west michigan girl looking to go MORE west (Los Angeles, San Diego: car insurance, house)

[Michigan614]

Hey guys!
I have been thinking for the past two years and thinking seriously about moving out to California.
Right now i'm living on the West coast of Michigan, about 15 minutes away from Lake Michigan...completely different from the West coast of the united states hah, very different.
I am going to school to get a degree in Fashion Merchandising, then eventually get my Bachelors in Business.
I thought about Chicago, but i don't like the whole lake effect, cold weather kind of deal (even though we have that in western michigan).
then i thought NYC..but NYC is far too busy for me, although i know Cali os busy..just not as busy as nyc.

So here i am...asking about Cali.
What are the best places to live?
I thought about LA..then i changed my mind to San Diego.
I've heard that going to FIDM, i would have to no matter what do my second year in LA anyways...so i know if i relocate to Cali, my second year will be spent in LA but i need to figure out where i'm going to live my first year.

I want all the good and all the bad about San Diego, LA, and Orange County/Irvine.


any information you can give me i'm okay with, nothing is wrong or stupid to say.


btw: i will be a sophomore in college, moving by myself, and have a LITTLE bit of money saved up. i'm not looking for a huge house i will be living in a studio if i do end up moving. i know it won't be easy, but i think it will be worth it in the end.


thank you for anyyyyyything. maybe if i could see pictures?

[greatbasinguide]

Well, to start with my Daughter will be going to FIDM. There are a number of campuses and she visited them all. She was not impressed with San Diego, did not like the part of town the school was in.

Los Angeles she sort of liked and it has residence halls. That school is connected with the Los Angeles fashion industry. But, Los Angeles does not fit her ideas about what she wants from a city. She did not like the ambience or lack of ambience of OC/Irvine.

She won't take her car the first year, so SF is much easier to get around in without a car.



She settled on San Francisco as she wants a real city. The connections of SF FIDM to industry are very good.

and there is no requirement to attend school in Los Angeles, unless you want a four year degree.

Since average starting salaries out of FIDM with the two year program are excellent she does not see the need for a four year program.

.... This is the girl that gave up 8 full ride scholarship offers, including Vassar! for Soccer, in order to attend Fashion school, needless to say, I am not thrilled, but.

SF is a great city to live in. She found housing for $750.00 per month including two meals in a very nice part of town.

She researched all the schools and SF won.

I know there are those who like Orange County, San Diego and even Los Angeles, but, San Francisco has a soul.

[renoguy]

I have to agree with greatbasinguide about San Francisco. I don't know much about the educational aspect. I lived in San Francisco as a kid and visit frequently. You could live in the city and get rid of your car. Public transportation is very good and SF is a true city where LA and SD are urban sprawl with a downtown. You can't really walk much in downtown LA, it's still spread out too much. You could save a fortune in car insurance by living in SF.

For me the only downside to the locations you mentioned is it doesn't get that warm in SF. This could be a plus for you. Fog is always on the horizon. Summer is not warm. If you do get the need for some heat it is a short trip to the south or east bay though.

Give SF a good look and good luck.

[greatbasinguide]

I think heat is over rated. 75 is a fine temperature. I think these folks that like it hot, don't work outside.

[Michigan614]

Originally Posted by greatbasinguide

Well, to start with my Daughter will be going to FIDM. There are a number of campuses and she visited them all. She was not impressed with San Diego, did not like the part of town the school was in.

Los Angeles she sort of liked and it has residence halls. That school is connected with the Los Angeles fashion industry. But, Los Angeles does not fit her ideas about what she wants from a city. She did not like the ambience or lack of ambience of OC/Irvine.

She won't take her car the first year, so SF is much easier to get around in without a car.



She settled on San Francisco as she wants a real city. The connections of SF FIDM to industry are very good.

and there is no requirement to attend school in Los Angeles, unless you want a four year degree.

Since average starting salaries out of FIDM with the two year program are excellent she does not see the need for a four year program.

.... This is the girl that gave up 8 full ride scholarship offers, including Vassar! for Soccer, in order to attend Fashion school, needless to say, I am not thrilled, but.

SF is a great city to live in. She found housing for $750.00 per month including two meals in a very nice part of town.

She researched all the schools and SF won.

I know there are those who like Orange County, San Diego and even Los Angeles, but, San Francisco has a soul.

dang this is all so surprising because SF is the least thought of city while i was looking through the campuses. I was looking at "oh well irvine will probably be safer than LA but so will SD, but yadda yadda yadda"

do you know what your daughters major is going to be? i do believe that i might end up taking the 4 year (business degree) but i'm not sure i just havent been as convinced you know?

[CADRMNDANES]

I would have to agree with SF. Much better then LA!!

[greatbasinguide]

Merchandising and product development, her goal is to increase her productline, (mostly soccer Tees and sweats now). And to eventually have her own boutique, probably in San Luis Obispo.

She figures if she goes for additional classes someday it will be in business.

I think that you would really enjoy San Francisco, it really is a world class city.

[krudmonk]

Originally Posted by greatbasinguide

I think heat is over rated. 75 is a fine temperature. I think these folks that like it hot, don't work outside.

It's rarely 75 there, though. I'd say 60 is a more accurate average.

[DMenscha]

Mark Twain: "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco".

One of the world's best exaggerations, but with BART you can live anywhere in the east bay and be warmer and still commute easily. SF is a real city!

[CADRMNDANES]

I've seen it hotter then 75.
Sept and Oct are beautiful months.
Love xmas in Union Square.