Visiting grad student at the USC School of Medicine - where to stay? (Pasadena: how much)

[fry_j]

Hey all,

I'm a graduate student currently undertaking a PhD in Ireland. I will be performing some research at the USC Keck School of Medicine this summer from the beginning of June to the end of August.

I'm trying to find out about the various areas within LA to see where is best for me to stay during my time in LA. I won't have a car and plan on mostly using a bike to get around.

The School of Medicine is based on Zonal Avenue. I was thinking of staying in Echo Park as this would be convenient in terms of commuting. However, I wondered if anyone had any advice in terms of how safe the area is at night and how easy (or difficult) a commute from there to Zonal Avenue would be by bike. Are there other areas which you think would be better suited?

Thanks,

J

[KnoxTown]

I probably wouldn't bike that 4 miles at night.

[drunk on kool aid]

Go to: <http://housing.usc.edu/Services/>

Along the left side, click on "Summer Guest Housing (PDF)" which might have info of interest, although I think it is primarily for the University Park Campus (UPC), which is the main campus whereas you will be at the Health Science Campus (HSC).

HSC has an on-campus dorm, Seaver Residence Hall, which may literally be feet from where you will be working. There is some information at <http://housing.usc.edu/HousingOptions/Buildings.aspx?bID=SRH>. If that URL doesn't work, just plug in "Seaver Residence Hall" into the search bar. This might be a good choice if you want to be able to get to the lab at all hours, especially if you won't have a car.

I knew a female Chinese MD, who was a visiting scholar at HSC, and she lived in a rented room in a house located within a kilometer of the campus. She commuted on foot and managed to return to China without getting shot or injured. She didn't work after dark but walked through an area that many would consider dodgy.

The HSC is within the turf of at least two gangs, Big Hazard & City Terrace.

USC would issue an email security blotter, and I don't know if it covered HSC, but all of the incidents were from the UPC. Much depends on your comfort level with a somewhat gritty environment and how much street smarts you have.

We have a limited light rail system which goes to Union Station. Union Station is a few miles from HSC and there is a shuttle bus but hours are limited. The buses and light rail can accommodate bikes which could extend the range of your housing search (e.g. to Pasadena or South Pasadena).

Hope this helps and best of luck.