i can really help you out,actually. my family moved to calif(san jose) from indiana back in 78 . lived there till 1989,and ended up moving back to indiana because it was just getting expensive there. san jose is a hip and happening city. probably the coolest place to live. south san jose is where silicon valley is,and it is pretty upscale. if you want more middle class,and still pretty decent and liveable,try looking into east san jose. the blossom hill road strip. san jose state university is smack dab right in the heart of down town san jose(the city),so you might wanna concider that too.
one bed room $800-$1200 not cheap