Alhambra - Any Information Would Be Greatly Appreicated! (Los Angeles, Pasadena: apartment, rental)

[mrg322]

I am moving with my long-time boyfriend/best friend in mid to late June. I've been accepted into two law schools, Loyola and Southwestern, and am planning a trip out there soon to look around some neighborhoods closer to the schools than Alhambra is. However, my research into the areas has put Alhambra near the top of my list when it comes to the demographics of the area and its relatively safer location in the near downtown suburb areas of L.A. If you are a current or prospective Alhambra resident, I'd love to hear back from you. I am especially looking for information on rental (home, condo and apartment) availability and rental rates. Any information on major streets/freeways that lead from Alhambra to downtown L.A. would be great as well. But I a would be happy with anything you all can give, quality of life, social settings, safety and crime in the area, etc...

Thanks in advance for any future responses! :

[Macross21]

It's a safe city as it's majority is Asian though it seems many young White families are moving in. Demographics have changed quite a bit as not too long ago it was predominantly a Latino city but this population has gone from the high 30% in the early 90s to now in the low 20%. The same can be said for the neigboring cities of Monterey Park and San Gabriel.

There's lots of older 1950s spanish style homes that are mostly well kept which gives the area a nice historic feel in the residential neigborhoods. The major commerial streets are full of mom and pop stores which makes it somewhat walkable.

There's lots of good Chinese food if that's what you're into. Many restaurants open until midnight and even 4a thus you can find many people out late at night having dinner. I'll never forget this but I was craving for Chinese and when to a restaurant in Alhambra on a Tuesday at 10:30p and had to wait 30mins to get a table because the place was full. I almost thought it was a weekend.

I suggest with anywhere you decide to live, come spend a day or two there especially at night to get a true sense of what the city has to offer and how safe it is.

[edwardius]

You might find spending a little time here useful.

LA Life - Find Your Place in Los Angeles

[timelesschild]

Those lovely spanish-style houses are 1920's. They really are pretty.

The neighborhood we are in is really, really nice - economically stable and prosperous - well-kept - great ethnic diversity. The two main commercial streets are Main and Valley. Really great for Chinese food, imports, etc., as well as more mainstream suburban stuff like Costco, Appleby's, and Target. It feels totally safe 24 hours a day, and the neighbors are friendly. Of course I can only speak from my own experience in my own little corner of things.

The best predictor of rental rates - as usual - is craigslist.

I don't have any experience in getting to Loyola or the other school, so can't tell you with any precision what the best routes would be.... unfortunately.... but here are some sort of general observations: For getting downtown, it really depends on where you want to get TO, downtown... but Valley is a good way. Or you can take Huntington to Mission to Main, and down that way. OR you can take Valley to the 710 to the 10, or take the 10 itself from whatever point. Sometimes the 110 works out, but lots of times it's a nightmare.

Also, the Gold Line has a station in nearby South Pasadena, or the Metrolink has a station at Cal State LA.

[Boid]

mrg322,

I live in Alhambra, I attended Southwestern, and studied for the bar exam at Loyola. Plus, I moved here from Tucson, so am also from Arizona. We have a lot in common.

Alhambra is very diverse - predominantly Asian, many Hispanics, several Whites, and a little of everything else. If you are into the law school social scene, Alhambra is not "cool" in that sense. If that doesn't matter to you, Alhambra is a nice, laid back place that will take you about a half hour to get to either Loyola or Southwestern. I like Alhambra a lot. Depending on what your expectations are and what kind of neighborhood you are coming from, Alhambra may not seem as nice and clean as Arizona. If you wanted something a little nicer than Alhambra but in this area, I'd recommened South Pasadena which is a little up the socio-economic ladder from Alhambra, but similar commute times and closer access to the Metro Gold Line if that is something you would use. The Gold Line connects to the Red Line at Union Station and the Red Line goes right to Southwestern.

Given all we could talk about, I'd be happy to talk to you via the phone or email if you want to send me a pm.

[VillageLife]

Very well explained by everyone.

There's lots of new development along Main Street from east of fremont and west of Garfield. It looks very much like old town pasadena with lots of new shops,bars,Italian Restaurants,A nice walk to have a feel of the area around it. Many Mixed usage high rise.With residential areas at the top floors and shops at the bottom
From South of Huntington Drive,the bean track all the way down before the 10. There is a nice hilly side too.

[alaplex]

You didn't say where you are moving from so your point of reference is critical. Say you are moving from a normal midwestern town. You won't like Alhambra. Many Chinese and Mexican and many streets are kind of dumpy, although there are a few neighborhoods that are ok. Check the area out because a mile north you are in South Pasadena (beautiful) and just north of that is Pasadena (nice area). You will find that Chinese like things kept a certain way and don't like development and their stores can be a bit unsanitary compared to American standards. I know this because my wife is Chinese and we shop in Alhambra often (very inexpensive). We are considering a move to Pasadena so my wife can be close to Alhambra, although personally I would not live there.

[VillageLife]

Originally Posted by alaplex

You didn't say where you are moving from so your point of reference is critical. Say you are moving from a normal midwestern town. You won't like Alhambra. Many Chinese and Mexican and many streets are kind of dumpy, although there are a few neighborhoods that are ok. Check the area out because a mile north you are in South Pasadena (beautiful) and just north of that is Pasadena (nice area). You will find that Chinese like things kept a certain way and don't like development and their stores can be a bit unsanitary compared to American standards. I know this because my wife is Chinese and we shop in Alhambra often (very inexpensive). We are considering a move to Pasadena so my wife can be close to Alhambra, although personally I would not live there.

Sorry,but you can't generalize all Asians as unsanitary.

[pbergen]

Originally Posted by alaplex

You didn't say where you are moving from so your point of reference is critical. Say you are moving from a normal midwestern town. You won't like Alhambra. Many Chinese and Mexican and many streets are kind of dumpy, although there are a few neighborhoods that are ok. Check the area out because a mile north you are in South Pasadena (beautiful) and just north of that is Pasadena (nice area). You will find that Chinese like things kept a certain way and don't like development and their stores can be a bit unsanitary compared to American standards. I know this because my wife is Chinese and we shop in Alhambra often (very inexpensive). We are considering a move to Pasadena so my wife can be close to Alhambra, although personally I would not live there.

so being married to an asian person makes you an expert on all asians and their standards for cleanliness?

riiiighhhhtt...interesting to say the least...

[OCADA]

I'm looking to buy a house in the pasadena area and Alhambra has come up.

I've looked at Sopas(likely out of my price range), North Pasadena(nice at times, but sketchy at times and bad schools) and Pasadena(houses are pricey, but condo's aren't bad.)

How would you guys rate Alhambra compared to those areas? Would you consider it a good value?