<p>All right, so I've read tons of threads about the neighborhood USC's in, etc., etc.</p>
<p>But, I was talking to my Explore USC host who mentioned that she was relieved not to have gotten an apartment off campus for next year, because of the safety issues.</p>
<p>Is the security condition really that bad? I know DPS patrols a 2-mile radius around the campus and everything, but does anyone have any experience living off campus? Is it as sketchy as it's sometimes made out to be? Would you think twice about going to USC because of the location? Is it that much of an issue to most people?</p>
<p>Personally, the location of USC was one of the main things that turned me away from attending. I know USC is a wonderful school with endless opportunities, but as someone who does not want to have a car on campus my first year, I did not want to feel the pressure to stay on campus and not be able to venture off and explore the area around the university. I have family who lives around 2 blocks from USC and let's just say that they haven't had any positive things to say. Endless students tell me to simply not leave campus alone and to not go out after dark..but I dunno. I have heard that USC's location is what causes a LOT of students to stop considering USC. It is a shame that such a school be in such an area, but I do not think there is much that can be done now, unless USC buys all of south central LA or something.</p>
<p>I don't know what you mean by "Endless students tell me to simply not leave campus alone and to not go out after dark" because I have never met anyone at USC who would not go off campus alone or at night. It's quite safe, just use some simple common sense and you'll be fine.</p>
<p>The whole "USC is in a bad/dangerous neighborhood" thing is a misconception and a horrible one too because it scares people and deprives them of wanting to go to a great school.</p>
<p>Well, I guess the thing that scares me about USC isn't so much that the neighborhood is dangerous, but that it isn't student-friendly, i.e. there isn't much to do! Ex. UVa has a great campus (or "grounds" - whatever), but you can also escape into a cute little downtown area of Charlottesville with restaurants and shops - without a car. Who cares if you can walk into the surrounding area if there is nothing there except for a ghetto 7-11, you know? I have heard that students with off-campus apartments feel safe because those apartments are usually close to the campus, where most of the property is university-owned and student-occupied, anyways.</p>
<p>Tons of upperclassmen live off campus. In fact, pretty much only freshmen and a handful of sophomores and juniors live in on-campus dorms.</p>
<p>Your Explore USC host was a freshman, right? In that case, he/she does not have much experience with living off-campus, so you shouldn't base your fears based on what you heard from someone who heard from someone who heard from someone...you get the point.</p>
<p>I'm a freshman, so I can't tell you personally what it's like living campus, but I will be living off campus next semester, and I know a lot of upperclassmen who have had no problems with crime or safety.</p>
<p>MissSuperFantastic, I know you probably exaggerated to make a point, but if you go off-campus, there is more than just a "ghetto 7-11."</p>
<p>Re "nothing to do," we've heard from some students that groups carpool with the students who have cars and are able to take advantage of some of the <em>huge</em> number of things available in L.A.: sports, theater, restaurants, etc. That's one of the things that appeals to my daughter about USC. Have other students found this experience to be true?</p>
<p>Obviously USC's neighborhood is nothing compared to UCLA's (Westwood) but it is not as dangerous as many assume. Nevertheless, one should always be careful, regardless of the neighborhood. I've been to South Central several times and have spent days there (from morning to evening). If you don't venture into some of the worse parts looking for trouble, you should be fine.</p>
<p>You will need a car or friends with a car. If you're a sports fan you can walk to the Staples Center, which is just down Figueroa from New/North.</p>
<p>With a car my son is able to go to the internships that are essential to his major. Last weekend, when we were visitng him, we used his car to go to the Getty Museum (great place) and a improv club in Hollywood. He generally parks in front of his apartment on 23rd St. and has had no problems. He'll be in a house on Oak St. in the fall. He actually doesn't use his car that much. He has only put on 7,000 miles in two years. There is a USC bus that circulates through the neigborhoods and he uses it to get to campus.</p>
<p>I spoke with a dad of a USC freshman the other night for a long time. The son lives in Parkside Apartments because he wanted the additional space & privacy over living in the dorm. He loved the convenience of living across the street from school. He has made some friends that take Ju Jitsu with him 3 nights/week & they drive him to it & back. He's going to move into a house/apartment off campus with these guys next year & is very happy about it. He has no safety concerns & has had no problems getting around or finding friends who can drive him to whatever he wants to do. He has a skateboard which he uses to get around campus. Another friend's son also did not drive the 4 years he attended USC & never mentioned any problems getting to everywhere he needed to be & loved his 4 years at USC. He also never had any safety concerns & has highly recommended USC to everyone he knows. In fact, I have not met anyone who attends or graduated from USC who had safety concerns--it is a big city but with appropriate precautions it's fine.</p>
