Moving to pasadena- need pasadena residents input

[ViOli]

ghost123, we live in Pasadena and have two elementary age children. There is NO WAY we would put them in public school out here. PUSD is terrible. Even those so-called "good" schools are not good enough, imo. Yes, we have friends who have been happy with their public school choice but I have not been impressed with what I see their children doing in school. My husband happens to work near one of those highly desired public schools and he sees the students on the streets unsupervised, smoking, causing trouble - and this is NOT a high school. The buildings are poorly kept up and old. The school near our house is a charming brick schoolhouse but the playground is cracked, the play equipment outdated and old, the facilities themselves need a serious overhaul. Kids often attend classes in trailers b/c there's no room in the building.

If you need to utilize the public school system, then I would advise you to spend the extra money on a house in La Canada, South Pasadena or San Marino. You will get a quality public education there. Otherwise, be prepared to pay for private school in Pasadena (and there are a lot of options for private, which is one bonus).

[comicone999]

I lived in Pasadena for 4 years. It's a great place for families. A lot of places do shut down at 9:00 pm and it's definitely a place where you can expect to know your neighbors.

[ccm123]

I lived in Pasadena (near Cal Tech and also in East Pasadena) and South Pasadena (near Fair Oaks and Mission) for several years while I was in Southern California. Definitely, one of the best areas in Southern California. The area is convenient (shopping, museums, nightlife, golf courses) and diverse and has history.

It is also relatively safe. The only drawback is the warmer summers, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages by far.

If I ever returned to Southern California, I would consider Pasadena/South Pasadena in a heartbeat.