Mixing it up.

Los Angeles has been seeing a new wave of mixed-used developments, which typically place condos or apartments above retail stores and restaurants. Mixed-use development is the subject of the Business Journal's annual real estate award section this week. Mixed-use projects have particularly rejuvenated downtown, where they promise to greatly expand that area's population. With that in mind, the Business Journal asks:

Would you consider retiring to a mixed-use development project there?

Amit Singh

Firmware Engineer Visopia LLC 

I would not move downtown because I can't go out for a walk in the evenings. I treasure my evening walks. I can think of more pleasant places to retire to than a crowded and crime-ridden city. I think there are other neighborhoods that can feed the requirement of good restaurants, theater and entertainment. I don't have to be in the middle of LA on the 50th floor of a building to do it. I am looking for a quiet, calm place by the sea preferably. If downtown magically rids itself of crime and it is not a ridiculously bad idea to walk around at 8 p.m. downtown then I will think about it.

George Reardon

Senior Vice President Mellon 1st Business Bank

Yes, I would move downtown when I am retiring. I think public transportation has substantially improved and is at a point where if I want to take my bike to the beach I can do it without missing my car. One of these days, a daily rental car place is also going to open up for the downtown folks. Secondly, the arts community has become so much better. There is Disney Hall, Staples Center, Music Center and good restaurants in downtown LA and if you want a change, a bus can take you to old town Pasadena too. Issues of safety are always considerations but I think the biggest concern is the amount of filming that goes on there. There needs to be some control on that. Other than that, assuming my nest is empty when I retire, I think I will consider moving there.

Eric Coonrod

Associate The Mercanti Group

Right now the same idea is going around in St. Louis, where I used to five, so yes I would definitely move downtown right now. I can meet young professionals like myself and be conveniently close to shops and restaurants. But when I am retiring, I would definitely not do it because I'd like to be somewhere quiet, away from the city. If I want to go to the theater or a restaurant I will drive, but I don't think I will be doing that very often at that point.

Jim Goyjer

Executive Director Breast Cancer Care and Research Fund

I would not consider moving downtown. When I retire I would like to be outside the main metro areas. I would rather be in the mountains or somewhere along a quiet stretch of beach than in downtown LA. In this day and age, high definition and large screen TV let you see anything you want in the house. To navigate Los Angeles just for theater or restaurants is not worth it. Long Beach would be nice because it is near the coast and not as smoggy as downtown. But what is happening in downtown LA is wonderful and I do support it. For a long time various mayors have been trying to develop it to become like most cities. A lot of people plan to and will move there but I like the quiet and who would like to be close to nature.

W. James Van Dusen

Chief Administration Officer Gursey Schneider & Co. LLP 

I used to commute downtown to work from Hollywood and having known it so well, I think I will consider moving there when I retire. It's a vibrant area and the key is that it is becoming the transport hub of metropolitan LA. I took the subway from there to Long Beach to watch part of the Grand Prix, which was a hoot. I also took the Gold Line from there to Pasadena to watch the Rose Bowl two years ago, which worked out so well. All big cities have safety problems. The safety issue is not going to go away because LA continues to add people. It is an issue in any dense part of a city. I don't see how walking down Hollywood streets is safer than downtown in the nights. It is a fact of life that one has to be wary. You don't walk down dark alleys anywhere.