College Grad couple one going to School one in SD one in LA, where to live? (Los Angeles: apartment)

[kosbor4]

I'm planning to go to Grad school soon in San Diego, well UCSD in La Jolla actually. Other half is needs to be in LA,( I think the school is south of city center). To make the commute to school "fair" and to save on rent, we want to live somewhere in between. Somewhere cheap-ish, but not 'scary' you know? Where we could both get to school relatively easily. We are self-supported students and need jobs, very preferably in the same place/town/area as the apartment, to pay for said apartment. Advice?

[cruitr]

What kind of jobs are you qualified to do?

[lrmsd]

This is a tough one...but if the LA half of you could commute a little further than the SD half...I would say look at Carlsbad and Encinitas, both of which are north county coastal SD.

If you feel orange county would be better (I think SD would be easier/more optimal for 2 grad students, lifestyle and stress wise, personally), then look at Seal Beach or Laguna Niguel. And also Costa Mesa, as it's right on the 5. Read the threads on CD for these towns.

You can check chamber of commerce and craig's list for all of these places, to get an idea.
btw, with carlsbad, you will prob. find Oceanside comes up alot,next town over-avoid it! And avoid Vista. Stick with Carlsbad and Encinitas.

[NYSD1995]

Can't be done. One will have to make a tradeoff. Carlsbad is about the only option you have, and it's not a good one (2 hour drive to LA in traffic is the norm). San Diego is not commutable to Los Angeles on a daily basis. A few days a week, maybe, even then, it sucks.

[sfosyd]

If the school is in downtown LA, I think the train is the only option for commuting. As Sassberto says, driving is a no go. The train goes along the San Diego coast and then veers inland following the 5 and not the 405. Costa Mesa, Seal Beach and other coastal northern orange county towns are not good options at all. I'd recommend San Clemente (expensive) and Oceanside (much cheaper, relatively safe west of the 5). Carlsbad is a decent option too but also expensive and much closer to La Jolla.

Try to get a place within walking/biking distance of the train station. You can also get to UCSD via the coaster train (they run free shuttles). This is a option as parking at UCSD is at least $1000 a year or $80 a month for a grad student. If you factor in gas and wear and tear, it is much cheaper than driving and obviously much less headache.