catofgrey

Pasadena is one of the largest cultural centers of the Los Angeles area. Originally a resort community for East-Coast wealthy on holiday, it is now a major commercial, residential, educational and cultural center, with facilities exceeding all but a few cities west of the Rockies.

There are a lot of 'brains per square mile' here, with Cal Tech and Jet Propulsion Laboratory being close by. Pasadena's heritage shows today in dozens of historical homes, many built by world-famous architects Greene and Greene. The most notable of these is the Gamble House, which is now a museum with tours of the home. The Norton Simon is an international quality art museum.

Most visitors to Pasadena focus on the Downtown area. The Downtown area also has major shopping, and the Pasadena Playhouse and Civic Auditorium are both regional performing art centers.

The New Year's Day Tournament of Roses Parade (and associated Rose Bowl football game) are an international event, with the 5+ mile parade route lined with an estimate million viewers.

Although Pasadena is a large enough city to have areas which are less safe, for the most part it is a safer city than average (especially for its size), and offers considerably more cultural, educational and other opportunities.

[reviewer works in this city - visits weekly]

Huntington Drive is the main east-west street in Monrovia. It is a six-lane street throughout almost all of Monrovia, and has major signals, including left-turn-only signals. Unlike Foothill to the north, and Myrtle street, Huntington is also a major thoroughfare used to travel between cities - it was part of the original 'Route 66' that runs from LA to Chicago.

Since this is a commercial street, many of the above categories do not apply, and many of the categories refer to areas outside of Monrovia (for example, healthcare refers to nearby Arcadia Methodist Hospital)

The eastern Section of Huntington is more corporate, including headquarters of Lawrys, and Mount Sierra College. The western section (leading into Arcadia) contains a major restaurant row, including a Black Angus, Mimi's Cafe, Chili's, Applebees, and Claim Jumper. That development is also home to a Trader Joes market, a Bed Bath and Beyond, a Right-Aid pharmacy, and other fast food shops.

This is a busy, street with moderate traffic even outside of rush hours.

One of the 'main drags' of the city of Monrovia, Foothill Blvd. is generally a clean street with light traffic except for specific commuting hours.

This is mostly a commercial street, so this street doesn't really fit many of the ratings above. For most of its length, it is a 4 lane route, with signal lights.

Historically, Foothill separates housing developments. Houses to the north of Foothill (uphill) are more expensive than those downhill from the street.

Notable businesses:
Pavilions - a mid-high end supermarket on the corner of Foothill and Myrtle. The attached strip malls have a good greeting card and gift store, nail salon, and s host of fast-food and other restaurants (Subway, Wendys)

Aztec Hotel - A landmark for decades, this, um, well, uniquely decorated building is also a club and bar.

T-Burger - operated by Top's, an awesome char-broiled burger joint, with a menu including hot and cold sandwiches, and the always intriguing Chili Tamale.

Other businesses in this area include an Vet, Blockbuster Video, professional offices, various residential buildings, an a 7-11.

Further West, the restaurant Mediterranean Garden Grill is exceptional for authentic and tasty food, family-owned for over a decade.

The CVS pharmacy at Fifth Street is on the Monrovia-Arcadia border, and has been recently remodeled.

Monrovia is a suburb of Los Angeles, located perhaps 20 miles from downtown. It is a small city in the San Gabriel valley, and has the feel of a small-medium sized Midwestern town, but with the cultural advantages of living in a major metropolis.

The city is defined by Myrtle Street, the major N/S street that forms 'downtown Monrovia'. Each Friday afternoon there is a farmer's market, which swells into a 'family festival' during the summertime that lasts until at least 9pm. There are many small retail shops on Myrtle Street or nearby, notably a doll shop, an army surplus, art galley, antique shop, and a frame shop. It also has a diverse and electic selection of middle to high caliber restaurants, including BBQ, seafood, Thai, Chinese, mexican, and various fusion. Regionally known restaurants are Devon, located just east of Myrtle on Lemon, and Cafe Mundial.

This reviewer is not one who samples a lot of nightlife, so I'm not an expert, but the question of nightlife brings up an important benefit of Monrovia.

Although Monrovia is a small town, opportunities are nearby. The restaurant selection is magnified by nearby Pasadena, and further opportunities are only a short drive away (Vietnamese in Alhambra, for example). Other culture can be found in Pasadena, as well, from night clubs to playhouses.

Monrovia's position in the San Gabriel mountains gives us solid cell phone reception, and with many hi-tech residents (Cal Tech & Jet Propulsion Laboratory are less than 15 miles away) home internet access is good whether you choose cable or DSL.

Compared to most other city living areas near LA, Monrovia is more 'natural' than average, with a higher amount of green in residential areas, along with raccoons, squirrels, possums, and skunks, all of whom are best enjoyed at a distance. The benefit of this is the miles of wilderness trails available for hiking, some year-round.

Monrovia housing is close to the median for LA County. I am a lifetime LA area resident, and I am unaware of a location that has a combination of affordability, safety, and short distance to downtown that is important for commuting in this area.