Altadena (West Hollywood, Fair Oaks, Lincoln: how much, homes, neighborhoods)

[ewvdt]

We have lived on Loma Alta drive, West of Lake, for over 20 years and have loved it. NEVER any problems, great neighbors, fantastic hiking trails and fewer restrictions than Pasadena.
Pasadena USD schools have been on the upswing and under pressure to perform better.
Private schools are numerous s.a. Clairbourn, Polytech, La Canada Flintridge to name a few.
We've lived in Pasadena and Arcadia before that and love the rural atmosphere in Altadena.
Good luck!

[whatever78]

thanks. hiking trails are a big attraction to us. also supreme view of the mountains. good to hear the schools are improving.

[Sorcerer68]

My nephew goes to an elementary school in Altadena and it's rated not so good but they've done a sensational job with him and made some breakthroughs. He's 8 and mildly autistic. Before this school he never spent a full day at school. Yes, Altadena is very quiet. It's up against the mountains. You might find it to be your paradise. There are a gorgeous number of Jane's Cottages in Altadena.

I like Pasadena better as I find it's prettier. I will NOT tell you to catagorically avoid the Northwest. It has some gorgeous historic districts with active community associations...such as Orange Heights, Washington Square, Garfield Heights and ESPECIALLY Bungalow Heaven. Pasadena Highlands deserves a mention. Gotta love the gorgeous old street lights and huge trees in Pasadena. You may find something you can afford here, that's why I mention it. South of the freeway is more. Southwest Pasadena (especially Madison Heights) is pricy. East Pasadena east of Hill above the freeway is pretty nice. East Pasadena proper...not as pretty.

Highland Park...best to stay in the hills to the north and east. There are some sensational house bargains there right now as inventory is high. There are gorgeous old homes with great views that can be had for cheap right now.

Alhambra-nice but it's been discovered. Cute downtown. They've put a lot of effort into making it nicer. The northern part is the nicest.

[systerhuff]

I grew up in Altadena. Parents still live there. GREAT area if you get in the right section. Yes, DEFINITELY avoid west of lake. Check further up Lake though, with homes off to the side (above Mendecino on Lake), there are some nice schools up there. There is a private school there..High Point Academy, which is a good school. I actually went to private school in Pasadena (Polytechnic)..BEST school ever. But the tuition will run you around 20k a year now. But I think you'll have a hard time getting a nicer home for under 500k in the good areas of Altadena...almost impossible I think

[Lake Conroe resident]

LOL, Altadena nice?? I hope you don't have kids you plan on sending to school there... Do yourself a favor and drive by the local high schools where your kids will most likely be attending if you live in Altadena. Try driving by John Muir, Blairs or PHS. I would like to here your comments after doing so, oh and btw you may want to think about having bullet proof windows installed in your car...

[ewvdt]

Originally Posted by whatever78

thanks. hiking trails are a big attraction to us. also supreme view of the mountains. good to hear the schools are improving.

On the weekends and holidays you will find cars parked bumper to bumper at the top of Lake Ave. where people from all over come to hike the historic trails.
The same at Chaney Trail.
We go hiking there regularly and that is West of Lake.

[ewvdt]

Originally Posted by Lake Conroe resident

LOL, Altadena nice?? I hope you don't have kids you plan on sending to school there... Do yourself a favor and drive by the local high schools where your kids will most likely be attending if you live in Altadena. Try driving by John Muir, Blairs or PHS. I would like to here your comments after doing so, oh and btw you may want to think about having bullet proof windows installed in your car...

You moved to Texas? And when, if I may ask?
Yes, there are many negative people like yourself perpetuating the stereotype images, however, you will here (sic. your English) from me that there are opportunities if kids take the right courses and keep their eye on the ball (especially with the parents involved).
I had gotten to know many dedicated teachers and principals as I roamed the schools as a maintenance man.
You will always have kids that will be unruly, but bullet proof windows? Gimme a break!
I'm intimately familiar with this public school system.
One math and science teacher at Marshall high had his picture on the front page of Parade magazine a few years ago because of the positive results he had with his kids.

[ewvdt]

The thing I found rather troubling is when they decimated the industrial arts programs, like woodshop, metalshop, autoshop etc. in favor of computer labs, because these programs would show students the need for math and reading.

[DawnW]

She has already said that her husband works in a Catholic school and she plans to send her children there.

Just west of Lake is actually nice. I wouldn't go too far West, but some of those areas within a block or two of Lake, north of Washington, are very nice.

Dawn

Originally Posted by Lake Conroe resident

LOL, Altadena nice?? I hope you don't have kids you plan on sending to school there... Do yourself a favor and drive by the local high schools where your kids will most likely be attending if you live in Altadena. Try driving by John Muir, Blairs or PHS. I would like to here your comments after doing so, oh and btw you may want to think about having bullet proof windows installed in your car...

[whatever78]

Thanks, I think you understand what we're looking for...character on a budget. thanks everyone else too, for your input!

Originally Posted by Sorcerer68

My nephew goes to an elementary school in Altadena and it's rated not so good but they've done a sensational job with him and made some breakthroughs. He's 8 and mildly autistic. Before this school he never spent a full day at school. Yes, Altadena is very quiet. It's up against the mountains. You might find it to be your paradise. There are a gorgeous number of Jane's Cottages in Altadena.

I like Pasadena better as I find it's prettier. I will NOT tell you to catagorically avoid the Northwest. It has some gorgeous historic districts with active community associations...such as Orange Heights, Washington Square, Garfield Heights and ESPECIALLY Bungalow Heaven. Pasadena Highlands deserves a mention. Gotta love the gorgeous old street lights and huge trees in Pasadena. You may find something you can afford here, that's why I mention it. South of the freeway is more. Southwest Pasadena (especially Madison Heights) is pricy. East Pasadena east of Hill above the freeway is pretty nice. East Pasadena proper...not as pretty.

Highland Park...best to stay in the hills to the north and east. There are some sensational house bargains there right now as inventory is high. There are gorgeous old homes with great views that can be had for cheap right now.

Alhambra-nice but it's been discovered. Cute downtown. They've put a lot of effort into making it nicer. The northern part is the nicest.