Discover Hidden Gems When Moving to Pasadena

If you’re looking for an area that’s a true hidden gem, it’s Pasadena. Tucked in among so many great cities and high-profile locations, this spot is like that cozy town that you can make all your own and build a wonderful life in. You can explore the location’s history and learn what the city is all about. There’s a plethora of art, cuisine, shopping, and natural wonders to enjoy as well. Top it off with a fine selection of thriving, beautiful neighborhoods where you and your family can settle down, and you have a place that’s got everything going for it. So, let Good Neighbors Moving Company guide you through hidden gems when moving to Pasadena.

Meet Pasadena, CA

For such a wonderful place, Pasadena sometimes gets overlooked when compared to the other cities around it. Maybe it doesn’t have the glitz and fanfare of some other spots in Southern California – but this gives it a unique charm of its own. The mystique comes in the form of finding a well-kept secret. While the city is by no means small, a lot of its appeal can only be realized by looking closer and exploring the area. If you’re moving to Pasadena, you have the chance to discover some hidden gems. However, before hiring Pasadena movers, check out whether the cost of living suits you.

Those considering a move here will find a city that reveals its treasures to those willing to explore. Pasadena’s cost of living varies, with total monthly expenses ranging from $3,251 for a single person to $7,394 for a family, including rent. Without rent, these figures drop to $862 and $2,937, respectively. Rent and utilities can cost between $2,388 and $4,457, while food expenses may range from $616 to $1,600 monthly. Transportation is relatively affordable, with costs between $58.1 and $158. The average monthly salary after tax is $6,129, contributing to a quality of life score of 73. With a population of 139,000, Pasadena offers a welcoming community for newcomers looking for a blend of suburban charm and city conveniences.

7 Ways to Find Fulfillment When You Move to Pasadena

What awaits you in your new home? Maybe it’s a glimpse into the past and the area’s inspiring history. It could be a small shop or restaurant that soon becomes your favorite spot. Even a local museum, hiking trail, or festival could have some potential memories in the making for you and yours – and these endearing adventures are just waiting to be explored when you make your move. Following are some amenities and attractions you may want to check out. And to discover hidden gems when moving to Pasadena without any stress, hire our moving services Los Angeles residents trust.

1 Discover hidden gems when moving to Pasadena: Explore the History of Pasadena’s Old Town

Pasadena’s Old Town, sometimes referred to simply as Old Pasadena, is a historic district featuring a mix of unique shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The district has a rich history, which has evolved over time to become the vibrant neighborhood it is today. The Old Town district of Pasadena began to take shape in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The district was initially known as the “Central Business District,” and it served as the commercial and cultural hub of the city. It was a bustling area that promoted commerce and growth. While the area did experience a lull, efforts began to revitalize Old Town in the 1960s and 1970s. The city of Pasadena launched a program to restore and preserve the historic buildings, and new businesses began to move in.

Today, Old Town is a vibrant mix of past glory and present-day progress. The district has retained much of its historic charm, with many of the buildings dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s still standing. New residential developments have been built, bringing more people to the area, and the district has become a hub for arts and culture, with regular events and festivals taking place throughout the year. Who knows what fun experiences and historic sights you may discover here? Thus, hire local movers and settle down in Pasadena’s Old Town.

2 Enjoy Art and History at Must-Visit Museums

If there’s one place to discover amazing creations and fascinating facts, it’s a museum – and luckily for anyone moving to Pasadena, there are plenty to choose from. Consider the Norton Simon Museum, which offers a renowned collection of European and Asian art spanning the Renaissance to the 20th century. The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens offer a different type of experience. This vast estate includes a research library, an art collection, and 120 acres of botanical gardens. The library has a vast collection of rare books, manuscripts, and photographs. Touching back on the history of the area, if Old Pasadena doesn’t provide enough of a glimpse into the past, the Pasadena Museum of History will. This museum showcases:

• Historically significant exhibits
• Photographs of the area through the years
• Artifacts from the city’s evolution

Museums like this are designed to entertain adults. If you’re looking for something for your children, visit the Kidspace Children’s Museum. It offers hands-on exhibits and fun activities for children to teach them about science, art, and nature. These are just a few of the many museums to explore in Pasadena. Not only can you discover art styles and interesting information, but you can also discover incredible people and places from the past that you may have otherwise never known about. Thus, hire a moving company Los Angeles County offers and enjoy Pasadena to the fullest.