<p>The neighborhoods around USC are occupied by students and Hispanic families. The streets are clean. There is little graffiti. There are no threatening people hanging around on the corners. Much of the housing is genteel shabby. There are many large 100 year old Victorians and pretty bungalows dating from the days when the area was an upper class enclave. I would not be surprised if the whole area around USC is gentrified in the next 10-20 years.</p>
<p>I had heard a lot of negative things about the neighborhood around USC. I visited recently and it is nothing like the rumors make it out to be. The area around the school is old, but it is not the slums, etc. We drove around several times and all we saw were students walking calmly. They were not being robbed or shot at or running in fear for their lives!</p>
<p>Visit the school again and take a good look at the surrounding area.</p>
<p>This is a great thread...the neighborhood around USC seems to be one of the biggest concerns for prospectives, but I really haven't heard one negative thing about it yet. Of course it's no Charlottesville or Westwood. But...things are looking up! I really wish I could visit and see for myself. Anyways, the "ghetto 7-11" comment wasn't really a remark on the safety of the school. That's all I have around the corner from my house. It's pretty much the local hangout. So whenever I allude to there being nothing to do, I make weird 7-11 references. OK, TMI. But people seemed to be getting a little mislead by that, so I wanted to clear it up. Haha.</p>
<p>I attended University of Washington for my undergrad before coming down to SC for my 1 year Masters. Yes, I had heard about all the talk about SC being in the "ghetto." One of the faculty members who congratulated me of my acceptance even joked that she hopes I "don't get shot or something." For a good part of my life, I've lived in very safe, upper-middle class suburbia. That did not deter me from coming to SC. I did not even bother paying a visit because in the end it was the program rankings that help me made my decision. Now that I am here and about to graduate, I can say that (and this has been repeated by others as I'm sure) is to remember that you are no longer in suburbia and you are in a large city. Use common sense, like not listening to your iPod while walking on a street at 1AM. Use Campus Cruiser or the trams. The neighborhood is mostly working class Hispanic families and USC students. You do not have to be paranoid once you step off campus.....just use common sense like ever1 has said.</p>
<p>Well, my friends and I go frequently off campus around midnight, usually to Cardinal Gardens, Subway, or Starbucks. There may be the occasional shady person or two lurking around the corner, but as long as you're in a group and you stay in the bright, lit areas, then you should be ok. It should be noted that most of the crime that occur here all happen in the dark, dim-lit areas, such as alleys and places like that, AND about 90% of the time the victim is always BY THEMSELVES! Just travel with at least one other person, and you should be well off. And make sure to use common sense. DON'T use your iPod or talk on your cell phone when you go out at night; you just make yourself an obvious target.</p>
<p>I say people who are so concerned about USC's safety just don't go to the school. The area around USC is not a bad area, unless you hate minority groups. You are not in the ghetto, you are just in a place that doesn't have mansion after mansion lined up. Listen to the people on here, the posters in this thread are saying all true things. People who get robbed, assualted, etc..are people who act like they are out in the burbs with quiet-tree lined streets. Just because you go to USC doesn't mean you are going to get shot, come on!</p>
<p>Well, I think it's wise to remember not everyone on this board lives near USC or has had the chance to visit yet, and even if they have, you can't size up in a few hours what it's really like to live there. And for many people, school in "the big city" is a brand-new thing. </p>
<p>It's a very smart idea to ask the questions, do your research and know what you're getting into. I've found the information on this board, coming direct from people who have first-hand experience at the campus, very helpful and reassuring. Thanks to all!</p>
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Who cares if you can walk into the surrounding area if there is nothing there except for a ghetto 7-11, you know?
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<p>That's actually kinda true. The area surrounding (walking distance) USC doesn't have much to offer. Although it probably isn't really dangerous, it does "look" kinda shady. There are Disney Hall and MOCA in downtown (an incredibly boring downtown however) but they aren't exactly where you just go and read a book or just chill. The popular hangouts/nice areas like Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Westwood, West LA, Pasadena... are at least 20-min away and you'd have to fight for parking/traffic just to get there. Of course, it's fun to go to those areas in groups and eat/watch movie..etc in those areas. But it'd be too much work just to go there to relax and do your homework simply because you want a break from the campus. If you don't have a car, going anywhere by yourself is a big hassle in LA and you'd better be pretty contented with staying on campus most of the time, if not all.</p>
<p>Safety is in numbers whether if you are in LA, NYC or downtown Savannah, GA. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you don't feel "safe" in an area, trust your instincts. Have a buddy system. Let someone know where you will be. Have a cellphone. Walk in lighted areas.</p>