A Chicagoan's review of LA (San Francisco, Inglewood: crime rates, taxes, living in)

[Losfrisco]

Originally Posted by frimpter928

No. I don't consider those low-end stores. The ones I am talking about are everywhere in the historic district. Places like Misty Perfumes & Cosmetics. Again I am not saying they don't belong in downtown, rather they just really dominate downtown when it comes to shopping. I have been to most downtowns in the country, and I have never seen those types of stores dominate like they do in LA.

I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing that downtown LA has a ton of that, but I do think it takes away some of the sophistication you see compared pretty much in any other downtown across the country and most parts of the world. I would say LA's downtown in terms of sophistication feels on par with a place like Cleveland, where you have some really nice places, beautiful architecture, and there is some sophistication but overall it's more gritty and low end than anything else.

Again, it's not a bad thing, some people like more of the grit feeling to the downtown, it's just not my preference. For me it was just a disappointment because LA is such a global and powerful city, and you wouldn't really get a sense of that through its downtown. But as many of you have said LA is a different city in layout where downtown is less important, so obviously the downtown is going to be less sophisticated than your typical city. I understand if you totally disagree with me on that.

As I said, downtown has never been presented as a fancy place, either in popular culture or by the city itself. It's history of shady characters, red light districts etc. is well known going back well into the 1800's.

I've seen just about every old L.A. movie and I can't think of one that implies that there is something fancy about downtown.

BTW, every suit I own was purchased around Santee alley in DTLA-$99 for the suit, shirt, tie, shoes and belt. You might say I'm a fan of these "low end stores."

[Finper]

Originally Posted by Losfrisco

As I said, downtown has never been presented as a fancy place, either in popular culture or by the city itself. It's history of shady characters, red light districts etc. is well known going back well into the 1800's.

I've seen just about every old L.A. movie and I can't think of one that implies that there is something fancy about downtown.

BTW, every suit I own was purchased around Santee alley in DTLA-$99 for the suit, shirt, tie, shoes and belt. You might say I'm a fan of these "low end stores."

Broadway used to be very elegant with lots of parties and premieres in the theaters with Hollywood elite. That was a long time ago

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by Finper

Broadway used to be very elegant with lots of parties and premieres in the theaters with Hollywood elite. That was a long time ago

True. Apparently that period was ending by the 1950s.

The Story Behind L.A.'s Historic Theatre District: https://www.travelandleisure.com/cul...eatre-district

https://www.laconservancy.org/events...t-walking-tour

[frimpter928]

Originally Posted by Losfrisco

As I said, downtown has never been presented as a fancy place, either in popular culture or by the city itself. It's history of shady characters, red light districts etc. is well known going back well into the 1800's.

I've seen just about every old L.A. movie and I can't think of one that implies that there is something fancy about downtown.

BTW, every suit I own was purchased around Santee alley in DTLA-$99 for the suit, shirt, tie, shoes and belt. You might say I'm a fan of these "low end stores."

Okay so whether it's presented as fancy place or not, I still found it disappointing. That's my opinion, that was my experience. You will not be able to change that. It is what it is.

Glad you found a nice suit there, good for you!

Anyway, thanks everyone for the feedback on this. I definitely want to go back and explore more of the city. I think next time I want to check out Pasadena, North Hollywood, and some more areas east of downtown. I think I got a pretty good handle this round on west LA and central LA.

[TripleSec]

Just fyi - there is much, much more to Santa Monica than the downtown area. There are beautiful neighborhoods that rival Beverly Hills and walkable areas with great shopping and dining that do not feel like an outdoor mall. I agree, downtown SM is insane, too much going on, but the other commercial areas (Montana Ave and Main St) are really cool places.

[frimpter928]

Originally Posted by TripleSec

Just fyi - there is much, much more to Santa Monica than the downtown area. There are beautiful neighborhoods that rival Beverly Hills and walkable areas with great shopping and dining that do not feel like an outdoor mall. I agree, downtown SM is insane, too much going on, but the other commercial areas (Montana Ave and Main St) are really cool places.

I feel you on that. After someone told me how I missed Montana Avenue I google mapped and it looks nice, a bit like Abbott-Kinney. Looks like I will just have to go back to LA and see it for myself.

[Nafster]

Originally Posted by Californiaguy2007

Downtown L.A is improving as time goes by.

Honestly, I'm saddened to say that this doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

Yeah, there are some more skyscraper and developments going up - and there are some amazing restaurants and bars and it's miles ahead of what it used to be.

But the homeless population and the crime just keep getting worse and worse in that area. I wanted to move there so bad but after working there for over a year and constantly seeing what goes on Downtown on a daily basis I couldn't. It literally smells like feces and urine almost EVERYWHERE, needles and trash are everywhere.

The Worsening Downtown Crime Rate | Opinion | ladowntownnews.com

So many other options to choose from that are safe and nice in LA.

[frimpter928]

Originally Posted by Nafster

Honestly, I'm saddened to say that this doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

Yeah, there are some more skyscraper and developments going up - and there are some amazing restaurants and bars and it's miles ahead of what it used to be.

But the homeless population and the crime just keep getting worse and worse in that area. I wanted to move there so bad but after working there for over a year and constantly seeing what goes on Downtown on a daily basis I couldn't. It literally smells like feces and urine almost EVERYWHERE, needles and trash are everywhere.

The Worsening Downtown Crime Rate | Opinion | ladowntownnews.com

So many other options to choose from that are safe and nice in LA.

I have to agree with this, while it's certainly improved it still has a LONG way to go from what I have saw. LA still lags significantly behind SF, Seattle, Philly, Boston when it comes to downtowns, and way behind when it comes to Chicago and NYC. TBH I felt more unease in LA's downtown than Detroit's. I am not saying Detroit's downtown is better, but you don't see so many mentally ill people running around, homesless people, and dirty environs in their downtown.

Again, I loved LA, but downtown was disappointing.

[Nafster]

Originally Posted by frimpter928

I have to agree with this, while it's certainly improved it still has a LONG way to go from what I have saw. LA still lags significantly behind SF, Seattle, Philly, Boston when it comes to downtowns, and way behind when it comes to Chicago and NYC. TBH I felt more unease in LA's downtown than Detroit's. I am not saying Detroit's downtown is better, but you don't see so many mentally ill people running around, homesless people, and dirty environs in their downtown.

Again, I loved LA, but downtown was disappointing.

LA's downtown was going through a huge promising revival the past 15 years or so but lately it seems like it's getting bad again due to the crime and homelessness population.

My friend recently went to an art show and parked on a street in Little Tokyo and the whole line of cars including hers on one side of the street had there windows bashed in and were ransacked while she was at the show.

I know two people in recent months that were mugged at night.

It's definitely not a safe area and wouldn't recommend parking a car there at night or walking alone.

[frimpter928]

Originally Posted by Nafster

LA's downtown was going through a huge promising revival the past 15 years or so but lately it seems like it's getting bad again due to the crime and homelessness population.

My friend recently went to an art show and parked on a street in Little Tokyo and the whole line of cars including hers on one side of the street had there windows bashed in and were ransacked while she was at the show.

I know two people in recent months that were mugged at night.

It's definitely not a safe area and wouldn't recommend parking a car there at night or walking alone.

I could see that. I remember walking passed the Pershing Square metro stop during lunch on my visit, and got uneasy, as there was a lot of suspicious folks in front of that stop. And I am not talking a few, like a good 10.

I think LA's downtown has so much potential. Last time I was in LA was 10 years ago, so I have definitely seen the improvement since then, but it still has a lot of work to do. Sounds like unfortunately it's taken a step back.