Grim Future for the next generation of kids in Los Angeles...? (Irvine: crime, job market)

[curiosa]

I'm considering raising a family here in Los Angeles because majority of my relatives live near by. I'm wondering if it is better to move somewhere else or does the whole country seem to have the same issues.

My concerns are with the recent 800+ job layoff the L.A city council has just announced that is directed at city services. According to an article I read today both police and firemen are not exempt from the layoffs. Courtroom closures downtown and around the county along with increasing delays in access to justice, growing case backlogs, longer lines at filing windows and service counters are also expected. Schools and city Library & Recreational services will be hit as well.

I feel the collapse of the U.S economy slowly but surely getting worse. Does anybody see any light at the end of this tunnel?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by curiosa

I'm considering raising a family here in Los Angeles because majority of my relatives live near by. I'm wondering if it is better to move somewhere else or does the whole country seem to have the same issues.

My concerns are with the recent 800+ job layoff the L.A city council has just announced that is directed at city services. According to an article I read today both police and firemen are not exempt from the layoffs. Courtroom closures downtown and around the county along with increasing delays in access to justice, growing case backlogs, longer lines at filing windows and service counters are also expected. Schools and city Library & Recreational services will be hit as well.

I feel the collapse of the U.S economy slowly but surely getting worse. Does anybody see any light at the end of this tunnel?

Nobody wants to see fire and police or schools get cut.

And yes, much of the country has the same issues. Huntsville, which is the polar opposite of Los Angeles and has a pretty healthy economy and an unemployment rate of around 7%, is considering laying off teachers.

The biggest problems for the next generation in Los Angeles are the same problems for this generation: expensive housing and traffic and air quality (and obesity).

[West of Encino]

Originally Posted by Charles

Nobody wants to see fire and police or schools get cut.

And yes, much of the country has the same issues. Huntsville, which is the polar opposite of Los Angeles and has a pretty healthy economy and an unemployment rate of around 7%, is considering laying off teachers.

The biggest problems for the next generation in Los Angeles are the same problems for this generation: expensive housing and traffic and air quality (and obesity).

Don't forget that gangs will also be a problem for kids in LA.

[hsw]

Would argue air quality and traffic speeds in LA are much better than 20yrs ago...and weather/topography is some of world's best, only rival is PaloAlto area

Suspect places like Irvine have little need for extensive police/fire (newer housing away from slums) and have decent public schools; slum corridors in any urban region tend to consume more of public services and tax dollars than places where actual taxpayers work/live

Smart, ambitious kids anywhere figure out how to enter leading colleges; choose useful majors; and move wherever are best career opportunities

College towns like Bos/Phila/Urbana attract many smart kids every yr, but nearly all top grads flee to SiliconValley or Manhattan upon graduation

Economic freedom entails easy, logical, self-directed movement of talented people, high-income jobs and money to wherever opportunities are greatest

[SandyCo]

Much of the country has the same issues, but they seem to be magnified in big cities like L.A. I wouldn't choose to raise children here now, especially if I had to send them to L.A. Unified schools. Too many budget cuts, the school days per year are being trimmed, class sizes are getting bigger, teachers are more stressed, etc. And this is only one aspect of the myriad of problems we're facing. I should be encouraging my son to become a prison guard; that's one aspect of the state budget that we probably need to increase!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by curiosa

I'm considering raising a family here in Los Angeles because majority of my relatives live near by. I'm wondering if it is better to move somewhere else or does the whole country seem to have the same issues.

My concerns are with the recent 800+ job layoff the L.A city council has just announced that is directed at city services. According to an article I read today both police and firemen are not exempt from the layoffs. Courtroom closures downtown and around the county along with increasing delays in access to justice, growing case backlogs, longer lines at filing windows and service counters are also expected. Schools and city Library & Recreational services will be hit as well.

I feel the collapse of the U.S economy slowly but surely getting worse. Does anybody see any light at the end of this tunnel?

There is always light at the end of the tunnel, but will that light come on soon, especially in So California? I doubt it.

As much as I wouldn't want to raise a family in Los Angeles right now, as much as I can think of many states that are fairing much better than Ca and as much as I have seen tops cities go south in the past 50 years, being near family can be very important. Let's just say this, if you have a good job, can afford to stay in So Cal and have the family behind you, stay put..If not, start looking at some of the states that appear to be more stable right now, that would be some of the southewest and the midwest states that border the south.

Nita

[intelfan11315]

I think the whole country is having the same issues. There's job loss everywhere, there's people without jobs everywhere. There is nothing good in the Midwest, but then again... it seems like no matter which part of the country you are, people are complaining about the job market. Growing up in the Midwest, everyone complained they couldn't find work, the moved to Miami, still people complain they can't find work, now LA. In my opinion its always going to be the same.

If you want to get in the subject of kids, it doesn't matter where you live.. they are going to be exposed to the same things whether you live in a big city or small city, you are not sheltering them from anything.

[curiosa]

Originally Posted by Charles

Nobody wants to see fire and police or schools get cut.

And yes, much of the country has the same issues. Huntsville, which is the polar opposite of Los Angeles and has a pretty healthy economy and an unemployment rate of around 7%, is considering laying off teachers.

The biggest problems for the next generation in Los Angeles are the same problems for this generation: expensive housing and traffic and air quality (and obesity).

oops good point..I forgot to factor in traffic and air quality. Obesity I feel is a problem in all other states being that portion sizes of meals are way too big along with video games, computers, and cell phones are all ways to be more lethargic and lazy.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by curiosa

I'm considering raising a family here in Los Angeles because majority of my relatives live near by. I'm wondering if it is better to move somewhere else or does the whole country seem to have the same issues.

My concerns are with the recent 800+ job layoff the L.A city council has just announced that is directed at city services. According to an article I read today both police and firemen are not exempt from the layoffs. Courtroom closures downtown and around the county along with increasing delays in access to justice, growing case backlogs, longer lines at filing windows and service counters are also expected. Schools and city Library & Recreational services will be hit as well.

I feel the collapse of the U.S economy slowly but surely getting worse. Does anybody see any light at the end of this tunnel?

It is part of the decline of the American Empire. As the sun sets on America and rises over the far east, we will have to learn to live with less just as the Romans and the English did before us. No empire last forever and ours has lasted a long time.

[scarling]

Currently going to school in Westwood (UCLA) & and have noticed crime to be going up in the area compared to last year. I wonder this will get worse as the economy continues to decline..