Going to a joint program at UCSD/UCI, need to find halfway point (Los Angeles: university, camp) - Orange County - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

lo2162 · 05-15-2013, 06:25 AM

Hi! I'm starting a joint doctoral program at UC San Diego and UC Irvine in the fall. I'd like to try to find a place to live (with my female partner so hopefully gay friendly) that is somewhat reasonably accessible to both Irvine/Los Angeles and San Diego but less expensive. Is there such a place? I'm from New York so I'm not used to driving. Is taking side streets possible? Or would it be better to live on one of the campuses and take a train or shuttle to the other? Thanks!

lo2162 · 05-15-2013, 06:34 AM

Also, is it easier for a slightly nervous driver to drive in San Diego than in Irvine, LA, etc.?

blind spot · 05-15-2013, 07:19 AM

UCI and UCSD are like 70 miles from each other, that is going to be a pain in the ass. You can take the 405 and 5 between them but depending on times of day you will likely sit in traffic

and LA from Irvine is probably another hour--in the opposite direction from SD--at a minimum, also depending on times of day.

I do know Irvine has a metrolink station and you can take it to Oceanside, which from there you can use the regional transit in San Diego county to get down to UCSD but I don't know how to do that (SD residents could help you there). Or you could take Amtrak from Irvine to San Diego but that's probably more costly.

Halfway cities would be like San Clemente or Oceanside (it's not really quite halfway, but Camp Pendleton means it's impossible to get one that's truly halfway between cities) or perhaps Dana Point? But those are pretty expensive to live in.

Can you attend classes on campus at one university and then online classes at the other university so you don't have to do that? I can't really think of a better option. You are going to hate commuting between the two. I always stay overnight in San Diego if I'm going for a training class during the week or something. It's not bad as a once in awhile day trip but every day? No way.

Charles · 05-15-2013, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lo2162

I'd like to try to find a place to live (with my female partner so hopefully gay friendly) that is somewhat reasonably accessible to both Irvine/Los Angeles and San Diego but less expensive.

I'm not used to driving.

What would be representative schedules for your need to be at each campus? For example, what hours and days at each campus? Are you mostly at one campus? Mostly in the mornings or evenings?

Get used to driving. It's almost impossible to do what you want to do without driving a car. Besides, the stretch of road between Irvine and San Diego is fairly pleasant and scenic.

lo2162 · 05-15-2013, 08:26 AM

It's really not going to be that annoying, as I only need to be at each campus once a week, maybe twice at one and once at the other for seminars in a busy semester--it's mostly independent work, so I need to find a nice environment to work in, while still somewhat reasonably being able to access both campuses.

Charles · 05-15-2013, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lo2162

It's really not going to be that annoying, as I only need to be at each campus once a week, maybe twice at one and once at the other for seminars in a busy semester--it's mostly independent work, so I need to find a nice environment to work in, while still somewhat reasonably being able to access both campuses.

What about jobs for you or the other person?

What is your housing budget?

blind spot · 05-15-2013, 08:40 AM

Oh okay, I guess that isn't so bad. I was envisioning multiple times a week per campus. Once a week at each isn't bad. I guess then the question is do you want to live in San Diego or Orange County? Charles is correct, unless you take amtrak/metrolink between the two you basically do have to drive. But it is a nice scenic drive, even if you do get stuck in traffic.

I personally prefer San Diego but opinions will vary wildly on this.

Edit, jobs, and housing budget are all things to consider too. Good point Charles. I would advise living close to one of the campuses, rather than moving to LA like you said before. You can always go to LA when you want and it would make your life easier to at least live by one campus.

pacific2 · 05-15-2013, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lo2162

Hi! I'm starting a joint doctoral program at UC San Diego and UC Irvine in the fall. I'd like to try to find a place to live (with my female partner so hopefully gay friendly) that is somewhat reasonably accessible to both Irvine/Los Angeles and San Diego but less expensive. Is there such a place? I'm from New York so I'm not used to driving. Is taking side streets possible? Or would it be better to live on one of the campuses and take a train or shuttle to the other? Thanks!

I also moved here from Manhattan, so I know what you are talking about in terms of preferring mass transit, but the bottom line is "fuggitabout it"

if, IMHO, you want any quality of life out here.

A car is a PITA in NYC, even if you happen to own one there; and I don't miss alternate side of the street parking rules, digging my car out of snow, or circling the block in desperate hope of finding a parking spot.

I did, however, enjoy the convenience of hopping onto a subway, haling a cab, or paying for car service if I felt like it.

That is the past. It's best to relax and accept the fact that you, and not a transit driver, will take yourself from point A to point B and then to point C, etc. ; all in the course of a single day because this general area is not walkable. There are no side streets to take, but you will quickly get accustomed to driving due to necessity.

The upside is that parking is very easy in this area.

My suggestion would be to find a place in San Clemente (Oceanside is too far from UCI and also not nearly as pleasant as SC) and use a good GPS for alternate routes during traffic jams.

There are fairly regular border patrol checks on the 5 between Oceanside and San Clemente; and they slow down traffic, but you learn to factor them into your schedule.

You will learn to bundle committee meetings, classes, labs, etc. together at each respective campus as much possible, and you will be fine.

lo2162 · 05-15-2013, 09:41 AM

I won't be working as I am getting a stipend from my Ph.D. program, with an extra $5,000 at first to offset housing costs. She will be working either in San Diego or L.A., depending on where she ultimately gets a job.

Charles · 05-15-2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lo2162

I won't be working as I am getting a stipend from my Ph.D. program, with an extra $5,000 at first to offset housing costs. She will be working either in San Diego or L.A., depending on where she ultimately gets a job.

LA as in Los Angeles? If that is the case, then you have no choice, you must live in Irvine or even north of Irvine considering she'll be commuting and you will hardly be commuting.