Anonymous wrote:OP really take a hard look at Pasadena for a place to live. If you want to be in a community that has normal people, I'd highly recommend it. We lived on the west side in Mar Vista and landed in Pasadena and lived there for many years before coming back east. You would have a relatively decent commute downtown, with the option to travel by train. I'd hands down recommend that over living on the west side. Also some of the private schools mentioned here are in Pasadena - Polytechnic and Westridge. When we were there, good public school options were in South Pasadena and La Canada-Flintridge - both communities border Pasadena.

Whatever you do just remember the traffic is hell. Once you choose a community your whole life needs to happen in a small radius - school, church, friends whatever. Otherwise you'll be miserable. If you chose Pasadena for example, don't expect to spend much time further west.

I completely agree with this. I was born and raised in LA, and live in DC now (family still in LA, so I spend a lot of time there). If you are worried about too much focus on looks, mean girls, etc., Pasadena is a much better bet than the westside. It's more like DC, and a decent commute downtown (although not good). You could also think about the South Bay (Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes). There are some good public schools, and I think some decent privates in PV (although commute to downtown would not be great).

The short answer to your question about whether people care more about looks in LA than DC is YES. LA is a city about beauty/fame, much like DC is a city about power/intellect. That doesn't mean everyone in LA is obsessed with beauty/fame or that there aren't smart, down-to-earth people there. But there's no doubt that looks matter more than they do here. There's tons of plastic surgery...people are thin, tan, primped, waxed, etc. It's hard not to care about your looks when you are surrounded by beautiful people. This is one of the few things about LA that I don't miss.... But the weather is great and the people are nicer, so good luck to you and your family.

The publics in Pasadena are NOT good, but those in South Pasadena are good. There are two good elementary schools, one good middle and one good HS.

We have several friends that live in Pasadena and love it. They participate in traditional community events like the annual tree lighting competition, Rose Parade and Rose Bowl games, and enjoy the proximity to Caltech, the Huntington Gardens and Arboreteum, Santa Anita racetrack, and Pasadena restaurants. It does get hot in the summer and is a big schlep to the westside. If you commute to downtown, consider Pasadena.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP really take a hard look at Pasadena for a place to live. If you want to be in a community that has normal people, I'd highly recommend it. We lived on the west side in Mar Vista and landed in Pasadena and lived there for many years before coming back east. You would have a relatively decent commute downtown, with the option to travel by train. I'd hands down recommend that over living on the west side. Also some of the private schools mentioned here are in Pasadena - Polytechnic and Westridge. When we were there, good public school options were in South Pasadena and La Canada-Flintridge - both communities border Pasadena.

Whatever you do just remember the traffic is hell. Once you choose a community your whole life needs to happen in a small radius - school, church, friends whatever. Otherwise you'll be miserable. If you chose Pasadena for example, don't expect to spend much time further west.

Prior poster here from Pacific Palisades and I agree with this post. My brother lives in that area and it's really nice. And again the publics are good there too

You will find variety of options about it. I absolutely hate Pasadena and surrounding areas, I have bad commute because of it.

Anonymous wrote:OP really take a hard look at Pasadena for a place to live. If you want to be in a community that has normal people, I'd highly recommend it. We lived on the west side in Mar Vista and landed in Pasadena and lived there for many years before coming back east. You would have a relatively decent commute downtown, with the option to travel by train. I'd hands down recommend that over living on the west side. Also some of the private schools mentioned here are in Pasadena - Polytechnic and Westridge. When we were there, good public school options were in South Pasadena and La Canada-Flintridge - both communities border Pasadena.

Whatever you do just remember the traffic is hell. Once you choose a community your whole life needs to happen in a small radius - school, church, friends whatever. Otherwise you'll be miserable. If you chose Pasadena for example, don't expect to spend much time further west.

Prior poster here from Pacific Palisades and I agree with this post. My brother lives in that area and it's really nice. And again the publics are good there too

Anonymous wrote:Which schools have the worst rep when it comes to harrasment/sexism?

Why? Is your child currently having these issues? There are incidents at every school. Some parents prefer an all-girls school for these reasons but there are predators everywhere. The key is have open communication between you and your child.

My DH was asked by several colleagues to write a letter of recommendation to the admissions committee at two schools our children had attended. The competition is ferocious, with many parents having carefully planned their children’s admission strategies since before preschool. Extra-curriculars,club teams, tutors and coaches, choice of temple or church, are seleced to maximize a child’s chances to stand out from the crowd. The admission of the oldest child of a family can greatly ease the way of the siblings.

Have you been a generous donor to your elementary private? That won’t get you in if you don’t have a kid who can handle the academics but it will help your family compete. Your current school will be asked about your generosity and participation (volunteer).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard-Westlake, Marlborough, Brentwood, Crossroads, Windward and Archer are the top Westside choices for girls, with HW and Marlborough being the most prestigious. Polytechnic, Buckley, and Campbell Hall are farther away privates. I am also a HW mom of an alumnus and can vouch for how VERY competitive admissions are to these schools.

If you apply to all of these schools will you likely get into one?

OP, unles your kid has some MAJOR issue, then yes

Maybe. It depends on the competition that year, and how many siblings are applying (who get preference). It’s easier to get into a good college since your kid is competing against the wealthy, well-connected, brilliant and talented of many public and private elementary and middle schools, some of which are known feeder schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Crossroads has a massive, MASSIVE drug problem and flakey academics.

If you are looking at Brentwood and Harvard Westlake they are the best.

Also strong are Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles in Century City / Culver City and in Pasadena, The Waverly School

If you are considering publics, Malibu High, Palisades High and Santa Monica High are all excellent. South Pasadena High is also very high ranking (but about 80% Asian if that matters).

Santa Monica High has had some gang issues in the past. The Beverly Hills public school system is also good, and not part of LA unified.

Agree about Beverly Hills. Santa Monica High had gang problems, but that was in the 1990s.

OP really take a hard look at Pasadena for a place to live. If you want to be in a community that has normal people, I'd highly recommend it. We lived on the west side in Mar Vista and landed in Pasadena and lived there for many years before coming back east. You would have a relatively decent commute downtown, with the option to travel by train. I'd hands down recommend that over living on the west side. Also some of the private schools mentioned here are in Pasadena - Polytechnic and Westridge. When we were there, good public school options were in South Pasadena and La Canada-Flintridge - both communities border Pasadena.

Whatever you do just remember the traffic is hell. Once you choose a community your whole life needs to happen in a small radius - school, church, friends whatever. Otherwise you'll be miserable. If you chose Pasadena for example, don't expect to spend much time further west.

Which schools have the worst rep when it comes to harrasment/sexism?

Anonymous wrote:You will DEFINITELY find more Trumpers

this is probably true!

You will DEFINITELY find more Trumpers