Friday, December 5, 2008

Relocating to San Jose, CA

Housing – San Jose, CA
This post can be used to help New Hires communicate regarding housing near the San Jose office. Click on the "Housing – San Jose, CA" above to reach the site, then leave comments if you are looking for housing help from other New Hires.

Transportation in San Jose
It can be hard to work out transportation in a new city, especially in San Jose where traffic can be tough. However, there are a number of different options if you are interested in commuting, depending on where you live. To view the public transit options, please click the "Transportation in San Jose" link above.

In addition, Cisco offers all badged employees in San Jose unlimited rides on the lightrail (VTA) through the use of an EcoPass. This is the public transportation option in the San Jose metro area. On your first day of work, you may visit building 9 to obtain your Cisco badge. While you are there, try to also pick up your free EcoPass. When looking for places to live, it might be a good idea to ask if they are located on the lightrail (VTA). There is literally a VTA stop in the center of Cisco's campus.

Also, for those of you who aren't sure what's the easiest way to get from an apartment to Cisco go to Trip Planner

FAQs

Q: When will my relocation lump sum be paid out?
A: 30 days after you start employment at Cisco.

Q: Is the relocation lump sum subject to tax?
A: Yes, expect about 40% to be taken out for taxes. You can claim relocation expenses at the end of the year when you file taxes if you keep all receipts.

Q: Can you tell me which apartments I should live in?
A: Due to liability issues, we can’t give you direct recommendations. The best we can do is provide popular areas to live to help you narrow down your search.

Q: Can Cisco set me up with a hotel for a few days while I figure out where to live?A: Unfortunately, no. You are responsible for any hotel arrangements or temporary housing - it’s up to you how you want to utilize your relocation!

Q: How will I move all my stuff?
A: Again, this is up to you. Some new hires want to maximize their relocation lump sum by renting a UHaul and driving out to their selected location. Others might choose to ship their necessities and fly out.