Mar Vista/ Culver City Area? (Orange, Inglewood: rentals, houses, safe area)

[Sidewalk 818]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking to relocate to L.A. soon. I am looking at a rental on the intersection of Louise Ave and Inglewood Blvd. It's located on the border of Mar Vista and Culver City or so. The area code is 90066. From what I read in these forums, it seems like a pretty safe area. But there is street parking, so I am a little concerned. Does anyone have any insights as to this particular area? Thanks for your help!

[issah]

I live in that area, and it is safe. You are freeway close, and about 3 miles from Venice Beach. There is a supermarket, and a Kaiser Permanente, and a LAPD Police Station within 1 mile. You'll be okay, trust me.

[Sidewalk 818]

Thanks for your help!

[Smallville]

I went to school around that area (for a little while) but recently moved back. Some parts of Mar Vista are beautiful (especially near Santa Monica).

I think it's a pretty safe area? But I'm not sure, considering I don't know where Louis Avenue is.

Good luck!

[RPV2NC]

I would drive the area and ask the local police. I know that south of there used to have some problems, not sure now. I think there is a police station on Culver near there.

[westpa]

Hello,

I lived on Inglewood and Courtleigh Ave. in Culver City And nearby Lindblade Ave. in Mar Vista in early/mid nineties. I witnessed a gang shootout from my front porch and an elderly neighbor was beaten nearly to in a home invasion robbery. Cars parked overnight on the street are in danger of being plowed into by drunk drivers. My advice is to find a security building with secure parking.

[issah]

I beg to differ with you, WestPa. Whatever you experienced 15-20 years ago, it is not like that anymore. I have been living here for 3 years, and the only criminal activity I am aware of is that a couple of pedestrians got hit (1 killed) by a drunk driver on Washington Blvd. near Inglewood Blvd. This was about 1.5 years ago.

I agree that if you street park your car on Inglewood Blvd. month after month, you run the risk of getting minor dents and scratches by other persons parking on the street. This would be no different, though, if you regularly parked your car on Centinela, Lincoln, Venice Blvds. And to my knowledge, cars do not "plow into" parked cars on a regular basis here.

The plus side of living in 90066:

- Costco
- Little Caesar's Pizza ($5 large pizzas when you don't want to cook)
- Paco's Tacos
- Outdoor Grill
- Rockenwagner's Bakery
- 99 Cents Only Store
- Tito's Tacos
- Johnnie's Pastrami

[Sidewalk 818]

I turned out not getting the rental, and continue to look for a place to live. I do like the Mar Vista/Culver city area-- seems nice w/o being outrageously expensive. I feel like I'm just going to have to live with street parking as a trade off for being in the city...

[Jim Smoot]

We own a music store on Venice Blvd in the Mar Vista area. I frequently stroll with my toddler son around the areas north of Venice and it's been very safe so far. The area is definitely a mix of long time residents and newcomers who are 'gentrifying' the area. A lot of ranch houses around the top of Grand View, Mountain View, Navy, and so on are being replaced with what's know as McMansions and these houses are now driving the areas there above 1 mill. Affordable housing can still be found in the more traditional areas south of Venice Blvd, such as Short, Alla, Superba. These are also quite small ranch houses with a lot of rentals.
As far as safety, it's OK to park your car on the street. I too haven't experienced any car dings or broken mirrors but maybe that just due to luck? I don't know.
A lot of young families are moving in and this give a more community feel to the area.
Just avoid areas with V13 graffiti, the Venice 13 gang were quite dominant in the mid 90's but have subsided what with the mega-newly-hip Venice and Abbot Kinney area.
Anyway, I'm rambling now. I hope this info helps

[majoun]

Originally Posted by issah

I beg to differ with you, WestPa. Whatever you experienced 15-20 years ago, it is not like that anymore. I have been living here for 3 years, and the only criminal activity I am aware of is that a couple of pedestrians got hit (1 killed) by a drunk driver on Washington Blvd. near Inglewood Blvd. This was about 1.5 years ago.

I agree that if you street park your car on Inglewood Blvd. month after month, you run the risk of getting minor dents and scratches by other persons parking on the street. This would be no different, though, if you regularly parked your car on Centinela, Lincoln, Venice Blvds. And to my knowledge, cars do not "plow into" parked cars on a regular basis here.

The plus side of living in 90066:

- Costco
- Little Caesar's Pizza ($5 large pizzas when you don't want to cook)
- Paco's Tacos
- Outdoor Grill
- Rockenwagner's Bakery
- 99 Cents Only Store
- Tito's Tacos
- Johnnie's Pastrami

Don't forget Mi Ranchito, although IIRC that's 90230 not 90066. Tito's and Johnnie's are DEFINITELY 90230.

Wouldn't Costco be 90291?

Paco's is very underrated. Props to mentioning that. So's Outdoor Grill. I remember when it was Gooey Louie's, and, even further back, when it was Orange Julius (part of the long-defunct L.A. fast food chain - although the Novel Cafe in Santa Monica actually makes the Orange Julius drink according to the old recipe....a little treat for those old time westsiders....)

This is making me nostalgic for my former 'hood....