Ah first of all - you're absolutely wrong. I have lived here for over 10 years, in every part of LA from Silverlake to West Hollywood to Bel Air to Venice to Santa Monica.

Second, 10 years ago, I would agree with you - downtown was not the best place to be but over the past 5 years there has been billions poured into downtown including LA Live (which I now live across the street from), the Staples Center, the Intercontinental, and dozens upon dozens of spots sprouting up everywhere. There are OVER 30 cranes in downtown as we speak going up.

Third, I took a photo on a street with no traffic and no people because I wanted that aesthetic. I will post other photos of the hustle and bustle other times.