I feel a lot safer in Leimert Park than in Venice (Los Angeles: apartment, houses) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

Miss Pip · 08-26-2012, 10:19 PM

Almost every time I go to Venice, there's drama. I have aggressive homeless men starting crap with me. I had a crazy crack head looking driver giving me the finger for no good reason and gang bangers wanting my digits and then cussing me out. It's such a mess but then once I sit in Cafe Gratitude it's full of wealthy white people. It's such a bizarre place. I've had better experiences in Leimert Park and other parts of South Central where there's more of a community. It's quite interesting. Whenever I'm in the hood, it's a good time. I had a driver pull up to me at a red light and I thought he was going to start some nonsense but instead he says "Hey! You took my lane... I like that lane... I want my lane back!". It was hilarious and we both started laughing. It's fun to hang out in Leimert Park and listen to stories from the older generation about the neighbourhood and how it's changed.

People talk a lot about South Central and how bad it is and of course it has it's problems but from my experience Venice has treated me worst and I feel a lot safer in Leimert Park. People don't mess with me there.

I don't know what it is about Venice. Yes it has many homeless people but so does DTLA and I don't have those issues there. It's the one part of LA that I cannot stand.

How has your experience been with Venice? How has your experience been with South Central? What parts of South Central?

edmcrocker · 08-26-2012, 10:51 PM

sounds like you just had bad luck in Venice. could've happened anywhere. it's really not very dangerous. and the homeless vary, most of them mean no harm.

Fontucky · 08-27-2012, 04:34 AM

I'll take a meal in a dingy BBQ joint off Crenshaw or Vermont over a pretentious meal from the embarrassingly stupid menu at Gratitude any day.

Miss Pip · 08-27-2012, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fontucky

I'll take a meal in a dingy BBQ joint off Crenshaw or Vermont over a pretentious meal from the embarrassingly stupid menu at Gratitude any day.

Hah. The best is when they tell you your order "Okay, you are "Humble" and "Mighty".

pwright1 · 08-27-2012, 12:32 PM

I love LP. My brother and his wife bought a house there about 2.5 years ago and they love it. I stayed there for a month when I first moved to LA. I love their house. And guess what......a gay white couple purchased and live in a house 3 doors down! GASP!!!!!

disgruntled la native · 08-27-2012, 01:05 PM

The venice boardwalk is full of no good. Of all backgrounds looks and styles. Never go there after sundown, and even during the day it's rough. There are many nice parts of venice like abbott kinney

Fontucky · 08-27-2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Pip

Hah. The best is when they tell you your order "Okay, you are "Humble" and "Mighty".

And everything served with a generous side order of Landmark Education claptrap.

bophisto · 08-27-2012, 01:49 PM

I know Venice has a lot of problems with the homeless, that's terrible that they are allowed to get away with that. I've only been to Leimert Park once for a Jazz show at Babe's and Ricky's . I just looked on yelp and believe that it has closed down. The music was great and they had a nice fried chicken dinner at night . It felt like a nice environment and have always wanted to go back but never have.

Having grown up in West L.A I had a lot more experience w/ Venice...I think it's pretty overpriced/overrated if you think about it. Sure you are close to the beach..but it is a beach that you can even enjoy?

Also from what i know Leimert Park is a decent area in South Central...but are there other areas in South Central that are nice? It seems LP is unique for the area, and that it has a strong community that fights to keep the area decent.

R-Tistic · 08-27-2012, 04:47 PM

Leimert Park really isn't South Central. If it is, then so is Baldwin Hills. Lafayette Square is very nice as well.

I live near Florence and Normandie, and surprisingly, SOME of the streets where houses are are very safe and quiet, especially when there's no apartment. I just don't like going to the gas stations and stores after it gets dark over here.

Mr. Opinionated · 08-27-2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R-Tistic

Leimert Park really isn't South Central. If it is, then so is Baldwin Hills. Lafayette Square is very nice as well. I live near Florence and Normandie, and surprisingly, SOME of the streets where houses are are very safe and quiet, especially when there's no apartment. I just don't like going to the gas stations and stores after it gets dark over here.

Yeah, all my 45 years living in the area, I do recall that Leimert Park and BH really are in South Central, which actually isnt called that anymore, since the city changed the area's name to South Los Angeles in 2003, in hopes of diffusing the negative stigma. South L.A. may not be Westwood. But it's no Oakland either.