<p>I guess it depends on your preferences really. Imo, as an LA native, i don’t like EITHER sides of towns. USC is in a bad neighborhood (let’s be honest with ourselves) and aside from USC itself, the immediate area outside is boring and dangerous. IF the metro rail was open, it wouldn’t be terrible because it could take you literally anywhere in town. But since it isn’t, it’s just a boring, dangerous neighborhood imo. Sure, downtown is close, but downtown LA isn’t that great. LA live doesn’t come anywhere close to being as cool or fun as many of LA’s other attractions (e.g. citiwalk, the grove, the americana, etc.) and i rarely find myself in the area.</p>
<p>UCLA’s campus is in a very nice neighborhood, and is in one of the most affluent parts of the city, it’s close to the beach, etc. However because of this many, many people flock to it and as a result there’s a TON of traffic (sup waiting an hour in the queue to just to GET ONTO the 405 at 5pm.) and it’s also pretty expensive. (Personally, i’m a big fan of Culver city, which isn’t really close to either.)</p>
<p>to be completely honest, century city and the west side probably lend itself much more to touristy folks than the Radisson at USC would. That being said, if your daughter’s first choice is USC, it’s probably better to stay closer to it so she can spend as much time there as possible.</p>
<p>As long as we’re being honest, beyphy, LA Live is pretty amazing with the Grammy Museum, movie theatres, new Ritz Carlton for upscalers, and downtown is really fun with many great spots to eat. OP and family might like the very affordable Orochon or Daikokuya (many say these have the best ramen in Little Tokyo) and cool new restaurants like Wurstküche for awesome Belgian fries and gourmet sausages & hot dogs.</p>
<p>The areas you mention are very nice suburban-type sections of town, but open your eyes and tastebuds to the best flavors of Los Angeles. Not every nice experience happens in a mall. :)</p>
<p>USC is not in a dangerous neighborhood, but care should be taken in walking at night in any urban area. If OP is trying to get around without driving, they can take the DASH which stops at USC and takes them downtown for 50 cents.</p>
<p>madbean, the area immediately surrounding USC’s campus IS dangerous. There is a lot of crime, gang activity, and drug dealing around the area. To downplay the level of danger with a slight warning of “Just be careful at night” is immoral to a prospective student and his/her family. You are literally downplaying the potential danger you may put the OP in for the sake of advertising your school. That’s shameful.</p>
<p>It’s one thing to suggest something innocent and playful like, “Oh perhaps you should stay on the West side of town, there’s more things to do.” It’s another to LIE and risk the life of real people. Be as it may be, there are some things that are more important than life than school pride and rivalry madbean. Don’t cross the line.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t advise staying at the Radisson. And I am a USC alum.</p>
<p>I would stay closer to Westwood. Or near the beach. </p>
<p>Exactly where would one get a zip car at USC? I believe you have to be current student or faculty in order to get one.</p>
<p>If arriving in am, I would rent a car at the airport. Go to USC first. Get on the 105 freeway near LAX to the 110 North. You can breeze right down the carpool lane on the left into Adams in a much shorter time, even with traffic. Enjoy it in daylight. It’s a gorgeous campus. Go on a tour, see the surrounding area. </p>
<p>Get a bite to eat on campus and then head over to UCLA. Stay in a hotel in the area - enjoy Westwood at night, which is way more fun and has better restaurants and shops.</p>
<p>Public transportation is very difficult for a newcomer to use and likely not running exactly where you need to go. Plus, you can see more by driving LA. </p>
<p>If you stay a few days, go to the beach, go to Griffith Observatory, etc.</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with the Radisson - I have stayed there myself. It is a perfectly acceptable hotel.</p>
<p>I also have personally walked around the USC campus and into the surrounding neighborhood in the (literal) middle of the night and lived to tell the tale.</p>
<p>Los Angeles is FILLED with great places to stay and fun things to do - is there any chance we can continue with all the great ideas and avoid yet another of these tiresome arguments? Just this once? Pleeeaaase???</p>
<p>The OP has expressed an interest in BOTH USC and UCLA and so notaznguy’s perspectives may be of value to the OP. Of course he will encourage the OP toward UCLA just as we USC-boosters will encourage them toward USC. The OP has now been fully informed of everyone’s origins - let’s just make some more suggestions!</p>
<p>I never said the Radisson isn’t a fine hotel. It is. </p>
<p>It’s not an argument about what school is better. I prefer USC, personally. </p>
<p>It’s about getting the best bang for your buck in terms of easier travel and a taste of the whole city for someone not as comfortable with a new city.</p>
