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Maybe I should ask this question then, what are the cheapest places to live in the Los Angeles area? I'm not talking about the outskirts either, it hasn't to be a convenient location.
there may not be a lot of areas cheaper than Compton, but that should not be your only consideration. I suggest while you are in the planning stages you make a visit to Los Angeles (which it appears you have in the past) line up a realtor prior to coming out and look at what Compton has to offer. Then give areas near such as Carson and Gardena a look. this is just a suggestion.
How's Carson and the part of Long Beach that touches those other communities? It seems like Carson is more mixed than Compton or Inglewood. Long Beach has been mixed for a while too.
I've even heard that Culver City is even changing a bit too. Is that true?
cheap?...i dont know that you want to live in the cheapest areas of los angeles...i think the cheapest would be on the east side of l.a from east los, east side south central, watts, and probably parts of compton. Parts of North Long Beach are probably "cheaper" as well. You have to realize though a lot of the East side is much more run down. West south central is much nicer in appearence then most of the east side of south central, it is much more spread out...
How's Carson and the part of Long Beach that touches those other communities? It seems like Carson is more mixed than Compton or Inglewood. Long Beach has been mixed for a while too.
I've even heard that Culver City is even changing a bit too. Is that true?
The part of Carson that touches Compton is very predominantly black and is less diverse than Compton as a whole. But the homes are much nicer and the gang problem is much less severe. The very closest neighborhoods to Compton go to Compton schools even though the rest of Carson is LAUSD.
In general the east side of Compton is Hispanic, older, and more run down and the the west side is more black and has nicer homes. I don't see that many non-Hispanic whites that live in Compton. Or Asians.
The north part of Long Beach is historically white and is still mostly white/Hispanic with a growing black/Asian population. But it's run down and has lots of crime.
Oh please Slig. I live in Minneapolis and there is no comparison to the feeling of safety here and that of S.California rough areas such as Compton. As a Native American woman I have hung out in East LA because I wanted to experience the Mexican culture. While there, I did experience some of the stares of pure hatred that gangbangers have there. I just gave them a glance and didn't try to appear threatening in any way. They left me alone, but inside I did feel scared. I am sorry, but I have not come across that kind of fear while visiting rough neighborhoods here in Mpls.
The original poster sounds to me like yet another person who is really, really underestimating just how bad it can be in places like Compton.
It reminds me of when I lived in the Bay Area. And naive people would move into the bad parts of Oakland or Richmond. And they knew beforehand that they were rough neighborhoods, but they figured they could handle it.
Before they go there, they visualize it as being a rough place. But they really, really underestimate the magnitude of it. Because they have never really been to a place quite like it and can't even comprehend it.
A lot of times, they had romantisized ideals about equality and living in harmony with the people of a low-income neighborhood.
Then when they actually get there, they realize it truely is much worse than they ever imagined.
Then they will either move away immediately, or they will stick around for a while, living with constant anxiety and stress.
The truth is, in places like these. Random acts of violence and crime are common. Police in these cities usually don't really patrol and they don't operate like they do in other cities, you're on your own.
I would say don't go there. I am all for being open-minded, but there are some places I just stay away from because I know the truth about what's happening there.
Personally, I have lived in places like that before, and I hope I never have to do it again. There is honestly no benefit to it in my opinion. High crime areas and gang territory are no fun to live in at all.
I've driven through places like this, and believe me, the sullen stares from the gangbangers, the feeling you get creeping over you that your life isn't worth even a penny to some people... Not for me, no thanks. Life is too short to live in constant tension and stress for fear that some idiot will blow you away for no real reason - or even worse, that you'll be caught in the crossfire and catch a bullet that wasn't even intended for you. Also, would you be willing to live in a place where you hear gunshots all the time, even if they're several blocks away?
Fastfilm said it very well in this thread about Pacoima, which is the San Fernando Valley's "light" version of Compton:
Oh please Slig. I live in Minneapolis and there is no comparison to the feeling of safety here and that of S.California rough areas such as Compton. As a Native American woman I have hung out in East LA because I wanted to experience the Mexican culture. While there, I did experience some of the stares of pure hatred that gangbangers have there. I just gave them a glance and didn't try to appear threatening in any way. They left me alone, but inside I did feel scared. I am sorry, but I have not come across that kind of fear while visiting rough neighborhoods here in Mpls.
After you witnessed the stares of pure hatred were you the victim of a violent crime?
Slig, it sounds like you're willing to consider different areas - have you thought at all about the San Gabriel Valley? I know people who found good deals in cities like Rosemead. Alhambra has some nice areas and is pretty convenient.
I'd also highly recommend Pasadena - parts of expensive, but others are more affordable. Pasadena is beautiful, diverse, on the light rail line, is a city in its own right, and is overall just a great place to live. There are still some "affordable" houses to be found, especially if you're willing to buy in a more marginal neighborhood. There is some gang activity and other issues, but I don't think it's worse than what you'd find in your neighborhood in Minneapolis. Plus, you have the mountains right there in your backyard!
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