Non-traditional med student

Hi y'all,

I am an incoming med student in my 30s seriously considering Kaiser's medical school in Pasadena. Seeking rentals in Pasadena, South Pasadena, or Northeast LA (Highland Park specifically). Basically a 35-minute-or-less bike ride to campus. Looking for a 6-12 month lease with potential to renew if it makes sense at that point. Ideally I'd like to live with one roommate (max 2 unless everyone is shockingly aligned in living preferences and has compatible personalities I guess?) in a single-family home with a place to garden, but I know that is a reach. In reality, I am flexible on the specifics. Also very interested in studio/1br casitas, ADUs, and granny flats, but prices have skyrocketed lately. Thanks greed algorithms.

About me: I don't go out much, but do enjoy the occasional standup or DIY show. I currently work as a medical assistant at Planned Parenthood in San Diego. I am also deeply involved in community work (sustainable gardening and am in a leadership role with a street medicine team). Building intentional community with people who share core values is more important to me than it's ever been. I expect my time in med school will largely be spent studying and trying to take care of myself while going through the rigors, but it would be nice to have a home life that feels good for everyone. We don't have to be best friends, but I'd like to live with someone I get along with well enough that we have natural interactions instead of forcing it.

I'm a crappy lay-philosopher with a lot of ideas and little discipline to write them down, but I think a lot about ethical philosophy and try my best to align my values with my behavior. In my heart I prefer real talk or no talk over small talk, but I get that we all need a way to warm up, so I try. I'm not into the forced AI integration stuff and I decline it whenever I can. Feel pretty strongly about not having cameras at home and am happy to substantiate it. Not a luddite, just not a blind tech consumer.
I prefer working through conflict rather than ignoring it (honest, non-confrontational, keeping common goals of peaceful and reasonably happy home life in mind).

I do not have to come with a dog, but I would love it if this could be a point of conversation. Some petsitting clients of mine have asked me to adopt their goofy, gentle-hearted Samoyed mix because they cannot take her when they move. I've cared for her since she was a puppy and we're very bonded. She is 5 years old, loves people and other animals, and has lived well with a cat and bunnies since puppyhood (she's more interested in the cat food than in the cat).

Full disclosure: I am exploring housing options in all three locations where I may end up for school. Decisions are due by the end of April so I will be able to give a firm answer about where I will be going at that point. Apologies for not knowing right now, I STILL have not received all financial aid offers from schools. Currently I only have info from the Kaiser program which provides a COL stipend.