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It's interesting how within Greater LA one area can have a look, feel, and overall mentality absolutely nothing like another area nearby (one of its many strengths, in my opinion). Anyway, I was born, raised, and lived most of my life in Pasadena, then lived briefly in Arcadia, and now in Fullerton.
Pasadena has a look and feel very similar to the Midwest (especially, say, Ohio), so I'd summarize it as superficially conservative overall although not truly conservative underneath the surface, yet overall extremely conservative compared to, say, Hollywood; and the most expensive areas of Pasadena are genuinely conservative definitely. Overall though it's a very appealing place to live, full of historical buildings and many trees like oaks and elms. Also, a million times friendlier than Arcadia, very easy to socialize and make lasting friendships in Pasadena. I still visit Pasadena to spend time with a good friend and it hasn't changed at all since I was a child. Also if you move there its central location within LA County is very nice because you're only a 10-minute drive to Downtown LA and just a 30-minute to a 1-hour drive to a lot of the major beaches, for instance just a 30-minute drive to Malibu and just a 1-hour drive to Balboa in Newport Beach (both very amazing of course).
Nothing could prepare me for the culture shock move from Pasadena over the border to Arcadia. I admit I'm not of Chinese descent or East Asian descent at all, but I don't 100% consider the culture of Arcadia to be Chinese, more like nouveau-rich-San-Gabriel-Valley-Chinese (to be blunt and I'll probably step on a lot of toes here, but snobby, cliquish, uber-materialistic, new "mini-mansions" everywhere, and living and breathing ONLY academics or business) -- I mean, my only friend made there (and a very good friend at that) was a recent immigrant from China, very kind person and very kind family. Living there was a very isolating experience (especially since life circumstances don't always permit frequent visits to other areas of Greater LA of course).
Now that I live in Fullerton and have for 8.5 years and very much adapted, it's culture shock for me to return to Pasadena because compared to how friendly and down-to-earth people are here in Fullerton, which honestly resembles the Deep South in everything except for politics, and people in Pasadena see me as a Martian when I start trying to earnestly chat with strangers. I've found my definite niche. And Fullerton's quite in a central location, too (still just 30 minutes from Pasadena).
But, yeah, if you find Arcadia as isolating and unfriendly as I did, which is completely understandable, I strongly advise making that move to Pasadena, where it's very easy to make friends in most contexts in life there. I didn't mean to scare you away from Pasadena when mentioning Fullerton -- people in Pasadena are far more real than in the most areas of LA County (yeah, I said it) and genuine in their friendships (I'll mention some of the other areas I find to have very "real" people though -- Downtown LA, (maybe surprising to people but) Malibu, San Dimas, Calabasas [except for the gated section of Calabasas that includes the Kardashians], Catalina, Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Old Town Monrovia (yeah it's not just businesses and it's different from the rest of Monrovia), some examples); I just mean that Pasadena's not the kind of place where one starts bearing their life story on a stranger walking on the sidewalk is all.
Last edited by FunkyDucky; 10-27-2017 at 05:20 PM..
It's interesting how within Greater LA one area can have a look, feel, and overall mentality absolutely nothing like another area nearby (one of its many strengths, in my opinion). Anyway, I was born, raised, and lived most of my life in Pasadena, then lived briefly in Arcadia, and now in Fullerton.
Pasadena has a look and feel very similar to the Midwest (especially, say, Ohio), so I'd summarize it as superficially conservative overall although not truly conservative underneath the surface, yet overall extremely conservative compared to, say, Hollywood; and the most expensive areas of Pasadena are genuinely conservative definitely. Overall though it's a very appealing place to live, full of historical buildings and many trees like oaks and elms. Also, a million times friendlier than Arcadia, very easy to socialize and make lasting friendships in Pasadena. I still visit Pasadena to spend time with a good friend and it hasn't changed at all since I was a child. Also if you move there its central location within LA County is very nice because you're only a 10-minute drive to Downtown LA and just a 30-minute to a 1-hour drive to a lot of the major beaches, for instance just a 30-minute drive to Malibu and just a 1-hour drive to Balboa in Newport Beach (both very amazing of course).
Nothing could prepare me for the culture shock move from Pasadena over the border to Arcadia. I admit I'm not of Chinese descent or East Asian descent at all, but I don't 100% consider the culture of Arcadia to be Chinese, more like nouveau-rich-San-Gabriel-Valley-Chinese (to be blunt and I'll probably step on a lot of toes here, but snobby, cliquish, uber-materialistic, new "mini-mansions" everywhere, and living and breathing ONLY academics or business) -- I mean, my only friend made there (and a very good friend at that) was a recent immigrant from China, very kind person and very kind family. Living there was a very isolating experience (especially since life circumstances don't always permit frequent visits to other areas of Greater LA of course).
Now that I live in Fullerton and have for 8.5 years and very much adapted, it's culture shock for me to return to Pasadena because compared to how friendly and down-to-earth people are here in Fullerton, which honestly resembles the Deep South in everything except for politics, and people in Pasadena see me as a Martian when I start trying to earnestly chat with strangers. I've found my definite niche. And Fullerton's quite in a central location, too (still just 30 minutes from Pasadena).
