching from the Bascom Avenue area toward the downtown and Guadalupe River edge. Because it covers so much ground, its character shifts as you move across it, from quieter residential blocks on the west toward the busier corridors nearer downtown and The Alameda. It is flat, older residential fabric in the San Jose Unified area, a central position that puts you within reach of The Alameda's cafes, the Rose Garden district and downtown. The appeal is that central, connected location at a more accessible price than the marquee historic neighborhoods nearby. The honest read is that the neighborhood is heterogeneous enough that the specific block matters a lot, transit is bus-and-drive, and there is not a single defining landmark at its center. But it keeps you close to the heart of the city and its better-known districts. For a buyer who wants a central-west footing near downtown and The Alameda, Buena Vista is worth a look, with the caveat to pin down the exact sub-area.

See City Review for: San Jose
Houseberry's TakeLocal InsightsQuestions

Top Neighborhoods in San Jose, CA

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Graystone, San Jose, CA
Overall Score : 4.3
Graystone is Almaden at its most settled: a hillside grid of split-levels and ra... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Calabazas North, San Jose, CA
Overall Score : 4.2
Calabazas North is a westside neighborhood built around its park and its creek, ... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
Cambrian, San Jose, CA
Overall Score : 4.2
Cambrian is one of those San Jose names that means more than a set of streets; i... See Full Page

Neighborhood Amenities

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Near good merchants

    4.7

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Public Spaces

    3

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Curb Appeal

    3.1

Overall Amenities score: 3.3

Neighborhood Weather

79%
of possible sunshine
Of all the daylight this spot gets in a year, 79% arrives as sunshine - clouds and fog block the rest.
Buena Vista ranks 93rd of 114 for sunshine in San Jose, though it still out-suns about half of the Bay Area. Its warmest month is August, averaging 81° highs, and it gets about 15 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low temperature
85°70°55°40°JFMAMJJASONDAug 81°
Avg highAvg low
Rank in San Jose
93rd of 114
Across the Bay Area
52nd percentile
Rain per year
15 in
Warmest month
Aug 81° avg high
Summer day
56° → 80°F
Winter day
42° → 60°F
Sunshine and temperature figures are 30-year climate averages for this neighborhood's location.

Neighborhood Photos

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Schools serving this Neighborhood

School NameTypeGradesHouseberry School Score
Gardner Elementary PrimaryK-5
1.6/5
Merritt Trace Elementary PrimaryK-5
2.3/5
Willow Glen Elementary PrimaryK-5
3/5
Sherman Oaks Elementary PrimaryK-6
3.3/5
Willow Glen Middle Middle6-8
3.3/5
Herbert Hoover Middle Middle6-8
2.5/5
Monroe Middle Middle5-8
2.5/5
Del Mar High High9-12
3.3/5
Abraham Lincoln High High9-12
3/5
Willow Glen High High9-12
3.5/5

Click links for school listing

info at GreatSchools.org

Houseberry School Score Data

from CA Dept. of Education

Houseberry recommends using these scores as only a starting point, and conducting your own investigation into what schools fit best for your preferences. School boundaries are not guaranteed and may change. It is important to contact the appropriate school district to confirm enrollment eligibility before making any decision to move to a neighborhood.

Median Price

Buena Vista FAQs10 answers

Is Buena Vista a good place to live?

Buena Vista ranks 87th of 112 neighborhoods in San Jose with an overall Houseberry score of 2.7 out of 5. Its strongest factor is nearby merchants (4.7/5). The trade-offs are schools (2.8/5) and safety (2.8/5).

Is Buena Vista safe?

Buena Vista, San Jose scores 2.8 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 100th of 112 neighborhoods in San Jose.

What do homes in Buena Vista cost?

The median home price in Buena Vista, San Jose is $1.07M, compared with $1.63M for San Jose as a whole.

Are home prices in Buena Vista rising or falling?

The median home price in Buena Vista, San Jose is down about 12.6% over the past 12 months, from $1.23M to $1.07M. The full 12-month history is charted in the Median Price section on this page.

Which schools serve Buena Vista?

Schools serving Buena Vista, San Jose include Gardner Elementary (1.6/5), Merritt Trace Elementary (2.3/5), Willow Glen Elementary (3.0/5), Sherman Oaks Elementary (3.3/5) and Willow Glen Middle (3.3/5). 5 more schools are listed in the Schools section on this page.

What is the weather like in Buena Vista?

Buena Vista, San Jose receives 79% of its possible sunshine, 93rd of 114 in San Jose. Summer days run 56° to 80°F and winter days 42° to 60°F, August is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 15 inches a year.

Is Buena Vista walkable to shops and restaurants?

Buena Vista, San Jose scores 4.7 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 3.0 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 3.3 out of 5, 51st of 112 in San Jose.

What is Buena Vista known for?

Buena Vista, San Jose is associated with Central-West Position, Established Blocks and Alameda Reach. Its highest-scoring factor is nearby merchants (4.7/5).

How does Buena Vista compare to other San Jose neighborhoods?

Buena Vista ranks 87th of 112 neighborhoods in San Jose. It ranks 100th of 112 in San Jose for safety (2.8/5) and scores lowest on schools (2.8/5). The highest-ranked neighborhoods in San Jose are Graystone and Calabazas North.

What are the downsides of living in Buena Vista?

Buena Vista, San Jose scores lowest on schools (2.8/5) and safety (2.8/5).

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Neighborhood Photos

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Top Neighborhoods in San Jose, CA

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Graystone, San Jose, CA
Overall Score : 4.3
Graystone is Almaden at its most settled: a hillside grid of split-levels and ra... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Calabazas North, San Jose, CA
Overall Score : 4.2
Calabazas North is a westside neighborhood built around its park and its creek, ... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
Cambrian, San Jose, CA
Overall Score : 4.2
Cambrian is one of those San Jose names that means more than a set of streets; i... See Full Page

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Contact Houseberry's 2026 Agent Pick for Buena Vista
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All information provided on this website including but not limited to - school ratings, safety, amenities, user opinions, and property data - is for general informational purposes only. We do not guarantee its reliability, accuracy, or completeness. Users should independently verify information and consult appropriate professionals as needed. By using this website, you agree Houseberry is not responsible for actions, decisions, or consequences arising from reliance on the information provided

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Bay East ©2025. CCAR ©2025. bridgeMLS ©2025. Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed. This information is being provided by the Bay East MLS, or CCAR MLS, or bridgeMLS. The listings presented here may or may not be listed by the Broker/Agent operating this website. This information is intended for the personal use of consumers and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Data last updated at August 14, 2026 12:00 AM

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