[Swordfished]

You're right, I'm not a native. But I have lived in the outlying area (Santa Monica) for about 3 years now.

You seem convinced that LA is eternally damned. Do you have some kind of axe to grind?

There are at least 120 new or redevelopment projects on the boards or under construction for downtown, nearly all at market-rate. To me that points to poverty being crowded out and crime lessened. Far from a panacea, but moving in an upward direction.

[TheOracleAtLilac]

There's a lotta folks who (mistakenly) want to "revitalize" the downtown area much like what has been done to many eastern cities.

My point: L.A. is unlike those cities in that nothing is centralized.

Regarding L.A. being eternally damned - you bet - look to the city council & the tax base for a clue to your future.

Como se dice mierda del Norte ?

of course, L.A. may be a trade up from the people's republic of Santa Monica ;-)