Moving from Portland, OR, to San Jose, CA

Embrace life in California

The distance between Portland, OR, and San Jose, CA, is fewer than 700 miles. Despite being in neighboring states, the vibe is different between the areas.

San Jose has around 1 million people, compared to just under 653,000 in Portland. Despite having more city residents, San Jose’s metro population of 2 million is smaller than Portland’s metro population of 2.5 million.

Keep reading to learn more about life in the “Capital of Silicon Valley.”

Want more sunshine and less precipitation? San Jose is the place for you

San Jose’s Mediterranean climate is drier than what you’re used to back in Portland. While Portland averages 43 inches per year, San Jose only averages 17 inches of rain annually. And during the winter, snow is rare in San Jose, while Portland averages 3 inches of snow per year.

The average temperature range in San Jose is 42 to 82 degrees, compared to 36 to 81 degrees in Portland. You’ll have more sunny days in San Jose, an average of 257, compared to only 144 in Portland.

Working in Silicon Valley

It’s no surprise that technology is one of the leading fields in the San Jose metro area. There are also many other opportunities. Many residents find work in advanced manufacturing, clean technology, education, government, logistics and retail.

The County of Santa Clara and the City of San Jose are the largest employers for government jobs. Other top employers include Adobe Systems Inc., Cisco Systems, eBay Inc., Kaiser Permanente, PayPal and the San Jose Unified School District.

There’s always something to do

San Jose residents never lack entertainment options. Kids enjoy the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, Raging Waters water park and Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. Check out Alum Rock Park, Municipal Rose Garden and Lick Observatory at Mount Hamilton for outdoor fun.

Shop at the San Pedro Square Market and Santana Row before visiting the San Jose Museum of Art or History Park.

Pro sports fans can watch the San Jose Sharks hockey team at the SAP Center, and soccer enthusiasts won’t want to miss the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park. There are also minor league and college teams to root for and recreational teams for those who wish to participate.

Move to California with U-Pack

U-Pack® has nationwide service centers and nearly 30 years of experience in long-distance moves. Our locations near Portland and San Jose are ready to serve you. We’re a DIY-moving service where you handle packing, loading and unloading, and we drive your belongings to your new home in California. Get a free online quote today, or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant.