Comments on: Arcadia vs Pasadena – $750,000

By: isa tk+

isa tk+ — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:34:49 +0000

Although I like to live in Arcadia, I grew up as an Apache rival. Go Rams!(3)

By: isa

isa — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:34:29 +0000

Although I like to live in Arcadia, I grew up as an Apache rival. Go Rams!(2)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:37:31 +0000

Mark, could you point to any data substantiating your correlation between race and academic performance? More specifically, what’s the basis for your claim that “Asian students are great at memorizing chapters of material and THUS do very well in fill-in-the-correct-checkbox standardized tests”?

Studies do indicate that Asians, on average, outperform other racial groups on standardized prepatory exams. However, higher scores are generally realized by ANY student with a well-rounded education, not just those dedicated merely to rote study.

Your comment that “[i]f you were to exchange an entire group of Asian students from Arcadia and transplant them to Blair High School in Pasadena, they would still score equally well in standardized tests” is particularly puzzling in light of your intention to send your kids to private school. In other words, the success of San Marino & Arcadia schools have little to do with quality staff, superior equipment and facilities, and community involvement. If not for racial composition, there would be no difference between Blair H.S. and Arcadia High…but you wouldn’t send your own children there?

As a former student of both LAUSD and one of the high schools you mentioned, I can attest to a significant qualitative difference between the two. Please don’t paint w/ so broad a brush, and have some responsibility before throwing racial stereotypes out into the internet ether.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:46:54 +0000

Read closer, they DON’T WANT to pay $750,000 for a home. We are actually budgeting better than those who make less and spend more for a house. We budget to live a balanced life. There’s more to experience in life than mortage payments and commuting.

By: Builder

Builder — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 02:52:33 +0000

PUSD sucks. Most public schools do, with the only alternative being La Canada and the Asian schools (San Marino & Arcadia) which present their own disadvantages. Pasadena and East Altadena are great communities, however I don’t know a single kid that does not go to private school (Pasadena has the largest number of private schools in the western US.) The infill area between La Canada and Lake Avenue, north of Altadena Drive, have great nieghborhoods that will increase in value more than other communities in the comming years. Only downside is the schools, and public schools for actual American citizens will soon be a thing of the past anyways.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:10:36 +0000

combined, you make $200K and complained you can’t afford 3/4 million dollar home! Why don’t you drop the BWM or MB (insert other luxury brand) you’re driving. What this sort of income perhaps you need to pay someone to help you budget better. charge it to you credit card if you can’t afford it.

By: KY

KY — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:54:13 +0000

My understanding is that house price only goes up because of inflation.
So if inflation is 3%/year, then the house appreciates 3%/year.

There’s nothing intrinsic in a house that increases its value. Not like company stock that has earnings growth.
Of course home improvements and speculation do increase the price.

another way to calculate rough value is multiply
Comparable monthly rent by a Gross Rent Multiplier (150-180). i think this was discussed by TheArcadian/SBG in one of their posts. IrvineRenter has an excellent breakdown/explanation of the GRM at http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/blog/comments/rent-versus-own/

By: tracker

tracker — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:53:37 +0000

Glad the zip code tip helped =)

I am curious to know how you guys calculate the true value of a home.

Do you take the pre-1999 sales info (if its available) and add 2-3% appreciation for each year plus inflation to that?

What’s the right formula?

By: mm

mm — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:51:42 +0000

I totally agree with you Mark. I’m an Asian so I know exactly what you mean “driving kids to perform well in school”. Most of us do well because we have pressure from our parents since we’re 1st grader. They especially good at giving you impression that if you don’t do good, it’s disgrace to the whole family stuff, I guess it works!

I’m lucky enough to grow up in Asia which makes me have most foundation built well from “memorizing chapters”, yet I have my BS and MS here which gave me another thought of critical thinking and creativity. I hope I’ll teach my kids differently in the future since I don’t have any yet, and hopefully more and more Asian kids won’t only give people impression of memorizing chapters well but also their creativity and leadership in the future.

By: mm

mm — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:40:37 +0000

I sure like South Pasadena and San Marino. But with the arboretum, mall, shops, and walking distance to get most thing around, I’ll say I like Arcadia more.

Me and my boyfriend drove to see a condo in South Pasadena the other day. From the pictures and the asking price, that condo is pretty decent as in S Pasadena at that time. But my boyfriend said he doesn’t like the fact that within the walking radius, all we can see is houses. It’s boring he said. And he was the one who wanted to find a nice place near downtown.

So I guess it depends on your needs. To me, I think for the combination of area, price, school district, safety, and convince, Arcadia still rank the best in 20-mile radius from downtown LA. I mean best combination, of course that includes price factor.