Your thoughts on South LA (Long Beach, Compton: crime, how much, homes)

[mattfromfl]

Watts is considered south central LA. But on a map it looks like it's pretty far from downtown. Can they see the skyline from there? Does it still have a downtown feel that far south? Also between Watts and downtown, is there a corridor of area that you want to stay out of?

Moving on to Compton, is that still considered south central? That's getting pretty far from downtown.

Are Watts and Compton two distinctive communities, or do they kind of fuse together to form one big danger zone? Do those two cities constitute most of your south central war zone? What would be the parameters of the areas that you truly need to stay out off.

Are there any areas that are remotely livable between 105 and I-10, and either side of I-110? I know people live near USC, but what about even farther south?

There's always the valley but that's going to be expensive too if everyone is seeking out a safe suburbia there. And it's not like I'm going to be going for walks at 3 in the morning. I just want to be in LA.

[timelesschild]

I have heard that Long Beach can be affordable.

Hollywood and Koreatown are affordable and fairly safe.

How much is your housing budget? You should be able to find something you can afford, as a single male.... depends on your requirements and budget.

Check out http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ and http://www.pennysaverusa.com/search.aspx?r=Los+Angeles+County%2c+CA (broken link).

[calipoppy]

Originally Posted by mattfromfl

Watts is considered south central LA. But on a map it looks like it's pretty far from downtown. Can they see the skyline from there? Does it still have a downtown feel that far south? Also between Watts and downtown, is there a corridor of area that you want to stay out of?

Moving on to Compton, is that still considered south central? That's getting pretty far from downtown.

Are Watts and Compton two distinctive communities, or do they kind of fuse together to form one big danger zone? Do those two cities constitute most of your south central war zone? What would be the parameters of the areas that you truly need to stay out off.

Are there any areas that are remotely livable between 105 and I-10, and either side of I-110? I know people live near USC, but what about even farther south?

There's always the valley but that's going to be expensive too if everyone is seeking out a safe suburbia there. And it's not like I'm going to be going for walks at 3 in the morning. I just want to be in LA.

The Valley has many areas that rival (if not exceed) South LA in terms of not being safe areas. A lot of crime happens in the Valley

[skywalker400]

Compton is an incorporated city, and Watts is its own neighborhood. People generalize a big swath of the city and it's surrounding areas "South Central" (basically anything south of the 10), despite the small area it traditionally signified (Washington to Slauson, Main to Alameda). I'm not the biggest expert on the area, but there is a huge range from West Adams near USC, which has some of the cities nicest old homes, to areas surrounded by massive projects (Watts). Most of the area is single family homes, with commercial boulevards, not exactly urban inner city, think depressed older suburb with a high-density lower income population. Are parts livable? i'd say so, but it really depends on the lifestyle you want. I'd prefer to live closer to the Westside, where there's generally more to do and better access to jobs and nightlife.