I'm moving to LA this time next year for college. What should I expect?

Question

This time next year I'll be (hopefully if I get accepted) attending UCLA, or otherwise Loyola Marymount, but either way I'll be living in LA. I see myself probably straying from the college social scene and hanging out more in LA than on campus. What should I expect when I make the move? I've never actually been there before because I live so far away (New York) so I'm basically clueless. I'll be visiting sometime this school year though.

also: Where are the "hip" places to hang out in LA as far as UPSCALE (I stress upscale) clubs, restaurants, shopping and anything else go?

Answer 1

What do you need to know? Coming from NY it won't be as big a shock as if you moved from Iowa or something but it will still be weird. Are you from NYC or just NY? People from NYC tend to hate LA and visa versa.

Gas Prices
Currently $3.40 - $3.90

Rent
1 bedroom ranges from $700 - 1400 depending on area
2 bedroom ranges from $900 - 2200 depedning on area
Average 1 bedroom is probably $1100, average 2 bedroom probably $1500

Bills
Are suposed to be a little higher than average but I'm not really sure

Traffic
HORRIBLE TERRIBLE HORRIBLE . Taking the bus is many times better - and cheaper. $52 bucks a month gets you unlimited rides. And if you are going to be at UCLA and on the Westside alot then another $60 for the Santa Monica bus. IF you have a car, parking at UCLA is alot. And of course gas and insurance both are terribly expensive out here.

School
UCLA is really good. I don't know much about Marymount but I think I remember it's private making it very very expensive. UCLA is great - many call it a commuter school - meaning not very strong ties to campus. Very typical L.A. I also REALLY like USC which is near downtown and very urban. Also a bit of a commuter school but it's also private making it more expensive. I really really reccomend taking your first 2 years at a community college. It will help you with the transition to college PLUS will save you THOUSANDS. Since you are moving you will have to pay out-of-state tuition and for UCLA that will KILL you. Much better to start at a community college - get your AA degree - by that time you will qualify for in-state at UCLA and can transfer most of your credits and then only have to pay for 2 years at a big college.

I reccomend Glendale area and Glendale Community College. Glendale is a bit cheaper than the average but also very nice and very safe. Glendale / Burbank / Pasadena is the best area to live in with regards to both price and quality. Glendale has a local bus for a quarter, rent for 1 bedroom is $800-1000 with Pasadena and Burbank being about $900-1200.

Hollywood is nice if you want a bit more excitement and flavor. Hollywood ranges from really cheap to really expensive. North hollywood is really cheap $700 apartment.

UCLA area is pretty nice but really expensive unless you live on campus.


Entertainment
Hundreds of clubs, bars, strip clubs, restaurants, malls, movie theatres, complexs, fairs, festivals, events, etc.etc. It is literally IMPOSSIBLE to be bored in Los Angeles. Whatever type of person you are there is something for you. There are hundreds of different neighborhoods and they are all different in some way.

Email me if you want to know more..
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Answer 2

UCLA is a great school and a lot of fun. (I went there '98-'02.) You'll find once you start school there that you might actually enjoy the campus more than you expect. Since it is such a big campus (lots of people, not a lot of space), you'll find so much activity that you can avoid the social scene that you don't like and can find a more appealing crowd. Like everywhere in Los Angeles, Westwood isn't easy to leave without a car or a willingness to take bus rides. I thoroughly enjoyed the two years I lived on campus and would highly recommend that you give campus life a shot, but I did get sick of Westwood after that. (Though I still miss dorm food at Reiber Hall - no joke!) If you choose to live away from Westwood, I recommend living somewhere on the Big Blue Bus line (http://www.bigbluebus.com) so you can get to school easily, like West LA, Palms, or Santa Monica if you're filthy rich. Otherwise, you'll need a car, a lot of money for gas, and $8/day for parking. As of 2002, Westwood rents were around $2,100 for a nice but cramped 2-bedroom apartment (typically split among 4 students). Just a couple of miles away (I took the bus or rode my bike), the rents were $700-$1,000 for a 1-bedroom apartment. You can check out how much those estimates have gone up by checking out prices on Craigslist (http://www.craigslist.org).

LMU is also a great school. It's just south of the Marina, by Playa del Rey, so there are loads of cool places to live out there. As of 2003, my PDR rent was around $1000 for a nice 1-bedroom.

UCLA has the bigger name, but if you are lucky enough to get the choice between the two, do consider whether a private school might be a better option for you. As I've continued on in academics (masters and working on a PhD - all at California public schools), I've found that many students coming from private schools are better prepared in some subjects because they had smaller classes. Your freshman classes at UCLA will usually have 200+ students. I loved my experience at UCLA and am very glad I went there. However, my department was very small and my classes usually had fewer than 15 students, so I had a very different experience from some of my friends in the big generic "north campus" majors (humanities).

If you go to UCLA, don't forget to start establishing residency right away! Out-of-state tuition is pretty rough out here. Also, I'm going to echo what "Tasksgirl" said. Consider going to a community college for your first two years, especially since you're not after that typical college experience. Classes are smaller, tuition is insanely cheap, and there are several great community college in Los Angeles with great track records for UC transfers. Consider Santa Monica College, Pasadena City College, and Glendale Community College.

Answer 3

You will really enjoy your experience, I would check out on campus housing arrangements...jezzzz UCLA is almost in Beverly Hills so you know off campus housing ain't cheap....Loyola Marymount is right across the 405 from LAX, in kind of a rougher area, you may not want to live off campus in that neighborhood either...save your money and stay on campus for a few years is my recommendation.

Answer 4

First of all. congrats if you get in to UCLA. (I live in LA) I think this is the best school. Now about the nice places to go. I think once you get there.you will find out. I cant tell you exactly. But you should go out and see for your self. Best of luck.

Answer 5

get a concealed weapons permit.. I recommend the 45 auto with a split hollow point stinger..

Answer 6

EXPECT ALOT OF SEX