10 years ago, USC redeveloped a retail shopping plaza known as "University Village" to what is now known as USC Village.

Google Earth View Before: https://earth.google.com/web/search/Los+Angeles,+CA/@34.02208476,-118.28317497,350.41082775a,15.68492467d,35y,-19.14330313h,50.40958688t,360r/data=Cj4iJgokCUcbuf2-aA1AEWxFjAKaFBnAGV9BDgbBCiZAIesV-a-0WSHAKhAIARIKMjAxNC0wNC0yNBgBQgIIAToDCgEwQgIIAEoNCP___________wEQAA
Google Earth View After: https://earth.google.com/web/search/Los+Angeles,+CA/@34.02198851,-118.28323682,350.32988519a,15.68445097d,35y,-19.14333773h,50.40958681t,360r/

This originally shopping center was a typical Los Angeles shopping center, a large block mostly covered with surface level parking along with retail stores and restaurants.

The new plaza moved the parking underground, allowing for a pedestrian friendly environment for the retail stores and restaurants.
Although USC specifically added student housing and substantial space for athletic fields, in other neighborhoods these could instead be conventional housing and more public park space for families.

Would you consider USC Village a successful redevelopment?
If so, why haven't we seen this type of redevelopment replicated at more of the older shopping centers and plazas throughout the LA region?
Do you think resident opposition is one of the reasons these kinds of redevelopments aren't happening more often? If a shopping center in your neighborhood were proposed for a similar redevelopment, with additional housing, shops, public open space, and most parking moved underground, would you support or oppose it? Why?

put it in culture because old echo parque iykyk.

do y’all remember this? now it’s an sbux. am I hallucinating or is there not an sbux like 3 blocks away in the old Lucy’s on sunset too?😭 so many memories in that Lucy’s fr I’m still upset about that development lowk

eta still grieving for the Lucy’s bc it was a huge community resource and I don’t love the plaza that it is now ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

I’m probably going to be accepting a new job with MWD in downtown LA soon. The office is conveniently right by Union Station, but I’ve never worked downtown or really commuted into LA for work before.

I’m coming from the Diamond Bar/Industry area, and since the job reimburses public transportation, I’m seriously considering taking the train/Metro instead of dealing with traffic and driving every day.

For anyone who does a similar commute into DTLA, how is it? Was it hard to adjust to at first? Do you actually prefer taking the train over driving, or does the commute start to wear you down after a while?

Thankfully it’s a hybrid position, so I wouldn’t be doing it five days a week. Just curious if anyone here has a similar commute and whether you think it’s worth it long term.

Hi everyone. I’m working on a small documentary interview program in Los Angeles called The Road Ahead, and I’m trying to figure out the best way to find people who may be open to sharing one personal story on camera.
Each episode is built around one interview with a real person about one difficult period in their life: what happened, how they went through it, what helped them move forward, where it led them, and where they are now.
The purpose of the program is to help people who may be going through depression, loneliness, stress, loss, financial problems, family problems, burnout, anxiety, a difficult childhood, immigration struggles, or any other hard period in life feel less alone, hear a real story from someone who has been through a difficult time, and maybe see that a way forward is possible.
I’m looking for strong human stories from different kinds of people. For example, it could be teachers, veterans, healthcare workers, people connected to foster care or adoption, animal rescue/shelter workers, or anyone who has been through a meaningful difficult period and found a way forward.
Do you know any local LA groups, organizations, communities, or people who might be open to being a guest for this kind of interview program? Or do you have any advice on where I could respectfully reach out?
I’m not asking anyone to share a full story here. I’m just looking for advice on where to find the right people and how to approach them properly.

I have an appointment to visit Crumbs & Whiskers, the cat cafe, on Melrose later this week. I've wanted to visit for years and am finally doing it. Has anyone ever been? Are the cats friendly? Will the staff kick me out at exactly the 70 minute mark? (I paid for an hour & 10 min session.) Thanks 😄

What theaters in the Noho / Burbank area have the most comfortable seats? Willing to drive 20ish mins, 30 max.

