Pasadena: Safe neighborhood within reasonable distance to ArtCenter College of Design? (Glendale: apartment, for rent)

[blueskies1096]

I will be attending Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and am looking for safe, easily-commutable neighborhoods for a college student to live. I will be going back and forth between their hillside campus near the Rose Bowl and their lower campus on S. Raymond. I am looking for a condo or townhouse, not an apartment. I am not familiar with the area, so street names, neighborhood names, etc. would be helpful. Once I research the recommended areas, I can narrow down my choices by price.

[streetscenes]

General rule of thumb for Pasadena is that the more desirable areas are south of the 210 Fwy. There are lots of condos and townhomes within walking distance of the Art Center's south campus. That's where I would start my search. That would give you good access to the Gold Line.

[cyberfx1024]

Originally Posted by blueskies1096

I will be attending Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and am looking for safe, easily-commutable neighborhoods for a college student to live. I will be going back and forth between their hillside campus near the Rose Bowl and their lower campus on S. Raymond. I am looking for a condo or townhouse, not an apartment. I am not familiar with the area, so street names, neighborhood names, etc. would be helpful. Once I research the recommended areas, I can narrow down my choices by price.

What is your budget? Also as the other poster said look primarily anything South of the 210.

[blueskies1096]

My parents will most likely buy a condo or townhouse for my duration at ArtCenter. If that's the case, then a max price of $650,000 for a 2 bedroom. I will rent the second bedroom out to another student (or two) to help offset the monthly expenses.

[socal88]

I'd also look into South Pasadena and Glendale.

[cyberfx1024]

Originally Posted by blueskies1096

My parents will most likely buy a condo or townhouse for my duration at ArtCenter. If that's the case, then a max price of $650,000 for a 2 bedroom. I will rent the second bedroom out to another student (or two) to help offset the monthly expenses.

If you can afford that much then you can afford pretty much anything in Pasadena.

[streetscenes]

In close proximity to the Art Center south campus.
https://www.redfin.com/CA/Pasadena/9...6/home/7188287

For a newer and nicer unit in the same area it will cost more than $650,000.
https://www.redfin.com/CA/Pasadena/7...home/113371836

Just a start. I suggest concentrating on condo units within walking distance of a Gold Line stop. That gives you easy access to the south campus and I think they have a shuttle to the other campus from there. Probably lots of choices in South Pasadena and further away towards DTLA.

Going north you will find plenty of choices around the Memorial Park stop in Old Town and near the Lake stop in the Playhouse District.

And for those interested in the art schools ongoing plans in Pasadena.
https://urbanize.la/post/artcenter-c...rd-master-plan

[LoveMeSomeSFVHouses]

I did the exact same thing in college... bought a 3 bedroom condo and rented out 2 rooms. The rent paid my mortgage and then I sold it for a profit when I graduated. So it's a good plan to do.

For $650K, I agree with everyone in focusing on staying near Old Town and the south campus. That would give you a ton of walkability/ease of Uber options. It'll also be a higher income potential for renting the spare bedroom.

[blueskies1096]

Thanks for your help everyone - very helpful!