Best of the worst neighborhoods nearest Westwood/UCLA

[Account Closed]

My youngest is transferring to UCLA in the fall.  Our kid's friends who have attended  usually rented in Westwood. But their parent's were willing to spend way more money than I probably am.  I mean like WAY more.  I'd buy something before I'd spend that kind of money on a college rental in So Cal. Also, my daughter doesn't desire to be on or have a need to be that near campus.  

I like Echo Park and Silver Lake but those are pretty distant when considering traffic.  For those of you in the LA area, what's the closest worst neighborhoods you would consider buying in if it were your daughter? It doesn't have to be the worst neighborhood, of course. Just the cheapest.  :)

[Matt Mason]

Originally posted by @Account Closed:

My youngest is transferring to UCLA in the fall.  Our kid's friends who have attended  usually rented in Westwood. But their parent's were willing to spend way more money than I probably am.  I mean like WAY more.  I'd buy something before I'd spend that kind of money on a college rental in So Cal. Also, my daughter doesn't desire to be on or have a need to be that near campus.  

I like Echo Park and Silver Lake but those are pretty distant when considering traffic.  For those of you in the LA area, what's the closest worst neighborhoods you would consider buying in if it were your daughter? It doesn't have to be the worst neighborhood, of course. Just the cheapest.  :)

UCLA students often spend the big bucks to live in Westwood walking distance to campus or in the case of the less well off ones often go to Palms for cheaper housing and Palms also has several SM Bug Blue Bus lines that go straight to UCLA.  It is a little bit of an up and coming area and has a new metro rail line opening next year that ironically will bring some USC students.  

On the con side, it is still somewhat expensive given its Westside location despite being a little dumpy (full of 60's and 70's apartment buildings some of which are fading), and it has a little crime here and there including a high profile murder a week or so ago.

Echo Park, Silver Lake and anything in the Valley would just be too far or too much traffic for me, but some people have more time to waste or patience than myself so each to their own.

I assume you are looking for a condo?