Housing is tricky in Pasadena. The real estate boom reduced the total number of affordable rent properties. But there are still good bargains to be found. If you want to be in Pasadena proper, consider looking just west of Hastings Ranch and Altadena. Some of these areas were crime hotspots, but Pasadena now boasts one of the lowest crime rates in LA - and most of the problem neighborhoods have gentrified. You can also look south of Colorado, west of Lake - east of Rosemead.

The prime locations are in the South Lake, Playhouse, and Old Town Districts. These are pricey, though. There are new developments on Arroyo Parkway, but I’m told the price tag on these is steep, too.

If you’re willing to live outside Pasadena, consider Sierra Madre, San Gabriel and South Pasadena. You’ll have to work a little harder to find listings, but there are still some good apartment bargains and reasonable house rentals.

Good luck.

You definitely want to be South of the 210 Freeway, and West of Sierra Madre Blvd. The closer you can move to the middle of town (Lake Ave), the less you’ll have to drive, but that comes with a price. Pasadena is expensive to live in. Finding a one bedroom apartment for less than $1000 is a good deal. Places like that do exist, so check craigslist and roommates.com.

Poor college student and Pasadena don’t really mix, but there is a true community feel in the city, which is rare in Southern California.

I recommend driving around to Sierra Madre and Monrovia and picking up the local newspaper. There are usually add of people renting out a room over a garage etc.