[quote=spdrun]Why not snap up a bunch of rentals in less-nice areas and use them to finance rent on a two or three bedroom apt in a nicer part of town (read: near the beach)?

The American perception that you have to own the place where to live to be “somebody” is asinine.[/quote]

Not really a practical option for us. We’re a fairly young family with a 3 year old special needs child and a 1 year old. Don’t think we can take on rentals too. Just want to live in a decent safe neighborhood with good schools, but maybe that is too much to ask in the LA area.