<p>I am glad we agree about the Radisson and about there being LOTS of great places to stay in the Los Angeles area - you made some great suggestions.</p>
<p>Lamedaughter and I did the USC-UCLA tour on the same day way back when she was a junior in high school. We started with USC, and originally toured only because we were in the area to visit UCLA and Occidental- Lamedaughter hadn’t even considered USC seriously at that point. We had two wonderful USC students as our guide and they did a great job. The UCLA tour was great, too, and it made us giggle to hear the exact same rivalry stories told from the two VERY different points of view on the two tours (it seems Tommy Trojan and the Bruin have both suffered mightily at the hands of their rivals… all the bubble wrap in the world cannot protect them ).</p>
<p>fondmemories, wishing you lots of fun and endless patience in the exciting months to come!</p>
<p>I grew up near both campuses. Both schools are great. The rivalry stories over the years have been amusing. They are always funnier when they happen to the Bruins instead of the Trojans. </p>
<p>Oxy is a lovely campus, too. SamuraiDaughter and I visited Oxy and LMU the same day. Kind of funny that even though those are both close to home, she had never seen either campus! </p>
<p>My daughter has spent a ton of time on the USC campus over the years for sports and other activities and it felt a lot like home. I almost thought she might end up a 2nd Gen Trojan, but she opted for colder climates!</p>
<p>notaznguy, what nonsense. It’s not immoral for one parent to advise another who is planning a visit to Los Angeles to be careful at night. I would give the same advice to anyone walking around Westwood at night. As you know, there have been several high profile crimes in that beautiful area so no one from a smaller town should walk around any large city without some regard to surroundings. That said, I think your overreaction to my gentle post and your name-calling are silly.</p>
<p>Since tens of thousands of students, faculty and staff travel to or live near USC’s campus, shop and eat out and socialize almost every night, and manage to do so without fearing for their lives, and have done so for years, I’d suggest to your post is the sort of outrageous scare-mongering that is rather childish. I may have to remind you that I teach at UCLA and know your campus very well. </p>
<p>For anyone traveling to Los Angeles to sightsee and enjoy the beauty of the area, I don’t think the Radisson nor the blocks outside the USC campus would be the ideal location. There are prettier, more upscale, and more pedestrian friendly areas of this town, that’s for sure. But OP is not showing signs of wanting to drive, rent a car, or take on all that stress, as well as mentioning concern for her budget. She seems determined to stay at the hotel right across the street from USC, and thousands of families have done exactly the same thing… and lived to tell about it. ;)</p>
<p>I live in the bay area and my mom wouldn’t let my bro drive down to LA so he had to take amtrak with my dad and he didn’t even want to take him to UCLA so he had to take the bus by himself and it was his first time in southern Cali!</p>
<p>There is a sandwich and salad place down the street from the Radisson, near Adams. For the life of me, I can’t remember it. The food is quite good. I think it’s right before 21st Street.</p>
<p>Amended to add - I just remembered it. It’s called Salad Farm on Hoover. Excellent stuff - huge portions, too.</p>
<p>Driving directions to UCLA from USC or the other way around: If you are at USC go north on Vermont to Wilshire Blvd Make a left (west) drive straight to Westwood, right on Westwood Blvd. You will run into the campus. Reverse that and you can get to USC. May not be the fastest way…but for an out of towner (or freeway phobic)…it works. (and you pass LACMA, Beverly Hills etc. on your way…)</p>
<p>i hope your daughter loves USC. It has honestly been the best experience for me and I just ended my first semester. We stayed in the radisson for orientation and it was very nice and comfortable. It’s actually within walking distance of my apartment (check Tuscany apartments if your daughter decides to commit). I’m not going to lie I’ve been very nervous walking back to my apartment at night by myself. True it is in a bad neighborhood…you just have to be smart. I try not to travel around at night by myself but I have done it many times with no problems. Also, UCLA is an awesome school. Westwood is an nice area and I’ve gone with friends there a couple of times. I’m jealous of their village especially because they have in n out. But yes, you will be fine at the Rad! have fun!</p>
<p>That said, I lock my car doors when driving, no matter where I am at. I am alert to my circumstances - no double ipod buds coming out of my ears when I am out exercising or walking.</p>
<p>USC is also one of the safest campuses around these days - they take security very, very seriously.</p>
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