Posted on 07/18/2011 8:15:32 PM PDT by doug from upland
Downtown Los Angeles boasts some big-city perks like spacious lofts and trendy restaurants, but living there is a different kind of beast.
By Mike Armstrong
July 17, 2011 "Look, Daddy, that man's going to the bathroom!"
No, not the words any daddy wants to hear from his 10-year-old daughter, especially during a stroll through their brand-new neighborhood.
Moving my wife and kids into a downtown Los Angeles loft may not win me "Dumbest Dad of the Year" honors, but it should at least get me into the quarterfinals. The loft itself was great. More like a movie set than an apartment. High ceilings, new appliances, breathtaking views and a deck with a Jacuzzi that was used at least once every six months during our year there. It wasn't what was inside the building that broke the deal; it was what was out there on the mean and strange streets of downtown Los Angeles.
Why we moved there is academic. More space for less money, a new environment, cool restaurants and various other meaningless enticements. I got sucked in; I was wrong, and I admit it. I've apologized to everybody involved, and I will continue to do so until I am either dead or forgiven. In the meantime, let me tell you about my downtown L.A.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
MORE -
Within a week or so after our arrival, there were ominous signs that the neighborhood was still working out its kinks. There were two murders in two hotels within three blocks of our new home. What I thought were firecrackers at 4 a.m. on the Fourth of July were in fact gunshots in front of our building. And there must have been something about me that made me a target for every heroin dealer on the block, like the fact that I was breathing.
We're going back there, I guess.
Only one thing -- back in the 70s, we had decent music.
si.
The writer of this letter seems like just another selfish conservative who doesn’t want to share the wealth (his wealth). Crack-heads have to eat too. Show some compassion, brothers.
This moron ignored the first duty of a father: Protect your children!
Downtown LA is a sewer that comes alive at night with all sorts of dangerous freaks.
The author should consider himself lucky that he and his daughter got out of there unscathed...
>>Thank you to the liberals for turning a once great city into a sanctuary city third world hellhole.<<
In my entire 50 years in the L.A. area, no one ever wanted to being in downtown L.A. after the sun sets.
And I even spent time in downtown L.A. (work paid for the hotel) after the sun set and I wouldn’t venture outside.
Let me see: A father and husband was more enticed by "cool restaurants" than by any prudent consideration of the safety of a young daughter and wife.
I don't think I could formulate a more damning indictment of the values and priorities of the "typical" liberal.
I know the area. Actually one of my buds moved into one of those lofts on Broadway and 10th LOL.
Look, for a single dude, you can hit the bars at night..only if you go in packs. And there’s a reason why single white women always have attack dogs with them: to fend off the homeless blacks that come out at night after 10 PM. Heck, even the jews in that area near pershing square warn me that this it becomes a ghost town at night. When you are 6 blocks away from Skid Row, anything can happen. Then again, I;ve been to the dive bars around the area and the parking is a rip off. So the lesson is don’t go walking alone at night unless you own a pit bull or Rottie. I will admit, it’s a hip place during the day,,during the day.
>>Only one thing — back in the 70s, we had decent music. <<
You must remember the 1870s.
The fact that 1990s+ music has stunk doesn’t make 1970s music “good” (well, except the good stuff in ‘70-’73).
Yup. It’s like zombieland. It really is like night and day. My Jew bud has a store in the garment district and after 6, it’s like you are the only person on earth except for the LAPD cops.
This moron ignored the first duty of a father: Protect your children!
Real easy, isn’t it? I think most Americans are to stupid to survive
Okay, what idiot doesn’t scout a neighborhood at night as well as during the day before moving in???
Urban “liiving” [sic] ????
To prove his worldly creds, of course, he had to finish off his article with a meow about some intrepid street preacher attempting to bring a little godliness to that ungodly spot. Even if it was at the top of his lungs.
Casey Anthony should fit in real well in LA.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.