I'm moving to Los Angeles June 2007. I'm wondering what is a nice area without any violence and gangs?

Question

I'm moving to Los Angeles, California in June of 2007. I was wondering what is a nice place to live without such a high cost. I want to live in a nice friendly environment with nice people. Not any or much violence and no gangs whatsoever. I have already saw a place online that I think looks nice but I don't know is it nice around. The place is in the "South Park" area, is that a good area? Please write and let me know I would really appreciate it alot! I'm moving there because I hear it's nice wheather and a great place if you are in the Entertainment, Show Business field and which I want to be in. Thanks...Laters.

Answer 1

There are plenty of nice neighborhoods in LA, but if you go a mile (or sometimes just a couple of blocks) in the wrong direction it can get real ugly real quick. When you first move here you are going to have to be very aware of your surroundings until you get used to the demographics. Nowhere in LA are you going to completely get away from gangs. I am not saying you see gangmembers hanging around everywhere, but they do get around.

I can recommend to you places in the southeast part of San Fernando Valley (where I live) that are pretty good and fairly close to the studios and Hollywood. You will probably end up moving a couple times before you find a place that is really convenient for you because everything is very spread out and there is nightmarish traffic at almost all hours of the day.

Most of Burbank is good, Toluca Lake, Valley Village, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, and the south part of North Hollywood. Most every area has pockets of shady areas you may not want to live in, so you really need to scout around before moving in.

And, as previous posters have stated, it is very expensive in the really nice areas, so if you are just starting out, you will probably have to compromise a little. You can still get a not-so-pricey apartment and live in an okay neighborhood.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

Burbank is a nice area just outside city limits that occasionally has "affordable" rentals available. I put "affordable" in quotes because my place, which costs $875/month for a 1 bedroom front end of a duplex, is affordable only in relation to the rest of the LA area. A one bedroom will typically run you about $1000/month. For a breadbox studio (300 sq ft) in a decent neighborhood, expect to pay $750. It only gets more expensive from there. Pasadena also has some affordable units in decent neighborhoods, and has the added benefit of the Metro Gold Line if you need access to transit. Glendale is nice and fairly affordable too. The South Park area you ask about is in the southwestern portion of downtown, near the Staples Center. It traditionally has been considered a mediocre neighborhood, but like the rest of the downtown area it's gone through a major gentrification in recent years. The area's in a transition phase right now...think homeless people and high-priced apartments intermingling in the same neighborhood. Be warned, however, there is no free parking downtown. If you're going to have a car, you probably will have to add at least $300/month (and possibly much, much more) for a parking space which normally does NOT come with a downtown unit (FYI, most other areas of LA do include parking in the rent). That $800 rent they advertise for a South Park unit might not be so attractive when you factor in parking...

Answer 3

Move to Santa Clarita. If you want to get into show business, they have their own growing studio there Santa Clarita Studios, which is where they used to film Melrose Place and Power Rangers. Also Disney Ranch and the Valuset Ranch, two other studios. Also, it is only like a 30 minute drive to Universal, Warner Brothers, or Disney Studios. It's a great suburb, nice place, great schools if you plan on raising a family. Also, many people that are in the film industry call Santa Clarita home, whether cast or crewmembers. Definitely look into it. I grew up there, am away for college, and plan on moving back when i'm done. As far as an inexpensive place to live, you've just got to look around. Hopefully for you the housing market slows down a bit more by then, as right now just about everywhere other than the ghetto is going to be a bit pricey. As far as inexpensive in Santa Clarita, or SCV as the locals call it, look into the Saugus or Canyon Country areas. Good luck!!

Answer 4

It's going to be tough to find a place that is not expensive. Los Angeles is among the most costly places to rent or buy.

Try the following website (costs $60 but an EXCELLENT investment)

www.westsiderentals.com

www.craigslist.com is also an excellent site (free)

Here is a free resource that provides local MLS listings, should you be prepared to purchase a home:

www.themls.com (login as a guest- it's free)

Here are some areas with less gang influence:

Brentwood
Marina Del Rey
Playa Del Rey
Beverly Hills
Bel Air
Parts of Burbank
Parts of Westwood
Pacific Palisades
Parts of Westchester (like Kentwood or Osage)

Actors are all over the place here. You had better be pretty committed to acting in order to compete.

Try this website as a vague indication of where the gangs are:

http://www.streetgangs.com/maps/gangregions.html

There are crazy people all over the place here, though--- lock your doors!

Answer 5

Pasadena (The city of Rose Parade!!).
Good neighborhood and a rather safe place to live in. You'll find plenty of things to enjoy over there.

Personally, I won't recommend the area such as South/Central LA. It's not as safe as other areas in LA. That's what I heard.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Btw, if you are looking in to a show biz career, one other place to recommend is Los Feliz area (it's part of city of Los Angeles, not an incoporated city). There are quite a few authors/writers and show biz ppl live down there.

Answer 6

I found this information on South Park, the south end of Bunker Hill in the Suburb of Los Angeles, Ca:

Answer 7

Los Angeles Has the most gang members ( appx 100k ) in the USA ! Santa Monica is a great place to live, however, it is also known for its high homeless population.

Good luck,

Santa Fe

Answer 8

Come to Whittier. East. Anywhere in and around LA has some gang or violence. We are a major metropolitan area, but here in East Whittier we have nice community involved neighborhoods. We are 20 minutes east of downtown, and 30 mins from Hollywood. I will personally welcome you with a basket of fruit!

Answer 9

Palos Verdes is a nice place to live. Especially schools are the best here and its close to ocean, so it doesn't get that hot.

Answer 10

WELL LA IS HECTIC,,,ITS GONNA BE HARD FINDING A DECENT PLACE TO STAY THATS NOT IN THE HOOD!!!THE COST OF LIVIN' IS CRAZY...I'M FROM L.A. BUT WHEN I COME BACK OUT THERE I'M MOVIN' TO NORTH HOLLYWOOD OR DIAMONDBAR...ITS LIKE 15-20MINS. FROM THE CITY BUT ITS A COO PLACE TO BE!!!GO TO CRAIGSLIST.COM AND THEY HAVE HOUSES AND STUFF LIKE THAT ON THERE!!!OVERALL ITS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE...THERE'S ALOT OF THINGS TO DO 4 EVERYONE AND THE PPL ARE COO!!!GOODLUCK!!!