i have a few questions regarding downtown LA.
is it advisable to purchase a condo in downtown LA. i plan to live there in less than 5-6 years. any pro's and con's or anything i should know about if i do live there?
and are LA buildings earthquake resistant? if you live in a highrise, are buildings suscetiple to major damage from BIG earthquakes?
idk.
i just want to live in LA.
any feedback?
2007-01-16 20:50:04 · 6 answers · asked by matthewandrew 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Los Angeles
I would love to live in Downtown LA… I was actually looking to rent there just about 7 months ago… but couldn’t really find something that was affordable/available so I ended up renting a place just outside Downtown in Westlake Park.
The Problem with living in Downtown is that there’s a lack of Mass Transit. I have done the mistake of trying to cut thru Downtown only to be trapped 20-30mins. So I would feel sorry for anyone with a car living in Downtown that's just wanting to get home but ends up sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. Some might say that we have the Metro Rapid… but I feel they only slow things down with all the busses weaving in and out and coming to a complete stop. Traffic Jams in Downtown are usaully from 4pm-6pm but worse the day before holidays. But on the bright side Downtown is going through major changes Revitalization/Gentrification with new business opening up virtually monthly… it’s not the same Downtown from just 3-4 years ago. Downtown now offers upscale restaurants, clubs/bars, coffee shops and soon to be opening performing arts venues, shopping and other types of entertainment/concert/movies.
LA is experiencing some exciting times at the moment and hopefully in the future in my opinion it would be a good move if only by a real estate stand point. With the Grand Avenue Project in the works and the LA Live Complex currently going up it could only mean good things.
2007-01-17 05:26:41 · answer #1 · answered by Mike Hunt 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't know whether i would buy a downtown condo... It's not a very deisreable area- have you been there? Everything is susceptible to a BIG earthquake, but I suppose most high rise buildings could handle a small to medium one....Just for the record- earthquakes suck and are terrifying events.
2007-01-16 22:29:32 · answer #2 · answered by Not so looney afterall 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
if you like downtown living, LA is trying to revitalize their downtown and lofts and such have gotten quite expensive. there are restaurants, clubs and such but it gets a little scary after dark. if you just want to live in LA (why?) try west hollywood or silverlake, for trendy areas. venice can be nice because it's near the beach but it's rife with gangs, santa monica too. stay away from "the valley", it's like a frying pan in the summer. as to earthquakes, downtown is located along a fault line that scientists expect to shift soon. high-rises aren't too bad in earthquakes, they are designed to sway. the largest quake i've experienced is a 4.5, it wasn't bad and it was over before we figured out what it was. LA will be hit by a big one soon, it's just time, that's why i sold my house and got out. if you really want to live in LA, don't buy, the market is failing right now and you're likely to lose money, plus, if you rent, you can leave if you don't like it. the best way to find a place is in the LA weekly (check it out online) or the sunday paper. do not use "westside rentals", you pay a fee for the listings and most are already rented or bogus. LA is a hard place to just move to, good luck!
2007-01-17 00:27:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Downtown LA is not like downtown in other cities.
First, Skid Row is located there.
Second, it closes up at 5pm.
Despite the above, the condos are going for $1M.
If you want to live in Los Angeles, look at West LA (downtown by other city standards).
2007-01-17 10:51:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you like drug traffic, prostitutes, gangs and general mayhem the West Lake area is for you. Just a short distance from down town LA. It boast affordable housing with a diverse culture. For a modest fee you can buy protection from almost any street gang of your choosing.
Lonely? Well there are a diverse population of women to choose from who for a price will be willing to entertain you.
Stuffy nose? West Lake offers some of the most in expensive inhalants the market has to offer. Guaranteed to clear you right up.
Looking for entertainment for the whole family? Try Mac Arthur Park. Located in the heart of West Lake it has a beautiful pond where the homeless crack heads bathe. With such a variety of mentally ill people who needs the circus?
So, for down town living at it's best, try West Lake.
2007-01-17 22:21:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I say come visit before you decide! we really can't explain to you the specialness that is downtown LA.
2007-01-18 21:08:39 · answer #6 · answered by ddalki 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