If you want to fly out of the San Jose area your best bet might be to try Squardon 2 (
www.squadron2.com). The aircraft aren't that great (the only good ones are at RHV), but you can freelance and make $30-$40 an hour (some make up to $75). The other FBOs at RHV are not hiring as far as I know. If they are hiring, you will get ~$12-$18 an hour which is NOT a living wage for the South Bay.
If you want to make a livable wage in the Bay Area head to Palo Alto or San Carlos. I would recommend West Valley Flying club (
www.wvfc.org), but last time I checked to be a CFI there you would need 1,000 hours Dual given. They only way around that was to get your CFI with the Club. The commute from the South Bay to PAO or SQL will suck but for the money its worth it. I have also heard good things about Diamond Aviation (
www.ksql.com) at SQL as well.
In short, I would try PAO and SQL first, then use RHV as a back-up. Good Luck!!!
Skeezer
PS The housing in East Palo Alto might be cheap and close to the field, but you couldn't pay me enough to get me to live there. I say stick with the South Bay for housing, but you are gonna need a roomate. Commuting from the East bay to the South Bay or the Palo Alto area is just nasty.