Finding a Place to Live

If you prefer to take some time to find accommodation after you arrive in Pasadena, you can stay in a hotel (or motel, usually cheaper than a hotel) near Caltech; some of them offer Caltech discount. There are many other hotels and motels around the Caltech campus but they do not necessary offer negotiated discounts; we encourage you to double-check.

Caltech Marketplace is a platform where Caltech and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) members post advertisements and receive information about rental accommodation and items for sale such as car, furniture, and household.
. To subscribe, send an email with 'subscribe' in the subject to marketplace-join@caltech.edu and you will receive a confirmation that you join the marketplace list.
. To unsubscribe send an email to marketplace-leave@caltech.edu
. To post an email in this mailing list, you just need to send an email to marketplace@caltech.edu

Caltech Postdoc Association has a Facebook page where departing scholars post ads about all kinds; mainly are about rentals, and selling furniture (at a very low price usually). CPA also has a weekly mailing list in which rentals are advertised, as well as furniture, cars, and other items. We encourage you to sign up to the CPA mailing list even before arriving at Caltech or JPL. You can register to CPA mailing list before your official Caltech/JPL registration by sending a blank email to cpa-announcement-request@caltech.edu with the subject "subscribe".

Cost of Living in and around Pasadena: please, take a look at the Budget link which lists all the mandatory costs and also gives a few examples of others expenses..

Rentals for one year, one month or less

Sharing accommodation, living with roommates

Furniture and Utilities, visit our Home section.

Distance from Caltech Campus. If you want to live within walking/biking distance from Caltech (~ 1 mile), you should look for an apartment with the boundaries of North Walnut Avenue / East Sierra Madre Blvd / South California Avenue / West Los Robles Avenue.

Other nearby communities include Altadena (5 miles north Pasadena), La Canada (8 miles west Pasadena), Sierra Madre (north east border with Pasadena), South Pasadena (South East border with Pasadena) and San Marino (south border with Pasadena). If you are willing to commute, you might be able to find cheaper housing in communities farther away.

Distance from JPL. JPL is located in Altadena, 7 miles away west from Caltech. Many fellows live in La Canada, Altadena (east of JPL) or Pasadena.

Security Deposits. Many off-campus rentals require a security deposit typically equivalent of two-month's rent. Discuss the details with the property owner (known as the landlord or landlady) or the property manager. Some property managers may require that your monthly salary be at minimum up to two-and-a-half times the monthly rent.

Insurance. Usually, home insurance is included in the rental price; however, we encourage you to check with your landlord. If you wish to insure your personal belongings, Caltech Housing may recommend Allianz College Students Insurance, as well as Allstate, American Automobile Association (pronounced Triple A), Esurance, Farmers, Geico, Mercury, State Farm and 21st Century.

Tenant and Landlord Rights.
Pasadena Rental Housing Board is a resource for advocacy and help. What they say about Rent Rollbacks.
Information on Landlord and Tenant Law gives comprehensive information about the rights of tenants and landlords.
The California Department of Consumer Affairs provides a comprehensive summary important considerations.
The Housing Rights Center gives specific services to residents and you can call a representative at 1 (800) 477-5977. You may also visit Pasadena Office located at the : Jackie Robinson Center - 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103. Phone: (626) 791-0211