Looking to possibly move to San Diego area(Grad School) (Pomona: apartment complexes, loans)

[dmoore228]

I have lived in Virginia pretty much all of my life, but have relatives in the San Diego area(Escondido, Temecula), so I end up visiting there every couple of years.

I am currently looking at either San Diego State University or University of Redlands(up near LA/Pomona) for their graduate GIS Programs. One of the questions I have is for people that have been involved in graduate study in this geographic area. Are most of you working full-time, part-time, or are doing TA's to help pay for school? Are there many GIS companies in SoCal that are hiring that kind of experience(masters)? I would also be looking for some kind of work to start saving up/pay rent/etc in advance since I probably would not start until fall next year.

I have a graduate certificate in GIS right now and have not had much luck in finding full-time work with that.

I also know I would have to have lived in CA for one year to even be considered for in-state tuition.

Any other GIS programs on the west coast worth mentioning?

[Clevelandgal]

maybe you should post something on a professional networking site specific to your field. Posting an acronym ("GIS") wanting detailed professional advice is not going to grab the attention of the general public-which is reading this board.

[dmoore228]

Originally Posted by Clevelandgal

maybe you should post something on a professional networking site specific to your field. Posting an acronym ("GIS") wanting detailed professional advice is not going to grab the attention of the general public-which is reading this board.

what about good places to live for a 25/26 year old attending grad school at sdsu? or in the escondido area(close to bear valley pkwy)?

btw GIS is geographic information systems. It seems every time I say "Geographic information systems" someone goes "Ohh, GIS" and if I say GIS, no one has a clue what I'm talking about lol

[Clevelandgal]

hopefully many people can assist with living near SDSU. I am more of an urban core person since that is where I landed when I got here. I would see if you could stay with your relatives long enough to to get a lay of the land and see where you want to live. If you end up finding a place, I am sure Escond. won't be your first choice since there are many communities closer and likely more interesting for you.

[bouncethelight]

I've lived in inland North County, and gone to SDSU, and personally I would never do it again. Driving through Escondido at rush hour takes forever - since all the cars have to pass over Lake Hodges, and there are only so many lanes for all that traffic. And then parking at SDSU in the mornings is a nightmare. I had to leave way too early, just to ensure I got there in time, and got a parking space.

Besides, there are soooo many great places to live, closer to school!

And you know the deadline to apply is coming up soon? And that it's pretty tough to get accepted? Even back when I was attending school there, it was tough to get into the grad programs - and I've heard it's much worse now.

[lrmsd]

If you are thinking about SDSU, look into neighborhoods nearby [not walkable and no public transit; SD campuses and city as a whole, is not one of those walkable or urban core type of cities. it's spread out suburbs, with the exception of: north and south park, normal heights, university heights, mission hills, hillcrest. These would also be good neighborhoods for a grade student.]

Most students attending UCSD, on the other hand, live in UTC area, which is suburbs and tall apartment complexes, near la jolla.

You could also check CSU-san marcos; it's closer to escondido and temecula. I have no idea if they have your major. And, I don't know how far san bernardino or riverside would be from temecula; you could look at the CSU and UC campuses there, as well as irvine. I have no idea, just a suggestion for directions to explore.
I'm not familiar with your major, but does the military hire for that? If so, SD/camp pendleton, lots of military jobs, if you have clearance.

Good luck!

[bouncethelight]

Originally Posted by lrmsd

If you are thinking about SDSU, look into neighborhoods nearby [not walkable and no public transit; SD campuses and city as a whole, is not one of those walkable or urban core type of cities. it's spread out suburbs, with the exception of: north and south park, normal heights, university heights, mission hills, hillcrest. These would also be good neighborhoods for a grade student.]

Actually the bus and the trolley both roll right onto campus at SDSU - in my opinion it's more convenient to take the bus or the trolley, than to find parking!

At one point I lived in North Park, and left my car sitting at home, and instead hopped on the bus. I didn't have to pay for parking, didn't have to leave super-early to find a parking spot, and I got dropped off really close to my classes.

I missed that when I moved farther away, and had to drive to school again.

And just to somewhat address the other school you're looking at... I drove through the city Redlands today. I know very little about the university, other than it has a good reputation - but the city itself is one of my favorite places on earth!

[odannyboi]

Hey OP, I go to state an am in a Grad program.

I found a place right next to school so I walk and don't have to deal with parking. I hear it is pretty bad and only getting worse. I pay about $690 a month total with utilities.

Word of advice... don't room with undergrads. I have 2 or 3 people in my house that are spoiled brats and like to party every night because they don't have jobs nor do they go to class all the time (nor do they study).

I found a job/internship on campus within 2 weeks of being here, but I am in the business program. That pretty much covers my rent, food, and car payments (have loans for tuition).

Hope that helps.