I'm with you. Every time I venture to either place, I dread it. One time it took 1hr+ just to get out of the parking garage at Santana Row because of a popup foodtruck that had parked itself outside (https://www.facebook.com/Hellokittycafetruck/).

Lots of these mixed-use real estate developments in the South Bay now. South San Jose has some apartment developments (Charlotte Park for example) that look almost European.

Sure, it's a Safeway, Five Guys, etc. across the street and there's little you would want to walk to or explore in the area but it's a start.

exactly. it is a mall, not a town

do you really want to live in a mall?

outside of santana row is winchester blvd and steven's creek blvd...aka nothing