Relocating to the Bay Area for Google? Los Gatos Is Worth the Extra 10 Minutes.
Google’s Mountain View campus is 22–28 minutes from Los Gatos — a commute most Googlers say is more than worth it. Here’s what you need to know about the market before you land.
Why Google Employees Choose Los Gatos Over Closer Options
Mountain View, Sunnyvale, and Palo Alto are closer to Google’s campus. So why do so many senior Googlers end up in Los Gatos? Because once you have the income, the 22-minute commute on Highway 85 is a small price to pay for what you get on the other end: Los Gatos and Monte Sereno. The schools. The mountains. The downtown village. The privacy.
I have sold homes in Los Gatos for 25 years. The pattern I see over and over: Google employees start closer to campus and then, as they get more senior and start families, they migrate south. By the time they are ready for their “forever home,” they end up in 95030 or 95032. I can help you skip that journey and get it right the first time.
Where Google Employees Are Buying in Los Gatos
Blossom Manor
Family-first neighborhood with exceptional schools, 25 min to Google. Large lots, quiet streets.
Los Gatos Village / Downtown
Walkable, vibrant, 28 min to Google. The most in-demand pocket in Los Gatos.
Monte Sereno
Ultra-luxury privacy, 25 min to Google. A street here is named after Annette.
Rinconada Hills (Gated)
The only gated community in Los Gatos. 25 min to Google. Rare inventory.
Why Your Agent Choice Matters More Here Than Anywhere
This market runs on relationships. I have spent 25 years building trust with every listing agent in 95030 and 95032. When I submit an offer for my buyer, the listing agent knows it will close. For Google employees relocating from Seattle, New York, Austin, or anywhere else — your agent choice determines whether you win.
Google’s Relocation Program — What to Expect
Google offers robust relocation packages for qualifying new hires and transfers, typically including moving expense reimbursement, temporary housing, and in some cases home purchase assistance or sale assistance. You are always free to choose your own agent — and choosing someone with 25 years of exclusive local experience is almost always the right call in a market this competitive.
What Los Gatos Offers That Mountain View and Sunnyvale Cannot
Downtown Los Gatos has a farmers market, acclaimed restaurants, and boutique shops on a walkable main street. The Santa Cruz Mountains begin where the neighborhood ends. Los Gatos High School ranks among California’s top 10 public high schools. And Monte Sereno — the most exclusive residential enclave in Silicon Valley — borders Los Gatos and offers total privacy and estate living.
Let’s Start the Conversation
The best time to reach out is before you start looking on Zillow. I can tell you in one 20-minute call which neighborhoods match your lifestyle, which price ranges are realistic right now, and what it takes to win in this market.
(408) 859-5881 | annette95030@gmail.com
