Opinions on UC-Irvine (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Orange: renters, dorms, transferring to)

[EclecticEars]

Hey, OC'ers...or otherwise! If you know anything about UC-Irvine--especially if you attended, worked there, or know anybody who did one or both--then chime in!

I am new to California and interested in pursuing a Master's in Urban Planning (of some concentration) after I complete a 1-year job assignment in the Bay Area. I like the Bay Area, don't get me wrong, but I would also like to live in other part(s) of California to get more of a well-rounded experience; furthermore, I've been to SoCal and it just calls out to me more as a region. I think the U.P./economic development career and growth potential in California in general is tremendous and dynamic even in this sour economy.

SJSU and UC-Berkeley here in the Bay don't greatly interest me. So, I've narrowed my choices down to Cal Poly-SLO (love their campus and U.P. program), UCLA and, last but not least, UC-Irvine!

So, what say you about UC-Irvine? Just to list a few criteria, and I can elaborate further if you like:

• Academic experience and quality (I've seen it listed top 50 and I'm sure most alums were satisfied),
• Campus life and energy, and
• Friendliness of the area (students, staff, faculty, Irvine community).

Also, if you have been associated w/ UCI, how satisfied have you been?

I'm looking forward to reading your responses!

[designmunki]

Hello! I can't comment on the academic experience/quality of UCI, but I have several friends who graduated from UCI who now have well paying jobs in computer science, advertising, and environmental science.

As for the energy and campus life it seems pretty active from what I've seen. The campus is lovely and there's always something going on. If not school related then it's late night social or study sessions at the University center across the street where I sometimes go shopping. They also seem to have plenty of clubs and activities to get involved in. There are hiking trails in a wooded preserve right by campus as well, and Irvine is a nice, clean (if boring, to some) city to live in.

I know my knowledge is limited but I hope this helps a bit.

[winniethepwn]

I've lived in Irvine most of my life, so I hope my input is good for something. I went to high school here, so a good portion of my friends go to UCI now. Most are happy with their decision. I've been on campus several times, to the libraries, dorms, uni town center. All are very well kept. Most of Irvine is very conservative, most keep to themselves. However, the students/younger folk are the same as everywhere else (party, study, friends, repeat.)

Coincidentally, I recently visited SLO (I'm 90% sure that's where I will be attending) and I found both cities to be extremely similar. They're both quiet, safe, and many people consider both boring. I suppose SLO is more of a college town, while Irvine is... a city with a college in it. There isn't much to do "in" Irvine, but you are pretty close to anything you could possibly want (beaches, clubs, malls, bars, trails, lakes). SLO has the natural beauty, while Irvine is a master planned city.

UCLA may be better for your major if you want to focus on urban renewal. Plenty of terrible areas that need renovating. I assume the school has projects going on in these places. It's very similar to the bay area.

I would pick the school that has the better program.

[EclecticEars]

Thanks to you both for input! I will be at UC-Irvine next week to check the place out.

And I have really considered UCLA. However, my undergraduate GPA might work against me in being admitted; not bad at all, but it's just that UCLA is one of the world's most competitive universities. UCI is still University of California and has a strong MUP program; plus, Orange Co. has its own developing share of urban challenges in places like Santa Ana, Anaheim, Stanton, even Seal Beach and Fullerton; I'll find out next week if UCI has a role in addressing those challenges.

[jacobwilliam77]

UC-Irvine is good. Alot of Asians go there.

[EclecticEars]

I'm reopening an old thread, I know, but it looks like I'll be zot zoting my way to UCI for graduate school this fall.

I feel good about my decision! Wish me luck!

I'm already looking around for places to live just to get an idea for how expensive it will be. And damn, I didn't realize how expensive rent is in Orange County. At least I have several months to look.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

And damn, I didn't realize how expensive rent is in Orange County. At least I have several months to look.

Yeah, landlords are really putting it to renters now since lots of people can't buy. Costa Mesa is about as cheap as it gets close to Irvine without being a total slum. Avoid the west side of the 55/Newport.

[CAVA1990]

This might be useful to you:

http://www.housing.uci.edu/documents...gLAUCI2011.pdf

When I went there before transferring to Cal, a lot of the students lived with roommates in summer rentals on Balboa Island.

[bounty80]

Just out of pure curiosity - what kind of jobs/career does someone with a degree in urban planning pursue? I've always wondered this.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by bounty80

Just out of pure curiosity - what kind of jobs/career does someone with a degree in urban planning pursue? I've always wondered this.

You can become an urban planner for one.