I moved out some time ago, as well. Even then, the third-world aspect was shaping up. The poor slums were growing like a disease. And the decent people there needed help. The rich areas remained, isolated, as the defense industry moved out of town - leaving LA home to actors, lawyers, and boiler room hustlers. Even the police, some said (falsely, I think), were afraid to go into certain neighborhoods. This was years ago. It must be far worse, now; just one gigantic and dangerous slum, therefore filled with criminal gangs as slums always are, flowing around the protected enclaves of the 'rulers'. That MAY be the future - Saddam's Iraq, in America. I live in the ultra-radical-leftist-liberal-ultra Bay Area (they always call conservatives - ultras). And the lefties, or the recent Asian immigrants (the ones with money), have kept the slum areas in check, for now. But the 'tude among the illegals, for example, is as arrogant as ever. Many are decent. But some look to take offense - and particularly to give offense.
Yup, I'm glad I'm long gone from LA.