Essentials
Housing
To get an idea of the cost of living in Pasadena, click on Budget.
Caltech Housing offers furnished and unfurnished apartments and houses within walking distance from campus to Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, and Postdoctoral Scholars.
Caltech Faculty Housing offers furnished and unfurnished apartments and houses within walking distance from campus to new Faculty, Visiting Faculty, Moore Scholars, Visiting Associates, and occasionally Postdoctoral Scholars.
JPL students and scholars are not eligible for Caltech housing nor Caltech Faculty Housing.
If you prefer to take some time to find an accommodation, you can stay in a hotel or motel near Caltech. Some of them offer a Caltech discount.
Beyond the Caltech campus, there are many ways to house hunt, and one is through Caltech Marketplace where Caltech and JPL members post and receive advertisements about single rental accommodation or with roommates, items for sale such as car, bikes, furniture, household equipment, etc. You can enroll in the Caltech Marketplace prior to your move to Pasadena with a personal email address.
General Websites for House Hunting
- Apartments List Pasadena
- Airbnb
- Brookmoor
- Ferdig and Gordon
- Hotpads
- PadMapper
- Pasadenahousingsearch
- Places4Students
- RentBandB
- Rentalgirls
- SabbaticalHomes
- Showmojo
- Synergy Housing
- Trulia
- Vrbo
- Winstarproperties
- Zillow
Specialized - Rooms and Houses Only
Short Term Furnished Accommodations
Luxury
- LiveTHEO
- Live the HUDSON (1- and 2-bedroom condo)
- Suite America
Free Furniture
Facebook "Buy Nothing" allows you to get free furniture in your neighborhood.
Occasionally Free or Inexpensive Furniture
Caltech Marketplace
Stores Near The Campus (and also online)
Costco • 2207 W. Commonwealth Ave, Alhambra (you need to be a member)
Cost Plus World Market • 3655 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
Crate and Barrel • 75 W. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
Home Goods • 3803 E. Foothill Blvd, Pasadena
IKEA • 600 N. San Fernando Blvd, Burbank
Marshalls • 3855 E. Foothill Blvd, Pasadena
Pottery Barn • 1 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
Target • 777 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
TJ Maxx • 455 S. Lake Ave, Pasadena
Thrift Stores and Online Second Hand
ACTS Thrift Shop • 1311 N. Altadena Dr, Pasadena
Goodwill • 340 S. Fair Oaks, Pasadena
Huntington Collection • 2670 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
Salvation Army • 56 W. Del Mar Blvd, Pasadena
Repeat Again One More Time • 2030 E. Foothill Blvd, Pasadena
Treasure Fair Thrift Shop • 3239 E. Foothill Blvd, Pasadena
Revival Boutique • 1775 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
Flea Markets and Yard Sales
Pasadena City College flea market • 1570 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
Rose Bowl Flea Market • 1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena
Yard Sales • In your neighborhood
If you want to live within walking/biking distance from Caltech (~ 1 mile), consider house hunting within the boundaries of North Walnut Avenue/East Sierra Madre Blvd/South California Avenue/West Los Robles Avenue.
Security Deposits are capped at one month's rent for tenancies starting on or after July 1, 2024, in Pasadena. This includes the first month's rent, but not the last month's rent. All other deposits, such as pet deposits or cleaning deposits, are also considered part of the security deposit. The amount of the security deposit will be limited to one month's rent. For more information, click on City of Pasadena.
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, you are responsible to find your own insurance.
Tenant and Landlord Rights may be complicated to understand, especially when you move from another country. Pasadena Rental Housing Board is a resource for advocacy and help.
Information on Landlord and Tenant Law and The California Department of Consumer Affairs give comprehensive information about the rights of tenants and landlords.
The Housing Rights Center is a hotline that gives specific information when you are likely to be evicted (1 800 477 5977).
Emergency and Safety
For information about who to call and where to go, see: Emergency
Documents
Personal Records. Translated copies of your marriage certificate and/or children's birth certificates are required if you plan to enroll your dependents in a Caltech or JPL health insurance plan.
Medical Records. Translated copies of vaccination cards, medical and dental histories, and current vision prescriptions may be useful to have when you consult U.S. doctors.
Documents for Children. California childcare and schools have requirements regarding immunization and if a child does not comply, they cannot enroll.
Documents for Spouse. if they plan to work or attend school in the United States, translated and certified transcripts or diplomas are necessary. See Family for more information about educational options.
Banks and Finance
Open a U.S. account. There are two types of banking institutions in the United States: a bank or a credit union. Credit unions are non-profit. In both situations, you must provide identification such as a passport, and possibly a rental agreement or utility bill.
Caltech Credit Union. Caltech Employees Federal Credit Union (CEFCU) has branches on campus and at JPL. To open a CEFCU account, you must deposit at least $10 into your new account.
International Money Transfer. If your bank in your home country is affiliated with a bank in the United States, it is easier to do money transfers. Otherwise, Transferwise is a good resource.
Scams. Be aware of scams. We have information on how to avoid them.
