Living in Pasadena once symbolized 'elegant living' in Southern California.

But honestly, that phrase has lost its meaning a bit now. Just as LA has changed, Pasadena seems to have transformed significantly as well.

From the 1940s to the 1980s, Pasadena was known as a gathering place for the wealthy, scholars, and artists, referred to as an 'intellectual and refined city.' While Los Angeles was bustling with industry and film, Pasadena was calm and relaxed. The red bricks shone on every Old Town street, and the Rose Bowl Parade was the pride of the city.

However, that elegance could not withstand the test of time. Until the 1950s and 60s, it was known as a peaceful middle-class city centered around families, and thanks to Caltech and NASA JPL, it had an image as a 'city of intellect,' but now that reputation is not what it used to be. Instead of research staff, there are more studio renters, and instead of scientists, there are young couples worrying about rent.

People tapping away on laptops at street cafes? Now, it's more common to find those looking for jobs or side gigs. Instead of saying, "Ah, Pasadena," it's more natural to hear, "Things aren't so great here either these days." The Victorian houses that residents struggled to restore in the 70s and 80s are often neglected now due to exorbitant taxes and maintenance costs.

The theaters that turned into galleries have closed again, replaced by chain coffee shops or real estate offices. Old Pasadena, once a romantic alley with jazz bands playing, has now become a selfie spot for tourists.

At night, instead of music, the noise of traffic and drunken voices are louder. It was a city that spoke of the 'aesthetics of slowness,' but now, with rising rents and prices, there's no choice but to rush. Instead of morning bike rides, it's traffic jams on the way to work, and instead of farmers' markets, it's calculating sales at big supermarkets.

They still say that art and science coexist, but museum admission fees have increased, and the observatory has seen a decline in visitors due to parking fees. The saying that "Pasadena people think in gardens, converse in living rooms, and greet each other on the streets" is now a thing of the past. Gardens have turned into rock gardens due to maintenance costs, and living rooms are quiet, with the lights off to save on air conditioning. The leisure of greeting each other on the streets has now been replaced by smartphone screens. Pasadena in the 2020s is no longer the wealthy neighborhood of the past or the romantic city it once was.

Of course, housing prices are still high, but that doesn't equate to 'elegance.'

Young entrepreneurs are coming in, but few last long, and studios run by artists quickly disappear due to inability to pay rent.

Pasadena is still beautiful, but the elegance of the past and the creativity of the future? Now, they seem to be caught between taxes and parking issues. In the past, saying "I live in Pasadena" was a point of pride, but now it just sounds like "I live in a neighborhood that's a bit quieter than LA."

In the end, Pasadena is still a wonderful city, but perhaps reality has become too harsh to speak of 'elegant living' as it once did.