I need some information on moving to East L.A. (Los Angeles: middle-class, high crime)

[bubbavegas]

Originally Posted by SoCal transplant

Bubba - while at the City Attorney's office, I worked in Boyle Heights out of the LAPD station on First St. Yes, there are a lot of gangs. I mean a LOT of gangs! But, there are also some very proud and good law abiding people that live there. There are some bordering parts of LA that you might want to consider - El Sereno, Highland Park, Montebello, maybe even Commerce. All very much like East Los, but not as bad (yes, they all have gangs as well - but so does most, if not all of L.A.)

thank you for the thread and I really am thankful to you all for the time you all took in writing them
bubba

[kidpsych]

NO-NO-NO-NO-NO

I have a right to advise you, as I grew up in the area, and live about 15 minutes away. Absolutely not. If you have no alternative then consider the following nearby communities in order: Eagle Rock (LA 90041); Alhambra; Pasadena; Highland Park (LA 90042); Montebello.

The school systems are really horrendous, no exaggeration. The private parochial schools aren't really any better in ELA. Look into Charter Schools if you must. Truly, if you can avoid it at all costs, especially if you have a child. You won't be there two day, before you regret your decision.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Has the threadstarter actually been to East LA? Why would anyone intentionally move TO a slum unless it was the last place on Earth they could afford to live?

[frcal]

Grant it, living in ELA can be a challenge. I also grew up in the neighborhood bordering Monterey Park. A lot has changed over the years. Our family home is still there as a rental and it is not easy to maintain for obvious reasons. I am so far removed from the school system however, a mentioned web site on this forum can assist you to determine which way you'll go. Should you have your heart into moving into the area, do so with caution and an open mind of the many cultures and crimes you'll come across. Consequently, living in LV you were most likely exposed to similarities however, I don't feel they may have been as evident as you'll see or be exposed to on the streets in ELA. I'd stay east of Atlantic Blvd, north of Garfield if I were you. Try toward Alhambra or toward So. Pasadena area if you insist around eastern LA areas. Try southeast of LA toward the Lakewood area. Go with caution and be safe.

[Rosomane]

I could be wrong but you'd be hard pressed to market Peruvian cuisine in East LA - it's Mexican (i.e.illegal alien) and chollo. It's also considered the bad side of town on account of the gangs, crime and poverty. Don't bring a child into that atmosphere. It is not, as I understand your impression has been, a neighborly low income latino community - there is alcohol abuse, drugs, firearms, domestic violence, abandoned cars, stray dogs, illegal aliens, felons, generations of gang membership and all the symptoms of urban decay. Private schools? who can afford them in that area? Beware of the pollution levels in the poorer parts of the city, that is often where the railroad yards, chrome plating shops, slaughter houses, dumps, junkyards, etc. are located and fewer parks and playgrounds.

You might be better off in the San Fernando Valley where there is a large population of Peruvians (as well as other latinos). Last I counted there were at least 15 Peruvian restaurants in the valley. There are lousy schools and there are great schools in the valley; there are also alternative, magnet and a wide variety of private and religious schools. The City of San Fernando might be just what you're looking for, although Pacoima, Canoga Park and Panorama City have all the problems of East LA and are to be avoided, ditto for Van Nuys although parts are OK. Sylmar might be worth looking into.

If you can swing it, get out of LA and the LAUSD altogether and look into Burbank, Montrose, Glendale/Pasadena areas (and their superior school districts). Any way you look at it, it is expensive here to live, you'll have to pull in some serious money to send a kid to private school and live comfortably so if you can select the best school district you're ahead (and will be paying taxes for it anyway). Good luck!

[bubbavegas]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Has the threadstarter actually been to East LA? Why would anyone intentionally move TO a slum unless it was the last place on Earth they could afford to live?

Yes I have been there several times, and I have NEVER had any trouble or problems whenever I was there
Bubba

[bubbavegas]

Originally Posted by Rosomane

I could be wrong but you'd be hard pressed to market Peruvian cuisine in East LA - it's Mexican (i.e.illegal alien) and chollo. It's also considered the bad side of town on account of the gangs, crime and poverty. Don't bring a child into that atmosphere. It is not, as I understand your impression has been, a neighborly low income latino community - there is alcohol abuse, drugs, firearms, domestic violence, abandoned cars, stray dogs, illegal aliens, felons, generations of gang membership and all the symptoms of urban decay. Private schools? who can afford them in that area? Beware of the pollution levels in the poorer parts of the city, that is often where the railroad yards, chrome plating shops, slaughter houses, dumps, junkyards, etc. are located and fewer parks and playgrounds.

You might be better off in the San Fernando Valley where there is a large population of Peruvians (as well as other latinos). Last I counted there were at least 15 Peruvian restaurants in the valley. There are lousy schools and there are great schools in the valley; there are also alternative, magnet and a wide variety of private and religious schools. The City of San Fernando might be just what you're looking for, although Pacoima, Canoga Park and Panorama City have all the problems of East LA and are to be avoided, ditto for Van Nuys although parts are OK. Sylmar might be worth looking into.

If you can swing it, get out of LA and the LAUSD altogether and look into Burbank, Montrose, Glendale/Pasadena areas (and their superior school districts). Any way you look at it, it is expensive here to live, you'll have to pull in some serious money to send a kid to private school and live comfortably so if you can select the best school district you're ahead (and will be paying taxes for it anyway). Good luck!

Thank you so very much for your post, as all of you say I do consider my family is the most important thing in my life, if they are not happy I am not!
The come first and from the sounds of it, ELA is not the choice. From the many time that I have been there though it was not bad, from reading all of your posts I really need to just STOP thinking about that area all together.

But in my mind that is the problem in my of our cities, PLEASE correct me if I am wrong, But if we continue to build millions and million of dollars of new homes, and forget the older neighborhoods that that need that money to improve the schools, playgrounds and the safety of that certian city, are we any better? Should we focus on the problem areas and fix them before we make more?
Just a open question to you all.
Bubba

[d5069]

Bubba, many of these replies are from outsiders looking in and you shouldn't base your decision just based on these answers.
It is true that there is a large gang problem, however, it does not mean that it is necessarily dangerous. If you don't cause any problems or do anything to provoke a gang, they will leave you alone.
I have family that has lived in East LA for over 30 years and not once have they had a crime committed against them.

If you feel that you can be a good role-model for your children, then by all means move there.
Good luck wherever you move.

[RobE]

Monetbello is relatively low crime:
Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed

Monterey Park has a big Chinese community and is fairly low crime: Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed

Good luck. I hope your Peruvian cuisine is a big hit.

[bubbavegas]

Originally Posted by d5069

Bubba, many of these replies are from outsiders looking in and you shouldn't base your decision just based on these answers.
It is true that there is a large gang problem, however, it does not mean that it is necessarily dangerous. If you don't cause any problems or do anything to provoke a gang, they will leave you alone.
I have family that has lived in East LA for over 30 years and not once have they had a crime committed against them.

If you feel that you can be a good role-model for your children, then by all means move there.
Good luck wherever you move.

Thank and I agree with you, The area that I live in here in Vegas is very dangerous, but nobody bothers you and just live thier lives. But if you want trouble you can find it you know?
Thank you very much for your post, thank you

Bubba