But, yeah, if you find Arcadia as isolating and unfriendly as I did, which is completely understandable, I strongly advise making that move to Pasadena, where it's very easy to make friends in most contexts in life there. I didn't mean to scare you away from Pasadena when mentioning Fullerton -- people in Pasadena are far more real than in the most areas of LA County (yeah, I said it) and genuine in their friendships (I'll mention some of the other areas I find to have very "real" people though -- Downtown LA, (maybe surprising to people but) Malibu, San Dimas, Calabasas [except for the gated section of Calabasas that includes the Kardashians], Catalina, Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Old Town Monrovia (yeah it's not just businesses and it's different from the rest of Monrovia), some examples); I just mean that Pasadena's not the kind of place where one starts bearing their life story on a stranger walking on the sidewalk is all.
I enjoy Fullerton too. It’s central to the best of both LA and OC. Has a great mix of newer and older buildings as well as socioeconomic diversity.
It's interesting how within Greater LA one area can have a look, feel, and overall mentality absolutely nothing like another area nearby (one of its many strengths, in my opinion). Anyway, I was born, raised, and lived most of my life in Pasadena, then lived briefly in Arcadia, and now in Fullerton.
Pasadena has a look and feel very similar to the Midwest (especially, say, Ohio), so I'd summarize it as superficially conservative overall although not truly conservative underneath the surface, yet overall extremely conservative compared to, say, Hollywood; and the most expensive areas of Pasadena are genuinely conservative definitely. Overall though it's a very appealing place to live, full of historical buildings and many trees like oaks and elms. Also, a million times friendlier than Arcadia, very easy to socialize and make lasting friendships in Pasadena. I still visit Pasadena to spend time with a good friend and it hasn't changed at all since I was a child. Also if you move there its central location within LA County is very nice because you're only a 10-minute drive to Downtown LA and just a 30-minute to a 1-hour drive to a lot of the major beaches, for instance just a 30-minute drive to Malibu and just a 1-hour drive to Balboa in Newport Beach (both very amazing of course).
Nothing could prepare me for the culture shock move from Pasadena over the border to Arcadia. I admit I'm not of Chinese descent or East Asian descent at all, but I don't 100% consider the culture of Arcadia to be Chinese, more like nouveau-rich-San-Gabriel-Valley-Chinese (to be blunt and I'll probably step on a lot of toes here, but snobby, cliquish, uber-materialistic, new "mini-mansions" everywhere, and living and breathing ONLY academics or business) -- I mean, my only friend made there (and a very good friend at that) was a recent immigrant from China, very kind person and very kind family. Living there was a very isolating experience (especially since life circumstances don't always permit frequent visits to other areas of Greater LA of course).
Now that I live in Fullerton and have for 8.5 years and very much adapted, it's culture shock for me to return to Pasadena because compared to how friendly and down-to-earth people are here in Fullerton, which honestly resembles the Deep South in everything except for politics, and people in Pasadena see me as a Martian when I start trying to earnestly chat with strangers. I've found my definite niche. And Fullerton's quite in a central location, too (still just 30 minutes from Pasadena).
But, yeah, if you find Arcadia as isolating and unfriendly as I did, which is completely understandable, I strongly advise making that move to Pasadena, where it's very easy to make friends in most contexts in life there. I didn't mean to scare you away from Pasadena when mentioning Fullerton -- people in Pasadena are far more real than in the most areas of LA County (yeah, I said it) and genuine in their friendships (I'll mention some of the other areas I find to have very "real" people though -- Downtown LA, (maybe surprising to people but) Malibu, San Dimas, Calabasas [except for the gated section of Calabasas that includes the Kardashians], Catalina, Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Old Town Monrovia (yeah it's not just businesses and it's different from the rest of Monrovia), some examples); I just mean that Pasadena's not the kind of place where one starts bearing their life story on a stranger walking on the sidewalk is all.
Thank you for that great answer. I think you summed up what I've seen and experienced as well. We are a little worried about Pasadena and paying for four private school tuitions! So La Canada Flintridge is second on the list, followed by Claremont.
If you can afford La Canada, definitely go for it. Great area with excellent public schools. It's advantage is that it's a quiet, sequestered area that's still close to more happening areas where where you can quickly hop on the 2 and 210 freeways to get to Pasadena, Glendale, or Downtown LA.
Claremont is a nice area as well. It is essentially a college town with the Village in the middle of town, which has quaint shops and good spots to eat. Plus, you'll get more house for your money and public schools are good. The downside is that it's out of the way especially if you plan to work or spend a lot of time in core LA. It is a good location if you have a job in eastern LA county or the western part of the Inland Empire. Nearby La Verne is another solid choice if you're considering eastern LA county.
It's interesting how within Greater LA one area can have a look, feel, and overall mentality absolutely nothing like another area nearby (one of its many strengths, in my opinion). Anyway, I was born, raised, and lived most of my life in Pasadena, then lived briefly in Arcadia, and now in Fullerton.
