10 Pros and Cons of Living in Sunnyvale, CA

Located between Mountain View and Santa Clara, Sunnyvale is a large suburban city home to over 150,000 people. San Francisco Bay to the north, Santa Clara to the east, Cupertino to the south, and Los Altos and Mountain View to the west, make up Sunnyvale’s immediate neighbors.

As the former home of video game pioneer Atari, Sunnyvale has a prominent place in Silicon Valley’s history.

Here are ten pros and cons of living in Sunnyvale, CA!

Pros of Living in Sunnyvale

1. Enjoy pleasant sunshine 260 days a year

You were probably expecting this, but we still have to mention this all the same. There are an average of 37 wet days and 260 sunny days in Sunnyvale per year, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). On average, there are 73 days of rain and 205 days of sun in the country. 

The city’s warmest month is July, with an average temperature of 79 degrees, while the coldest month is December, with an average temperature of 58 degrees. What could be more delightfully perfect than that?

2. The city has a laid-back vibe

Sunnyvale may be home to almost 150,000 people, but you wouldn’t know it from the city’s relaxed vibe. The city’s 772 acres of parks and open space are spread out over several areas, making them convenient for residents who want to go for a stroll, jog, play sports, have a picnic, or simply enjoy the outdoors.

Shops and restaurants surround historic Murphy Street in the heart of the city, and the nearby railway station makes getting around a breeze. The Sunnyvale Farmers Market is held downtown every Saturday morning, and the streets are closed for the event. 

3. Parking is a breeze

In Sunnyvale, finding a parking spot is never an issue unless you insist on parking 15 feet from your destination. Within two blocks of downtown, there are already four massive parking buildings, and a fifth is already under construction to serve the nearby AMC theater and Whole Foods. 

Even closer to the center of town are a number of surface parking areas. There’s hardly any downtown in Silicon Valley that offers free parking like Sunnyvale does.

4. A lower-than-average crime rate

The crime rate in Sunnyvale is notoriously low. Both the property crime and violent crime scores in Sperling’s Best Places are below 30.

The odds of being the victim of a robbery, assault, rape, or murder in this area are one in 663. On the other hand, the property crime rate in Sunnyvale is 21 per 1,000 residents, as recorded by Neighborhood Scout.

A lot of police officers work in Sunnyvale as well. This city is one of the few in the United States with a unified Department of Public Safety. In the event of an emergency, every member of staff is capable of performing the duties of a fireman, police officer, or emergency medical technician.

5. The schools are highly rated on Greatschools

If you’re thinking about moving to Sunnyvale, you’ll be pleased to know that the city’s public schools are among the best in the country.

Many local schools have excellent ratings on the website greatschools.org. One of the main reasons why these institutions stand out is their students’ academic achievement.

Several local elementary schools have gotten perfect scores of ten, including West Valley Elementary School, Cherry Chase Elementary School, and Cumberland Elementary School.

Fremont High School and Summit Public School: Denali, are regarded as two of the top schools in the region.

In addition, San Jose State University is located 12 miles to the south, and Stanford University is located 15 miles to the north. The two closest community colleges nearby Sunnyvale are De Anza College and Foothill College.

6. Get a job in the tech sector

Engineers of the highest caliber live in this relaxed community. Lockheed Martin, Apple, Yahoo, Juniper Networks, and Google are just a few of the major employers in the area, contributing to the area’s dominantly technological culture. 

The city’s thriving economy attracts many new residents, many of whom want to find employment with tech giants like Apple.

7. Catch a show at California Theater Center or check out the art at Rabia

Despite the proximity of the ocean and other recreational opportunities, inhabitants of Sunnyvale nevertheless make time to venture into the famed redwood forests, where they can spend hours roaming beneath the gigantic trees that tower over them. Locals also spend their time indoors at local theaters like the California Theater Center or art galleries like Rabia.

Jazz & Beyond, the Sunnyvale Howl’oween Pet Parade & Faire, and the Summer Series Music Market are just a few of the annual events that bring hundreds of locals out to mingle with one another. 

Cons of Living in Sunnyvale

1. Traffic can be a problem in this city

The heavy traffic is a major drawback of living in Sunnyvale. Rapid urbanization has led to increased traffic congestion. The city is, nonetheless, making concerted efforts to enhance its infrastructure. 

Meanwhile, locals can get around town with their cars, using the local bus system or forming carpools.

2. Nightlife is not particularly exciting

Nightlife is another area where Sunnyvale is lacking. There are a couple of entertainment options in the city. However, they are open primarily during the day. 

San Francisco and San Jose are the places to be if you want to spend the night partying.

3. A higher-than-average cost of living

Putting down roots in Sunnyvale won’t come cheap. The average cost of living in Sunnyvale is 280.5, which is almost 180% higher than the national average and roughly 150% higher than the average cost of living in California. Utilities may be slightly cheaper, but the cost of living in Sunnyvale is greater when compared to the national average.

The yearly cost of living for a single person in Sunnyvale is $61,549, which is more than the state average of $45,534, and the national average of $38,433. This is due to the higher prices of housing, food, child care, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

The median home price in Sunnyvale is $1,834,815, and the city’s residents pay 9.3% in state income tax.

Final Thoughts

Sunnyvale is widely recognized for its central Silicon Valley location, pleasant climate, low crime rate, and a plethora of available jobs. It’s an excellent location to raise a family or launch a career because of all the green space and leisure activities available here.

However, the high cost of living, traffic, and lack of a vibrant nightlife are some of Sunnyvale’s biggest downsides.