Hey folks, Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -South Pasadena sits at 113.2 per 100K. Homes are going for about $1,545,100 on average. You can expect to pay around $2,218 for rent here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Anyone in a similar situation? Thanks for reading. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
21 upvotes
29 Replies
Arthur R.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much pricey but now it's excellent.
38 upvotes
Zoe M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Abigail J.
great question, following
36 upvotes
Anna Reyes
preach
36 upvotes
kai_girl
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely underrated and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
35 upvotes
Landon Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
raleigh_ruby
I work in construction here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is better than expected. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Daniel Brooks
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
34 upvotes
James Thomas
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Levi H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 7 years. Moved from Austin for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. healthcare 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Westside schools are challenging. 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. Nightlife is limited. Can feel isolated. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
atllocal2024
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
29 upvotes
Luca Rogers
I've lived in Sunset for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- The cost of living scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Adeline Jimenez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 8 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Matthew
I've lived in Fairview for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The traffic scene is average
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Avery
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Ian Kim
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Theodore Richardson
preach
17 upvotes
Eleanor Flores
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 5 years. Moved from San Diego for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. healthcare 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook 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. Can feel isolated. Dating scene is rough. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Sophia P.
I've lived in Highland for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The walkability scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Silas W.
yep
11 upvotes
Leo Ward
hard disagree but ok
11 upvotes
nycmind2021
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Indian places. it exceeded my expectations.
9 upvotes
Eli T.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Claire Allen
I work in marketing here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is better than expected. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Charlotte Garcia
not my experience at all
6 upvotes
Aaliyah Parker
Saving this thread
4 upvotes
Madelyn Gonzalez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
2 upvotes
orlandodude2024
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
0 upvotes
Thomas Mendoza
I've lived in Greenfield for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The job market scene is average
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
All Countries
