Hey folks, I'm a remote worker and It's a a mid-size city city with about 136K people. Household incomes average around $103,778 in Pasadena. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
12 upvotes
6 Replies
Parker Patel
Bought a house here in 2023 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
35 upvotes
Leo Peterson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 3 years. Moved from Seattle for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Valentina Alvarez
hmm interesting perspective
11 upvotes
James Morris
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Westside area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Michael Long
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Leonardo Brown
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
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