I'm a college student here and Crime rate is something to consider -Pasadena sits at 1,338.5 per 100K. Poverty rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. With a population of 32,717, Pasadena is a smaller city. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What are your go-to spots? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
10 upvotes
16 Replies
Elijah
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Baltimore about 5 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Theodore Wright
lol so true
35 upvotes
Ethan Myers
it depends on the neighborhood
35 upvotes
Levi Young
honestly same experience here
34 upvotes
Elizabeth Jackson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 37, moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in East and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Charlotte, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Daniel G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 49, moved here 4 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Austin, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Harper M.
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
28 upvotes
Audrey G.
Used to live on the East side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
25 upvotes
Rylee P.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great sushi places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
25 upvotes
Grace Green
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The pet-friendliness is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Emmett
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 14 years. Moved from Raleigh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail 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 surprisingly good - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are tough. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, 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.
18 upvotes
Evan Morris
not my experience at all
18 upvotes
Daniel Turner
seconding this
13 upvotes
Gerald M.
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much manageable but now it's pretty good.
13 upvotes
Joseph Allen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 4 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited high-paying job options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Lucy
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The nightlife is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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