Union City

About Union City

Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Union City is nestled between San Jose and Oakland and across the bay from Palo Alto. A relatively new city, Union City was incorporated in 1959 and today has a steadily-growing population. The city offers a mix of residential neighborhoods, thriving business centers and recreational areas. Just a short drive from Silicon Valley, Union City is a popular choice for those looking for an affordable and welcoming place to live and work in the Bay Area.

The History of Union City

Although Union City didn't earn incorporation until 1959, its early communities began about a hundred years before that. John and William Home founded the first neighborhood in the area in 1850, dubbing it Union City. It grew through the next few decades by merging with local communities, absorbing land and population.

For quite some time, Union City was a significant presence in the railroad and steel industries. The Pacific States Steel Co. established a large operation in the city, fueling its growth and success. Even today, traces of the city's railroad past can still be seen in the many tracks that cross city streets.

Jobs in Union City

Union City and the surrounding Alameda County boast hundreds of large and small businesses in the health care, education, government and manufacturing sectors. If you're a health care professional, you'll find a number of jobs at Valley-Care Health System, Highland Hospital, Kaiser Permanente and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. A large percentage of the city's jobs can also be found at other large employers, including the California Deparment of Transportation, Alameda County law enforcement; the University of California, Berkeley; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Western Digital Corp.

In the Greater Union City area, the largest industries include professional and business services, trade and transportation, education and health services, and leisure and hospitality. Information technology is a quickly-growing industry, providing positive job growth in the area.

Union City Schools

The New Haven Unified School District is the primary public education provider in Union City. There are a few private schools to choose from, including a K-12 Buddhist school.

Union City is also home to Cornerstone International College, a small post-secondary institution.

Resources for Moving to Union City

Here are a few resources to help plan your move to Union City:

• Utilities: Pacific Gas and Electric is one of the central energy providers in the Union City area, while the Alameda County Water District supplies residential water.
• Garbage and Recycling: You can expect regular curbside collection of trash and recyclables in most Union City neighborhoods.
• Transportation: Union City Transit facilitates a network of bus routes throughout the city. The buses are timed to coordinate with the arrivals and departures of the nearby Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) lines, so transfers are very easy.

Union City Housing

If your housing budget has no limit, you can find the largest homes in Union City along Union City Boulevard on the city's west side, as well as along Mission Boulevard on the city's east side. However, if you're looking for something more budget-friendly, you'll find options along Alvarado Boulevard and Interstate 880 on the city's west side.

Housing is expensive in Union City and well above the state and national averages. However, as a commuter city to the Greater Bay Area, it provides a fairly reasonable cost of living.