Is there any area around Paramount that is sketchy? (Los Angeles: real estate, apartments)

[whatsthebigdeal]

Hello all

I accepted a job on the Paramount lot and it begins in February. I haven't been to Los Angeles before, and I would like to live close-by because I have heard nothing about how bad the traffic is, and as someone coming from Chicago, I am kind of addicted to public transportation. I have found several apartments that look promising in Hancock Park, especially in the 4400-4900 blocks of Beverly. Is this a good area to be looking? I haven't really found anything about this area and would like any suggestions for safe areas in a close proximity Paramount.

[BRinSM]

i would try to stay west of western. that area along beverly goes from extremely posh to very rundown in a matter of blocks. if you're looking for more hip areas, los feliz and silver lake are close by. taking the bus should probably be an option from either of those neighborhoods. unfortunately the subway doesn't have any stops near the paramount lot.

[Western87]

Paramount is very close to Hollywood so you're probably going to go through traffic a lot. Anyplace in Hancock Park is great but it's also crazy expensive. Hancock Park is one of the more affluent neighborhoods in LA. Don't have the exact numbers but if you're making less than 80, 70, or 60k, its going to be hard to find a place around here. Apartments may be different but they may be more expensive than other parts of the city

[whatsthebigdeal]

I hope to get a shorter term lease, maybe 6 mo., until I get the feel of the city and can do some mroe exploring. I have talked to some folks who manage some properties within a half mile from Paramount along Van Ness and Beverly. Some of the complexes, from google earth, look to be on the outskirts of Raleigh Studios. Does anyone know if this area is alright? Really, at this point, I hope to live within walking distance to Paramount until I get a grip on driving, since I haven't really driven regularly my entire adult life.

[Cubancoffee]

Hancock Park is a great area if you can afford it. In the immediate area of Paramount you can walk to some very nice areas and you can walk to some very sketchy areas. I am certain there is also easy bus access. Cruise the neighborhood and look for signs on streets you like. I'd say generally the farther you can get from the 101 the better. Remember, if every house on the street has bars on the windows/doors and an iron fence out front, there's probably a reason. Don't commit to anything sight unseen.

[streetscenes]

Van Ness & Beverly is not Hancock Park, it's 6 or 7 blocks east of Larchmont Village which is a really nice area. Further east and south you get the worse the neighborhoods get, but these things can change in just 1 block. Try to stay in the vicinity of Larchmont and you will be close to Paramount and should be fine. Good plan to sign a 6 month lease and get a feel for the area.

[whatsthebigdeal]

Streetscenes, thanks for the info. I understand how alot of property management and real estate agents work as far as tacking on nicer adjacent neighborhoods when they advertise their properties. In Chicago it is pretty bad. I will definitely keep everything everyone is saying in mind.

[LABornandRaised]

My friend is an actress and she lives literally across the street from Paramount studios to the South. She's lived there for over 7 years and hasn't had a problem at all. Even though apartments line the street there, they are all old with charm (some spanish, others tudor). The streets are tree lined and I don't get the vibe of the area being dangerous. Granted, there are some places with bars on their windows, but I wouldn't base the safety of an area solely on that. Burglaries can happen in even the nicest of neighborhoods.

[whatsthebigdeal]

again, thanks for the info. I have heard, from friends, alot about Echo Park. Can anyone give me any details about this neighborhood?

[LABornandRaised]

I also have a close friend who lives in Echo Park. He constantly tells me that if you want to live there, you have to have thick skin. His garage gets tagged with spray paint at least once every 2 weeks and he always has his bucket of paint ready to cover it up. He hears gun shots every night and witnessed a homicide. He lives close to where Echo Park turns into Silverlake. If I were to base it on my two close friends (one who lives across from Paramount in Hollywood and my other friend who lives in EchoPark), I would say, stay in Hollywood.

My 2 cents. Hope that helps.