3 Chow Down at the Pasadena Food Scene

If you’re a foodie, moving to Pasadena will open you up to a buffet of amazing restaurants. Many of these locations have become iconic to locals, so as a new arrival, there’s no better way to get acclimated than by stopping by one of these spots. How about The Raymond? This upscale American restaurant offers seasonal cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients and has a beautiful outdoor patio. If you prefer Mexican flavors, check out Maestro, a stylish, contemporary Michelin-starred restaurant with a focus on seafood. If farm-to-table eateries are more to your taste, you can try out the New American cuisine at Union or the California classic dishes of The Arbour. Both use local ingredients and complement their food items with great drinks and scenery.

For more international flavors, stop by the Bone Kettle. This Southeast Asian restaurant specializes in Indonesian cuisine, with a focus on bone broth and traditional flavors, offering a dining experience that is hard to find elsewhere. Many people say food is medicine, and if you’re aiming to be healthy, choose True Food Kitchen. This bright and modern health-conscious restaurant offers a menu of seasonal, organic dishes with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. For timeless classics, you can enjoy burgers and homemade pies at Pie ‘n Burger, a local favorite since 1963, or The Kitchen, an upscale steakhouse that offers prime meat, seafood, classic sides, and an extensive selection of wine. Maybe you’ll discover a new favorite restaurant, dish, or cuisine style when you explore the food scene of Pasadena. It’s a mouth-watering prospect just to think about! And if you want to open and move your own restaurant in Pasadena, opt for the best commercial movers and move like a pro.

4 Discover hidden gems when moving to Pasadena: Treasure at Pasadena Shops

When we talk about discovering hidden gems, many people think in terms of finding physical items they can keep. This means that a day out shopping can be the surest way to track down a true treasure. Pasadena, California, has a variety of shops to offer, ranging from boutiques to larger chain stores. Here are a few popular shopping destinations in Pasadena:

• The Paseo – This outdoor mall features a mix of national chains like J.C. Penney and Macy’s, along with specialty stores like L’Occitane and Sephora.
• The Shops on Lake Avenue – This bustling shopping district is located in the heart of Pasadena. It is home to a mix of high-end boutiques and national retailers, including Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, plus many more.
• South Lake Avenue – This tree-lined street is known for its upscale boutiques, including fashion-forward stores like Anthropologie and Free People.
• One Colorado – This charming outdoor shopping center features a mix of independent boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, all set against a backdrop of historic architecture.

These are just a few examples of the many shopping options available in Pasadena. Whether you’re looking for high-end fashion or unique gifts, you’re sure to find something that fits your style and budget in this vibrant Southern California city. Whether your idea of a gem is a one-of-a-kind creation or a high-end brand-name piece of apparel, plenty of fantastic finds are bound to await you in the shops of Pasadena. 55

5 Pursue Better Health with Outdoor Exercise

Moving to Pasadena is perfect for those who love the outdoors. The warm and sunny weather is very inviting and makes it easy to enjoy the area’s natural beauty. Whether you want to focus more on your health or discover a new passion for outdoor exercise, you can consider:

• Hiking on the Eaton Canyon Trail, Millard Canyon Trail, or Sam Merrill Trail
• Cycling across the Arroyo Seco Bike Path and Rose Bowl Loop
• Yoga outdoors at One Colorado or Brookside Park

Sometimes, the thrill of the outdoors is the sweat you break and the ability you find to push through your physical limitations and get in better shape. But other times, the fulfillment comes from the oneness you feel. Hiking by a view of the San Gabriel Mountains is a great way to discover hidden gems when moving to Pasadena. Yoga on the Green or Yoga in the Park can help you feel the grass under your feet and hear the sounds of birds chirping as you enjoy greater flexibility of body and mind.

