Is the area where South Gate borders Downey considered safe? (crime rate, house)

[fernuser]

I am looking to purchase a home in South Gate on the border of Downey (basically the Karmont st area for anyone familiar with that area)

Is this area considered safe? When I check Trulia's crime map, I see 3-4 burglaries in the past 6 months. That feels like a lot considering I cannot conceive someone breaking into my house where I live right now.

Just want to see if anyone familiar with the area has any thoughts. I'm hispanic myself so not worried about the city being "overly hispanic". Thanks!

[Mittens.R.Money]

I'm from Hollydale and my mom still lives there. The crime rate is higher than in Downey but lower (I think) than in the rest of South Gate. It's obviously not a great area--it's very working class, with a mix of well kept and run down bungalows--but you don't see gangs prowling the streets. You might want to consider a home security system, though.

[fernuser]

Originally Posted by Mittens.R.Money

I'm from Hollydale and my mom still lives there. The crime rate is higher than in Downey but lower (I think) than in the rest of South Gate. It's obviously not a great area--it's very working class, with a mix of well kept and run down bungalows--but you don't see gangs prowling the streets. You might want to consider a home security system, though.

In the time that you (or your mom) have lived there, have you ever encountered any break-ins or other incidents?

I think most areas are fine as long as you keep to yourself. Maybe I am overthinking it.

[UrbanLuis]

Originally Posted by Mittens.R.Money

--but you don't see gangs prowling the streets.

Do you see that anywhere in the LA area these days?

[Mittens.R.Money]

Originally Posted by fernuser

In the time that you (or your mom) have lived there, have you ever encountered any break-ins or other incidents?

I think most areas are fine as long as you keep to yourself. Maybe I am overthinking it.

We were never burglarized, though we never looked like we had much to steal. However, a schizophrenic homeless man (who wandered over from a camp near the river, I think) broke some windows on our porch once. Also, maybe 20 years ago, my aunt's car stereo was stolen when she left her car parked outside of our house for a couple of weeks.

I'd advise living in a nicer neighborhood if it makes sense financially and you're really worried about property crime--but if you're not planning to live there for a long time, the odds are probably on your side.

[Mittens.R.Money]

Originally Posted by UrbanLuis

Do you see that anywhere in the LA area these days?

You can see groups of young men and boys in white t-shirts and baggy pants, whom one might suspect of being gang-affiliated, wandering the streets in several parts of southern LA County.

[jacktravern]

Originally Posted by fernuser

In the time that you (or your mom) have lived there, have you ever encountered any break-ins or other incidents?

I think most areas are fine as long as you keep to yourself. Maybe I am overthinking it.

And THIS is the logic that people often use when they know a place isn't great but wanna talk themselves into it.

The thing about most poor areas is that you are not allowed to keep to yourself. People involve you whether you mind your business or not. Even is if it just dumping trash in front of your house, not cleaning up their dog poop, neighbors blasting music, or constant loitering. You may plan to mind your business but you will deal with these things. But everybody has a different tolerance for what they can stand to live around.

[Astral_Weeks]

^The OP (Fernuser) and MittensR.Money are obviously troll accounts. Both brand new and only interacting/responding to each other in their "illustrious" posting career on C-D.

[Mittens.R.Money]

Yes, I joined to troll the forum with some noncommittal responses about a working class neighborhood. Caught me.

[fernuser]

Originally Posted by Astral_Weeks

^The OP (Fernuser) and MittensR.Money are obviously troll accounts. Both brand new and only interacting/responding to each other in their "illustrious" posting career on C-D.

Uh...OK?

Is it too hard to believe that I am looking into purchasing a home for the first time in my life and therefore researching neighborhoods?