This is a uniquely American concept. Credit history refers to a record of how a person manages their financial responsibilities. Companies use credit scores to evaluate risk for items like car loans or rental agreements. A good credit rating is given to people who pay their bills on time.
One way to establish credit and start a credit history is by using a U.S. credit card. It may take up to 6 months for a U.S. credit card to be reflected in your credit history. If you have a Social Security Number (SSN), the CEFCU offers specific credit card programs with lower interest rates than most other banks. Note: While most banks require a SSN to get a credit card, Bank of America and Wells Fargo do not.
Internet and Cellular Phones
Cell phones in the United States may be more expensive than in other countries. Some plans have unlimited minutes and data, but other plans may be restricted. If you have a limited plan, whenever you make or receive a call, the minutes are reduced.
Contract plans are an option if you intend to stay in the United States for more than two years, because that is the typical contract length. There are penalties for ending a contract early. You may be asked for a deposit if you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) or a credit history. The provider should return the deposit at the end of your contract.
There are many different cell phone service providers. The major ones include:
Note: you can opt to use alternative means for telecommunication, such as Skype, Viber, WhatsApp, FaceTime and Tango. Please read their policies closely for costs or fees.
Food
Organic and non-organic food can be found in these places; note that Instacart allows you to order online in all the shops listed below:
Amazon Fresh • 3425 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
Pavilions • 845 E. California Blvd, Pasadena
Ralphs • 160 N. Lake Ave, Pasadena
Sprouts • 39 N. Rosemead Blvd, Pasadena
Trader Joe's • 345 S. Lake Ave, Pasadena
Von's • 155 California Blvd, Pasadena
Whole Foods Market (belongs to Amazon) • 465 S. Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena
Aldi • 2246 Lake Ave, Altadena
Costco • 2207 W. Commonwealth Ave, Alhambra
Grocery Outlet Bargain Market • 2270 Lake Ave, Altadena
Smart and Final • 3299 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
Bristol Farms • 606 Fair Oaks Ave, South Pasadena
Erewhon • 475 S. Lake Ave, Pasadena
Gelson's • 635 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge
Fish King • 722 N. Glendale Ave, Glendale
Mitsuwa • 515 W. Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel
Pasadena Fish Market • 181 E. Orange Grove Blvd, Pasadena
Yama Seafood • 911 W. Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel
Mission Wines • 1114 Mission St, South Pasadena
Total Wine and More • 721 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
Car • 1009 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
FrenchiFornia • 247 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
Julienne • 2649 Mission St, San Marino
Little Flower • 1422 W. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
Oh La La • 921 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
Seed Bakery • 942 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena
Fromages (online only)
Milkfarm • 2106 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock
Nicole's Market and Gourmet • 921 Meridian Ave, South Pasadena
The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills • 419 N. Beverly Dr, Los Angeles
African
Yinkus African & Caribbean Market • 869 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena
Asian
Arcadia Supermarket • 645 W. Duarte Rd, Arcadia
Bangluck Market • 12980 Sherman Way, North Hollywood
Cali Mart • 1000 E. Valley Blvd, Alhambra
Hawaii Supermarket • 120 E. Valley Blvd, San Gabriel
H Mart • 1101 W. Huntington Dr, Arcadia
Mitsuwa • 515 W. Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel
99 Ranch Market • 140 W. Valley Blvd, San Gabriel
San Gabriel Superstore • 1635 S. San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel
Silom Supermarket • 5321 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles
Australian
Kitchen 1437. Delivery Apps only
British
Ye Olde Kings Head • 132 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica
European
Berolina Bakery • 3421 Ocean View Blvd, Glendale
Claro's Italian Markets • 19 1/2 E. Huntington Dr, Arcadia
Monsieur Marcel • Los Angeles Farmer's Market, 6333 W. 3rd St, Los Angeles
Nicole's Gourmet Foods • 921 Meridian Ave, South Pasadena
Papa Cristo's • 2771 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles
Roma Market • 918 N. Lake Ave, Pasadena
Schreiner's Fine Sausages • 3417 Ocean View Blvd, Glendale
Indian
Bhanu's Indian Grocery & Cuisine • 7246 Rosemead Blvd, San Gabriel
Indian Sweets and Spices • 3126 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles
Namaste Spiceland • 270 N. Hill Ave, Pasadena
Punjab Store • 1300 E. Main St, Alhambra
Israeli (Kosher)
Cambridge Farms • 12431 Burbank Blvd, Valley Village
Eilat Kosher Market • 8730 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles
Middle Eastern
A&S Market • 10867 W. Venice Blvd, Los Angeles
Armen Market • 1873 N. Allen Ave, Pasadena
Glendale Meat Market (Halal) • 400 S. Glendale Ave, Glendale
Good Food Market • 1876 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena
Produce Land Market & Deli • 16137 Devonshire St, Granada Hills
Super King Markets • 2260 N. Lincoln Ave, Altadena
South American
Alhambra Market • 2289 W. Main St, Alhambra
Argentine Market • 1272 E. Villa St, Pasadena
Supermercado Brazil • 10826 Venice Blvd, Culver City
Vallarta • 655 N. Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is for general information only. Caltech does not endorse or recommend any of the organizations listed.