Eastern suburbs v. Western suburbs (Pasadena, Alhambra: 2013, to live in, park)

[Roark25]

Haha, direct your post to the other person who seemed very adamant that shopping and restaurant selections come second to work proximity and school districts.

[munchitup]

Originally Posted by ASensiblePerson

I think for a long time, residents of the San Fernando Valley looked at LA "proper" with some insecurity. They moved here wanting to live Westside or in the Hills, but ended up in SFV instead - or moved to SFV after living in LA and running out of money. It was not their first choice. They considered it a downgrade. Now, LA "proper" is so pricey, it's not really considered a "downgrade" to move to SFV, and SFV is getting its own stores and bars and restaurants, so there is less need to become familiar with and hang out in LA as much.

I totally disagree. I think most Valley residents are very proud of their region of LA and shudder at the thought of moving "over the hill."

Of course, you are right there are some people that end up in the Valley because 1. they can't afford the "basin" side 2. their work's location makes living in the "basin" completely impractical.

I can see those other people looking over the hill with a little jealousy. I'm not in the SFV but I'll admit there are times I wished I still lived in the "middle of the action" instead of slightly off to the side.

Originally Posted by ASensiblePerson

One can make the comparison to Manhattan and the other four boroughs - some people in the boroughs grew up aspiring to live "in the city" (below 96th) for the longest; and people moving from other parts of the US only wanted to live in Manhattan. Now, the prices have made Brooklyn and Queens and upper Manhattan fine places to live.

I don't think that analogy totally fits for the Valley, as LA's Manhattan is not the entire basin but really just like the DTLA / Mid Wilshire / Hollywood / Beverly Hills / West LA / Santa Monica corridor between Wilshire and the Santa Monica Mountains. In that way, the "outer boroughs" of Mid-City, Highland Park, Leimert Park, Culver City, etc. have gentrified in response to the "Manhattan" getting too expensive. It's really tough to make LA / NYC analogies.

Originally Posted by ASensiblePerson

With the San Gabriel Valley, I've never gotten the impression that many people cared too much about LA "proper" life and celebrity life. It's not their thing. They are suburban people who look for homes and schools in the suburbs. They're looking to shop at Target, department stores, Costco, and eat at Houston's (yum!) or The Cheesecake Factory on a weekend.

When they want to do something fancy or take guests somewhere, they travel to Pasadena. They also like the various inexpensive ethnic food choices in SGV, whether they represent their own ethnic background or not. They might have a work or family connection in LA and wish to live nearby for those reasons, but LA itself as a glamour capital holds no interest for many of them.

Maybe it is because we are in downtown Pasadena (which despite being firmly situated in the SGV, does not totally feel like the rest of the region - partially because it is geographically isolated from the rest by the hills of San Marino) but I actually feel a lot more connected with the rest of LA than the hinterlands of the SGV.

I think in the 1.5 years I have been in Pasadena, other than passing through on the freeways, I have ventured past Route 19 (Rosemead) and into the neighborhoods only once, and that was because I needed to go to Wal Mart for something specific. On the other hand, I go into LA a few times a week, typically the eastern half of the city like DTLA, Hollywood, Echo Park and Mid-City. However, other than Pasadena I think you are correct. The SGV ranges from slightly less urban than the SFV to much less urban than the SFV. Of course, just like the SFV, the SGV seems to be densifying in formerly industrial or low-intensity commercial areas. In 20 years it could look like the SFV of today (hopefully not as much urban decay).

One note - I am not trying to brag about not going into the SGV, because I realize I am f*****g up royally by not visiting the plethora of Asian cuisine cities like Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel and more have to offer.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by munchitup

Maybe it is because we are in downtown Pasadena (which despite being firmly situated in the SGV, does not totally feel like the rest of the region - partially because it is geographically isolated from the rest by the hills of San Marino) but I actually feel a lot more connected with the rest of LA than the hinterlands of the SGV.

Hinterlands? That's quite a term for an area where literally more than a million people call home.

What's with all the vitriol?

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by genjy

Hinterlands? That's quite a term for an area where literally more than a million people call home.

What's with all the vitriol?

I know, I laughed when I saw "hinterlands" . Maybe appropriate if you're talking about San Bernardino county

[munchitup]

Originally Posted by genjy

Hinterlands? That's quite a term for an area where literally more than a million people call home.

What's with all the vitriol?

Sorry I misused the word. I certainly did not mean it as a pejorative.

What vitriol??? I have no negative feelings towards the rest of the SGV, I think it's a very fascinating place. And before that I was defending the SFV as much more than a wasteland for LAs rejects. You won't see me hating on much of Southern CA north of the Orange Curtain.

[HyperionGap]

Originally Posted by munchitup

Sorry I misused the word. I certainly did not mean it as a pejorative.

What vitriol??? I have no negative feelings towards the rest of the SGV, I think it's a very fascinating place. And before that I was defending the SFV as much more than a wasteland for LAs rejects. You won't see me hating on much of Southern CA north of the Orange Curtain.

Don't know why you would hate on OC compared to places in the IE.

[coltoncity]

Originally Posted by UB50

Or my favorites: Where can I find the suburb where the white people live?

Or: Do people self-segregate in LA? I want to live with the rest of the white people.

Here's a whole "white people" thread: //www.city-data.com/forum/los-a...community.html

Do people actually ask that?

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by munchitup

we are in downtown Pasadena (which despite being firmly situated in the SGV, does not totally feel like the rest of the region - partially because it is geographically isolated from the rest by the hills of San Marino)...

The "hills of San Marino"? Where are those?

[munchitup]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

The "hills of San Marino"? Where are those?

Right here:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sa...38f9c8!5m1!1e4

Some of it is in Pasadena city limits. Obviously it's not a technical term, I have no idea what their official title is. But there is a fairly steep incline between South Pas / San Marino and Pasadena. Ever driven up Fair Oaks from South Pas?

I don't have a problem with Pasadena being lumped in with the San Gabriel Valley - it's in the San Gabriel Valley. I was just stating an opinion that it feels a little separated from the rest of the SGV and more connected to outer parts of Northeast LA and the La Crescenta Valley. LA Times agrees: http://maps.latimes.com/neighborhoods/region/verdugos/

Originally Posted by HyperionGap

Don't know why you would hate on OC compared to places in the IE.

This is true.

[HyperionGap]

Originally Posted by munchitup

I don't have a problem with Pasadena being lumped in with the San Gabriel Valley - it's in the San Gabriel Valley. I was just stating an opinion that it feels a little separated from the rest of the SGV and more connected to outer parts of Northeast LA and the La Crescenta Valley. LA Times agrees: Verdugos - Mapping L.A. - Los Angeles Times

LA Times might agree, but if you read the comments section, most residents don't.

If you actually wanted to make a "region" separate from the SGV with Pasadena at its center it would be something like: Pasadena, Altadena, La Canada, South Pas, San Marino, Sierra Madre and arguably Arcadia/La Crescenta-Montrose.

The fact that South Pas & Sierra Madre weren't on that "Verdugos" list is criminal.