Is UCLA in a ghetto area?

Question

I want to go to UCLA next year but my parents are telling me I'm too used to living (and I quote), "a sheltered life in the rich suburbs." is UCLA really in a bad area? and I have a brand new BMW that I got for my 17th birthday... will that be vandalized or stolen or something? is it REALLY THAT BAD THERE?? help! :(

Answer 1

No, it's in Brentwood, a very upscale suburb of LA. USC is in a rough area.

Answer 2

Hey Michael,

No, UCLA is not in the ghetto... Although much of Los Angeles is in fact ghetto, there are also very nice areas of town. Most of the apts around UCLA also come with a garage to park in, so, your car should be safe and sound. Also, check out the amazing cookies offered at DeeDee Rees the line is out the door everynight of the week, but, it is a sure fire way to meet friend! ENJOY, and GO BRUINS!
TREG

Answer 3

UCLA is in a good area of LA, but bad things do happen there. The BMW will be amongst friends in many respects, and will stay pristine as long as you can pay for Monthly Parking Tickets, Valet and quality Underground Parking.

It's not what you have, but if you can pay for the up keep.

Answer 4

Geez you do sound a bit spoiled. And there I was going on and on about rent prices and saving money with community college in my answer to your other post.

No it is not that bad. Do not go to the other Marymount school just because your parents want you to. Coming from the suburbs of course it is going to seem weird to your parents but geez it's not that bad! Your car will not be stolen from UCLA! From downtown or South central maybe but not UCLA

Live your life for yourself not just for your parents. Do you want to be forever known as 'the rich kid whos Mommy bought him a BMW?' tone that down because even in L.A. people won't like that

Answer 5

Haha, not at all! UCLA is in Westwood, tucked up against Beverly Hills. Your BMW will fit right in. But I'd really suggest you don't bring it, at least for your first year. Campus life is so much fun at UCLA, you wouldn't want to miss out, spending all your time on the 405.

Answer 6

Nothing will happen to your car or you (as long as you aren't stupid enough to walk around at night by yourself outside of campus and even then nothing will probably happen). There are many BMWs and high class cars around here and they can be seen in parking lots on campus and parked on the streets around Westwood. The only death last year on campus was from a drunken fall out of a balcony, not anything 'going down'.

It's not bad at all! My parents' were scared to death of me going there, but now they're fine. My pretty little Lexus is safe as well, except for my dangerous driving skills (by the way, traffic here is horrendous, you might not want to bring a car, but it sure is helpful!). Stay on campus and don't park your car anywhere else except where you're told. It's $42 a ticket if your permit is wrong or if you're parked illegally somewhere. In Westwood, your car can and will be towed if you don't follow the rules. Speaking from experience. :P

By the way: I can't reply to your email as it isn't confirmed or something. ;) Email me here if you want: [e-mail].

Answer 7

UCLA is in Westwood, an upper middle class neighborhood.

It's close to Santa Monica, which has some dicey areas, but it's several miles away.

Answer 8

You got a brand new BMW for your birthday?? Jeez...I flipped burgers in high school to pay for my 1985 Toyota. Yeah, I'd say your are sheltered!!
As for the neighborhood: It's not great, but it's not bad...pretty nice. USC, however, is in a really crappy neighborhood.

Answer 9

UCLA is in a very nice neighborhood. It's rival, USC, on the other hand, is very much in the ghetto.

Answer 10

everybody and their mother drives either a BMW, Mercedes or a Lexus here. (So. Cal) Don't think anyone will give it a 2nd look.