Furniture, Household Goods, and Utilities
When looking for a home, be sure to budget for the cost of furniture, household goods, and utilities
Getting for Free: Facebook "Buy Nothing": Search by zip code and request to join the group. Buy Nothing groups are hyper-local groups (sometimes on Facebook and sometimes on the Buy Nothing app) where members can give away items they no longer need or request items they need for free.
You may also consider Caltech Marketplace; it is a platform where Caltech and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) members post advertisements and receive information about rental accommodation and items for sale (at a very low price) 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
Shops
Several stores near campus and online vendors sell furniture and household goods at relatively affordable prices.
Brand New Items
Most of these shops also sell online. Most of the time, there is a Sales or Clearance section on their website where you can purchase items at a discounted prices.
Cost Plus World Market • 3655 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena
Crate and Barrel • 75 W. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena
Home Goods • 3803 E. Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena
IKEA • 600 N. San Fernando Boulevard, Burbank
Marshalls • 3855 E. Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena
Pottery Barn • 1 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena
Target • 777 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena (walking distance from Caltech)
TJ Maxx • 455 S. Lake Avenue, Pasadena (walking distance from Caltech)
Wholesale and Outlets
Costco • 2207 West Commonwealth Avenue, Alhambra
Crate and Barrel outlet • 1785 Fourth Street, Los Angeles
Thrift Stores and Online Second Hand
ACTS Thrift Shop • 1311 North Altadena Drive, Pasadena
BuyNothing
Craigslist • Search under "For Sale," select "Furniture"
Goodwill • 340 S. Fair Oaks, Pasadena
Huntington Collection • 766 S. Fair Oaks, Pasadena
Salvation Army • 56 W. Del Mar Boulevard, Pasadena
Repeat Again One More Time
Treasure Fair Thrift Shop
Revival Boutique
Full Circle Thrift
Flea Markets in Pasadena
Pasadena City College flea market
Rose Bowl Flea Market
Yard Sales, Garage Sales and Estate Sales
On weekends, people sell their used clothing, furniture, toys and household items from their own yards or garages.
Craigslist (search under "For Sale," select "Garage Sale")
Penny Saver
Pasadena Star-News
EstatesSales
Electricity, Gas, Water
Utilities usually include water, electricity, gas, and trash collection. Occasionally, utilities may also include home phone (land line), and cable/internet.
For graduate students in campus housing, utilities are explained by Institute Housing.
If you are renting an apartment or a house off campus, full or partial payment of utilities is often required by the property owner or manager. You may need to establish your own utility services for the house or apartment. If you buy a home or an apartment that has a Home Owners Association (HOA), the HOA monthly fee may pay for some utilities.
The City of Pasadena provides a list of utility providers. Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) provides water and electricity in Pasadena. Southern California Edison provides electricity and The Gas Company provides gas service in Southern California.
Conversions and Equivalences
Measurements. The United States uses the English measurement system in daily life. Use Math Connect to convert from metric to English measurements.
Temperature. Temperature is expressed in Fahrenheit. To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, use the Fahrenheit to Celsius Converter.
Money and Currency. A currency calculator is available on x-rates.com.
Clothes and Shoe Sizes. Clothes and shoe are available on Online Conversion.com.
Power. United States uses 110 volts.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is for general information only. Caltech does not endorse or recommend any of the organizations listed.