Hey, I'm retired and With a population of 136K, Pasadena is a mid-size city. Poverty rate is 7.9%, which is pretty low. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What would you do? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
35 upvotes
29 Replies
Violet Allen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 6 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
houstonlocal2020
I'm a HR manager and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Madeline Ortiz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Miami it's better than expected.
37 upvotes
Lydia James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 33, moved here 8 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Fairview and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Tampa, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
33 upvotes
Everly Garcia
interesting, hadn't considered that
33 upvotes
Brooks R.
as a local I can confirm
32 upvotes
Willow Bennett
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from LA about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Alexa Martinez
lol so true
32 upvotes
Kenneth S.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
raised_declan73
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
theodore_runner
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Mexican places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
26 upvotes
oaklandnative2020
Moved here last year, no regrets.
24 upvotes
Easton W.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Sunset area are challenging. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Paisley Rodriguez
exactly what I was thinking
20 upvotes
Jace Walker
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The public transit is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Waylon Ramirez
+1
19 upvotes
Alexa K.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
aurora_chef
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 13 years. Moved from Denver for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Kinsley Reed
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Diverse dining options
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Kinsley G.
accurate
14 upvotes
Gianna Murphy
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from LA about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is average.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
maverick_walker
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The weather is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Alexa G.
yep
10 upvotes
Caleb Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in marketing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Brooklyn Nguyen
lol so true
6 upvotes
orlandoguy2022
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from LA about 9 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Madelyn Hughes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 2 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Vivian A.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
Zoey Taylor
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great BBQ places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
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