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

[the city]

So, I'm looking where to go to jr. college in Santa Maria or San Luis Obispo. I really don't want to drive 30 minutes a day and back to San Luis Obispo wasting gas money from North County. My parent's idea is for me to find a place around $800-$900 with a room mate. Now, I try to tell my parents you can't find an apartment with 2 ppl in it for that price in San Luis Obispo. You can find that price in Santa Maria, and so I would go to jr. college in Santa Maria.

Can I find an affordable apartment in San Luis Obispo to go to Cuesta College, or will I find that affordable housing in Santa Maria and go to Hancock College?

Alternatively, I heard Tropicana Gardens and Foutain Bleu in Santa Barbara is affordable if I go to Santa Barbara City College. Are those apartments affordable?

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by the city

Alternatively, I heard Tropicana Gardens and Foutain Bleu in Santa Barbara is affordable if I go to Santa Barbara City College. Are those apartments affordable?

I'm no expert, but I've heard that Santa Barbara City College has programs helping with housing costs for students who give up their cars. It might be for certain apartments, etc., not sure. It used to be so that your SBCC student ID doubled as a free bus pass system wide. Tons of savings there. You don't really need a car in Santa Barbara, so consider this (out-of-the-box) option if you can. Good luck.

[the city]

My dad would argue that Cuesta would offer the same thing SBCC does. I don't see any apartments in San Luis Obispo running $800-$900. I would have to pay half with some one else, and even though my parents offered to help pay the other half just to get me going to Cuesta. There's no way I'll find a good apartment at that price though. I see the prices like that in Santa Maria, and I wouldn't mind staying in Santa Maria and then driving to San Luis Obispo. It's a bit better of a drive.

[Capt. Dan]

If you want ANY nightlife without having to drive drunk, live in SLO or SB. Not much going on for niightlife in Santa Maria.

[the city]

I'm looking at cost, not entertainment. Besides, I like hanging out at malls and dating like at the Santa Maria Town Center theater and at their food court.

[Capt. Dan]

Originally Posted by the city

I'm looking at cost, not entertainment. Besides, I like hanging out at malls and dating like at the Santa Maria Town Center theater and at their food court.

WOW! now thats excitement!! Mountains,beaches,redwood forests and deserts. All within an easy drive of santa Maria and your gonna hang out at the mall? Why bother to come to California at all?

[the city]

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

WOW! now thats excitement!! Mountains,beaches,redwood forests and deserts. All within an easy drive of santa Maria and your gonna hang out at the mall? Why bother to come to California at all?

cause I already live in Templeton, Ca. and the nearest community colleges are san luis obispo (30 minutes), santa maria (1hr) and santa barbara (2 hr). I need to find cheap affordable housing while going to a community college. santa barbara seems affordable, and santa maria seems really affordable. but what about san luis obispo?

[Capt. Dan]

Originally Posted by the city

cause I already live in Templeton, Ca. and the nearest community colleges are san luis obispo (30 minutes), santa maria (1hr) and santa barbara (2 hr). I need to find cheap affordable housing while going to a community college. santa barbara seems affordable, and santa maria seems really affordable. but what about san luis obispo?

SLO is probably going to be about midway between the cost of SB and SM

[jillz]

Originally Posted by the city

My dad would argue that Cuesta would offer the same thing SBCC does. I don't see any apartments in San Luis Obispo running $800-$900. I would have to pay half with some one else, and even though my parents offered to help pay the other half just to get me going to Cuesta. There's no way I'll find a good apartment at that price though. I see the prices like that in Santa Maria, and I wouldn't mind staying in Santa Maria and then driving to San Luis Obispo. It's a bit better of a drive.

How are Cuesta and SBCC offering the same thing? Not true at all. You need to talk to the school you want to attend AFTER city college. It depends on your major. If you were a Bio major wanting to transfer to a UC, do NOT choose Cuesta or Hancock. As an ex undergrad advisor for Bio, the prep at SBCC is MUCH better. The quality of education varies at each school and the University you are transfering to will tell you which cc has the best prep for THEIR school. As an example, when seeing transfer students from Cuesta, Hancock, and SBCC that all took the major prep courses, the only student eligible for upper divison bio courses at UCSB were from SBCC. Now a different major may have a different answer. If I were a college student, I would NOT choose Hancock unless I was planning on living in SM with family. It is not a good area for a single, young college person.

I have many friends at UCSB who are advisors. If this is where you want to transfer, I can tell you who to talk to here.

Jill

[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.