Pasadena, California: Historic, Alive and Connected
Daunted by Pasadena’s reputation for $8 million homes and historic districts, many homebuyers think this might still be a town for (rich) little old ladies. But while average incomes here are higher compared to the rest of California, as are the home values, the median age in Pasadena (37.2 years) is younger than the state median (45.6 years). More to the point, Pasadena’s galleries, restaurants, coffee shops and nightspots keep the locals on their feet and young at heart.
But oh those Bungalows, Craftsman homes, Mid-Century Moderns and Victorian frame houses. While the Gamble House may be a Craftsman mansion that draws visitors from around the world, there are approximately 800 more affordable homes that make up Bungalow Heaven (between Washington and Orange Grove boulevards). Detached houses in Pasadena have a median price of $731,000, while townhouses and condominiums in 5+ unit buildings might be bought for $460,000 (2013). Perfectly preserved vintage homes in some neighborhoods can still be purchased for under $500,000.
Not that Pasadenans just stay home. With cinemas, playhouses, comedy clubs, the Armory Center for the Arts, and museums galore (Norton Simon, Pacific Asian, Kidspace Children’s and the Pasadena Museum of California Art), there is plenty to do.
Many LA freeways converge on Pasadena. But the Los Angeles Metro Gold line light rail has six stations in Pasadena that enable a fast (36 minutes), green trip to and from downtown LA.
The Pasadena Unified School District also takes students from Altadena and Sierra Madre, incorporating four high schools, five middle schools and 17 elementary schools, plus private and parochial schools. Add the nearby campuses of the California Institute of Technology, Pacific Oaks College, the Los Angeles Music Academy College of Music, Pasadena City College, the Art Center College of Design, Fuller Theological Seminary and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts.
If you are interested in looking at homes in Pasadena, California, contact Steve Aranda at 360 Real Estate Group. Steve is an expert in buying and selling real estate in Pasadena, having represented buyers and sellers in the area for the past 13 years.