Pasadena has a look and feel very similar to the Midwest (especially, say, Ohio), so I'd summarize it as superficially conservative overall although not truly conservative underneath the surface, yet overall extremely conservative compared to, say, Hollywood; and the most expensive areas of Pasadena are genuinely conservative definitely. Overall though it's a very appealing place to live, full of historical buildings and many trees like oaks and elms. Also, a million times friendlier than Arcadia, very easy to socialize and make lasting friendships in Pasadena. I still visit Pasadena to spend time with a good friend and it hasn't changed at all since I was a child. Also if you move there its central location within LA County is very nice because you're only a 10-minute drive to Downtown LA and just a 30-minute to a 1-hour drive to a lot of the major beaches, for instance just a 30-minute drive to Malibu and just a 1-hour drive to Balboa in Newport Beach (both very amazing of course).
Nothing could prepare me for the culture shock move from Pasadena over the border to Arcadia. I admit I'm not of Chinese descent or East Asian descent at all, but I don't 100% consider the culture of Arcadia to be Chinese, more like nouveau-rich-San-Gabriel-Valley-Chinese (to be blunt and I'll probably step on a lot of toes here, but snobby, cliquish, uber-materialistic, new "mini-mansions" everywhere, and living and breathing ONLY academics or business) -- I mean, my only friend made there (and a very good friend at that) was a recent immigrant from China, very kind person and very kind family. Living there was a very isolating experience (especially since life circumstances don't always permit frequent visits to other areas of Greater LA of course).
Now that I live in Fullerton and have for 8.5 years and very much adapted, it's culture shock for me to return to Pasadena because compared to how friendly and down-to-earth people are here in Fullerton, which honestly resembles the Deep South in everything except for politics, and people in Pasadena see me as a Martian when I start trying to earnestly chat with strangers. I've found my definite niche. And Fullerton's quite in a central location, too (still just 30 minutes from Pasadena).
But, yeah, if you find Arcadia as isolating and unfriendly as I did, which is completely understandable, I strongly advise making that move to Pasadena, where it's very easy to make friends in most contexts in life there. I didn't mean to scare you away from Pasadena when mentioning Fullerton -- people in Pasadena are far more real than in the most areas of LA County (yeah, I said it) and genuine in their friendships (I'll mention some of the other areas I find to have very "real" people though -- Downtown LA, (maybe surprising to people but) Malibu, San Dimas, Calabasas [except for the gated section of Calabasas that includes the Kardashians], Catalina, Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Old Town Monrovia (yeah it's not just businesses and it's different from the rest of Monrovia), some examples); I just mean that Pasadena's not the kind of place where one starts bearing their life story on a stranger walking on the sidewalk is all.
I don't actually live here but I visit here alot for work and also to visit family. Asian culture doesn't encourage displays of emotion and friendliness. Many residents here are immigrants from Asia and may be more comfortable conversing in their native language than in English. I think culturally, we grew in reserved house holds and I totally understand how you feel as I find it difficult to make friends too....and I am asian! Its just a different culture that you were exposed to growing up.
But I think people here are friendly and willing to help out when needed since my mother had made friends over the last few years she has been living here and I have witnessed how she interacts with her friends and neighbors. I guess its harder for you since you are non asian but I think it would be just as difficult for someone who is moving to a community that is ethnically different from him or her.
I don't actually live here but I visit here alot for work and also to visit family. Asian culture doesn't encourage displays of emotion and friendliness. Many residents here are immigrants from Asia and may be more comfortable conversing in their native language than in English. I think culturally, we grew in reserved house holds and I totally understand how you feel as I find it difficult to make friends too....and I am asian! Its just a different culture that you were exposed to growing up.
But I think people here are friendly and willing to help out when needed since my mother had made friends over the last few years she has been living here and I have witnessed how she interacts with her friends and neighbors. I guess its harder for you since you are non asian but I think it would be just as difficult for someone who is moving to a community that is ethnically different from him or her.
Well said. I'll add that if a substantial number of the residents are recent immigrants, it's likely that they're just getting settled in and haven't yet really built the bonds/relationships to other neighbors in the area.
Places like Fullerton and Pasadena are likely to have a more substantial % of residents who have been in the neighborhood for a long period of time and have built up bonds to others.
You can also say that generalization about people in, say, New England, where they are a bit more reserved and may take a bit longer to get to know you, but once they do, the relationships are more likely to be substantial than the superficial friendliness you see in California.
On the topic of wealthy Chinese, does anyone know 1) how most became so wealthy 2) if rules and regulations for moving money out of China is effective or if there are loopholes
You can also say that generalization about people in, say, New England, where they are a bit more reserved and may take a bit longer to get to know you, but once they do, the relationships are more likely to be substantial than the superficial friendliness you see in California.
Haha... Just for fun....
Koreans are like the Germans, not very expressive in their emotions. No facial expressions whatsoever.
Vietnamese are like Southerners, polite and smile a lot but you never know how they really feel about you.
Chinese are like the British, they only respect you if you are richer than they are.
Japanese are like the French, they *really* think they have the superior culture.
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