Is Sawtelle in West LA a safe place to live? (Vista: affordable apartment, rent)

[solarsun]

I've just found a place near Sawtelle blvd/Santa Monica blvd. I worry about if it's a safe place. Thx!

[fastfilm]

Yes it is. 30 years ago this was a Japanese-American area, with terrific Japanese shopping like Yamaguchi's Dept. Store, nurseries, and Japanese restaurants. Nowadays, since West side property is so pricey, the area is different. There are many office buildings on nearby Olympic, the restaurants more reflect the mix of Santa Monica Blvd. There's a movie theatre, and the West side government complex. It will always have a 24-hour traffic snarl, since the 405 offramps and Santa Monica Freeway junction at this spot offer commuters their routes to Century City, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West L.A. and other business locales. You found a good area. It's the Westside (always safer, coastal weather with less smog, gangs can't really afford to live there! There are vestiges of Sotel gang, which is their spelling of Sawtelle, but that seems to be it.)

[fastfilm]

solarsun, furthermore, you will have immediate access to my alltime favorite novelty store, Giant Robot, on Sawtelle, between Santa Monica and Olympic.

[solarsun]

Thx for your replies!
I tried to find a single in Brentwood, but the rent was over 1k and no parking spot. It's so hard to find an affordable apartment in the westside. I spent almost a month to find it.

[bigdaddy5]

Sawtelle's a great area with an Asian/Japanese flavor. My co-workers and I love going there for lunch. Great Curry houses and there's a "Beard Papa Cream Puff" franchise in the same building as the "Original Curry House". Good stuff and good times.

[Angel Bear]

I loved Japanese curry! I think this is the area in Santa Monica where my friend took me last year when I visited So. Cal. The plaza had at least 2 curry houses in one plaza! Across the street was a cool Japanese market Very yummy!

[parkinso]

Originally Posted by fastfilm

solarsun, furthermore, you will have immediate access to my alltime favorite novelty store, Giant Robot, on Sawtelle, between Santa Monica and Olympic.

I love Giant Robot! And Giant Robot 2. What a great area!

[jlrobe]

Originally Posted by solarsun

I've just found a place near Sawtelle blvd/Santa Monica blvd. I worry about if it's a safe place. Thx!

Yes. 90% of the west side is safe. Santa Monica, West LA, Manhatan, redondo, hermosa, malibu, pacific palisades, playa del rey, palos verdes, and brentwood are all safe, cool, and vibrant communities. The Sawtelle strip isnt too bad. Great Asian food. Except for the crappy best buy, it is a great neighborhood.

[OCCASparky]

The other 10 percent being Westchester.

[fastfilm]

And Oakwood within Venice. And parts of Mar Vista, which is the west side as well.

Solarsun is a lucky camper to be able to live in this nice area around Sawtelle and Sta. Monica Blvd. Great sushi, sashimi and tempura whenever the mood strikes you!