Ready to leave the nest (San Diego, La Mesa: apartment, work, university)

[chetah340]

Hi,

I'm a 20 y/o college student and am about 110% sure I want to transfer to a school in San Diego with my best friend from Louisiana. We used to live on the west coast and know a little about the area but not specific neighborhoods. We do not have a clue on how to look for an apartment in the city or where is a good place to live. I have a car so distance between school and an apartment wouldn't be too big of a problem. We're both employed, in school, and trying to save up money. We thought about making the move next fall but I would really like to be there this upcoming August.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated!

[kettlepot]

You've omitted the most salient fact. To which school are you transferring?

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Originally Posted by chetah340

We do not have a clue on how to look for an apartment in the city or where is a good place to live.

craigslist.org

Do you like to go out?
Try Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, or La Mesa..

[chetah340]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

You've omitted the most salient fact. To which school are you transferring?

That might help, eh? lol

My first choice is UC San Diego and if I can't go there, I would not mind attending one of the community colleges in the area.

I know mission beach is a very nice area but I don't think we could afford that area. It would be nice though.....

[dusesean1986]

Originally Posted by chetah340

Hi,

I'm a 20 y/o college student and am about 110% sure I want to transfer to a school in San Diego with my best friend from Louisiana. We used to live on the west coast and know a little about the area but not specific neighborhoods. We do not have a clue on how to look for an apartment in the city or where is a good place to live. I have a car so distance between school and an apartment wouldn't be too big of a problem. We're both employed, in school, and trying to save up money. We thought about making the move next fall but I would really like to be there this upcoming August.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated!

You should do it. It will definently be a cultural experience for you coming from Louisiana. There's alot of young people in California from all over the United States. Yesterday, there was a young guy in line for food from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Let me remind you, lol, if you think Louisiana is diverse with high levels of African American concentrations, you haven't seen anything. If you do come, you will quickly notice latinos, blacks, asians, and whites in high numbers soon after stepping off the plane. We don't have humid summers, they are dry. UC San Diego is a huge party school from what I hear. Mission Beach is a nice area. I think you will like San Diego, and by the way, it's only 10 minutes from the U.S.-Mexico Border. The beaches are exceptional, no offense but you will soon succumb to the fact this ain't the Gulf of Mexico. We have waves, unless most of the East Coast or Gulf of Mexico. It will be different, you should definently make the trip, San Diego is awesome. I'm in the same boat, I've been in California for all twenty years, and I want to see the rest of the United States.

Peace.

[kettlepot]

A correction to what Dussean said, it's San Diego State University that's the party school.

UC San Diego is actually quite difficult to get into, so top notch grades and scores will be necessary for you to get into that school.

Also, be prepared to pay out of state tuition. It might be to your benefit to sit out a semester to establish instate residency first. Out of state tuition is about 3 times the cost of instate tuition.

You might also consider Clairemont as a lower cost alternative to the beach communities if money becomes an issue. It's directly inland from Pacific Beach. The beach communities will definitely be more 'happening' but if that doesn't pan out, try Clairemont. It's also close to Mesa Community College.

There are two other community colleges within the city, and a couple of more elsewhere in the county.

[chetah340]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

A correction to what Dussean said, it's San Diego State University that's the party school.

UC San Diego is actually quite difficult to get into, so top notch grades and scores will be necessary for you to get into that school.

Also, be prepared to pay out of state tuition. It might be to your benefit to sit out a semester to establish instate residency first. Out of state tuition is about 3 times the cost of instate tuition.

You might also consider Clairemont as a lower cost alternative to the beach communities if money becomes an issue. It's directly inland from Pacific Beach. The beach communities will definitely be more 'happening' but if that doesn't pan out, try Clairemont. It's also close to Mesa Community College.

There are two other community colleges within the city, and a couple of more elsewhere in the county.

How long do I have to wait to be considered 'in state?' I wouldn't mind working for a few months to get cheaper tuition.

I'm very very used to diversity, dusesean1986. That's why I want to come back to the west coast. Everyone is much more open and used to different people.I love balboa park and the zoo. They are such beautiful landmarks.

Now about those party schools....j/k.

[kettlepot]

I don't know how long it takes to get in state tuition. It wasn't an issue that I faced. Sorry. Anyone else out there, do you know?

[dusesean1986]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

A correction to what Dussean said, it's San Diego State University that's the party school.
.

Thanks, both are party schools, just like almost every college, but you are right SDSU is a crazy party school!

[Sassberto]

It takes one year to get CA state residency (typically based on your driver's license date).

SDSU is the party school, but depending on your major, it may be a better choice than UCSD. UCSD is superior for Engineering and Biology, but SDSU is superior for Business (they have an excellent internation business program) and liberal arts.