What is the real deal on Koreatown?

[BarcelonaFan]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

If you want to see another REAL dense urban neighborhood, see Alvarado St just a mile or so west of downtown. There you feel like you left the USA and entered somewhere in Central America.

Yes. Alvarado and 6th headed toward MacArthur Park. It's a bazzar-like atmosphere, like something out of the third world. It can seem a bit scary at first but there are a lot of police. On the other hand it looks like purgatory considering all of the out of work migrants hanging about, the homeless and loud street preachers.

I had people asking me if I wanted an ID for some reason? Why were they asking me? Anyone know?

[hjt123]

Originally Posted by ballin31

Where on Olympic? Where on 8th? If you say 8th and Vermont, I would disagree vociferously. And I've lived in Ktown for the past 10 years.

The span of those streets within Ktown

There's a couple restaurants/after hours spots i've been going to for about 4 years now on 8th right near vermont. I usually hit them up with a small group late at night (no earlier than 10 usually) and always park my car on the street. I've never run into trouble.


I don't think people should draw an absolute line of boundaries you should never cross, especially somewhere that doesn't have a significant gang presence.

[TrueDat]

@BarcelonFan: They can get you a fake ID.

[hipcat]

Originally Posted by hjt123

olympic is safe and has some of my favorite places in ktown. 8th too.

stop the fear mongering

Exactly. Those areas look a bit grimey. But unless you are looking for trouble, no one will bother you.

[buzzkillb]

Originally Posted by BarcelonaFan

Yes. Alvarado and 6th headed toward MacArthur Park. It's a bazzar-like atmosphere, like something out of the third world. It can seem a bit scary at first but there are a lot of police. On the other hand it looks like purgatory considering all of the out of work migrants hanging about, the homeless and loud street preachers.

I had people asking me if I wanted an ID for some reason? Why were they asking me? Anyone know?

I always thought that area looked like TJ with Los Angeles sign posts. The part that baffles me is the amount of trash littering the sidewalks and streets. Its sort of like a mini garbage dump.

I went to lunch with a friend who worked near there, a pretty well known building housing a lot of cool Architects (Concrete Building or something like that). I am White/Chinese and my friend is a red haired Armenian. And we kept getting pestered to buy social security cards left and right. I was sort of curious how many I could collect in an hour. But I take it if you ever needed fake ID's this is the place to go.

I also have another friend who came from the East Coast and didn't really like living near the beach in the South Bay and ended up moving to Ktown. He is Black if that matters. He loves it there, and has been living at the Gaylord building for about 8 years now.

Ktown seems like it has been changing for the better year after year. And I have heard from enough people that the Korean BBQ is as close to being in Korea. And I haven't met anyone who doesn't like Korean BBQ.

[ballin31]

Originally Posted by hjt123

The span of those streets within Ktown

There's a couple restaurants/after hours spots i've been going to for about 4 years now on 8th right near vermont. I usually hit them up with a small group late at night (no earlier than 10 usually) and always park my car on the street. I've never run into trouble.


I don't think people should draw an absolute line of boundaries you should never cross, especially somewhere that doesn't have a significant gang presence.

Well, my standard is if I had a sister, would I be ok with her living in that area. And I would not be comfortable south of 8th on Vermont, especially if its even a little bit east of Vermont. In fact, there's that street called Leeward that's between 7th and 8th which runs from Vermont eastward. That street is a known druggie street. LA Weekly did a huge article on it a couple of years ago, I think. Basically, that whole area around Southwestern Law School is sketchy, man. And I'm no Santa Monica type. I would feel ok about the area just west of Vermont from 8th on up. That area, just east of the RFK school, isn't too bad, and there's some cool places like the Prince to go to there. But south of 8th? Dunno...But definitely east of vermont around that 8th street area is a serious no no.

[ballin31]

Originally Posted by buzzkillb

I also have another friend who came from the East Coast and didn't really like living near the beach in the South Bay and ended up moving to Ktown. He is Black if that matters. He loves it there, and has been living at the Gaylord building for about 8 years now.

.

Yeah the Gaylord is a cool building. Great area of ktown. I would say that's probably the most happening part of ktown right now.

[TunaBoy]

So is it pretty safe to say that K-town is the best value in LA in terms of price and being decently safe?

[tcave360]

Originally Posted by SurekRZA

Korea town is one of my favorite districts of L.A. city. From 5th to Wilshire and even past Wilshire, its has a lot going for it. I ALWAYS find something new, whether recently renovated old nice architecture or a brand new location. There's also talk about a new highrise that would be SoCals first Vertical mall!! I do suggest that you stay near Wilshire Blvd like some have already mentioned. Having a roomate would also help but just to reassure you, Korea Town is great! but you need to be wise and careful after dark. The purple line runs 'til Western and Wilshire giving you access to other parts of L.A. as well which is a plus.

This sounds interesting. What does the project look like so far 5 years later?