6 Discover hidden gems when moving to Pasadena: Relax in the Beauty and Calmness of Nature

While there’s something to be said for exercising outdoors, nature brings a certain serenity. This makes it just as fitting as a place to relax. There are many ways you can discover a true sense of peace in the Pasadena outdoors and to enjoy hidden gems when moving to Pasadena. One great choice is to head to one of the area’s beautiful parks, like Brookside, Victory, or Memorial Park, and have a picnic with your loved ones. There are picnic tables you can use, and plenty of green space where you can put down a blanket.

If you want to stock your picnic basket with fresh food while supporting local vendors, Pasadena has multiple local farmers markets with tons of treats you can try. If it’s more of the nature view you want, you can consider horseback riding at locations like Pasadena Trail Rides or the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. To combine relaxation with exercise and get the best of both worlds, take to the greens and play some golf at one of the area’s several courses. Maybe you’ll meet some new partners on the course, at the market, or in the park – allowing you to bond with your new community members when you move to Pasadena. If you really want to go all out and discover some new friends, interests, and exciting times, consider one of the many events and festivals held in the area throughout the year. When you move here, there’s always something fun going on.

7 Find a Fun Future with Your Family

We’ve talked about finding facts from the past, great food, high-end products, better health, and peace of mind. But if there’s one thing that’s perhaps the most important of all to find, it’s a great life with your family. In order to build this type of connection and maintain it, you need the right environment. Pasadena can potentially be this location for anyone because it offers a great deal of activities you can all pursue together. How about taking your little ones to the Pasadena Playhouse for family-friendly productions all throughout the year? Sounds like a nice place to make for monthly or weekly traditions. How about hanging out together at the Pasadena Ice Skating Center, enjoying a chance to escape the Pasadena heat for an activity that’s cool in every sense of the word?

You could also strike up some memories at the Bowlmor Pasadena, which offers 35 bowling lanes, arcade games, and a full-service restaurant. There are also zoos, indoor sports areas, and plenty of other places you can go to enjoy time with one another. But while you need recreational options, you also need a great place to live. Pasadena has a number of highly revered neighborhoods, each offering its own charm. Whether you’re looking for more space, more neighbors, or more beautiful scenery, you’ll find the perfect home here. When you do find that home for you and yours, that’s perhaps the greatest gem to discover in Pasadena – the only question left is, how will you get there? The answer is simple: hire residential movers and move in no time.

Choose Good Neighbors Moving for Your Pasadena Move

Now that you know what the hidden gems are when moving to Pasadena, hire Good Neighbors Moving Company to help you streamline the move. We are ready to handle your Pasadena move. Our licensed, insured, experienced organization provides everything you need for a smooth and enjoyable relocation. We offer packing, loading, transport, and unloading, so you get everything you need from one convenient provider. We also use high-quality moving supplies, perform furniture disassembly and reassembly, and even offer professional storage services in case you need to declutter or delay your move. Whenever you’re moving, you’ve got us in your corner. But make sure you reach out ASAP – we book up fast, so connect today, and we can begin creating a plan. Contact us, and we’ll start you off with a free moving estimate.

References:

Pasadena, CA: Cost of Living, Prices for Rent & Food [2023]. (2020, July 27). Livingcost.org. https://livingcost.org/cost/united-states/ca/pasadena

Gross, H. (2022, October 6). 14 Best Restaurants in Pasadena, CA 2023. Restaurant Observer. https://restaurantobserver.com/restaurants-in-pasadena-california/