Apartment Review for 4226 S. Figueroa St. - Los Angeles, CA

PARKING They misrepresented parking availability. Although I paid for a spot in the adjacent parking lot, I often found that that all spots were taken after 6 pm. This caused 2 majors problems. Firstly, in terms of safety, I faced having to park on the street in a dangerous area whenever I came home late which was often due to my evening class and study schedule. Secondly, the area has limited parking due to rush hour (figueroa) and street cleaning (side street) so if you are not careful it is easy to catch a nice big parking ticket. SAFETY As per safety, the area is a ghost town so no one is around, ever. Area is a bit too desolate. With little foot traffic at night, I felt that single women were particularly vulnerable. However, no sexual assaults or harrassment were reported in the area far as I know. Unfortunately, a shooting occurred next door where two young men were killed in the front yard. The incident happened late night and was rumored to be related to internal neighborhood beef. No suspects were apprehended. NOISE Figueroa traffic is extremely loud, especially morning rush hour and emergency vehicle sirens in general. Residents are quiet and keep to themselves. Management enforces house rules so they will immediately reprimand and quell a tenant who gets too loud (my experience with a one-time party incident.) NEIGHBORHOOD Technically close to USC (1 mile or so). But I felt that I couldn't take advantage of proximity to USC because unsafe to walk in dark with so many open lots and parks on the way. Also there is no bike path, and Figueroa is pretty much an expressway during rush hour. However, I did see people bike to school. Personally, I would only advise people to bike or walk to USC during daylight hours. Area between building and USC is sketchy after dark. APPEARANCE/CONDITION Building is well-kept. I had a minor problem with ants in my apartment during summer months. AMENITIES WIFI-- Building's "free" wifi service was so shaky that I ended having to buy my own service. While I was there, they would not allow cable or satellite installation so I had to enjoy grainy reception my tv. Yes, I did complain to no avail. And, yes they continued to enforce this rule AFTER THE GOVT-IMPOSED SWITCH TO DIGITAL. LAUNDRY--the onsite washer and dryer was always in use because the number of residents exceeded the 1 washer and 1 dryer that was available. However, if you have a student schedule, you will probable find a way to catch one. SECURITY DEPOSIT/LEASE AGREEMENT The management nickel and dimed on the deposit. The owner, Thomas Anderson is a lawyer who does not want people to know that he owns the place. The building managers, Justin and his wife?, act like they own the place, but don't. I stayed in the building for the relatively cheap rent and basically emotional inertia. However, with the recent crash of the LA real estate market, new student housing construction and the expansion of the public train line, I am sure that you could do better than this place. The management is not nice, and they only want to exploit USC students. There is a reason why no one stayed there for more than a year. My dumb *&& being a major exception!