L.A. for a College Student? (Los Angeles, San Diego: for sale, apartments, rent)

[HBan13]

Hey all -

I'm an 18 year old male living in southern Maine who just graduated from high school last June. I decided to put off school for a year, perhaps two, so that I can put away a decent amount of money, get in shape, and just get my act together in general. I don't plan to go to college in Maine and would like a change of scenery for my college years. I've been looking around and the two areas that have attracted me the most are the Denver area of Colorado (Boulder, University of Denver, etc.), and Los Angeles (UCLA, USC, various other terrific community colleges and four year schools). My grades were pretty solid in high school, and my SATs were slightly above average. I could probably get into most schools, probably not the higher end ones, so wherever I end up going, I'm thinking of starting slow at a local community college, and transferring after a year or two to graduate from a bigger, more well-reknowned school in the same area. At first I was more interested in the Denver area, but after a lot of thinking and research, I'm thinking California. I think I'd like it better there and would fit me a bit better. I plan to visit both areas within the next 6-8 months, but until then, I need some advice...

Growing up in Maine, I have grown to really dislike cold weather, ridiculous amounts of snow, and painfully early sunsets. Another thing I thoroughly dislike about living here is how boring it is. Beautiful state, but nothing to do. So weather and a really lively, fun area are two biggies for me. I need more sun and warmer weather year round, and an area where I'll always have something to do - good nightlife, sporting events, concerts, good places to party or just chill out. Also, I know there is cool and not cool people in every city, but somewhere where the people are laid back and easy to get along with, and down to earth would be great. Lately I feel like I'm surrounded by idiots. I'm pretty liberal for the most part, but not Berkeley-type Liberal - just laid-back, friendly, and intellectual type. I wouldn't mind somewhere with lots of pretty ladies too - not too many of them around here.

I have read many good things about Santa Monica Community College and how almost everyone who does well there for the first two years goes on to UCLA or USC. Spending the first two years there and graduating from UCLA would be my ideal scenerio. I want to study communications/journalism, perhaps check into their film programs as well. I am pretty settled on this idea or one similar to it. Of course I am going to visit first, but I like this idea.

My biggest questions are: Where would be the best place for me to live if I attended a school in this area. Say I attend Santa Monica City College - what are my options as far as housing and rent and money and jobs go? I plan to work almost full time while attending school to support my rent, etc, but where would I get the best deal? I'm not going to lie - I'd love to live in one of those high rise apartments right on the beach, or at least someplace similar. If not, I'd like to be right in the middle of all the fun city/college stuff going on - plenty of partying, nice beaches, good nightlife/day time activties, and close enough to all the cool Hollywood type stuff as well.

What is everyone's opinions on Manhatten Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach? Marina Del Ray? Venice? Santa Monica? Hollywood? From what I've described, where do you think would be best? I would plan on owning a car and being able to commute from school, my job, and everywhere else if needed. I'm just trying to get a basic idea where I could get the best possible college experience, but still not have to work 50 hours per week just to barely get by. Some place that is fun and great for a young, liberalish person. Some place where there's plenty of opportunites to meet cool young girls and guys, make friends with other students, etc. I'd like to live as close to the water as possible.

Anything you guys can give me is VERY much appreciated, as I'm still really in the process of researching and such. Sorry for the length, but I had a lot to say/ask, so anything you guys got is awesome. Thanks all. -

Harry

[Bert Green]

Harry-

Take the plunge. Just do it. You won't regret it. Just keep in mind that it's expensive to live near the beach, so you'll likely need to compromise on how much space you will get. Either expect share space (little privacy) or live further inland (longer commute).

In any case, don't be afraid to risk it.

[Charles]

How many units do you plan on taking per semester or quarter?
How many hours per week do you think you will average working?
A lot of your comments mentioned having fun....Daily Work hours + Daily Studying Hours + Daily Fun Hours + commuting + cleaning + appointments + sleeping + errands + general living is probably >> 24.

Do you think you would settle down in Southern California after graduating with a degree in journalism?

I think non residents pay more for college the first year...check it out.

UC Boulder is less expensive than the LA area but not too much less expensive. I think no matter where you attend it will be challenging if you have to work as many as 20 hours per week, unless you want to take a longer time to graduate. My colleague spent ten years going to night school for her BS in engineering. She did it.

