I lived in Altadena for years and it wasn't all that special. Being the second or third white family in an all black neighborhood wasn't that much fun. Although having said that the foothills are beautiful. I'm sure it has changed since the 80's but back then,,,? Not so much. My next door neighbor was an ex bank robber who had his legs shot off in a police shoot out and was a crack dealer. But I still enjoyed every conversation I had with him. A very poetic man given all his challenges. I loved East LA actually, my wife taught school there and I loved the Mexican culture and still do.