Possible move to Cali - insight please (Pasadena, Santa Monica: rental, transfer)

[PhilliesGirl]

Good Morning!

I have the opportunity to relocate to a few different cities, and the LA area is one of them. I have never been to Cali (though I plan on visiting at least twice if I do decide to move) Please see below and provide suggestions for areas if you would please, and thank you!

A little about me:

29, single, female.. no kids. I love being out and about, trying new restaurants, happy hour, lounges, festivals, farmers markets, flea markets, shopping (anywhere from bargain shopping to high end), sports, and I love jogging/walking/running.

My office would actually be in Pasadena, and my budget would be between 1100-1300/month. Is this even doable? I could go up if needed, but I like to travel a lot and do extra curricular things.. so I'd like to maintain a certain rental budget if possible. No idea what kind of area Pasadena is.. if it is cookie cutter suburbia, or if there are cities around it that provide more of an urban feel. I like to walk to shops, restaurants, jogging trails etc if possible. As far as commute - I'd like to stay within 30 minutes of work (including rush hour) - could push it to 45 if there is an area that fits what I am looking for.

Any suggestions would be great, thanks!

[ccm123]

Pasadena is a great city. Lots to do: Old Town (trendy shopping and dining area), good museums, flea market (at the Rose Bowl), areas to exercise (Rose Bowl). You also have access to the Metro, which is Southern California's version of the subway/light rail system. In LA, it's best to live close to work, to minimize exposure to the traffic. All in all, Pasadena is a great choice to live.

[PhilliesGirl]

Originally Posted by ccm123

Pasadena is a great city. Lots to do: Old Town (trendy shopping and dining area), good museums, flea market (at the Rose Bowl), areas to exercise (Rose Bowl). You also have access to the Metro, which is Southern California's version of the subway/light rail system. In LA, it's best to live close to work, to minimize exposure to the traffic. All in all, Pasadena is a great choice to live.

Thank you! Is my budget reasonable for this area? What is the commute time to Santa Monica area from there?

[thelopez2]

Anywhere east of the 101 Freeway. Downtown is the only "urban" feeling place, but most Angelinos actually aren't into that which is why LA is so spread out. You could live in DTLA and take the GOLD line train into Pasadena. In DTLA you can explore shopping like you've never believed. The shopping which I'm talking about isn't the high end retail that you are use to, but the volume and hidden secrets of what being a port city is all about. I feel that all this "gentrification" will actually make doing business in DTLA too expensive and actually have a long term counter productive effect, but save that for another thread.

Pasadena also a good access to on and off roading bicycling and about 1.5 hours from snow.

1100 to 1300 is possible in DTLA, but there is a reason that it is 1100 versus $1800.

Commuting from SM to Pasadena, depending on traffic is over an hour with traffic and that is when there isn't a Baseball, basketball, or Hockey game in Downtown.

I would have suggesting SM if you didn't work in Pasadena. You could live in Culver City and take two trains into Pasadena. At least you won't be driving.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by PhilliesGirl

Thank you! Is my budget reasonable for this area? What is the commute time to Santa Monica area from there?

I was about to ask you where you would be working. The commute time from Pasa to Santa Monica would be a -itch to put it mildly. Actually living somewhere near Santa Monica would be your best bet, maybe even West L.A. near Westchester, but I am not sure of your rental budget. You might have to re-adjust your budget. BTW, my first thought was Pasadena as well, until I saw you would be working in Santa Monica. That somewhat changes things.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by thelopez2

I would have suggesting SM if you didn't work in Pasadena. You could live in Culver City and take two trains into Pasadena. At least you won't be driving.

3 trains. A bit under 1.5 hours or so with all the transfers and possible waits.

Expo Line to 7th/Metro (35-40 mins) -> Red Line to Union Station (8-10 mins) -> Gold Line to Pasadena area (25-30 mins)

[MordinSolus]

It sounds like you should live in Pasadena. It has what you're looking for at your budget, and your commute to work would be minimal. I like Pasadena a lot(my favorite sandwich shop, Float, is there...) and it's a lovely town. Visit first, see if you like it.

[ccm123]

In LA, live as close as possible to your work. Long commutes (such as Pasadena to Santa Monica) will wear on you and your nerves. I commuted from South Pasadena and Pasadena to El Segundo (south of Santa Monica, by LAX airport) and it was easily 45-75 minutes, each-way.

[thelopez2]

Originally Posted by ccm123

45-75 minutes, each-way.

So true about predictability of LA traffic. Trip times almost doubling.

Originally Posted by genjy

3 trains. A bit under 1.5 hours or so with all the transfers and possible waits.

Expo Line to 7th/Metro (35-40 mins) -> Red Line to Union Station (8-10 mins) -> Gold Line to Pasadena area (25-30 mins)

Thanks for correction.

[HyperionGap]

Originally Posted by nmnita

I was about to ask you where you would be working. The commute time from Pasa to Santa Monica would be a -itch to put it mildly. Actually living somewhere near Santa Monica would be your best bet, maybe even West L.A. near Westchester, but I am not sure of your rental budget. You might have to re-adjust your budget. BTW, my first thought was Pasadena as well, until I saw you would be working in Santa Monica. That somewhat changes things.

The OP said her office would be in Pasadena.

Anyways, to answer the OPs question. You should live in Pasadena or south Pasadena. 1300 can't get you a decent 1 bedroom in a safe clean area but it won't be anything luxurious.