Close to Pasadena could mean any of the places mentioned by Bill. If you PM me the name of the church, I could look it up for you and maybe find out where it is exactly, and give you some info about the area.
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Be sure to get the tractor tire (prounced TAR) flower planter located just so inna front yard, so's your drive by friends can get a good view of the broken TV/refrigerator onna front porch. Course, that's if you're really bucks up.....some can only afford one or the other as porch decoration. And dew take care when ya mow the lawn fer th first few times, cause that is where us'n store our spare cars, car parts, broken chairs, etc....an no tellin what U'll find. And don't make fun of your neighbors sheets in the windows for drapes... at least they used the pastel uns.

Be sure to get the latest copy of "How to talk Texan" cause you may need it. Seriously, Reverend, no offense intended. Just most of Texas has a live and let live attitude....see the posts on diesel inspections.....nothing in most areas 'cept safety inspection for $ 12.50 or so.

And by the way.....WELCOME TO TEXAS!!

Regards

Run-em

Pasadena is home to a lot of chemical plants, and possibly a refinery or two. This is the source of the stink and also the potential danger of living there. Based on the highly industrial nature of the area, you can see why the residential quality is likely not to be the best. By the way several of the chemical plants have had severe explosions and fires in the not too distant past.

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

Worst case, PM me and I can get you taken care of... I had to "get" my F150 to pass as the NOx levels are too high at idle. Dead cat or EGR I'm sure, haven't really had time to inspect it. I know the stock injectors are about dead so they will need a full rebuild here soon also.

Up in DFW they only get the ol' safety and you're out the door.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

You know you are from Pasadena if...

...you mow your yard and find a car....that's up on blocks.

...the tires on the back of your car are twice as wide as those on the front.

...you own a bar-b-que with wheels...and has a trailer hitch...and can only be moved using a pickup.

...your idea of a Saturday afteroon project is inviting your brother-in-law over to take the tires off your house and watch NASCAR races afterwards.

...your mother-in-law removes the Camel cigarette from her mouth BEFORE telling the DPS trooper that's pulled her over to kiss er a**.

...family backyard bar-b-ques involve gunplay.

...your biggest ambition in life is to open a fireworks stand in Santa Fe.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

I grew up in Pasadena and now live in Deer Park. I wouldn't trade it for the world. It's a pretty simple place that's quiet. Unless you like yuppy rich SNOBS, (had to take my stab since everyone else did ) I wouldn't suggest places like silverlake. Pearland used to be a nice place to live, but then it started growing and is a lot like silverlake now. My Parents still live in Pasadena. Don't believe all you hear about it smelling. It really depends on where you are and what time of year it is. The culprit of the majority of the smell is a paper plant and a Goodyear. In the past 6-8 years the paper plant has downsized, so the smell is going away. The plant is on the north end of the "older" part of town, so the only time it's bad is during the winter which is only about 3 or 4 weeks long here. BTW. What church. Chances are I know where it is. Is it a new church? I know of a few that are being built right now.

You asked if the schools are good. It depends on what school. Some are better than others. PM me on what schools specifically and I'll tell you if I know. Overall I'd say the district isn't really what it used to be, but some schools are still good.

As far as chemical plants go, yes, this is a blue collar working town. Pasadena is home to one of the largest ports (if not THE largest) in the World. Safety is a priority at all of them. The recent explosions that were mentioned were in Texas City which is about an hour southeast of Pasadena.

You asked about the coast. Galveston is approx 50 miles away. Do a google search and I'm sure you will find all the information you want on all the surounding areas.

Oh yeah, Pasadena is in Harris county. One of the toughest counties for emisions. But there is no sniff test for diesels. Only a safety inspection that's $12. All they really do is honk the horn, flip on the windshild wipers and make sure the turn signals work.

PM me when you find out what church and I'll let you know what it's like in that area.

cmichalik

Don't mind the smell down there in Pasadena...most say it is the smell of money. About once a month, there seems to be an "incident" in one of the plants around that area and they impose a shelter in place for the area. As with most places, there is good and bad about the area.

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Mike

'80 300D
'84 300D
'85 300D
'87 300D

All to true about the smell of money.

I don't even remember when the last shelter in place was. It's been a few years I think. In Pasadeana / LaPorte are anyway. Now Texas City... they have had a rather active summer w/ BP popping it's top.

FWIW, that BP incident was due to a nearby diesel engine on a piece of equipment inadvertantly ingesting flammable vapors and proceeding to run away, out of control until it self-destructed.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

A friend got T-Boned in a late 20s Rolls-Royce by a econo ****box. The only damage was a shattered walnut running board (expensive but its a Rolls, whats not expensive) The other car was totaled. I do not know what the speed was, not that fast (15-20 mph tops) The best part was this;

Young Lady to cop: I didn't see it.
Cop: ~looks over at the car~ It's not subtle mam.

He drove the car home and a few months later is showing the car at a local show.



Another story from him when he gave his boss a ride;
Boss: Hey there are no seat belts what if we get hit!
Friend: We weigh 6500lbs, they weigh 2500-3000 lbs any questions?
Boss: I guess we're alright.


Sorry about the hijack

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

It smells good

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1984 300SD 326,997 miles and counting . . . No wait, my odometer is still dead

What exactly is wrong with Silverlake? Everything too new? Deed restrictions won't let you park your 1987 Camaro in the front yard on cinder blocks? Too many yuppies in SUVs out there?

This is quickly turning into a Houston/Pearland/Austin vs. Pasadena thread. , but if the Dallas folk have something to say, we can quickly all get together and turn it around.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Sorry about that impulse post. I felt the need to sink to everyone elses juvinile level concerning thier Opinions of Pasadena. If you haven't lived here, DON'T JUDGE.

And to correct you a little. I have a '78 Camaro, in the garage, under a car cover.

As for Silverlake and places like it. I'm sure it's a nice place. It's just not for me. I hate having neighbors. I don't like traffic. Since I'm not into farming or ranching and have the need to live in a populated area (vs Rural area) I prefer the quiet alternative of places like Deer Park and La Porte. That's all. They still have a small home town feel.

Now, let's get back on topic and help the original poster.

Why wouldn't this information help someone moving to Pasadena?

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Dallas guy here!
My opinion is not to move to any of them. Tell your church that you would rather work in the swamps in hell over staying in Texas. It is hot and humid here. If I were a priest I would choose one of those gay churches in California by the beach over this southern heat.

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1984 300D / The only Benz I have

Completed weekend projects

1. R/R front crankshaft seal
2. R/R nearly the whole vacuum system
3. Converted to WVO www.greasemachine.com
4. Upgraded to electric power locks
5. Upgraded and rewired stereo/amp/speakers
6. Installed 2.88 differential