Pasadena neighborhoods (San Gabriel, South Pasadena, Fillmore: middle-class, sales, cheap apartment)

[notdizzy]

The information on this discussion board has really been useful in narrowing down a place to live. I'm going to be moving to the LA area in a few months (but won't get a chance to fly out before then) and I've decided on somewhere in Pasadena. I'm a female soon-to-be-former grad student in my late 20s. Are there any parts of Pasadena that I should focus on (or, alternately, avoid)? So far, I've looking in particular at places around the Fillmore gold line stop/Glenarm St. and the Caltech/PCC campuses. Thanks.

[Sorcerer68]

Pasadena is a sensational place to live. There are a plethora of places to live near the gold line. Where you live of course depends entirely upon your budget. Are you buying or renting? How much can you afford? There are tons and tons of places. Are you looking for modern or old and charming? I lived in an older place in Old Pas and loved it. Tell me your budget and I'll help you proceed.

[lilypad]

I lived in a great little hidden place on Magnolia Street off Green St. in Pasadena years ago. I think is still there, they were townhouses with a little courtyard.

[notdizzy]

I'm hoping to rent a studio or 1BR for $1000-1200. As for old vs. new, I really don't have a preference either way. I'll be working a couple blocks from the center of Old Pasadena. Thanks.

[back_east]

I live in Pasadena, and the general advice is to avoid living in the quadrant of town that is N of the 210 and W of Lake Ave. This is a bit of an overgeneralization, as there are plenty of nice people who live in that part of town, which is one of the few parts of Pasadena where a small house might just barely still be affordable for a typical middle-class person. But I think it is safe to say that you should avoid taking a cheap apartment in that area.

As a fellow soon-to-be-former grad student, I can tell you that you should be able to find a studio or 1bedroom for $1000-1200, but you may have to look hard for a good one.
Also, you mentioned the Filmore gold line station: you may know this already, but the area west of that station is mostly commerical/industrial for a few blocks, so you'll probably only be finding housing in the blocks to the east of there. You may also want to check out South Pasadena, which also has some nice residential areas near the Gold line, if thats what you are looking for. But its kind of pricey there.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by notdizzy

The information on this discussion board has really been useful in narrowing down a place to live. I'm going to be moving to the LA area in a few months (but won't get a chance to fly out before then) and I've decided on somewhere in Pasadena. I'm a female soon-to-be-former grad student in my late 20s. Are there any parts of Pasadena that I should focus on (or, alternately, avoid)? So far, I've looking in particular at places around the Fillmore gold line stop/Glenarm St. and the Caltech/PCC campuses. Thanks.

if you like old architecture and want to be close to the gold line, try the area of so pasadena that is near mission ave, west of fair oaks, north of huntington drive, south of the 110. you could catch the gold line, walk to the pavilions or vons grocery stores, walk to buster's, starbucks coffee. there is also an old art deco like theater that shows movies on fair oaks bl. it is a very safe nrighborhood with downtown pasadena 1/2 mile north. good luck. i'm glad to see that professional people are still moving to cali instead of moving out.

[tired of being inside]

Originally Posted by wehotex

i'm glad to see that professional people are still moving to cali instead of moving out.

I hope you're not glad because hardly any such people still do! I am moving there with my wife and two young boys this July, my company transferred me to our downtown LA sales office. Frankly, I can't wait, though I'd be lying if I said some of the negative posts here (which seem 100% genuine) we're making me apprehensive...

This is an awesome forum, but I sure hope those who are positive are a lot more right than the negative!

[kidpsych]

South East, South West, and North East Pasadena are great places to live. Stay away from North West Pasadena. Pasadena has a great bus and light rail system. But it is pricey. I know there was a previous poster that said $1100 is doable. I wouldn't be so sure. More like $1200-1500 for studios and 1bd in the areas you mentioned. Look on craigslist and the pennysaver for listings. you can also contact coldwell banker realty any of the pasadena offices they often list residential rentals on the mls system. bryant companies in south pasadena also has TONS of apartment rentals they're located in south pasadena but list all over pasadena and adjacent areas.

[Sorcerer68]

Here's the chapest studio in Pasadena. I know the building, it's cute 40's with a colonial flair but you're basically in Old Pas. This will go fast.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/apa/326848155.html (broken link)
and the whole list:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sea...1200&bedrooms=

[Saintess]

I have to agree with kidpsych and back_east. I would say that East Pasadena is probably the best area of Pasadena to live in.

I was apt. hunting last year in Pasadena, but found an apartment in Sierra Madre (about 5-10 mins from East Pasadena) for $1200. These apartments were along Sierra Madre Blvd./San Gabriel to Sierra Madre Blvd./Baldwin. ON Sierra Madre Blvd.