Air quality and heat in Highland Park, Los Angeles (Pasadena: to buy, restaurants)

[marcobed]

I get why Highland Park is becoming more gentrified every single year.

It's historical, walkable, there's light rail, it's not far from downtown, there are interesting people, restaurants, clubs, and it still has some gritty and urban realness. Housing prices are insane, and anyone who has rich parents and a part-time job as a stylist/brewer/artist is trying to buy a home.

What I wonder is why every time I go there I'm gasping for air? Compared to even Pasadena next to it, the air quality in Highland Park seems to be much worse. And walking along Figueroa on a 90-degree-day, there are few trees, the air is thick with pollutants and a lack of oxygen.

Does anyone else have these impressions of HP?

[saybanana]

Maybe you are just mentally allergic to Highland Park.

I go to Highland Park a lot, and dont notice any difference. The differences in elevation from South Pasadena/Pasadena are very small. Compared to Downtown I think these areas are about 300 feet higher in elevation. Except for the 110 Parkway, which isn't bad in terms of congestion compared to Pasadena and other areas with huge freeways with lots of big trucks, also Highland Park is a residential suburbs rather than an area with lots of office business/industrial parts, there is no big source of extra pollution.

Highland Park also has a lot of greenery. Not a lot compared to South Pasadena or parts of Pasadena, but a lot compared to inner suburbs of LA. You can see it every time you drive the 110 or take the light rail as you pass through many large parks with huge sycamore oak trees.

So maybe it is just in your head and it causes a reaction.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by marcobed

I get why Highland Park is becoming more gentrified every single year.

It's historical, walkable, there's light rail, it's not far from downtown, there are interesting people, restaurants, clubs, and it still has some gritty and urban realness. Housing prices are insane, and anyone who has rich parents and a part-time job as a stylist/brewer/artist is trying to buy a home.

What I wonder is why every time I go there I'm gasping for air? Compared to even Pasadena next to it, the air quality in Highland Park seems to be much worse. And walking along Figueroa on a 90-degree-day, there are few trees, the air is thick with pollutants and a lack of oxygen.

Does anyone else have these impressions of HP?

Air quality in SoCal is bad most of the time. Not as bad as the 60's and 70's but still bad. You can't see the bad air like you used to, unless you are flying in, then it is a blanket over the area.