Originally Posted by HBan13

I could probably get into most schools, probably not the higher end ones, so wherever I end up going, I'm thinking of starting slow at a local community college, and transferring after a year or two to graduate from a bigger, more well-reknowned school in the same area.

There are a couple of threads on this already....there is a way of getting a guaranteed transfer to a UC school...something called TAG...look it up.



Another thing I thoroughly dislike about living here is how boring it is. Beautiful state, but nothing to do. So weather and a really lively, fun area are two biggies for me. I need more sun and warmer weather year round, and an area where I'll always have something to do - good nightlife, sporting events, concerts, good places to party or just chill out.

If you are working and going to school then this lifestyle will be challenging. It would be in your best interests to live near where you work and where you go to school; otherwise you will spend too many precious hours commuting.

[fedorovmatt55]

I was born and raised in Los Angeles and went to the University of Denver for four years. Best years of my life. I think there is more to do in Denver than LA. I am huge on winter sports and in Denver the slopes are only an hour away. Also, you can play hockey anytime. In Denver the public transportation is way better, plus less traffic. The light rail that takes you downtown is literally across the street from the school. If it snows in Denver it hardly sticks to the ground. Coming from LA I didnt like not having four seasons so I went to Denver... it gets cold but not too cold. Weather is nice, according to the Denver website its sunny 300 days out of the year. Living in LA is so.......very expensive. It gets frusterating at times because you tend to spend all your cash on rent and gas. Public transportation sucks so it takes an hour to go 20 miles due to traffic. After graduating I moved back to LA because I took the best job offer....I plan on moving because of the cost of living and the traffic nightmares. I would go with Denver, a lot more fun, cheaper, and more places to go. Also, if you like to go to bars and clubs Denvers public transit is awesome so you dont have to worry about a designated driver....In LA someone will always have to drive. If you choose LA be prepared to spend most of your time communting and working. I live 22 miles from downtown, it takes me an hour to get to work. I leave my house at 7am and dont get home until about 6:30-7. Most of my money earned goes to transportation and rent. Denver is way cheaper and you would spend a lot less time working to pay the bills......as a college student you should have a lot of time set aside for fun and studying.

[CESpeed]

If you decided you hate snowy winters, I don't know how Denver is coming up on your radar. My aunt has lived in Denver for 70 years and she gets snowed in on a regular basis. Your plan of SMCC to UCLA is a good one. There is a lot of student housing around the school. It's in a decent area and near the beach. Try craigslist: los angeles classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events to find a place to live and possibly a job.

[fedorovmatt55]

I lived in Denver for four years and was only snowed in once. (Doesnt sound like a regular basis does it??)

CESpeed, are you sure your aunt doesnt live in the mountains? Id say that Denver gets 20 snow days. 10 of which the snow actually sticks to the ground. The mountains get dumped with snow.....completely different than Denver.

[CESpeed]

I've never been to her house, so I took her word for Denver. Maybe she's one of those people who lives in the Metro area and calls her section Denver, like some people live in Beverly Hills and say L.A. I don't know. But I do know that Denver or Colorado doesn't sound like a spot someone who doesn't like snowy winter would enjoy.

[fedorovmatt55]

Actually Denver is sunny 300 days out of the year according to their website.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by fedorovmatt55

Actually Denver is sunny 300 days out of the year according to their website.

I'm from Denver, and that "statistic" is a bunch of bull... an age old lie. Denver is a pretty sunny place compared to anywhere east of the 100th parallel, and officially it's sunnier than San Diego or Miami... but if you look up the actual statistics on weatherbase.com it's more like 245 days of sunshine. Denver gets 60 inches of snow on average. Some years it's much more, some years it's a lot less, and there can be some days in the winter when it's not too cold at all, but point is, if you live in Denver, you'd better be prepared for winter. If you're looking for warm weather, you should be looking at southern California, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, even Albuquerque, NM-- not Denver. I personally would NOT recommend going to CU Boulder if you are an out of state student; the tuition there for out of staters is a rip off, and they don't really give scholarships there.

[fedorovmatt55]

Well I lived in Denver 2002-2006 and it didnt snow too much. Maybe global warming, lol.