Baltimore, MD to Azusa, CA

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by drshang

If you don't want to live all the way in Pasadena (which isn't that far) check out Monrovia. It has a really cute downtown area (rent near the downtown/walkable area) and will save you 15 minutes on your commute. Plus you're closer to LA than areas further east.

Monrovia was an area I thought about as well or Sierra Madre which someone suggested. I just don't know about apartments in Sierra Madre.

Nita

[young east coaster]

Thanks all for your great responses. I'll move to Pasadena if I can find a place.

I hear things about the air quality of LA. Is it bad in the areas we've been talking about. It seems like it's outside of LA proper.

Also, someone mentioned $50 for utilities. Did I see that right? Is that for water, gas and electric???

Last thing, what's the mood like in Pasadena? Are people friendly and open to making new friends? In Baltimore/Washington, people can be a little formal and it's tough to even get a date. People who move here are always remarking on the lack of friendliness. Will it be different in LA?

Thanks again!

[sll3454]

When people say talk about pollution in Los Angeles, they mean the whole area, including Azusa, Monrovia, Pasadena, and the other cities people have mentioned. The air quality is pretty bad in Pasadena. Afternoons are the worst, especially during hot weather.

The mountains are beautiful, though.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by young east coaster

Also, I keep hearing people talk about the weather. Isn't all of LA the same weather or close to it? I live in MD so I'm used to it all.

You can't officially say you're used to it all until you've experienced a few years' worth of our Fall conditions, which means hot, furnace-like, bone-dry (as in 0-1% humidity) gale force Santa Ana winds, dew point readings of negative 50°, static electricity shocks from everything, cracking skin, and raging wildland fires all at once.

[SoCal35]

Originally Posted by young east coaster

Thanks all for your great responses. I'll move to Pasadena if I can find a place.

Last thing, what's the mood like in Pasadena? Are people friendly and open to making new friends? In Baltimore/Washington, people can be a little formal and it's tough to even get a date. People who move here are always remarking on the lack of friendliness. Will it be different in LA?

Thanks again!

I wanted to respond to this part of your question: the cold hard facts are that people can be jerks no matter where you go. I am sure you don't need me to tell you that.

That said, I do think people in Pasadena are less snobby than in other parts of LA (read: Beverly Hills, West LA, etc.).

Also, I think So.Calif. in genral is more laid back and more open to strangers than the east coast. I say this as a person who grew up in LA County but lived on the east coast (NYC, DC) for approx. 5 years in my late 20's / early 30's.

That said, the LA metro is a big, sprawling city...so we have our share of jerks too. So I do not intend to sugar coat it or anything.