Questions about Hawthorne (Gardena, El Segundo: low income, real estate, 2013)

[gaby1031]

I'm considering moving out to LA, and I found a cheap apartment in Hawthorne called Tangier Apartments on Manor Drive just west of Hawthorne Blvd and north of Broadway. I've seen the crime data and realize Hawthorne is a high-crime city, but this specific area looks okay on the crime maps and might be somewhat decent. I did a street view on the apartments and it seems to be on a block surrounded by a mix of other apartment buildings and single-family homes. I expect it to be a little seedy and I'm fine with that, but would this be a generally safe area for a 24-year-old woman who is living alone? Or should I look elsewhere? Also, if there's anyone familiar with Tangier Apartments, would you recommend them or not? I couldn't find any reviews of this complex online. I'm coming from New Jersey and unfortunately unable to check out the apartments myself, so I'm relying on local knowledge. Thanks in advance for your help.

[yby1]

Your instinct is right in that this street is a little seedy. Manor Drive is full of apartments. I'm really familiar with this street because I have relatives that own a few of these apartment complexes on Manor. Having said that, I think that this particular street is full of low-income Latino families not looking to get any trouble, so it's not a particularly dangerous place to be and live...they just contribute that that general "seedy" first impression that you get.

The good thing is that the surrounding area is mainly streets with SFH and these streets are pretty quiet. You aren't too far from a shopping center on Hawthorne and El Segundo Blvd that should be fine to walk or bike to during the day.

Make sure you have secured parking in the complex and do not park on the street.

[brainwashed_in_church]

I wouldn't call Hawthorne dangerous as much as I would call it ugly and undesirable. Powerlines, billboards, no master planning, hodgepodge. It's old, crowded, loud cars, busy streets. Kind of dirty. The schools are poor performing - probably because of so many low income, immigrant, ESL kids.

However, if you want to save money and you have a job in El Segundo or otherwise nearby, it isn't THAT bad of a choice.

[CamaroGuy]

Hawthorne really has not recovered from the 1990s.

[yby1]

Originally Posted by CamaroGuy

Hawthorne really has not recovered from the 1990s.

In which way? Please explain.

[hipcat]

Originally Posted by brainwashed_in_church

I wouldn't call Hawthorne dangerous as much as I would call it ugly and undesirable. Powerlines, billboards, no master planning, hodgepodge. It's old, crowded, loud cars, busy streets. Kind of dirty. The schools are poor performing - probably because of so many low income, immigrant, ESL kids.

However, if you want to save money and you have a job in El Segundo or otherwise nearby, it isn't THAT bad of a choice.

This. I could see the difference between Gardena and Hawthorne by just crossing Crenshaw. The streets of Gardena look more cleaner and organized than Hawthorne.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by yby1

In which way? Please explain.

White flight and the death of aerospace.

[yby1]

Originally Posted by majoun

White flight and the death of aerospace.

I think Hawthorne is recovering well. Having SpaceX and Tesla Motors is a huge plus. There are more shopping centers in the area than in the 90s. They have cleaned most of the boulevards up and real estate is doing well. Crime is down.

The major blight to the area is the vacant Hawthorne Plaza, but that's a political pissing match between the landlord and the city at this point. The Mayor wants SpaceX to occupy it.

Hawthorne mayor wants SpaceX to take over long-vacant mall property