7.7 out of 10

Pasadena

Ranked 30th best city in California
34.1722738708679 -118.140987147456
Great for
  • Internet Access
  • Childcare
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Medical Facilities
  • Clean & Green
Not great for
  • No ratings yet
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  •  
  •  
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Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Singles
  • Retirees
  • Tourists

Reviews

5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"Not Just for Little Old Ladies"

In most other places in the country, Pasadena (like Burbank and Glendale) would be considered either the premiere location around or the strongest secondary city. It is a testament to how monstrously large and powerful Los Angeles is that it sustains so many satellite cities in its orbit.

Pasadena, however, truly has the size and complexity to be considered in its own terms. It has a commercial sector, a beautiful hill section with a grand football stadium and amusement park. It has more than one excellent museum, two very good colleges, and also a run down area where shootings and police aircraft are a common occurrence. It has a main shopping drag where you can get great first class food, or go at night to dance and get a drink. It has great historic buildings and neighborhoods, and it also has boring suburban neighborhoods filled with Ranch Homes.

Put simply, Pasadena is a microcosm for the whole So Cal area, containing in miniature, the complexity of the entire South Land. If you can’t find it in Pasadena, then it probably doesn’t exist in So Cal.
Pros
  • Great Historic Neighborhoods
  • Great Shopping
  • Great Choices
Cons
  • Some Crime
  • Expensive
  • Some Boring Spots
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Students
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"A great place to start a life as a new Californian!"

Pasadena can only be described in one word- Amazing! Being brand new to California at the time, when I moved from a tiny upstate NY town, Pasadena was the perfect place for me to start a life as a new resident. It has the perfect combination of that city feel and quiet town feel. The thing I love most is that Pasadena is so recognizable and secure. I could walk down the street any time of night or day and feel safe. The college is near by, transportation is nearby, and no matter where you are; right down the street in easy walking distance is Old Town, the main area of clubs, what I consider 5 star restaurants, shopping, and theater. There is something for everyone. No other place in California made me fall in love with the state more than Pasadena. It is a great place to reside, raise a family, and visit. Even though I live about 10 minutes from there now, all I ever talk about to my family across the nation is my old apartment there, and how much I enjoy it. I better go pack my bags and move back! :)
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
5/5
2yrs+

"Too much for a single review - one of crown jewel cities in the Los Angeles Area."

Pasadena is one of the largest cultural centers of the Los Angeles area. Originally a resort community for East-Coast wealthy on holiday, it is now a major commercial, residential, educational and cultural center, with facilities exceeding all but a few cities west of the Rockies.

There are a lot of 'brains per square mile' here, with Cal Tech and Jet Propulsion Laboratory being close by. Pasadena's heritage shows today in dozens of historical homes, many built by world-famous architects Greene and Greene. The most notable of these is the Gamble House, which is now a museum with tours of the home. The Norton Simon is an international quality art museum.

Most visitors to Pasadena focus on the Downtown area. The Downtown area also has major shopping, and the Pasadena Playhouse and Civic Auditorium are both regional performing art centers.

The New Year's Day Tournament of Roses Parade (and associated Rose Bowl football game) are an international event, with the 5+ mile parade route lined with an estimate million viewers.

Although Pasadena is a large enough city to have areas which are less safe, for the most part it is a safer city than average (especially for its size), and offers considerably more cultural, educational and other opportunities.

[reviewer works in this city - visits weekly]
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

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Unranked Neighborhoods in Pasadena

"East Central Pasadena a stunning neighborhood to live!"
34.1610965000066 -118.109426499949

Mid Central

3.5/5
"West Central's Little Twin"
34.1515621868048 -118.109769498248
"Pasadena's Most Dangerous Neighborhood"
34.1691438578865 -118.150427998456

Northeast

3.5/5
"Ranch Homes, Mega-Church, Mall"
34.1653335077981 -118.077070770199
"Great place to live but bad traffic!"
34.1447220943284 -118.118578718872

South

4.5/5
"Great Place to Live!"
34.132374503066 -118.13812570203

South Arroyo

3.5/5
"The Norton Simon and Beautiful Homes"
34.1241314597678 -118.167195460107

Southeast

4.5/5
"Great Pasadena Neighborhood"
34.1457000000042 -118.086960500027

West Central

3.5/5
"A Tale of Two Neighborhoods"
34.152073951812 -118.13848272394

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