I would say live on campus if you are used to that type of living situation. It's no worse than other campus life- better than alot. Everything is nearby, costs are less off campus living, etc. You know the benefits of living on campus.
Off campus-Everywhere has its good and bad parts. You just need to talk to alot of people and visit there personally. everyone has a different comfort level too. Generally areas northeast of LA are a little better than south of the city. I would suggest the previously mentioned areas: South Pasedena, Montery Park, Alhambra (which I hear is the best choice- many USC Residents live in this area according to DH), but also:
Los Feliz (parts), Silverlake (slightly more expensive I hear and also has bad parts), Cerritos, Norwalk, Diamond Bar, Echo Park, Downey, Whittier?
Places generally said to Avoid: Inglewood, Compton, South Gate, East LA, Lynwood (south of LA), I think i've heard Hawthorne in this one too as well as Commerce
Hope that helped?
They do have one apartment style complex on the HSC- Centennial Apartments- it's mostly for OT students, but I do know from speaking to DH's classmates they are open to other health students there too- just takes a bit of effort. Most of his friends live off campus... in the places already mentioned. I do know one that lives in "Seven Gables" apartments (main campus) and they are happy with that choice- they have a single and it is generally quiet/good for professionals I guess.
Minghoo- I only have experience with the apartment type living on USC campus. We live in the family housing here. I have heard good things about Alhambra- everything you need and a fairly safe/nice area. We lived out in Montebello/Whittier area for almost 2 years (yrs 1-2) before moving near on to campus- it wasn't so much the commute that bothered us, we just happened to get called up from the waiting list for family housing so it was worth the move. I LOVE being closer (even though I'm not thrilled with the actual apartment) to campus. The other campus owned apartments I have been in are decent. nothing frilly like someone else mentioned, but they are not as bad as you think either. They have so many different options and floor plans.
hugstugs- totally understand your vent! the HSC really needs some professional student housing. Getting to the other campus isn't terrible- but traffic is pretty much a nightmare. I do kinda like being away from the HSC though because there is so much more on the main campus and it's nice to be away from where you spend all your time/classes. (not that I personally attended classes).
Jammocah- the commute shouldn't be too bad- especially during the first two years- you'll be able to leave plenty of time to get to classes and not have to get up insanely early! lol the traffic is nightmareish though- no lie there. I'm only familiar with the commute from East of LA though.
http://www.traffic411.com/maplosangeles.html (click on a freeway to see the estimated drive times)