San Gabriel Valley - I'm interested in it! (Pasadena, El Monte: for rent, homes)

[Tiger Beer]

I'm basically a caucasian guy with an asian wife.... and I've lived in Asia for over ten years. I'm thinking of going back somewhere to the States in the future, and have a few different areas in mind.

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY is high on the list. The housing prices look as outrageous as I would imagine being it is Southern California. However, the high population of Asian in the valley is very attractive.

I looked up Rosemead, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Arcadia, Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights, South Pasadena, Temple City, North El Monte and Monterey Park. How are these areas? It sounds like they are all unwalkable car-oriented places, is that the case? I have however heard that Alhambra does have some of downtown area? Is that the case?

I haven't been to SGV before, so no idea what it might look like. I have been all around other parts of L.A. and O.C., including the Korean and Vietnamese areas which basically look like very long streets of either ALL Korean or Vietnamese stores, and very car-oriented, meaning you want to be driving your car down these streets, as opposed to just browsing around on foot exploring it all. Is this also the case in the SGV? Are there any areas that are NOT like that?

Are there certain areas to completely avoid for whatever reason? What are people's assessments in general of these different areas of teh SGV?

[VillageLife]

Hi Tiger Beer! love that combo

I mentioned about the SGV not too long ago.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/los-a...ino-hills.html

Feel free to send me a message!

[RPEP09]

I used to live in Monterey park. I would say that you most definitely do need a car in the SGV. Alhambra has a small downtown that you can walk around in but you have to drive to get there. All the cities you mentioned are pretty nice but some have their not so nice sides. Have you thought about visiting?

[VillageLife]

Originally Posted by RPEP09

I used to live in Monterey park. I would say that you most definitely do need a car in the SGV. Alhambra has a small downtown that you can walk around in but you have to drive to get there. All the cities you mentioned are pretty nice but some have their not so nice sides. Have you thought about visiting?

I believe that anywhere you go there is a not so nice areas.But what does it mean? And that depends on some. Some think that the ocean is not so nice sides. When I travel, I use my judgement. I have asked people what they think of a certain area. If they tell me it's this or that is not good. I would ask why. But everyone perceives life differently.
So it's better to see if for themselves. I just tell you what is going on in that city and it's your choice to go or not to go.
I am not arguing but just making a point.
You are right about needing a car in SGV or anywhere else in L.A.
I have a friend who went back to N.Y. Because it takes too long to do everything in L.A. Which is why I do everything in my area.

[Macross21]

Those cities you mentioned all seem to be holding their housing prices fairly well in these rough times. Some could make the case that it's actually more expensive to live in those areas mostly due to Asians wanting to live in these cities to be close to other Asians which is keeping demand high. You could find larger homes for a cheaper price not too far from these areas but you're not going to get that "Asian" feeling.

I've spent months in China and Taiwan for the past few years and there really isn't anyplace like that in LA but the closest you'll find is SGV. You won't be able to walk down from your home and pick up groceries or find a taxi. But you will be able to find an abundant amount of chinese restuarants filled into the late night, you can also find all the foods you'll find in those groceries here, and yes you'll hear chinese and many other Asian languages spoken everywhere you go. Unfortunately however there's no night markets here.

I do think in the next few years the SGV will have areas that are similar to Asia where there's mix use development and walking will be more of the norm. I know that Monterey park has three large mix use developments u/c or planned within 1/4 mile. Alhambra has 5 mix use projects planned within 1/4 mile aswell. San Gabriel is also planning a large mix use project within an area already populated with many shops.

In summary SVG is the closest you'll get to Asia living in LA.

[Tiger Beer]

That is great news Macross21! I like to hear that mix use development is occurring.

Anyone have any photos they've taken within the San Gabriel Valley and the communities, etc.?

[VillageLife]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

That is great news Macross21! I like to hear that mix use development is occurring.

Anyone have any photos they've taken within the San Gabriel Valley and the communities, etc.?

Macross21 practically summarized it all!

The housing market here has gone down at least 20%,some have not. Arcadia and San Marino are doing better. Some listings that are over a million or more would be in escrow in a week. That happens in my office.

There is another area which is Rowland Heights and Hacienda Heights and East of that too you might want to visit.

[the one]

as most people have said the areas listed in the SGV are mostly residential and suburban. they do have major thorough fares, but the pedestrian vibe is only found in pasadena and small pockets of other cities like s.pasdena and alhambra.
i would recomend any of those, but even then its not all asian. thast more monterrey park which is not so walkable.

or chinatown. which is only majority chinese during the day.

[VillageLife]

Originally Posted by the one

as most people have said the areas listed in the SGV are mostly residential and suburban. they do have major thorough fares, but the pedestrian vibe is only found in pasadena and small pockets of other cities like s.pasdena and alhambra.
i would recomend any of those, but even then its not all asian. thast more monterrey park which is not so walkable.

or chinatown. which is only majority chinese during the day.

It's Asian day or night. I don't see how it can be only daytime
That's where people live

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by Macross21

I do think in the next few years the SGV will have areas that are similar to Asia where there's mix use development and walking will be more of the norm. I know that Monterey park has three large mix use developments u/c or planned within 1/4 mile. Alhambra has 5 mix use projects planned within 1/4 mile aswell. San Gabriel is also planning a large mix use project within an area already populated with many shops.

In summary SVG is the closest you'll get to Asia living in LA.

That is one of the biggest things I've missed about Asia whenever I've went back to the U.S. I miss the mix use.

I love that fact that people can own a building, live on the top floor, and have a small business on the bottom floor. I think it keeps families much more intact.

The U.S. system is generaly more, you live way over in this residential, and drive way over to some business district, and pay a fortune for renting something in a mall, etc.

Anyways, I don't know if it would be THAT mix use, but anything is better than the incredibly zoned districtions we have now.