I'm starting a job next week at IBM in San Jose, CA (5600 Cottle Road
95193). The job is currently only for 3 months (with the possibility
of being extended), so I'm looking for places with month-to-month or 3
month leases. If the place is exceptional, I don't mind "gambling" on
longer leases.

Besides price (under $1000 a month, preferably closer to $800), here
are my requirements:

1. Privacy / sound isolation. I am a very light sleeper and I want to
have the freedom to set my schedule however I choose, without having
to worry about being bothered by other people or bothering other
people myself. For example, this might include sleeping at 8pm or
practicing piano at 7am.

2. Location. I'll have a car, so location is flexible, but proximity
to any of these would be nice:

a. Work.
b. Gym. I belong to 24 Hour Fitness, and can go to most of their locations.
c. Restaurants. A healthy restaurant that serves food to-go. I plan on
eating at home for breakfast only. Variety isn't important; I'm
looking for something that I can use as a "staple" in my diet.

If any of these places were within easy walking (few blocks) or biking
(5 miles) distance, that would be nice too.

3. A professional-grade treadmill. On most days, a treadmill is all I
need, and this would save me a trip to the gym.

The absolute location is flexible; the apartment need not be in San
Jose. I'm willing to accept a longer commute to work in return for my
other requirements. I'd don't want to go south of San Jose, though.

I've tried searching on craigslist.org and apartments.com for a few
hours but have made little progress. I can't think of a better way
than to call the leasing offices one-by-one and ask them specifically
about their sound isolation features, but even then, I don't know what
I should be looking for (wooden versus steel frame, etc.)

I'd like to move in ASAP, but I'm willing to commute from my current
location (SF) for a couple weeks if necessary.

I'm hoping you can provide a "short list" of say 5-10 places meeting
my requirements that I can go visit in person.

Thanks for your help, I'm happy to provide further details if you need them.

Genius at Work,
Perhaps the answer to this old question can be of some help:
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=39221

At this short notice I don't think anyone can provide a short list of
apartments that meet your detailed requirements, and also not with
more time.  At best, maybe someone can suggested other places that you
can look.
If I were starting a job, especially one that may only be for three
months  - hoping that it will be extended - I would initially be more
flexible about my rooming situation.
My apologies if you feel this personal comment is inappropriate.
Myoarin