<p>Hey, I'm going to USC over the summer. My parents aren't letting me bring my car or use the jippi-car, don't understand the reasoning behind that one. I'm someone who really only travels to stores like Target (to pick up the occassional DVD) and go to the movie theaters. </p>
<p>So my question to you is this, what kind of easily accessible transportation is there for someone in my predicament? Are there any nearby stores and theaters? This will be first time around the area, so I'm practically clueless about what's available in those terms. Any help you guys could give me would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>It is very easy to get downtown, and there are a variety of restaurants and stores available there. Just take the DASH F route, which circles the campus before heading back up Figueroa.</p>
<p>How is downtown LA? Many years ago, when we lived in LA, most of downtown LA was not great. There was a major difference between downtown LA and the Westside area. There were small family owned businesses and many poor people. Has it changed? I would not be thrilled for my son to roam around downtown LA as I remember it. However, that was a long time ago and I don't know if the area has improved.</p>
<p>Ned5555, what kind of stores are available downtown? when we were there in Feb for Explore, we couldn't really find any good shopping places downtown, it seemed to be all business buildings. We were at the Macy mall but there was nothing there.</p>
<p>Downtown has improved greatly and there is alot more to do now now that more people are living there. </p>
<p>There are a few stores at 7th and Fig and then down 7th at I think Hope there is a mall with more stores. I don't remember a place to buy DVD's though. </p>
<p>The link above has some info about public transportation under Map & Directions. </p>
<p>There is also a great Flower Market next to the Fashion District on Wall Street between 7th and 8th. S1 used to go there often to get flowers to give to girlfriend at Monday night sorority dinners (a common thing to do.)</p>
<p>Hey yo. I'm a freshman at USC and let me just tell you that I absolutely love it. I'm majoring in political science/international relations. The campus is really pretty! I am smiling everyday when I walk to class through McCarthy Quad when I see the green grass, pretty fountains, and the sun is shining on my face. </p>
<p>USC has beautiful people. I have yet to stay at a campus with more good looking people. </p>
<p>The campus is diverse. Sure, there are the rich, blonde airheads but not as many as the stereotypes suggest. Last week, I played Clue with 2 Brazilian girls and a French guy. I'm taking comparative politics so I knock on the door of a girl in my hall and ask her about Taiwan's government. The good friends I've made so far: an Indian girl from Dallas, an Asian girl from Switzerland, a Hawaiian girl, a piano/guitar performer from New York, Hong Kong kids, etc. There's plenty of international students, out-of-state kids, private school kids, public school kids, poor kids, rich kids, etc. You just don't see this kind of diversity at, let's say, a public school like UCLA where almost everyone is from SoCal. </p>
<p>I love my classes. </p>
<p>The neighborhood is bad, sure. BUT, with **Campus Cruiser, you can have a car take you anywhere within a three-mile radius of the campus<a href="where%20all%20the%20parties%20are">/b</a> and it runs until 3 am every night. It's not as bad as people make it sound though. It's not Westwood, but it's real life. I take the Metro Bus if I need to go downtown and it's a short and scenic bus ride. You really do gain street smarts and learn about city life.</p>
<p>The campus is COMPLETELY SAFE. Campus police patrols the campus all night. There are emergency booths all around campus in case you ever need help. Not that I'd recommend it, but I go for a jog at 2 am around the campus and I feel completely safe doing so. </p>
<p>I'm not involved in Greek life but I still get plenty of social **** in. I study hard from Sunday night to Wednesday night and then party the rest of the weekend. Frat parties are insane but chillin' in the apartments is fun too. There are numerous clubs with very friendly people. </p>
<p>I feel like I'm very well taken care of at USC. The resources, the people, the connections--I love it all. I'm very happy.</p>
<p>mdcissp:
In the last years there's been a lot of revitalization in the downtown area with the rehabilitation of many of the older buildings into loft style living units. I think bringing in a population of urban residents has and will continue to give various downtown areas new life and some "gentrification" (these loft units are pricey), and with this influx there has been a necessary support system of shopping, groceries, cafes etc.
LA in the past was very much mostly a business/offices area with surrounding seedy areas, and therefore dead during weekends and evenings (which ofcourse may attract crime).
Urban planners and developers have perceived this need to attract residents and this is gradually happening, and appears successful given the ongoing renovation of buildings and sales in the area.</p>
<p>They have recently opened the first supermarket, a Ralph's I believe, downtown. I have heard about Santee Street for shopping, but the police do periodic raids down there for counterfeit merchandise. I imagine that Chinatown is fine during the day and evening hours for dinner. But going home at night on public transportation......perhaps not. Yes, there are pricey lofts downtown. I wouldn't go there to just hang out. If you are going to a play or something it's fine, but to just go and see movies...go to the Grove, Century city, Westwood. Santa Monica. It is also cooler as you head west. Downtown in summer heat would be an oven. I would not recommend going to local movie theaters....period.</p>
<p>One thing I like about USC is that it appears that there are plenty of cultural and sports events on campus. My son thought there was enough to do on campus that there was no need to go off campus. Does the school organize these trips to Disneyland others on CC are talking about or is it just a few friends getting together to go to the amusement parks?</p>
<p>I imagine that Tempest19 might meet people on campus who have use of a car. And cost wise the zippi car might be a lot for one person. As a parent, however, I wouldn't want to landlock my kid on campus in the heat frustrated that there is a whole, SAFE world out there ready to explore and not be able to go.....I know that during the school year there is always something happening on campus...but during summer I don't know.</p>