A lot of the standard seats are really uncomfortable for me. Because of that, I tend to frequent Cinepolis. But given my location, both the Inglewood and Westlake locations are just too much of a drive for frequent visits.

Looking for: comfortable seats (ideally recliners), good food (not just nachos and popcorn), and good alcoholic drinks. Huge plus if parking is relatively easy. And, not a requirement, but if you know of any where they bring food / drinks directly to your seat (like Cinepolis), I'd love to know about those too.

Hi, everyone! It's me again, a few month i ask about my trip to Los Angeles, Las vegas, sequoias park and San Francisco and you give me a lot of advice they are a very helpfully but now i saw in the news "the super niño" and scare me because maybe my trip has become in a bad experience. I would like take info about papers, news and the residents please! I travel from Argentina. Should i be scare?

Hey yall. Venting session with hopes a solution.
I recently got married in june. Following the marriage we had delivered our documents and the following day called my insurance for life changing event, to add my wife to my insurance. Fast forward a month later. My license was rejected because the officiant address wasn’t legible. I had him fill out the affidavit and sent it back to them. About 3 weeks later they send me a new marriage license that they require the officiant to sign. I get him to sign and send it off. My original deadline to submit my certified marriage license just pass yesterday and my hr is only granting me 2 weeks to submit it. I’ve communicated that I confirmed the registrar has had my license since the 27th and they say it’ll take 45 days to record it, putting me past my new deadline.
My wife is about to give birth in October and to be dropped right before her due date it’s killing me.

I wanted to run to Vegas and get married there just to get a certified copy sooner but I was informed that would be illegal. So now I’m stuck in a terrible situation all because the county is so slow and I can’t even withdraw my license being processed so I can remarry somewhere faster.

Any tips on what I can do would help if any?

I have a group of friends visiting for a quick trip to LA but they’re only in for Sunday night and they want to go out clubbing/dancing. I don’t frequent too many clubs in LA, wasn’t sure if there was one that is consistently open on Sundays??
Target music is Hip Hop but would definitely take any alternatives to this as well

I own a business and we're located on the 4th floor of a building in DTLA (large loading dock/freight elevator). We regularly unbox things in crates and are often left with a pile of wood we don't know what to do with. Our building requires us to break them into small pieces in order to dispose of them, but it's such a waste of time to have my staff spend hours breaking down the wood. I think it'd cost the same amount to just have it picked up and thrown away at a junk yard or something.

Trying to save as much $$ as possible and just need someone who can get the job done - does anyone recommend any junk removal services? LMK!

I’m considering signing up for a gym membership and would love to hear what gyms people in LA go to. How much do you pay per month, and are you happy with your membership?

I’m especially interested in gyms that are open 24 hours and have free parking. If you’re happy with your gym, what do you like about it?

Edit: I’m in the Silverlake area

I have a 94 geo prizm that possibly needs some electrical work done (possibly an issue with the computer or wiring) does anyone have any recs? Preferably around ktown/downtown but open to suggestions

Hi everyone

Vacationing for 3 weeks Dec -Jan. Need a house/pet sitter for a dog and cat. I know its a long time and Ive looked at so many sites but not sure which ones are good. Housesittersamerica.com is my top choice right now to use.

I know its a long time and dates go over Christmas and New Years so ... any advice for what to use or where to go for LA house/pet sitting?

I want to have a coat done for a cosplay but I don’t have the skills to make anything pretty enough in time for when I want it. It’s nothing too fancy, just a coat with a modified removable hood and cool looking buttons. Does anybody know who to go to for stuff like that? A person who also does regular clothes aka not just a costumer would be preferred since I would like to wear it not just for a cosplay but it’s fine if not too! Anyone you know and had a good experience actually…!!

I thank you in advance!!! TT

(Ah! I live somewhat nearby Downtown LA!)

I have some 35mm film that's about a decade old and still undeveloped. I have no idea what's on it. Does anyone know a cheap place in Los Angeles to get it developed?

