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Matthew C. housing

Studio apartments in Pasadena -options?

Random thought, I'm a 50-year-old physical therapist and Poverty rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Am I overthinking this?
10 upvotes

8 Replies

Aaron
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Joseph Mitchell
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a writer who relocated here from LA about 4 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.

Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights

Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains

Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.

Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Liam Cox
I'm a nurse and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Jack P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a social worker who relocated here from Charlotte about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.

Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options

Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment 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 reasonable, gas is pretty good.

Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Paisley Gutierrez
exactly what I was thinking
19 upvotes
Bella Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Uptown for 11 years. Moved from Portland for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
finance is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are decent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Matthew N.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
13 upvotes
Diane C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's better than expected for what you get.

Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.

People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.

No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
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