living in pasadena

[s0urce]

Bottom line, you're going to pay a hell of a lot more here to live than you do in Austin Texas. Having lived in both Texas and LA, I can definitely vouch for the huge jump in living expenses. There are so many variables that come into play in California that you just don't have to deal with in Texas. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. No state income taxes in Texas.
2. Cost of housing MUCH more expensive per Square Foot in CA.
3. Parking Tickets (you'd be surprised, they will and DO add up)
4. Petrol prices are higher in California.

[CleanAzzE30z]

I have "sort" of a plan, stay at some family friend's place for 1-2 wks, then find a room-mate and job and move in apt. Does the Pasadena area of LA has good pblc transportation? or would I have to use my car a lot like here?

Pasadena actually has a good Public Trans system. Theres the free bus (which is no longer free since the days when I took it 10 years ago). And you have the MTA. But this is if you stay in Pasadena. L.A. public transpost generally blows. Theres also a recently built rail line that ends in Pasadena.


Mariano

[CleanAzzE30z]

oh, I should have clarified, the one in Cali, I didn't know but I guess it is just a little area in LA?

Living costs in SoCal are still quite exorbitant. Theres no Russian community, although there are quite a few Armenians East of Lake along Washington. Not sure if they are Russian, Persian, Lebanese, or Iranian-Armenian though. The upside is that there is a huge E30 community around here. Youll be 15 minutes from me and most of the L.A. E30s. La Crescenta (where Matt is and TNG is, is also 15 minutes if that.


Mariano

[speedhop]

Public transportation blows in L.A. period.

Invest in a bike or a moped. :)

[mikeltang]

I would say you need your car because LA has average public transportation. You can take buses and there might be a few trains as well. From what I've noticed, car insurance is less expensive in CA. My liability only for an e30 in CA was around 950 a year and in Texas it is around $1220 a year after all the discounts I can get for a 96 accord. Hope this helps.

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

I have "sort" of a plan, stay at some family friend's place for 1-2 wks, then find a room-mate and job and move in apt. Does the Pasadena area of LA has good pblc transportation? or would I have to use my car a lot like here?

[One21Two]

Cities of Duarte, San Dimas, La Verne or Glendora are 15 min away from Pasadena near the 210 Fwy and the 10 Fwy. The houses im pretty sure are cheaper. Commute shouldnt be too bad. Just a suggestion.

[speedhop]

I worked for an architecture firm in Pasadena and it's a very nice area.

The houses are veryyyy expensive and unless you're coming up with a hefty down payment on a house, your mortgage is going to skyrocket. If you are willing to live in a smaller house in northern pasadena i'm sure you could make it work. Look into san marino too.

Good luck with the move and let us know how it works.

Edit: Just realized you were looking into an apartment. I know you can score a place for about a grand a month.

[MR 325]

Pasadena is nice but msot of the homes are much older and expensive. I live in La Crescenta, about 15 minutes west of Pasadena.

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

art center college of design

[Farbin Kaiber]

It's all about angry piles of $ here. I live about 15-20 min from Pasadena. Outlying areas are much less expensive. Look at the map and find a place 15mi from Pasadena. What brings you out?

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

I kinda thinking the same way as court m3... if I'll move, I'm gonna be attending school and working some part time job. So I guess it won't be that much of a loss?

[Court M3]

Big financial loss since you currently live in one of the cheapest cities to live in.

In short, your expenses will go through the roof if you get a job in Pasadena with similar pay.

Not really since most companies pay salaries to compensate for the higher cost of living.

[Bimmerista]

Big financial loss since you currently live in one of the cheapest cities to live in.

In short, your expenses will go through the roof if you get a job in Pasadena with similar pay.

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

oh, I should have clarified, the one in Cali, I didn't know but I guess it is just a little area in LA?