Hi all,

I’m located in the SFV and was wondering where is the best place to find/buy used workout equipment? i’m specifically looking for a barbell, but also wondering about weights as well.

would yardsales/market place be best? or has anyone tried contacting gyms for any equipment they’re looking to replace?

has anyone had any luck?

thank you!

Anyone else see a huge influx of ants in their homes? I live in dtla and haven’t dealt with ants in the last couple years since I moved here but now they’ve been coming out of my walls! Is it this insane humidity we’ve been having? If anything I keep my place cleaner and more tidy than I have in the past

Talking about the one on Olympic and barrington. I have a couple questions. For one, why is it so cheap (5.05 cash 5.15 credit for regular)? And also, why has the price been the exact same for over a month?

I know these kinds of adult theater have pretty much died out over the last few years, but I wonder if a few are still hanging in there?

I mean that quiet theater vibe, where everyone sits down and naturally groping without a word.

Hey everyone , I’m a 26M from Sydney, Australia, planning a solo trip to Los Angeles and looking for some recommendations from locals or people who’ve been recently.
I’m planning to explore for a week or so, but I’m keeping things pretty flexible. If I end up loving LA, I’m more than happy to extend the trip and stay longer.
I’m looking for recommendations on:
- 🌴 Must-see places & hidden gems
- 🍔 Best food spots
- 🌃 Nightlife and things to do
- 🏋️‍♂️ Good gyms ,I love training, so finding a solid gym is a must
- 🍁 good weed dispensary’s
-📍 Places that aren’t just the typical tourist traps
I’ll be travelling solo, so I’d also love to meet some new people while I’m there whether that’s grabbing food, checking out some spots, hitting the gym or just exploring LA together.
If you’re from LA or have visited before, what’s one thing you’d tell a first-time visitor to absolutely do and one thing to avoid? 😂
Appreciate any recommendations! 🇦🇺✈️🇺🇸

I’ve been continuously living in the same private room/bathroom in a corporate co-living property in the City of LA for over two months. The property requires a minimum stay of 28 days and also advertises its rooms elsewhere online as regular monthly/lease rentals.

I originally booked for a little over two months because I expected my stay in LA to be temporary. My work situation was extended, so I decided to stay longer. I have never checked out or vacated the room, and all of my belongings have remained here throughout. Management asked whether I wanted to extend my lease, and I said yes.

The confusing part is the extension pricing. I’ve now been given several substantially different Airbnb rates for continuing in the same room, including one nearly 50% higher than what I’ve been paying. The current rate being offered is still roughly 20% higher than my existing rate.

I’m trying to understand the legal framework, not avoid paying rent. Specifically:

• After continuously occupying the same room for more than 30 days, can this be considered a residential tenancy under LA/California law even though the original booking was made through Airbnb?

• If so, would an increase in the amount required to continue occupying the same room potentially be treated as a rent increase requiring notice, rather than simply a new Airbnb rate?

• Does the fact that the business is a co-living property with a 28-day minimum and separately offers the same rooms as lease/monthly rentals affect the analysis?

The building is newer construction and not RSO, so I’m not asking whether the unit is rent-controlled. I’m specifically trying to understand tenant status, notice requirements, and how long-term Airbnb/co-living arrangements are treated.

If anyone has dealt with something similar in LA, or knows a local tenant organization/attorney familiar with this kind of hybrid housing arrangement, I’d appreciate the insight. This feels somehow predatory, lol, but I’m not sure what protections actually apply.

TIA! 🙏

Any things to do on Halloween this year? I want to do more things this Halloween than I usually do.
So just wanted to know if any cool events or whatever are gonna be happening that maybe not a lot of people know about. I'm open to go to places that are in SGV, down by the beach, OC, and Inland area, just basically the whole LA and surrounding areas.

When I was choosing a PCP for Medi-Cal, I went with that clinic as a whole because they came highly recommended by some people on this sub. My experiences so far unfortunately have been terrible and I’m wondering if there are other clinics or doctors people felt would actually listen to you and take the time to answer all your questions without rushing. Recs?