Hello, Household incomes average around $64,270 in Pasadena. With a population of 149K, Pasadena is a mid-size city. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
55 upvotes
26 Replies
Michael
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 12 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Serenity D.
This.
38 upvotes
Weston Miller
interesting, hadn't considered that
37 upvotes
Arianna Scott
haha yep pretty much
37 upvotes
Nova James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 6 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are excellent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Stella Scott
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 cost of living. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Jose Kelly
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Highland) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
29 upvotes
Ann M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Amelia Wood
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Italian places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
27 upvotes
Henry Campbell
Bought a house here in 2016 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
26 upvotes
Claire Foster
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
Victoria C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely improving and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
23 upvotes
Luca Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 37, moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Pine Hills and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Phoenix, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
21 upvotes
nycchef2022
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
20 upvotes
Eli Mendoza
same here
19 upvotes
Sophia Ward
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Adrian B.
seconding this
17 upvotes
Philip R.
following this thread
15 upvotes
matthew_lover
wish I knew this sooner
15 upvotes
Aaron Turner
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it exceeded my expectations.
14 upvotes
Hailey W.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
tulsa_aubrey
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much affordable but now it's improving.
11 upvotes
Stella M.
literally same
9 upvotes
Cameron Chavez
Moved here from Raleigh about 6 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to weather but No regrets on my end..
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