Everydale-Neimen - San Jose, CA

Everydale-Neimen was settled by the Spanish in 1777 and made part of El Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe. Originally a farming community, this area also occupied an important role for Spain’s military installations.

During the 19th century, this area began to move away from agriculture and into manufacturing. Defense contractors sprang up, and eventually, the companies that would comprise Silicon Valley were established.

Everydale-Neimen doesn’t have much of an arts scene. However, if you travel into San Jose look for the San Jose Museum of Art and the San Jose Museum of Contemporary Art, with traveling exhibitions of local and international artists.

This area’s closest annual event happens in East San Jose each May, with the San Jose Taco Festival of Innovation bringing tons of taco trucks vying to become your new favorite. Locals say not to miss the lobster tacos, sushi tacos and calamari.

Since Everydale-Neimen remains such a small neighborhood, its restaurants lie outside its borders. Though there exists no central restaurant location, many can be found about San Felipe Road, where residents enjoy Mediterranean, Cajun, Creole, Chinese and Indian cuisine as well as seafood restaurants and delis.

Caspian Village serves wonderfully rich Mediterranean meals, taking cues from the Middle East with a selection of kabobs. Gyros take inspiration from Greece, and Italian pasta dishes act as a specialty.

Beach Hut Deli has all you could ever need for a quick lunch or impromptu picnic. Known for its delicious sandwiches, this piece serves Malibuit that proves popular with locals. Beach Hut Deli also has pizzas (try the Haole) and nachos. Expect friendly service from a staff anxious to get your order right. Whether you dine at one of the surfboard tables or opt for take-out, you're sure to love what you order.

Iguanas, home of the Burritozilla, may sound like something out of a horror movie, but locals can attest to the tastiness of the food. Most call the nacho fries to-die-for, and the 5-pound Burritozilla proves big enough to share with friends. A fun setting makes this a must-visit while in the neighborhood.

Since Everydale-Neimen comprises such a small area, local nightlife falls outside its boundaries, remaining relatively quiet until the weekend. Most options focus around the bar scene.

Foothill Lounge has a friendly, neighborhood vibe in a lounge setting. Locals love the cheap drinks and mix of hip-hop, pop, oldies and Mexican hits on the jukebox, describing it as a chill place to grab a drink with friends.

The Elegant Pub takes it up a notch with beer pong and karaoke, along with a pool table and a small menu of beer-friendly items. For dancing and live music, head into San Jose to the Hedley Club.

Everydale-Neimen residents prefer to drive to their destinations because of the accessibility of the 101 Freeway nearby. Parking proves easy to come by and inexpensive in this area.

For those who prefer public transportation, they have many options as well. Amtrak has several routes that connect through San Jose. Light rail systems, such as Caltrain and ACE, which can also connect riders to the BART terminus in Fremont. VTA also has several bus routes that service this neighborhood.

It is not easy to hail a cab on the street here because of the area’s small size and outlying location. However, arranging a pickup from a local cab company or Uber remains easy. Primarily car-dependent, Everydale-Neimen requires that residents use a car to get around the neighborhood. Cyclists find some bike lanes and flat terrain, making it safe for them on the streets.

Everydale-Neimen’s surrounding areas offer a great deal of choice when it comes to parks and green spaces. Alborn Park has lots of modern play equipment for kids and hosts a lot of birthday parties for the little ones. Though there exist no restrooms here, a nearby Starbucks or library suffice in an emergency. Grassy space remains open for dog walking as long as you clean up after your pet, and pleasant walking paths make this a great neighborhood spot.

Nearby Boggini Park has more amenities overall, from the restrooms and parking lot to picnic benches and barbecue pits. Fowler Creek Park provides a gorgeous view of the city, especially as the sun sets. Kids and dogs remain welcome, as well as those looking to burn a few calories running or jogging. Parks prove free and open to the public.

Though Everydale-Neimen has no annual events of its own, nearby San Jose hosts the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon each September, for those looking to surpass a personal best or just cross the finish line in one piece.

Everydale-Neimen’s cost of living sits higher than the San Jose and national averages. A typical one-bedroom apartment rents for an average of $1,848 per month.

It costs $2 to get from the neighborhood to San Jose via VTA bus. A beer at a local pub runs you around $5 to $6, and gas prices sit about 19 percent higher here than the national average.

Everydale-Neimen’s small size means that shopping options mostly sit outside its borders. Though there exists no central shopping district here, some stores can be found along Alborn Road. A few national chains have outlets in this area, including Walmart, CVS and Walgreens, but no high-end or luxury shopping can be found here.

Riiti Fashions decks out local brides in high style, catering to Indian weddings in particular. Gorgeous saris and dresses fit perfectly, and the expert staff ensures that every bride finds her dream dress. The craftsmanship of the fabrics alone may have you wishing you had a wedding to go to.

Though there’s a Safeway and Lucky in the area for groceries, most of Everydale-Neimen’s marketing needs are met by smaller places, including Bonfare Market for convenience items, New Seasons Market for produce, meat and other groceries, and Manila Oriental Mart for ethnic items.

The area’s closest green market happens on Wednesday mornings. The Evergreen Farmer’s Market carries lots of seasonal produce, but locals also love the fresh-cut flowers, homemade pies and kettle corn.