Pasadena, California...anyone lived there?? Had a baby there?

[tangox3]

Hi. If this job doesn't come off in Toronto there is a possibility we might be relocating to LA - and Pasadena has been recommended as a place to live that is close to my dh's work.
I don't know a thing about the place and am currently 20 wks preg with no. 2 with 22 month old ds too.
Anything you can tell me would be helpful...a Wisteria Lane type suburban community would be lovely! (without the drama!!), Hospital/OB-GYN recommendations etc etc Thanks!

[tangox3]

Will def let you know if we're moving...find out within the month, I hope! Thanks for the advice about the rental market...dh is a contractor so we may have to sort out the accommodation ourselves.
Best of luck with the house search!

[SofiaAmes]

tangox3, pasadena is a beautiful town. It is essentially a part of los angeles. I live in Los Angeles and know it very well. Where is your dh's work? I would be happy to point you in the right direction of people to talk to and places to look at. My dh is also a contractor and I am an architect.
You will find having your baby here a pleasure.
If you are planning on buying a house you will want to consider the schools in your area as here you send your child to your local school.
Californiafrau, I'm sure you have heard of it, but are you using craigslist to help find a place? www.craigslist.org

[Blandmum]

my late FIL used to live there. Very nice place.

Late FIL was a total toss pot, but that was nothing to do with the place!

[littlerach]

We have visited there, as In laws live a bit further north of LA.
we went to the Rose Parade which was lovely. It did seem like a very nice place.

[LAtyke]

Hi, we are relocating to LA in november. We will be staying in Torrance (industrial south LA). So could anyone could help out with info on areas to live or elementary schools ds 7,dd 4. Must admit I am excited by the move and a bit sick about taking the kids from one smoggy city to an even bigger one. Ho hum

[fridascruffs]

LAtyke- I used to live in LA and my parents still do, but I was always based north of downtown. Torrance is not so nice to live in I think(sure I did a job there once), but if you can afford it, the south-of-town beaches are nice- Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, even Palos Verdes but can't think without a map how far the commute would be. LA types commute for bloody hours on gridlocked freeways, but no different to commuting in & out of London if you've done that. For various reasons I'm thinking of returning to the area myself but would prob. choose somewhere like LAke Arrowhead- much cheaper and it's up out of the 'sump'. Too far from Torrance though I reckon. Hope you enjoy it. Californians are friendly enough and of course they 'just love your accent'.

[fridascruffs]

LAtyke- I used to live in LA and my parents still do, but I was always based north of downtown. Torrance is not so nice to live in I think(sure I did a job there once), but if you can afford it, the south-of-town beaches are nice- Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, even Palos Verdes but can't think without a map how far the commute would be. LA types commute for bloody hours on gridlocked freeways, but no different to commuting in & out of London if you've done that. For various reasons I'm thinking of returning to the area myself but would prob. choose somewhere like LAke Arrowhead- much cheaper and it's up out of the 'sump'. Too far from Torrance though I reckon. Hope you enjoy it. Californians are friendly enough and of course they 'just love your accent'.

[fridascruffs]

oops sorry

[LAtyke]

Thanks fridascruffs - I visited torrance for a couple of days in july - it seems ok not pretty but its breezier than some of the other towns we visited. We were looking for the shortest commute possible from hubbies' work and to the beaches. It's nice to hear the locals are friendly though I must admit that I'm not looking forward to being the new mum in the playground. I've never heard of lake arrowhead but it has a nice ring to it. Not sure I like the idea of the 'sump'. Good luck for your move in the future!