Buying a house in Altadena (Pasadena, Beverly Hills: rent, work, schools)

[zhuk77]

I am looking into making an offer on a house one block east of Fair Oaks in Altadena. The street itself looks great, but it's supposedly only a block away from where it turns into not-so-great. Is it really dangerous? Has anyone had any run-ins with Altadena crime in that area? Also, if I had to choose between North West Pasadena, and aforementioned area of Altadena, which one is safer?

[CESpeed]

I don't know much about Altadena but I know that Pasadena and the majority of the surrounding area is very nice.

[calipoppy]

The neighborhoods of Altadena can be a little tricky. To be such a small community you can go from the slums to multimillion dollar homes in only a few streets(case in point...the house on Beverly Hills 90210 was actually located in Altadena)

Fair Oaks (once you get north of the 210) isn't that great of an area...a few spots may be decent. The area gets better North of Altadena Dr. but beware of coyotes and rattlesnakes if you have pets and small children) My best advice for buying in Altadena would be to really take the time to drive around the community during different times of the day.

[Coop01]

Good advise from calipoppy. Drive around the area. Especially on weekend nights. Listen for loud parties. Check out the action on Fair Oaks Ave. See where the riffraff hang out. Check very carefully for gang grafitti and signs of grafitti removal on street signs, curbs, bus stops, walls and businesses.
Don't be afraid to stop and approach a future neighbor working in the front yard. Ask them questions about the area, schools crime, homeless and transients.
Check out this website scroll down to the map and see if any of your future neighbors have been recently arrested.
Altadena Crime News - Free Arrest Records in Altadena
Check out the Megan's law website for sexual predators and their location
Look for abandoned shopping carts. Junk cars parked on the street.
If you see people walking their dogs and strollers during the evening, that's a good sign that residents feel safe. Try to get a handle on the next door neighbors both sides and back. A neighbor from hell can trump a lot of good data.
Why did the former owners move?
This is a big investment and judging by the economy, you will be living there for a long time. Altadena can be a very nice community.

[calipoppy]

This is really great advice by Coop01...taking that extra step could mean the difference between many happy years in Altadena or pure misery. Trust me. I used to spend my weekends at my aunt and uncle's home in Altadena growing up and that beautiful neighborhood has changed for the worst.

There is some gentrification happening in Northern Pasadena and Altadena, however, this has slowed a bit with the downturn in the RE market. My advice would be...if you can't afford a better neighborhood wait a bit more and save more money. It will make all the difference in the years to come.

If you want to be north of the 210 consider going a little farther east into Pasadena.These neighborhoods get nicer but the pricing may still be reasonable(relatively speaking) But in Altadena, try to stay north of Altadena Dr or east of Lake near Eaton Canyon.

Originally Posted by Coop01

Good advise from calipoppy. Drive around the area. Especially on weekend nights. Listen for loud parties. Check out the action on Fair Oaks Ave. See where the riffraff hang out. Check very carefully for gang grafitti and signs of grafitti removal on street signs, curbs, bus stops, walls and businesses.
Don't be afraid to stop and approach a future neighbor working in the front yard. Ask them questions about the area, schools crime, homeless and transients.
Check out this website scroll down to the map and see if any of your future neighbors have been recently arrested.
Altadena Crime News - Free Arrest Records in Altadena
Check out the Megan's law website for sexual predators and their location
Look for abandoned shopping carts. Junk cars parked on the street.
If you see people walking their dogs and strollers during the evening, that's a good sign that residents feel safe. Try to get a handle on the next door neighbors both sides and back. A neighbor from hell can trump a lot of good data.
Why did the former owners move?
This is a big investment and judging by the economy, you will be living there for a long time. Altadena can be a very nice community.

[Lake Conroe resident]

If you have kids drive by the schools at about 2:30 when they let out, if it looks like too rowdy of a crowd then move on... Better yet drive by John Muir HS when they get out as these folks will be your neighbors. Let us know what you think...

[zhuk77]

Thank you all for your contribution. I did drive around later in the evening, and the proximity to Fair Oaks scared me a bit more. I already tried to live in an area that was seemingly ok, but near a "not such great" block and got robbed a month after moving in, around Koreatown. It can happen everywhere, of course but some risks can be avoided. You are right, if it means waiting for a house that's in a better area of the same city, it might be worth the wait.