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anyone out there live in downtown LA?

post #1 of 18
7/22/08 at 4:23pm
Thread Starter 
specifically, anyone out there live in one of the many new loft conversions in downtown LA? i'm curious what the people are like, cost of living, safety, etc.

-Jeff
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post #2 of 18
7/22/08 at 4:45pm
I lived at 4th and Main (in the "Old Bank District") when the buildings there were first converted into lofts. I moved out probably six years ago, and so I'm sure that things have changed a lot since then. At the time, the area was fairly shady, but I still walked around quite a bit without any problems. There were a lot of cool people living in Gilmore's loft buildings, but I was frustrated by management there (not sure if the situation has improved in recent years).
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post #3 of 18
7/22/08 at 9:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spertia View Post
I lived at 4th and Main (in the "Old Bank District") when the buildings there were first converted into lofts. I moved out probably six years ago, and so I'm sure that things have changed a lot since then. At the time, the area was fairly shady, but I still walked around quite a bit without any problems. There were a lot of cool people living in Gilmore's loft buildings, but I was frustrated by management there (not sure if the situation has improved in recent years).

Pre-hipster hipsterdom?
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post #4 of 18
7/22/08 at 9:36pm
I stayed with a friend who lives in a converted loft building. The area is still pretty shady, and we did not feel comfortable walking outside at night, not that there was anything to go without a car. Most of the people living there were in their 20's.
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post #5 of 18
7/23/08 at 11:31am
My closest friends are thinking of buying one of those lofts...there are free van tours that take you to all the lofts and show you around. They seem pricey for what you dont get....iirc 800sqft costs upwards of 350,000, which is a lot for not much space and 2 pillars cutting into the room's space. seems like a cool area to live, geographically, you have Little Tokyo a walk away, Phillipe's just down the road, and tons of downtown bars to hang out at.
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post #6 of 18
7/24/08 at 12:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Get Smart View Post
seems like a cool area to live, geographically, you have Little Tokyo a walk away, Phillipe's just down the road, and tons of downtown bars to hang out at.

that puts you around the corner from skid row.
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post #7 of 18
7/24/08 at 1:47pm
They are finally building a downtown chain supermarket. A Ralphs I believe. Its, IMO at least 3-5 years before its an actual livable situation. My parents have a condo near downtown...the train system is a little better. Little Tokyo is nice, but again, Skid Row is a block away, I wouldn't feel exactly comfortable walking around at night for leisure very far.
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post #8 of 18
7/24/08 at 9:39pm
Thread Starter 
yeah, most of those places advertise "24-hour security". the concept of living in a fairly densely populated area with fellow 20,30-somethings is appealing but the execution in downtown LA leaves much to be desired it seems. especially at the $500-600 sq ft rates that people are asking.

at the very least though, i'll check out the available units at the Eastern Columbia:



-Jeff
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post #9 of 18
7/24/08 at 10:07pm
Are there a lot of 20-30 year olds actually living in Downtown LA? I know two people living down there in those lofts, but it doesn't seem like exactly like a dense population of 20-30 year olds.

There is some nightlife there, but for me, its a bit far as I live near the beach. It should be growing and "hip" but that's when the LA LIVE area is done (I can't imagine the traffic down there once that happens).
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post #10 of 18
7/25/08 at 5:33pm
I work in the vicinity of Alameda and First st. The new loft spaces are small and pricey. The neighborhood is shady (especially in the evenings) and Skid Row is on your doorstep. Nobody ever mentions the sheer amount of industry still going on in the area either, add the congestion of the freeways close by (101, 5, 10 & 60) and your spending North of 500k to expose your health to greater harm from all of the pollutants and manufacturing activity along the river and neighborhoods. The developers built all these properties before really thinking about the community. Skid Row, Pollution, Industrial activity, Transportation and lack of resources (Supermarkets, Pharmacies etc). If the neighborhood was given an opportunity to grow like Williamsburg and Green point in New York with cheaper rents and property prices to attract people who will slowly develop the neighborhood it could be a good thing. Instead the developers have come in with really high entry level prices and the properties are remaining vacant because of this. My work colleague previewed a loft at the Biscuit Company Building (One of the nicer properties http://www.biscuitcompanylofts.com/) and said the price for the amount of space in that neighborhood is laughable.
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post #11 of 18
7/25/08 at 5:58pm
Ah, what a NYer would do for $600/sq. ft...
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post #12 of 18
7/25/08 at 6:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grimslade View Post
Ah, what a NYer would do for $600/sq. ft...

But downtown LA is a comparative wasteland. Think Tribeca in the '70s, but far from everything, except huge office buildings and fleamarkets, and no subway
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post #13 of 18
7/25/08 at 6:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Manton View Post
But downtown LA is a comparative wasteland. Think Tribeca in the '70s, but far from everything, except huge office buildings and fleamarkets, and no subway

Ah, but there IS a subway. If you want to go to Hollywood & Highland, or to Vermont and Wilshire, you can leave that car at home!

If you need to get most other places, you're SOL.
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post #14 of 18
7/25/08 at 6:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Manton View Post
But downtown LA is a comparative wasteland. Think Tribeca in the '70s, but far from everything, except huge office buildings and fleamarkets, and no subway

Then why is it called downtown?

Are you stalking me again?
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post #15 of 18
7/26/08 at 11:38am
Thread Starter 
ok, so this begs the question, for LAers, name me some good, safe walkable neighborhoods that won't stretch the budget.

oh, if only i could say f*ck it all and move to SF...oh, and if SF was really really cheap...

-Jeff
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