Reframing the question about Pasadena: Compare it to San Diego (Irvine: apartment, homes)

[Laocoön]

To try to better understand the unknown by comparing it to a known quantity...

In terms of quality of life, safety, and general lifestyle considerations... (Realizing that Pasadena doesn't have beaches and bays, but rather mountains, of course)...

How does PASADENA compare with SAN DIEGO?

Perhaps there is a comparison that could be drawn with La Jolla, Encinitas, Pacific/Mission Beach, or some SD area.

[True Freedom]

I've lived in SD (UTC, PB, Hillcrest, Mission Hills, La Playa) and Pasadena each for a decade. I'll give you my perspective.

Pasadena is a much more compact city. Most anything you'll need is very close, so you won't spend nearly as much time (or miles) in your car. While having many beautiful single family neighborhoods, Pasadena is much more urban.

Pasadena is much more diverse... ethnically and socioeconomically... and is more "patchy".. meaning areas change quite quickly. In SD, you do have lower income or Latino parts of town, but they are "way over there". Whereas, in Pasadena, you can drive a few miles and go from $5M homes to low-income areas.

SD culture is predominantly dominated by the beach and outdoor recreation. Pasadena's culture seems to be influenced by much more.. there's alot of history here, arts are very strong (Norton Simon, Asia Pacific Museum, etc), Rose Parade, architecture (Pasadena showcase house) and gardening are popular (Huntington gardens, LA Arboretum), outdoors (hiking, biking, etc)

Pasadena has a much stronger feeling of community than I ever felt in SD. Pasadena has many residents and families that have been here for decades. There's alot of old money here as well. In Pasadena, you'll likely get to know your neighbors very well, chat up shopkeepers, etc. In San Diego, most folks seemed to keep to themselves more and do their own thing.. yet were friendly about it.

San Diego, folks are definitely more relaxed. Pasadena, while not like the rest of LA (esp the West Side), is influenced some by the hectic pace of LA... though it still feels like a small town in many respects.

We contemplated moving back to SD; however, after getting used to the patchiness and compactness... I do much prefer Pasadena... seems much more interesting. Feels more like home; however, if I were young and single.. I'd move back to PB in a heartbeat

of course, these are just my opinions, which contain some generalizations that may not match other's experiences.. depending on which parts of either town you've lived in, etc.. so your mileage may vary

[SalParadise]

Very good summary by True Freedom. I've lived in Pasadena. Never lived in SD but have several good friends that live (or have lived) in PB/La Jolla/Encintas.

I did grow up in the LA area so I don't find Pasadena's "sketchy" areas to be much of an issue at all. Pretty tame by LA standards. But it is true that you can go from rich to poor very quickly in Pasadena.

[windnsea00]

I always notice the "patchy" factor when in LA, it's something that is not quite as common in SD. Nonetheless, LA is a much bigger metro area (the county while nearly identical in geographical square miles has ~3.2x the people) so it's more "happening" and diverse. SD has greatly improved in this aspect but is still up and coming. Also, the entertainment industry is sewn into the region's vibe which you won't see down south.

Pasadena is a town so it would be better compared to a part of San Diego such as Mission Hills. It's a beautiful area with great styled homes, a bit more of a mature area for a young person (not sure of your age) other than the nightlife in the downtown part.

Pacific Beach is mostly a young college like area, lots of partying...a bit immature for my likes and I am 25. I do like the density factor where you can get around by foot or bike for the most part. Mission Beach has a bit of the PB side to it mixed with old timers living the relaxed beach/bay lifestyle.

Encinitas is a beautiful coastal town, very laid back but rather small. La Jolla proper is very expensive and comparable to an area like Beverly Hills. The outskirts near the malls and UCSD are full of apartment buildings with 20 and 30 year olds but it's a residential/business area so once the sun sets you would want to hop elsewhere, akin to Irvine if you are familiar with that area.

[Laocoön]

I have lived in San Diego, so I am very familiar. Have only visited Pasadena. I am 40 y/o. Not looking for nightlife per se. Mainly looking to evaluate overall quality of life, safety, those kinds of things.

Thanks for the input so far. Would like to see which neighborhoods in SD might compare to Pasadena, so I can compare a known quantity with an unknown.