How is San Jose? This is the way to San Jose....
So what is this coop position all about? Or more specifically your interests? We don't want to bore you with all sorts of "useless" information.
Having lived 2 years in upstate NY, ROME, and currently living in the San Jose area for app 23 years, ask away. While I didn't go to CA State University, San Jose, I have been to the downtown campus extensively. If you have to commute to campus by car, the parking pass seems almost indispensible. However they do have daily fees for parking, in higher rise parking complexes. In terms of campus style, I guess you can use the phrase "commuter" school. It is located in a "downtown" urban area. The campus as you would guess is located in the older sections of downtown San Jose. Seventh Street and San Salvadore. The Campus itself is between Fourth Street to Tenth Street. (WEST to EAST) and San Fernando to San Salvadore (North to South) The downtown area is going through a pretty extensive building/rehab phase. Noteworthy is a brand new TAJ City Hall. So some of it looks bombed out. The concept of urban and walkable cities is being implemented. Basically this means the use of public transit with city, county government,shops, living spaces, work, entertainment venues, recreation and work spaces intergrated. There are a lot of restaurants, shopping, etc. However if you are used to NYC or even San Francisco, it will seem like a desert.
A car is almost a necessity, and is practical.
As you have undoubtably heard, apartment prices will probably be high compared to what you are used to paying. Unless of course you lived in NYC, where price wise you will probably notice little difference.
San Jose in the big city category has been consistently rated one of the safest. This is not to say San Jose doesn't have its problems. It most certainly does. Ask away.
This is the way to San Jose.
http://www.sjsu.edu/about_sjsu/campus_maps/directions/
Campus map
http://www.sjsu.edu/inc/content/campus_maps/map.pdf
Also TDI related, you are not far from Western States (fuel) on 10 Street, where you can get #2 diesel, bio diesel and woo hoo, Delvac One 5w40.
You will probably agree, once you experience it for yourself but there is almost no comparision between NY and CA.