Which is the most affordable to live in while going to community college-San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, or Santa Barbara? (school, commute)

[jillz]

Originally Posted by the city

My counselors at high school suggested I live in Santa Maria, and go to school in San Luis Obispo. If i could do Santa Barbara I would.

I am not trying to be snarky or anything, but WHY live in SM and go to school in SLO? What was their reasoning?

Any guidence counselor worth their weight would suggest the best school for *your* particular major. As someone who advised undergraduates for over 11 years, I would NEVER recommend someone commute unless there was absolutley no other option. College is a HUGE change over what you are used to and tacking on a 30 minute drive (one way) for no good reason is going to make your already different and hectic life much worse. What if your classes are for example M 8-850am and 4-450pm with that huge break?

Anyway, I would take advise from the COLLEGE advisors over high school advisors any day of the week. As someone who had to undo poor advice from high school counselors, I would STRONGLY advise talking to Cuesta advisors as well as the UC or CSU school you wish to transfer to. It will possibly save you from difficulties.

My ex co-worker and I would often talk about the students who were performing poorly and they were the ones that always decided that a long commute was a good idea and while they were at it, they would plan a wedding and have a baby, all while working full time. In other words, don't set yourself up for problems when it is easy not to.

[the city]

they suggested live in santa maria because it's cheaper than living in san luis obispo. the cheaper apartments in san luis obispo is where cops are a lot, and a lot of drunk college students. i want a quite neighborhood. apartments near the high school and hancock college are good in santa maria i hear. and i want to be around the bigger cities. santa maria is only 20 minutes to san luis obispo. 40 minutes total driving. and from templeton it's a hour total driving, up and down the grade. that's a pain to go up and down a big hill.

[jillz]

Originally Posted by the city

they suggested live in santa maria because it's cheaper than living in san luis obispo. the cheaper apartments in san luis obispo is where cops are a lot, and a lot of drunk college students. i want a quite neighborhood. apartments near the high school and hancock college are good in santa maria i hear. and i want to be around the bigger cities. santa maria is only 20 minutes to san luis obispo. 40 minutes total driving. and from templeton it's a hour total driving, up and down the grade. that's a pain to go up and down a big hill.

I HATE driving that grade! I grew up in Cambria and have family in both Paso and Cambria.

I am really serious when I tell you that an advisor telling you to move there just because it is cheaper isn't really thinking about your college academics. In fact, as an ex advisor at a UC, this is dangerous advise. Your academics should be most important. If you tell me what your major is going to be, I may be able to tell you if Hancock or Cuesta or SBCC is better. There really are differences and the difference will be HUGE when you are transfering. All three schools are good but in their own way.

I CAN tell you that Santa Maria has crime issues that are big. I worked with police and dispatchers that transfered to SMPD and was told they have a HUGE shortage of officers and if they get a call where it isn't life or death, you may never get an officer to show up. At least in SLO and SB they are college towns so there isn't a shortage of cops.

You are going to be a college student and classes are the most important issue. Moving that far away isn't going to do your studies any favors.

[the city]

So you're like my parents and think I should live in San Luis Obispo and go to Cuesta?
I am aware of the problems in Santa Maria. But to get out of San Luis Obispo county and be in a place with an enclosed mall, big movie theaters, race car speedways, and an amusement park feels worth it to me.

My plan is to go to Hancock College and then transfer to Cal State Northridge and major in city planning. Then I plan to interm for some small city around the size of Santa Maria and Northridge, and then move back to San Luis Obispo in 2020 when they have the estimated 50,400 population and Dalidio turns his land into an open-air mall with Macy's and Target. I believe I have a very realistic plan.

[mmouwse]

I think jillz has given you great advice on prioritizing for college.
and...
I am wondering if it is an option for you to continue to live at home in Templeton and go to Cuesta College North County campus
or...
live at home with parents and take Hwy41 to Cuesta, SLO. IT is faster and more direct than going down the Grade from North County. I drove Hwy 41 to Cuesta when I was living in Atascadero.

[CA central coast]

Originally Posted by the city

So you're like my parents and think I should live in San Luis Obispo and go to Cuesta?
I am aware of the problems in Santa Maria. But to get out of San Luis Obispo county and be in a place with an enclosed mall, big movie theaters, race car speedways, and an amusement park feels worth it to me.

My plan is to go to Hancock College and then transfer to Cal State Northridge and major in city planning. Then I plan to interm for some small city around the size of Santa Maria and Northridge, and then move back to San Luis Obispo in 2020 when they have the estimated 50,400 population and Dalidio turns his land into an open-air mall with Macy's and Target. I believe I have a very realistic plan.

I don't mean to patronize you, but you crack me up. I've read some of your other threads, you sure like malls. Someday, when you want to go the mall, try going the opposite direction. Up HWY 1, toward Big Sur. Pack a lunch. Stop at Salmon Creek. You and your date can sit by the waterfall. It's only a few minutes from the road. See what this area really has to offer. The heck with the malls, son. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. A new mall in Pismo or SLO? nah. There is something that makes this place great, but won't be that stuff. I'm not opposed to that stuff. But if malls are where you spend all your free time, you're missing out. Anyway, why not stay home, go to North County Campus, then Poly, major in CE, get a masters in city and regional planning, you can do all that here and live at home.

[the city]

Being that I was born in Oxnard, California down in SoCal and then my dad moved us to Templeton when the state hospital in Camarillo closed and he transfered to the youth authority. So now, I'm planning on leaving this area straight after high school to cal poly pomona, cal state northridge, cal state sand diego, uc davis, or uc san diego. which one ever accepts me. im not going to even try for san luis obispo. i admit i like slo and the south county suburban area san luis obispo-pismo beach-arroyo grande metropolitan statiscal area. it's getting macy's and alot better than the paso robles-templeton-atascadero msa I live in now.

and, this thread can now die.

[jrmint]

SLO & SB are going to be more expensive to live in than Santa Maria - unless you are living alone. I suggest roommates whereever you are living. Have you thought about trying to see if you can get on-campus housing in the dorms @ Cal Poly even though you are a Cuesta student?

[Sorcerer68]

Originally Posted by the city

My counselors at high school suggested I live in Santa Maria, and go to school in San Luis Obispo. If i could do Santa Barbara I would.

I would only do that if I wasn't paying for housing. That's a LONG haul. I lived in Pismo and it was too far from school. I lost the connection and used lots of gas.

[EricJess123]

Go to Cuesta and live in Pismo Beach