Haddonfield, NJ or Pasadena, CA? (real estate, house, neighborhood)

[Lifeisgood13]

My husband and I are considering making a move with our two boys to either of these places. We like the Northeast for its culture, 4 Seasons, and proximity to NYC and Philly. We like Pasadena because of the CA lifestyle, the weather, and things to do. Above all, we want to be part of a community that is family focused and has great schools. We could afford a home for about $600,000 but don't know if that would get us in the right neighborhood. Has anyone lived in both states before? What would you say are the differences, the pros and cons? California has traffic and NJ has high taxes but what else can we contemplate?

[MoorestownResident]

Haddonfield, one of the best school systems in the state, great area. 600K in Cali is chump change, don't do it.

[Lifeisgood13]

We will definitely consider your advice for I have read many of your posts. Initially we considered Moorestown because of the Money Mag article, we visited and liked it! Then an article came out about Haddonfield so we had to visit. We liked the walkable downtown for the family, kids riding on bikes in the neighborhood, and the train that is quick to Philly. When you put it like that about the schools-kinda sways us back to the NE-not to mention the chump change part.

[Gerania]

I have never been to Pasadena, find this a difficult question to answer. I once had the opportunity to stay in Carmel (for less than a year) and loved it, though could not afford to live there indefinitely. I now live in NJ, not Haddonfield, but have visited many times.

Those two places are so different from each other that I'm not sure how they have made the final cut - southwestern and relatively warm, northeastern with a snowy winter. What is your background, experience? You've lived in both sorts of places?

Hadddonfield is a lovely town with good schools and a strong sense of history, community. I would imagine that the lifestyle, attitude are quite different from each other.

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by Lifeisgood13

We will definitely consider your advice for I have read many of your posts. Initially we considered Moorestown because of the Money Mag article, we visited and liked it! Then an article came out about Haddonfield so we had to visit. We liked the walkable downtown for the family, kids riding on bikes in the neighborhood, and the train that is quick to Philly. When you put it like that about the schools-kinda sways us back to the NE-not to mention the chump change part.

You are wise to consider my advice

Good luck!

[luckyshoes]

I didn't think Pasadena had great schools. It's one of those huge "Unified School Districts" and with all of the budget problems in California right now, I can't imagine things will be getting better there anytime soon.

[BobKovacs]

I can't comment on the schools in Pasadena, but I've spent plenty of time there and it would definitely be my choice over Haddonfield, assuming the schools pass muster. $600k didn't buy you much in CA at the peak, but you may do pretty well with that amount now- it'll likely go further in Haddonfield at the moment, though.

The CA lifestyle and weather really can't be beat, IMO, but you've got to be able to afford it, which it sounds like you might be able to do.

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

I can't comment on the schools in Pasadena, but I've spent plenty of time there and it would definitely be my choice over Haddonfield, assuming the schools pass muster. $600k didn't buy you much in CA at the peak, but you may do pretty well with that amount now- it'll likely go further in Haddonfield at the moment, though.

The CA lifestyle and weather really can't be beat, IMO, but you've got to be able to afford it, which it sounds like you might be able to do.

I have to agree with Bob 100%. But it's all subjective.

[BergenCountyJohnny]

Pasadena. Especially if you like the CA lifestyle. Pasadena is one of the nicest towns anywhere, and one of the nicest towns in L.A. area. But Pasadena will be a lot more money than Haddonfield; I don't know if 600K will get you anything good-sized there. I have family in that area and my cousin's home in Pasadena is over a million and it isn't very big, and it's old. Even my relatives' homes in neighboring Glendale are expensive. If you can afford Pasadena that's the way to go. The eastern area of Pasadena is cheaper, I believe, near Arcadia and Monrovia. You may want to consider those towns, as well.

[BobKovacs]

I took a second to see what the Pasadena market's been doing, and I'm impressed with what you can buy. Here's what $600k will buy you there according to realtor.com:

772 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA, 91103 - MLS ID#B2104173 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com®

By comparison, here's $600k in Haddonfield:

333 Elm Ave, Haddonfield, NJ, 08033 - MLS ID#5533684 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com®

I'd go with the Pasadena house in a heartbeat.