<p>I've heard lots about how the area around the USC campus is bad and dangerous, but how bad is it, really? If I do get into USC (as a transfer applicant), I will be living off-campus at an apartment probably somewhere in Los Feliz, South Pasadena, or Glendale area and commute with a car. I want to avoid the LA traffic though because my life will be easier if I live closer to campus. Btw, I plan to live off-campus because my parents want me to find a place big enough so they can come and stay if they want throughout the year. I'm pretty safe when it comes to walking around in city areas in general. I don't ever walk out at night or I drive if I have to; I'm a guy (if that makes a difference); I'm always aware of what's going on around me and I do errands or work out in the daylight, etc.</p>
<p>I've lived in a city like Seattle my whole life and I got a good taste of places like NYC (Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Bronx boroughs), and some Philly, as well. From my experience, it's easy to avoid danger in those cities -- don't walk around at night alone in "sketchy" places, go with BIG groups to places, and just walk around knowing of what's going all around you. Is the area around USC really bad and dangerous? I'm also aware of the gang culture in LA; I've lived with many mexicans in my neighborhood growing up so that kind of culture doesn't scare or "weird" me out quickly. Is there anything I should know about where to live (the most ideal area), or anything else, really? Thank you!</p>
<p>My DS and DD are both graduates of USC. In their 8 years of Trojan life, they lived on campus, off campus USC apts, and in apts nearby. On campus life was great for the social aspect but as they got to be upper classmen, they liked the privacy and quiet elements of off campus apts. USC parking is essential if you are a commuter. Find out when to apply and get the application in on time. My DD got to campus very early and was always able to find a spot to park. She kept a beach cruiser bike locked up on a rack near her garage so she could ride around campus and make it to class on time. My DS lived very close to campus. There is a USC bus that offers transportation in the frat row area (around Adams) that is convenient if you live close by. Housing in LA is very expensive. My DD found a great deal in downtown LA where she got one month free rent with discounted rent. It was 10 to 25 mins commute from the north side of the Staples Center. Be careful not to move too far from campus. The traffic is very unpredictable!</p>
<p>Any particular reason for choosing Los Feliz, South Pasadena or Glendale? Those won’t be easy commutes.</p>
<p>Who knows when it’ll actually open, but latest forecasted opening of the Expo Line is May. Something to consider when choosing an apartment and figuring out how best to avoid traffic.</p>
<p>Even though Los Feliz isn’t relatively far from USC, traffic is always bad so it takes longer to get to USC than it should. Same goes with SouthPas and Glendale. You’d have to willingly get up earlier or whatever.</p>
<p>I have a friend who lives in LA and she said that those areas of the city generally tend to be safe compared to where USC is located. I’m not too familiar with the city itself, so any inputs would be great. I would definitely prefer living as close to campus as possible; I’ve driven through the city before and the traffic is perhaps worse than NYC in terms of time and speed. Are there any other places I should be looking at? Places that are “safe?” Thanks.</p>
<p>Living right next to campus is safer than living in the area “around” campus. Campus security officers patrol around campus, and a few blocks to the north and west, where most students live. South and East of campus you’re pretty much on your own, though there’s nothing there anyways.</p>
<p>I would suggest you find a place to live north or west of campus, where all the other non-freshman students live.</p>
<p>I’d also recommend looking for a place near campus, rather than the other cities mentioned. </p>
<p>The area around campus isn’t nearly as bad as people make it out to be. You have to walk pretty far to get into areas that might be described as “bleak.”</p>