I have an "easy" question for the LA area people:

Where are the "safer" places to live? You know, the places where you won't be shot at/mugged if you set foot outdoors.

The "bad" places exist everywhere from what I've seen. Even lived in the bad places in two towns... don't care to repeat that.

I have an "easy" question for the LA area people:

Where are the "safer" places to live? You know, the places where you won't be shot at/mugged if you set foot outdoors.

The "bad" places exist everywhere from what I've seen. Even lived in the bad places in two towns... don't care to repeat that.

:) LA area as in LA proper, or LA County? Can you give some more specific boundaries?

Well, no place is completely perfect (I've heard of people getting hijacked in Beverly Hills).

That said, I'd recommend anything West of La Brea, particularly once you get West of Fairfax. That leaves you anything from Santa Monica to West Hollywood.

The Valley is pretty milquetoast, too, so long as you're careful about where you live in North Hollywood. Stick with Studio City and Sherman Oaks if you live over the hill.

Of course, rents are much higher in most of these areas, with a surprising amount of variance if you look around.

Thanks epski!

(boundaries were just around the Los Angeles area :))

I'll be taking a trip to San Diego over the holidays. Can anyone recommend some good vegan eats?

Check Happy Cow. I haven't actually eaten in San Diego since becoming vegan!

Mao's Kitchen in Venice just a block from the ocean has vegan menu items marked vegan right on the menu. And also they have toasted grain tea.

The restaurant is omnivorous.
:sunny:

Hi everyone :hi:

I am moving to California this summer! I'm really excited.

I am looking for schools there right now... is there anyone here who knows much about the California college scene? I have a few questions.

Thanks

Sure what questions do you have? Moving to southern CA or Northern? I live in southern so I can answer all your questions about colleges in so cal.

I live in Southern CA, too, and would be happy to help you out if you're looking at this half of the state. :)

Northern California here if you have any questions....

I went to UCLA, and reviewed Berkeley, Santa Cruz and Pepperdine.

My wife studies at USC.

Let me know if any of those are in your search range and what you want to know.

Oh yeah, good idea listing what colleges you know epski...

I went to UCSB (Santa Barbara) and am now attending Pepperdine.

My finace is going to UCI (Irivne)

So if you are thinking of any of those areas, let me know.

Hey Strawberry, where in Michigan are you moving from? I went to college at Grand Valley State University near Grand Rapids. Welcome to California from an ex-midwesterner!

Rare Hero

As for Cali. colleges and Universities I would reccomend against San Jose State. I did my graduate work there and though the program was great the administrative and burecratic aspects suck monkey butt.

Me: Hi I got this bill post marked a week after it was due.
SJSU window teller: Ok, but I have to add a $50 late fee
Me: Why should I pay a late fee when you didn't even mail it till after the bill was due?
SJSU window teller: Maybe it took to long to get to your house?
Me: I live down the friggin block!!!!!!

this is only one example of the fun I has there.

Headed out to San Fran for New Year's Eve Dead show...what's the temp like this time of year? And, if you only had 10 hours to sight see in San Fran, what would be your MUST dos?

Temp lately has been like in the 40's and 50's for highs. There has been a lot of dense fog, and rain the last few days, so you may want to bring a warm coat. As far as must dos..... I always like going to berkely and shopping there, it kinda has this college/hippy vibe there. Also hang along the warf and look out at the waters and bridge is always one of my fav. things to do.

Anyone affected by the earthquake yesterday? It was felt here in L.A. -- a 6.5 -- but I hadn't the foggiest :) Must have run right through it instead of sleep right through them, like I usually do :)
Hope everyone is okay...

Not far from me, but I didnt feel it. I heard some of the people in high buildings here in Sacramento felt it a lil.

<------in NYC right now.

Hi everyone :hi:

I am moving to California this summer! I'm really excited.

I am looking for schools there right now... is there anyone here who knows much about the California college scene? I have a few questions.

Thanks

I go to UC San Diego...personally I hate it...sorry not to be encouraging :-/ UCSD has a nickname - UC Socially Dead, and it fits really well. The first two years I was there were spent trying to transfer out. When that didn't work, I studied abroad for two years...and now I'm trying to get out as fast as I can...11 weeks to go!

However, I have a lot of friends that love it, and I like the people I've met there. It has a great veggie coop, and a vegan buffet once a week. Its by the beach, close to mexico. There's not a lot to do if you're under 21 though. My first year I watched a lot of movies. My distaste for the place stems mostly from a lot of hassles I've had over my major, for one reason or another.

in general though, I think the CA schools are pretty good. I've not had much experience with the states, only with the UCs. My brother is a freshman at Irvine, and he loves it.

My advice would be: if you know what you want to major in...for goodness sake put it on the application. There are majors at some of the UCs that they won't let you into after you get it - particularly engineering related...and they don't tell you this beforehand.

Clairebear, thats funny. Most of the people I know hate UCSD too. I know somebody who just dropped out this year in her 3rd year. Didn't even wait to transfer. I also know a few people at UC Santa Barbara who transfered from ucsd. Good luck with your remaining quarter!

UCSB is an awsome school. Especially if you want to do something like Environmental Studies or Geology. They have top rated programs and since the school is on the beach (literaly) we speant our time in Geology labs doing things at the beach plus its a 5-10minute drive to the mountains. I miss our field trips!

Okay. Sorry, didn't mean to advertise it, but I really miss it. Living in Orange County sucks!

That's such a shame. If I hadn't gone to England, I'd have gone to Riverside...or dropped out. I hope the person you know has found a way to finish their degree, or do something else that makes them happy.

I do know people who are happy there, but I also know a lot of people for whom it was a good fit when they started out there...but it's not been a good place to grow. I was talking to a friend who I've known since freshman year a few weeks ago - about this, and how UCSD was great for him 4 years ago. He's changed a lot in 4 years and its just not the place for him anymore. He told me he didn't think it had ever been the place for me...and unfortunately, he's right

The girl who dropped out plans on applying to cal state long beach for the fall. I think she was homesick. Still, after 2.5 years.

Studying abroad sounds like fun. :) I'm guessing you don't plan on sticking around San Diego when you graduate?

erm...nope...

I have no idea where I'll end up though. Probably back in San Jose for a while (where my parents are). Eventually I'd like to go back to England I think (which is where I'm originally from...so I wasn't studying abroad as such ;) )

Studying abroad was great. Everyone should try it!! :sunny: