Pasadena vs Silverlake (Glendale, Orange, West Hollywood: house, employment, neighborhoods)

[movingsoonnow]

I thought I settled on Pasadena as my Eastside neighborhood of choice but I drove through Silverlake today and I actually liked it... a lot.

So now I'm picking between Silverlake and Pasadena, any input on which city I should lean towards more?

I just turned 30, I love walkable neighborhoods, hate bars/clubs, and I want a 2 bedroom house with a budget of $2000-2500.

I value safety most, then quietness of a neighborhood, then overall Niceness of a neighborhood (the last few years I went from Brentwood to Beverly Hills to West Hollywood so something to that effect, except, on the Eastside)

So going off of that... what do you think would be a better fit for me...Pasadena or Silverlake?

[BRinSM]

i never found silver lake to be "nice". to me, it's always been a grungy area of town that was inhabited by hipsters. silver lake is happening, but not really nice, at least not in the commercial areas. pasadena is much nicer and even more happening IMHO. silver lake isn't that walkable either, unless you live within a few blocks of sunset junction or rowena/hyperion. on the other hand, old town pasadena is one of the most walkable areas in all of LA. the decision for me would be based on work location. silver lake is in LA and close to downtown and hollywood. pasadena is more removed from LA, but also is a major employment center for the region.

also, i didn't know pasadena was considered eastside. Last I heard there was controversy over whether silver lake was east side since it's not east of the river.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

What like about Silver Lake is that you feel more connected with "Central LA."

Also it is pretty "hip."

As the previous poster noted however, Pasadena is far more gentrified.

[Archie_Bunker]

Originally Posted by movingsoonnow

I thought I settled on Pasadena as my Eastside neighborhood of choice but I drove through Silverlake today and I actually liked it... a lot.

So now I'm picking between Silverlake and Pasadena, any input on which city I should lean towards more?

I just turned 30, I love walkable neighborhoods, hate bars/clubs, and I want a 2 bedroom house with a budget of $2000-2500.

I value safety most, then quietness of a neighborhood, then overall Niceness of a neighborhood (the last few years I went from Brentwood to Beverly Hills to West Hollywood so something to that effect, except, on the Eastside)

So going off of that... what do you think would be a better fit for me...Pasadena or Silverlake?

Beauty is truly in the "eye of the beholder" because I don't view Silverlake as a grungy area at all. Perhaps a very few pockets of it can be described that way but for the most part it is a nice enough community. Granted it's a far cry from the pristine green lawns of Brentwood or Beverly Hills.

But that reminds of me of a great line from Woody Allen's Annie Hall. Allen's character (Alvy Singer) and Annie Hall are driving through Beverly Hills.

Annie Hall: "Everything is so clean around here."
Alvy Singer: "It's because they don't leave their garbage out, they just turn it into television shows."

I have to AGREE...Pasadena is MORE walkable than Silverlake. Other than a few spots on Sunset Blvd. there is not much of a cohesive commercial district in which to stroll in Silverlake.

Pasadena is laid out on a grid and has a charming downtown/main street area. Much of Silverlake's charm is its funky hillside homes with great views. But walkability is not one of its MAIN selling points.

And I will also grant that Pasadena is probably "cleaner" than Silverlake. More efficient city services in Pasadena than the byzantine City of LA.

[chocolatier]

Try the NOHO Arts District of North Hollywood. More bang for your bunk and there are some great spots.

[movingsoonnow]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

i never found silver lake to be "nice". to me, it's always been a grungy area of town that was inhabited by hipsters. silver lake is happening, but not really nice, at least not in the commercial areas. pasadena is much nicer and even more happening IMHO. silver lake isn't that walkable either, unless you live within a few blocks of sunset junction or rowena/hyperion. on the other hand, old town pasadena is one of the most walkable areas in all of LA. the decision for me would be based on work location. silver lake is in LA and close to downtown and hollywood. pasadena is more removed from LA, but also is a major employment center for the region.

also, i didn't know pasadena was considered eastside. Last I heard there was controversy over whether silver lake was east side since it's not east of the river.

I live right near La Cienega so anything east of like La Brea is Eastside to me.lol

I think Pasadena will def be more 'me' than Silverlake...thanks for all your replies.

[Daisy32673]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

i never found silver lake to be "nice". to me, it's always been a grungy area of town that was inhabited by hipsters. silver lake is happening, but not really nice, at least not in the commercial areas. pasadena is much nicer and even more happening IMHO. silver lake isn't that walkable either, unless you live within a few blocks of sunset junction or rowena/hyperion. on the other hand, old town pasadena is one of the most walkable areas in all of LA. the decision for me would be based on work location. silver lake is in LA and close to downtown and hollywood. pasadena is more removed from LA, but also is a major employment center for the region.

also, i didn't know pasadena was considered eastside. Last I heard there was controversy over whether silver lake was east side since it's not east of the river.

Same here! Every time I drive thru I keep asking why is this area up and coming? Very grungy and dirty looking

[rizorith]

I've lived in Silver Lake and am fairly often in Pasadena so I can probably give some decent advice.

Silverlake is definitely hipster central but if you like that then it's a great place to be. It is cohesive in the sense that all the areas of silverlake have the same vibe and people. However, there are 3 main areas of silverlake - sunset junction, sunset/silverlake blvd and the lake. The lake is awesome but there isn't much there in the way of restaurants and businesses. It is just about the most walkable area of LA short of the beach cities but it doesn't have 1 "downtown" area like Pasadena.

Pasadena is fine, I've considered moving there. But it's a bit too snobby and Orange Countyish. Silverlake prides itself on being different and independent. Pasadena is its own city but every time I go there I feel like their downtown is just sorta fake with all these chains and higher end stores. I'm not trashing it, just a vibe I get.

If you like silverlake I would also check out Los Feliz - Vermont and Hillhurst south of Los Feliz is more of a real neighborhood with stores and restaurants. Same vibe as silverlake and right next to it. a lot of crossover. If you want to save some money check out echo park and atwater village.

Hit me up if you have any specific questions as I've recently lived in Los Feliz and Glendale (stay the f*ck away, terrible town)

[Archie_Bunker]

Originally Posted by Daisy32673

Same here! Every time I drive thru I keep asking why is this area up and coming? Very grungy and dirty looking

Youse guys have no idea what real dirt or grime are like. Try spending a day in the South Bronx.

Silverlake is a bucolic paradise.

[movingsoonnow]

Originally Posted by Archie_Bunker

Youse guys have no idea what real dirt or grime are like. Try spending a day in the South Bronx.

Silverlake is a bucolic paradise.

Lol yea I'm sure but we're comparing places like Beverly Hills, Pasadena, and Silverlake.

Places like the South Bronx and South Central LA etc etc are for a whole nuther post.