Glendale (Americana at Brand) vs Old Town Pasadena (Del Mar: section 8, apartment complexes)

[beckyaharrelson]

Hello all,

So I've read through the many threads on Glendale vs Pasadena, and am still at a loss of which to pick.

I have a job that is located on North Brand Blvd in Glendale, and am looking for a 1 bedroom, no pets/kids, single..

I'm looking to live in a upscale apartment complex, and have been considering the Americana at Brand in Glendale, but was a little worried about all the goings on at the Americana, would it make an unbareable amount of noise? Do glendale apartments have a specific rap of being terribly noisey?

From the tour I liked the property, compared to two that I saw in Pasadena (near old town), Del Mar Station, and Trio, was considering Westgate also but didn't visit.

Any insider opinions? Just a little conserned about 'living at a mall' with the traffic and the going ons... But wasn't very impressed by what I saw in Pasadena...

[drshang]

There is one (Terraces) which is located right above the Paseo Colorado, and it is generally pretty noisy...with a lot of the "upscale" complexes you have a combination of lots of street noise with poor sound protection between floors. Pasadena has many complexes near Old Town that aren't on busy streets and you can get away from a lot of the street noise. I am not sure if there are similar, nice complexes in Glendale a few blocks from the Americana.

By far the biggest consideration with renting in places like that IMO is making sure you get a unit that's away from the noisiest parts of the mall. Different people have varying tolerances for noise, so to a large degree it is personal.

One thing about Pasadena is a lot of the upscale apartment complexes participate in a "affordable housing program" so you have de facto section 8 tenants in many high end complexes. I am not sure if Glendale has a similar program but I would definitely check it out. If Glendale does not or the high end complexes there don't participate in such a program, that would lean me more toward Glendale.

Personally I find Old Town to be far superior to Glendale/Americana, but I am not sure Pasadena is that much better to justify the longer commute. Living a few minutes from work is so incredibly awesome and will save you money on gas/commuting costs plus you can always go home for lunch and save on that item as well.

[beckyaharrelson]

Thanks for the reply, I wasn't at all impressed by the Paseo Colorado, infact what they have available seems rather terrible..

The commute isn't too much of an issue, I just haven't found a complex I 'loved' in Pasadena, nor am I sure that I'm a super fan of old town?

I seem to like the Americana, I have no problem with noise, but just worried about a LOT of it coming from outside, and potentially noisy neighbors that Glendale seems to be 'famous' for? But maybe not in this complex since it's 'upscale/luxury' ?

[BRinSM]

as far as neighborhoods and things to do, old town pasadena is head and shoulders above glendale. that would be my main consideration as both have ample living options.

[buytheredcar]

Pasadena overall is more historic and IMO beautiful than Glendale. Period

[californio sur]

Glendale's Americana is plastic\ disney land. Pasadena's Old Town is authentic\ real. No comparison.

[Island_OnThe_Land]

Becky: For my money, I would LIVE in PASADENA over GLENDALE all day long.

I can't speak to the specific differences in living at Paseo Colo. vs. Americana at Brand. But as a city/place to live I prefer Pasadena.....much more walkable, real historic architecture, museums/culture, better nightlife/restaurants, etc. It's NOT even close for me.

And I bet if you posted a poll having people choose between Pasadena vs. Glendale....that Pasadena would win in a landslide.

Good luck.

[matt345]

Originally Posted by californio sur

Glendale's Americana is plastic\ disney land. Pasadena's Old Town is authentic\ real. No comparison.

Exactly. Honestly I can't stand Americana or the Grove (yes I said it, I hate the Grove!). Give me a real city setting.

[beckyaharrelson]

Thanks for all the comments everyone.

The only thing that makes the Americana stand out is the new construction / amenities (on the property), I haven't found anything really like it in Pasadena, am I missing something?

[Island_OnThe_Land]

If you really like the property then I see nothing wrong with it. It's NOT like Glendale is a "bad" area...we just think Pasadena is overall better (read: more interesting, more things to do, etc.).

Don't let us scare you away from Glendale...