Pasadena sits 10 miles northeast of Downtown LA but feels like a different city: walkable Old Town, Rose Bowl views, some of the best public schools in Los Angeles County, and a mix of Craftsman bungalows and mid-century apartment buildings that movers have navigated for years. Here's what you need to know.
Pasadena neighborhood guide
- Old Town / Playhouse District: Walkable, restaurants and theaters on your doorstep, mostly apartments and condos. Parking for a moving truck requires advance permit.
- South Pasadena (adjacent): Technically a separate city, but movers and residents treat it as part of Greater Pasadena. Top-rated schools, quiet streets, small-town feel.
- Bungalow Heaven (NE Pasadena): Historic Craftsman district, single-family homes, most streets are wide and accessible for large trucks.
- San Rafael / Madison Heights: Larger lots, more mid-century architecture, good value relative to South Pas.
- Lamanda Park / East Pasadena: More affordable, closer to the 210, popular with first-time buyers.
Moving in or around LA? 2 movers + truck are $88/hr, all-inclusive, with nothing due until after the move. See your price in about a minute.
Parking and access for moving trucks
Old Town Pasadena and streets around Colorado Boulevard require a temporary no-parking permit from the City of Pasadena (Public Works Department). Processing takes 3–5 business days. Residential neighborhoods in Bungalow Heaven and San Rafael are generally permit-free for moving trucks, but some blocks have 2-hour limits that require coordination. Best Movers LA handles permit applications at no charge.
What does it cost to move to Pasadena?
| Home size | From where | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | Downtown LA (about 20 min) | $308–$418 |
| 1 bedroom | Culver City / Westside (about 35 min) | $374–$484 |
| 2 bedrooms | Downtown LA | $608–$800 |
| 3 bedrooms | Burbank / east Valley | $1,050–$1,386 |
Estimates include double drive time per California law. Exact rate confirmed in writing before move day.
The 210 Freeway and move timing
The 210 corridor runs directly through Pasadena and connects to the 134 toward Burbank and Glendale. Traffic is lightest between about 10 AM and 2 PM and after 7 PM on weekdays. Our dispatch team accounts for typical drive times in your written quote — no surprises at the end of the day.
Move to Pasadena with Best Movers LA
We move to and from Pasadena regularly, including Old Town high-rises and Craftsman bungalows on narrow streets. Parking permits, COIs and logistics are handled before move day. Get a free quote or call (213) 679-6844.
Related questions
Do I need a parking permit to move in Pasadena?
Pasadena is its own incorporated city, so LADOT has nothing to do with it — a curb reservation goes through Pasadena's own counter, with its own form, fee and lead time. In Bungalow Heaven and the older streets south of Colorado, where driveways are narrow and the curb fills up early, it is worth arranging.
What does it cost to move to Pasadena?
$88/hr for two movers and a truck, $128/hr for three, $168/hr for four, with a three-hour minimum and California double drive time. A one-bedroom typically comes to $330 to $440; a three-bedroom house to $840 to $1,440 depending on crew size and access. The Best Movers LA estimate is confirmed by email before the crew is scheduled.
How does the 210 affect move timing?
Enough to plan around. The 210 through Pasadena backs up badly in both peaks, and since double drive time bills the leg between your addresses at twice the clock, an extra twenty minutes in traffic is forty minutes on your invoice. An early start is worth real money on this route, not just comfort.
What is special about moving into Pasadena's older houses?
The Craftsman stock south of Colorado has narrow doorways, tight staircases and original floors that matter. Runners and padded door frames are standard rather than an extra, and it is why a Pasadena bungalow can take longer than its square footage suggests.
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