Which is the best place in California to live and attend College ?

Question

I will be going to college in california this fall... I will be out of state but the out of state tutition is just as expensive in state at schools in Missouri. I have always wanted to move to Califronia to live.

I am flying out in June to get a better look at all the place but here is the main places I am considering.

SAN DIEGO -> San Diego State
LOS ANGELES -> California State in Northridge (San Fernando Valley)
LONG BEACH -> California State in Long Beach
SACRAMENTO -> California State in Sacramento

California Sate in Northridge is the only university that I am accepted into for the Fall semester (the one approaching), all the others I would have to wait till Spring and just attend Community College in a nearby community by the University.

I am trying to decide whats the best place to go and why?
I heard some amazing things about LA and then some bad... basically I am wanting a nice place to enjoy with things to do and a good cultural background city.

Thanks

Answer 1

Wow--well what factors are you counting? B/c cost of living in Cali is a big one. The cost of tuition may be around the same gas, food, and rent definitely aren't.

San Diego is absolutely gorgeous. It is one of the most beautiful places in the US.

Sacramento is completely different. A lot smaller feel, much more rural. Yes I know its a huge city with pop over 2 mil but I'm talking about right outside the city and the feel of a place. It just feels like a smaller place. The northern half of the state is filled with state parks, and outdoor activities--not too terribly far from Yosemite. It would definitely feel more like home to you.

I'd avoid LA like the plague. I went on a tour of LA and Hollywood on my way down to San Diego (flight problems due to winter weather--they could fly me to LAX but I'd have to wait til the next day to go to San Diego--so I went on to LAX)--and wow. LA is exactly what someone would remember when Harry Potter's dementors are after you. It sucks the life out of you and when you are leaving, and you see the dark line of smog ahead...and just past that the ray of sun leading you to San Diego-- it's like a religious experience. The light at the end of the tunnel. I've never been so happy as when I passed out of the smog line.

I don't know anything about Long Beach though. So I can't tell if its far enough away from LA or not.

If I were you, I'd make this decision on the schools themselves. Do they offer different majors? Have you toured any of them? Do you get a feeling of the people that go there? What is their number of commuters vs people that live on campus? What is the rate of entering freshmen that graduate? Crime on campus? Athletics at the school? Greek life? All those sorts of things are more important to your college experience. You will be spending more time with the other students than with the surrounding area.

Personally I'd take a trip out there b/t now and spring. You can easily see LA, Long Beach, and San Diego in a long w/e. They aren't but a few hours apart. Hang out 1 day on each campus--get a real feel, talk to the other students. You'd have to hold off on Sacramento.

Check out what wiki says on each city
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Beach%2C_CA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles

Answer 2

San Diego

San Diego is a great place to live. It is a big city, but nothing like the sprawl of LA. There are lots of things to do and a great climate.

It would be a no brainer for me. But, I live in San Diego and like most people here, would not even think of living in LA. I never even go there.

There are some other nice places to go to school in California. Look into Sant Cruz.

Answer 3

Out of those 4 I would definitely go with San Diego State. But I would go to Chico State if I were you. It way up North past Sacramento but its a really awesome college and its nice. It has a party reputation but its still worth the money. They might still be accepting for fall too. Call the admissions department.

Answer 4

I went to San Diego State and loved it. Visit this website for more on San Diego and things to do there: http://www.sandiego-romantics.com