Need Help: Relocating to LA (Long Beach, Torrance: apartment, rental, high crime)

[bluesky52]

Everyone,

I am evaluating relocating to LA for a job located in the Lynwood
area. After reviewing many entries in various threads on this forum,
I encounter several recurring issues, two of which are the traffic
and the crime (particularly gangs) . I am unfamiliar with the LA area
in general, and was hoping that I could get some good advice. I will be
looking for an apartment, and several questions come to mind:

1. What are some of the "safer" (i.e., lower crime) areas within
"reasonable" commuting distance of Lynwood?

2. Are there specific areas or rules or thumb in the LA area which
would be considered definitely places to avoid (presumably due
to high crime)?

3. Do any of you have some insights as to what it is like to work in,
and commute to, the Lynwood area?

4. What other resources, either online or books/periodicals, could
you recommend as additional opportunities for addressing
my concerns/interests expressed by this post?

Thanks so very much in advance -- I look forward to your insights.

[Charles]

What is your rental budget?

LAPD | e-policing and crime stats

The real story to LA crime..

[EscapeCalifornia]

Lynwood is in the ghetto and surrounded by more ghetto. If I had to work there, I'd be looking at La Mirada or *maybe* parts of Lakewood for housing. I hear Downey isn't too bad. There's nicer areas farther away from Lynwood like Torrance or Cypress, but your commute times will go way up.

[katenik]

i worked in lynwood for a short time, and didn't live anywhere near it. lynwood is located inland from the south bay beach cities, so if that is in your budget, the commute wouldn't be bad. long beach is another, cheaper, option.

[bluesky52]

Thanks everyone for the feedback ... keep it coming.

Charles, in answer to your question, my budget can afford
upwards of $2000/month rent, perhaps more if need be,
although I would prefer to minimize the rent costs, of course.

Katenik, you mentioned that you worked in Lynwood. How safe
did you feel there? The "ghetto within a ghetto" certainly
sounds concerning.

I have been told that the workplace in Lynwood is in a somewhat
industrial setting, OK to work there, but would not be a choice
location to live....

[katenik]

lynwood is more barrio than ghetto these days. it shares a boundary with compton and another with south gate, and while it isn't as well-known, it isn't much different from those places. bottom line: it's a very unappealing place (ask paris hilton!), with absolutely nothing to recommend it but good mexican food if you know where to go. if the money's right and/or it's a good career opportunity, take the job, go to work, go home, and you'll be fine. if you're single or married without kids, your budget of $2000+ will give you quite a few options within a half hour of your workplace. look west near the beach, or much farther south. you could even live in one of the better neighborhoods in LA proper if you don't mind spending at least 45 minutes on the freeway each way. i wouldn't go as far the westside, however, as that would add another half hour to your commute.

if you need to worry about family-friendly neighborhoods and good school districts, you might want to look in the opposite direction, toward someplace like cerritos. it has one one of the best public high schools in the country.

[TheRealAngelion]

Since you sound single and have a decent rental budget, I recommend Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, and Torrance.