I moved to the San Gabriel Valley, immediately east of LA and south of Pasadena. I pay $870 for a SPACIOUS studio (in a building with a decent laundry room and a swimming pool). It’s really suburban here. And yes, I can make it to main campus in half an hour. I can make it to the medical school in 10 minutes, and I can walk to the public health school.

Burbank is too far. Santa Monica and Venice are WAY too far, too trafficky and too expensive. Pasadena is actually reasonable because it’s a straight shot on the 110 Freeway to USC main campus (and it is close to the Health Science Campuses, too).

If you are going to USC, you will be wearing a lot of red. It is their school colors (with gold, anyway). The area immediately surrounding the main campus is dodgy, so I’d avoid it. But otherwise, LA isn’t as horrible as they say it is.

I have Indian friends who live across the street from the main campus. Their place is a bit of a dump, though. But they haven’t had problems, if that counts for anything.

You can check websites for the local news stations and they always have a ‘crime watch’ type link. There is always going to be something listed, but pick a place that you like and just make it your home. Keep to yourself. And, no, you do not need to worry about colors your wear unless you are in the projects/ghetto. You will know if you hear loud car radios! (HATE THAT!)

I was told Silver Lake, Echo Park and Koreatown as well, but I’m a bit sketchy on K-town.