Carson

Carson has a very mixed reputation in Los Angeles. Like most cities here, you just need to be aware of what areas are considered good and what to avoid.

Located along the I-405, you are just 15 miles from downtown LA and not in close proximity to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Carson is very diverse and considered very affordable in LA. It is home to California State University Dominguez Hills as well as the Los Angeles Galaxy MLS soccer team who play at The Home Depot Center. This was a big boost to the city’s economy.

As mentioned, there are some sketchy areas of Carson. Crime tends to be on the high side and there are areas in the northeast section of Carson that borders Compton that should be avoided at night. However, further south, there are some nicer neighborhoods that are popular with families and considered quite safe. Home styles vary and there are plenty of apartments and condos available as well.

Shopping and entertainment is average. With the exception of attending a Galaxy game when soccer is in season, there isn’t that much to do here. The Pavilion at South Bay is home to an IKEA but don’t expect to find any trendy shopping.

Schools are part of the LA Unified School District as well as Compton Unified School District and are considered very average. Test results are mid-range but there are several private schools in the area as well.

Traffic of course is miserable when commuting into downtown LA along the 405. Public transportation though is good and very popular here. The Carson Circuit provides service with connections to the Metro Blue Line Station.