Daughter wants to go to college in California (San Diego, Fresno: for rent, crime rate)

[Dreamer36]

Hi all!

My daughter is graduating next year (from high school)and wants to obtain an associates degree and/or certificate in photography. I have been reading more negatives of California than positive. If I were to choose to move to California for her to attend a two year program school is there a particular school I should be looking into? Is there an area that may be safer and alittle more affordable for rent that we could relocate to? I first looked into Fresno City College but the reviews of Fresno mainly stated the higher crime rate (robbery/theft). Basically, I'm starting from scratch here and I don't know where to begin. Any help would be appreciated.

[LoriBee62]

Originally Posted by Dreamer36

Hi all!

My daughter is graduating next year (from high school)and wants to obtain an associates degree and/or certificate in photography. I have been reading more negatives of California than positive. If I were to choose to move to California for her to attend a two year program school is there a particular school I should be looking into? Is there an area that may be safer and alittle more affordable for rent that we could relocate to? I first looked into Fresno City College but the reviews of Fresno mainly stated the higher crime rate (robbery/theft). Basically, I'm starting from scratch here and I don't know where to begin. Any help would be appreciated.

The Santa Rosa Junior College is one of the highest rated in the country. I don't know about their photography program, but it's a college to consider.

As for crime: Take it with a grain of salt. There are parts of Richmond and Oakland I wouldn't go at night. What's the So Cal equivalent? Compton? But short of that, I wouldn't rank any California city as horribly unsafe. Most violent crime rates here are gang and/or drug related. If you're not in a gang or not a dealer, you'll be okay.

Personally, I think some of the most unsafe places for college girls is major college campuses. Looking for a smaller city college and going with her resolves that problem for you.

[OwlKaMyst]

Photography is one of those that is now found online and there is no need to move anywhere.
But if one is looking to attend in California, there are art schools in the Bay Area.
Depending on class scheduling, one would not have to live in the city the school is in, but live in a less congested area of the Bay Area.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by Dreamer36

Hi all!

My daughter is graduating next year (from high school)and wants to obtain an associates degree and/or certificate in photography. I have been reading more negatives of California than positive. If I were to choose to move to California for her to attend a two year program school is there a particular school I should be looking into? Is there an area that may be safer and alittle more affordable for rent that we could relocate to? I first looked into Fresno City College but the reviews of Fresno mainly stated the higher crime rate (robbery/theft). Basically, I'm starting from scratch here and I don't know where to begin. Any help would be appreciated.

Why does she need to come to CA for a two year degree? That's ridiculous.

If you came on here and said my daughter got accepted to USC and is getting a scholarship but I heard the area around the school isn't good, that would be one thing.

Sounds more like your daughter wants to come to CA to "party", you don't move out of state to get a two year degree, and certainly not in photography.

Beyond silly.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by seain dublin

Why does she need to come to CA for a two year degree? That's ridiculous.

If you came on here and said my daughter got accepted to USC and is getting a scholarship but I heard the area around the school isn't good, that would be one thing.

Sounds more like your daughter wants to come to CA to "party", you don't move out of state to get a two year degree, and certainly not in photography.

Beyond silly.

Good point. I'd guide my daughter toward local collages first.

[LoriBee62]

What's ridiculous is people who feel the need to dodge the question and instead butt into matters that are none of their business.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

You don't need to move to where your daughter goes to school, unless she is disabled and you are the primary caregiver, or some such.

[Cryptic]

Originally Posted by LoriBee62

As for crime: Take it with a grain of salt. There are parts of Richmond and Oakland I wouldn't go at night. What's the So Cal equivalent? Compton? But short of that, I wouldn't rank any California city as horribly unsafe. Most violent crime rates here are gang and/or drug related. If you're not in a gang or not a dealer, you'll be okay.

Well said.

At the end of the day, most violent crime is targeted "player" on "player". San Diego is no different than northeren California. A few problem areas best avoided at night aside, I never felt threatned anywhere in San Diego.

There were a few times when I did not want to be panhandled by druggee type semi homeless youth in Ocean Beach, or did not want to put up with dim wit patrons at a loud boisterous bar, but I never felt at risk of violent crime- and I went everywhere.

[Dreamer36]

Originally Posted by seain dublin

Why does she need to come to CA for a two year degree? That's ridiculous.

If you came on here and said my daughter got accepted to USC and is getting a scholarship but I heard the area around the school isn't good, that would be one thing.

Sounds more like your daughter wants to come to CA to "party", you don't move out of state to get a two year degree, and certainly not in photography.

Beyond silly.

My daughter is infatuated with Cali and wants to become a photographer so I figured if we started looking into areas that have community colleges that offer a photography program. I planned on coming with her because with community colleges there is no dorm so it would be cheaper for her if I accompany her, besides my daughter is not quite ready to go halfway around the country without me yet. We are actually looking at schools across the US but Cali is her top place at this point. She may decide to go forth with a BFA but right now an AA degree is what she is looking to do.

[nmnita]

op, I think one thing you may want to do is check the cost of out of state tuition even for community college. Just because she is fascinated with the state isnt a reason for you to uproot and move there. BTW, Cali is a name many object to; it is either California of just use the CA, but Cali is a city in Columbia.

There are a lot of good CC throughout the state, but depending where you are coming from, have you even thought about the col in California and will you have trouble finding work?

Everyone has to do what is best for them, but I would never even think of moving to a new state for my child to attend a Community college.

I noticed, from your other postings, you have a 14 yr old son, but you don't mention your daughter. Do you have 2 kids? I also noticed you want to get a job making about $36,000 or so a year, live near the water and in an area not high in crime. I don't think any of this will work in Ca. You can not support yourself and one or two kids, live in a decent neighborhood on that kind of income.