Job opportunity in Alhambra... neighborhood suggestions? (Los Angeles, San Diego: rentals, crime, houses)

[Bluefox]

Hi Everyone,

I have a job offer up in Alhambra that I'm probably going to accept. I'm a little bit overwhelmed by the magnitude of LA and I've only been up there a handful of times so I'm hoping you guys can help me narrow down my options down a bit.

I'm male, gay, late-20s, currently living in a really awesome, walkable neighborhood in San Diego. I'd ideally like to find the same thing in LA. Alhambra seemed like a really nice area with some nice tree-lined streets and a cool little downtown but it seems like mostly families and not too many young professionals. I like it in a "maybe in 15 years" kinda way :P.

I spoke with a few friends up there who recommended Echo Park/Silver Lake, Los Feliz and Pasadena. WeHo looks like it's out of the question - I don't think I'd want to deal with that commute. Looking at google maps it seems like Echo Park and Los Feliz are about 13 miles away from where I'd be working. But realistically speaking, what would the commute be like in traffic? Would I benefit from a "reverse commute" if such a thing exists?

Pasadena seems nice as well and a lot closer to Alhambra, but is there a lot going on up there? I didn't get a chance to really drive around and see what it was like. If it's pretty much just like Alhambra, I imagine I might as well just live in Alhambra and save myself the commute :P

I'm looking for a 1BR and my budget is up to 1400-1500 though ideally I'd like to not have to spend that much. I did a cursory review of rentals on craigslist and it seems like Echo Park and Los Feliz are a bit less expensive than Pasadena, but then again I don't put a great deal of faith in craigslist. Can anyone confirm this?

Finally, any other neighborhood suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Spikett]

Pasadena is a lot nicer than Echo Park. Los Feliz is nice but a lot of places that claim to be Los Feliz are really eastern Hollywood. Pasadena City College is a good sized school and that student element gives Pasadena a younger vibe than Alhambra has.

[loloroj]

Jees, what the hell is that you want? Alhambra is just fine, my dad moved there after my mom died and he wanted to get back to Socal, so I'm familiar with it. Are you looking for the all night, bust out the maracas BS of the West Hollywood area? Well no, it ain't that, but Alhambra is a lot cheaper to live in then that overcrowded, overhyped nonsense of the west side. Maybe if you have some idea of what it is that you're after, is it easier, cheaper living, or is it some orgy till your face fall off lifestyle? You're going to have to give up one thing for the other. And if you're living in Socal, the sensible thing to do is live where you work. Alhambra is much closer to your price range than what you'll find on the West Side, or even Los Feliz. And why in hell would you want to spend so much on gas and car destruction to live in a putative hip area, that aint that at all????

[Bluefox]

Well I certainly don't nor have ever had orgies and I don't have to even live in a gay area. I just want to be in an area that is walkable, has some nightlife and a little bit of character. Alhambra just seems like a quieter, more family-oriented suburban area. If that's not the case by all means tell me more.

[ccm123]

Pasadena would be a good choice. The commute to Alhambra is not that far. Pasadena has a lot more going for it, than Alhambra does.

[Voyageuse]

Your assessment of Alhambra is correct. There aren't a lot of things to do in the city, but it is quiet, family-oriented, and reasonably-priced. You could live/work there and play/spend your money in Pasadena.

I've lived in both cities. Though a little boring, Alhambra has lower crime and the cops are more responsive. Pasadena is nosier and has higher crime. In the past two five months, three houses in my expensive, Pasadena neighborhood (91105) have experienced break-ins. All things being equal, I do prefer Pasadena, even with its quirks, but with two children, I do find the crime a bit disconcerting.

[loloroj]

Originally Posted by Bluefox

Well I certainly don't nor have ever had orgies and I don't have to even live in a gay area. I just want to be in an area that is walkable, has some nightlife and a little bit of character. Alhambra just seems like a quieter, more family-oriented suburban area. If that's not the case by all means tell me more.

ALL cities in Socal are walkable, have some nightlife and have a bit of character. That by no means defines what you want, or are looking for, in terms of what you've laid out. I'm going off the choices that YOU posted in your OP, either West Hollywood, Los Feliz, or Alhambra, and the amount you're willing to pay. Those cities are vastly different from each other, though they all have walkable nightlife inhabited by characters. My point still holds, you're not going to get exactly what you want, that's life. Live where you work, save yourself the money and headaches of pointless commutes, the rest will fall into place....

BTW, Alhambra is a big city, with different demographics and amenities. The closer you get to Los Angeles, either along Huntington Drive or Valley Blvd, the more working class and affordable it becomes. The closer you get to San Marino or North San Garbriel, the more expensive and gentrified it turns out to be. Same with Pasadena, same with Los Feliz, and probably West Hollywood as well. That doesn't make them bad, each will have their own vibe and walkability. But again, my advice still holds, depending on where you'll be working in Alhambra, there are areas where you can easily afford to live, where you can walk to work. That should be your main concern.....

[ccm123]

Another great neighborhood close to Alhambra is South Pasadena (aka - "South Pas"). It is a different city than Pasadena, has a cute Downtown on Mission Blvd and is served by the Metro Gold Line. It is a safe, professional, upper-middle class area and reminds me of the fictiticious town of "Mayberry" or in the Bay Area, perhaps Pleasanton.

[Bluefox]

Originally Posted by Voyageuse

Your assessment of Alhambra is correct. There aren't a lot of things to do in the city, but it is quiet, family-oriented, and reasonably-priced. You could live/work there and play/spend your money in Pasadena.

I've lived in both cities. Though a little boring, Alhambra has lower crime and the cops are more responsive. Pasadena is nosier and has higher crime. In the past two five months, three houses in my expensive, Pasadena neighborhood (91105) have experienced break-ins. All things being equal, I do prefer Pasadena, even with its quirks, but with two children, I do find the crime a bit disconcerting.

That's interesting. So despite the crime, what is it about Pasadena that makes you prefer it over Alhambra?

[Bluefox]

Originally Posted by loloroj

ALL cities in Socal are walkable, have some nightlife and have a bit of character. That by no means defines what you want, or are looking for, in terms of what you've laid out. I'm going off the choices that YOU posted in your OP, either West Hollywood, Los Feliz, or Alhambra, and the amount you're willing to pay. Those cities are vastly different from each other, though they all have walkable nightlife inhabited by characters. My point still holds, you're not going to get exactly what you want, that's life. Live where you work, save yourself the money and headaches of pointless commutes, the rest will fall into place....

BTW, Alhambra is a big city, with different demographics and amenities. The closer you get to Los Angeles, either along Huntington Drive or Valley Blvd, the more working class and affordable it becomes. The closer you get to San Marino or North San Garbriel, the more expensive and gentrified it turns out to be. Same with Pasadena, same with Los Feliz, and probably West Hollywood as well. That doesn't make them bad, each will have their own vibe and walkability. But again, my advice still holds, depending on where you'll be working in Alhambra, there are areas where you can easily afford to live, where you can walk to work. That should be your main concern.....

Fair enough. Like I said I don't really know anything about the LA area so you have to pardon my ignorance. But you have to know that not everywhere in So Cal is walkable. In most areas of SD you pretty much drive everywhere. I'm lucky to live in a pretty dense urban area where I can walk to bars, coffee shops, my gym, the convenience store, etc. The only time I really use my car is to go to work, grocery shopping or to do outdoor stuff. The demographics are mostly younger families with small children, students and young professionals. I'm just trying to see if I can find something similar up there.