Well, well, look at you. You’ve packed your SPF 3000 and year-round summer clothes and you’ve decided to join the ranks of the California-cool in Pasadena. We’ve got to admit, we’re a bit envious. One of greater Los Angeles’s most eclectic and aesthetic areas, Pasadena is a primo living locale for Southern Californians lucky enough to call the “City of Roses” home. Ready to take the plunge and score yourself the perfect Pasadena pad? Then read on because we’ve got you covered …
Each New Year’s Day, millions of viewers whose own cities resemble glorified ice skating rinks tune in to watch the Tournament of Roses Parade in perpetually sunny Pasadena. Why, you ask, do they torture themselves like this? We’re not sure, but our best guess is that it reminds them that, at least somewhere in the world, the flowers are always in bloom and loud, tropical shirts never go out of fashion (So why not retire that snow shovel once and for all and join the eternally sun-tanned in the much, much, much greener pastures of Pasadena?).
The city also hosts the annual Rose Bowl football game, and has hosted five Super Bowls. Because of the city’s idyllic weather conditions, parades (the offbeat Doo Dah Parade each spring is arguably more entertaining than its New Year’s Day counterpart), and proximity to L.A., something big is almost always going on somewhere in the city.
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“Come on Pasadena, do the locomotion …”
Many attractions are within walking distance, and public transportation (Metrolink or the city bus) is available.
Neighborhoods
South Pasadena Anchored by Colorado Boulevard (think of a Bleaker-Beale Street hybrid with a touch of Hollywood Blvd. and a hint of 5th Avenue), South Pasadena boasts the bulk of the city’s entertainment, shopping, and dining options. South Pasadena is the city’s cultural and economic hub and one of SoCal’s most coveted living areas. Studio units in South Pasadena are likely to cost you $1300 or more. Factor in utilities – including air conditioning that you might feel compelled to run nearly year-round – and you’re looking at $1500 minimum for even the most modest living quarters
Plenty of more modestly priced lodgings are available in the city’s northern and eastern districts. If you want to stay close to Pasadena’s southern-based epicenter, you might want to check out the variety of apartments, condos, and homes for rent just north of Highway 210. They are also much more affordable, and renters can often find up-to-date, quality lodgings for $1200 or so.
On the east side, closer to Temple City, apartments and rental homes often pop up for $1200-$1400. Not only are these tree-lined neighborhoods visually appealing but they are often priced to move quickly (sometimes as low as a grand.)
Words to the SoCal Wise
Here a few tricks of the trade that will help you find the perfect place to call home in Pasadena:
Remember that in Pasadena you’re paying not so much for amenities as you are location, location, and more location. So if living in the heart of the city is less important to you than living near the heart of the city, you may want to consider the eastern and northern neighborhoods.
Sometimes crazy-sweet apartment deals do pop up (yes, even in South Pasadena) when landlords need to fill a unit quickly. If you’re interested, don’t hesitate to submit an application, because they won’t be available for long.
We get the feeling that once you get to know Pasadena, you’ll feel the same way.
Hope this helps, and welcome to the City of Roses!
