Pasadena Apartments & Rentals

Known as the City of Roses, Pasadena possesses a family-friendly quality of life that is rare in the sprawling city of Los Angeles. With a population of 137,222 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and located just 10 miles northeast of downtown LA, all of the conveniences of a metropolis are at your fingertips without the jostle of the city. As one of the larger neighborhoods in the county, people looking for Pasadena apartments for rent should have no problems in their search, since the area is largely residential.

Settled by the Spanish San Gabriel Mission in 1771 and once part of Mexican territory, the Latino community has been a major influence on the local culture and cuisine of Pasadena. Until California was granted statehood in 1850, the area was populated by many prosperous Mexican families.

Pasadena slowly grew into a lavish, touristy winter playground for the nouveau riche in the Roaring 20s. As Hollywood's film industry blossomed during this time, the city began to expand and Pasadena became incorporated into the city of Los Angeles. The tourists moved out, and many Californians moved in. Many public works projects, including the Rose Bowl Stadium, were built in the area at this time.

As LA continued to sprawl into the late 20th century, Pasadena stayed true to its familial roots. Although many proposals wanted to tear down the Spanish-style building, which makes Pasadena unique, to build skyscrapers, neighborhood and preservation groups struck down the measures and kept Pasadena the quiet, residential oasis that it has always been.

Major corporations like AT&T, Bank of America and Ameron International are among some of the city's top employers. Those looking for Pasadena rentals will have no problems getting to and from work, even if their business is elsewhere in the LA area. With an immediate freeway and mass transit access, Pasadena has always been an attractive city for many businesses.

One of the best schools in the country is located right in the heart of Pasadena. Students from all over the country flock to the California Institute of Technology (known as CalTech by locals) every fall, so if you are a student looking for apartments in the area, it would be wise to begin your search as early as July to make sure that you find the perfect pad.

Ask any Californian and he or she will say that living in Pasadena can be quite expensive. According to city-data.com, the cost of living is comparable to many communities in the Los Angeles area. However, in 2009 the average household income in Pasadena was more than $60,000, with the average rent set at $1,269; so, there are plenty of options for most Pasadena residents to live comfortably.

One of the best areas to explore the Spanish antiquity of the city is in the Old Pasadena Management District. A unique and vibrant experience, this downtown area has more than 100 shops, restaurants, bars and public spaces that are modern, but stay true to Pasadena's Spanish and Mexican heritage.

The crowned jewel of the city of Pasadena is the Rose Bowl Stadium, the proud home of the prestigious NCAA football bowl game and historic parade that is televised every winter. Because of the temperate Southern California climate, roses here are larger than life and can be seen throughout the grounds. Although there are no public tours of the stadium, it does host several public events throughout the year, including the world's largest flea market and a spectacular Fourth of July celebration.

Each year on New Year's Day, many Americans turn their eyes to Pasadena for the now century-old Rose Parade, a nod to the community spirit that makes this area such a wonderful place to live. With 80,000 hours of manpower and a nationally televised broadcast before the historic Rose Bowl college football game, the entire country gets a chance to see the beautiful native roses of Pasadena on display in many of the handcrafted floats that have made this parade so popular.

To find your next rental apartment or house in Pasadena, take a look at our listings on Rent.com®.