<p>I'm from San Diego, the giant, green, sunny suburb. I really like Columbia and am planning to apply there.
But I'm afraid there is a chance that the reason I am attracted to NYC is because of this rebellious pursuit for something different. At the same time, I know for sure I don't want 4 more years of suburbia life and the relative lack of culture is killing me. </p>
<p>Leaving the sunshine won't be a problem for me, but will it be hard to adjust to the big city despite my love for it?</p>
<p>So if any one of you is from California, can you talk about your experiences in NY? Why you decided to go there, how do you like it, is it the same as you imagined, etc. thanks.</p>
<p>Hey there. I'm from So Cal too and will be attending Columbia in the fall. You actually sound exactly like me. I was tired of the rather empty California and the nothing much to do life. </p>
<p>I thought leaving the sunshine wouldn't be a problem for me either, but when I visited it got really cold on one of the days. I was wearing 3 layers and was still freezing. I think I can take that trade-off though. But see for yourself.</p>
<p>Big city will take some time to adjust to, and it'll be rough. It is highly possible that I may sometimes end up wishing I were at a more laid-back and less serious, fast-paced place. But I think the opportunities, fun, experiences, and independence I will gain from it will be more than worth it. Going to NYC for these things has been my dream, and I feel that the cons will not outweigh the pros. It sounds like this is the case for you as well. I almost chose another school over Columbia, and sometimes still have doubts now about whether I made the right decision. But the fact that Columbia is in NYC, along with some other attributes, makes it a special place.</p>
<p>I strongly advise you to visit in the summer if it's financially possible. I was shocked by how gorgeous the campus was when I walked through the gates for the first time. Just know that the weather in the summer would not be representative of the general weather there.</p>
<p>Given that only a few current students post on here (and it's finals week), and that they may not be from California, I thought I'd contribute some impressions I've gotten from my son, who is a sophomore. He likes NYC and it was a big part of his choice. At the same time, during his first year, he said what he loved about the compact Columbia campus was that he could retreat into it whenever he didn't feel like dealing with the city. For him, that is the best of both worlds.</p>
<p>I know that the first year he sometimes went to plays, museums, restaurants, bars and clubs, but that he spent most of his social time closer to campus. As a sophomore, he tells me he wanders downtown more with friends on weekends. He also makes money tutoring a couple of kids in various neighborhoods and has a summer internship in midtown, so he seems quite comfortable moving about the city at this point. He's had some experiences he would only have had in New York -- bartending for a party of journalists and politicians at City Hall, being paid to critique an open studio for an artist friend, going to dances at clubs rented out by student groups, etc.</p>
<p>The dorm he is in on Broadway is noisy -- he just mentioned that he had to use ear plugs to sleep the first few weeks -- but he's gotten used to it. He dislikes the weather. He really likes Columbia. I think he's still a Californian at heart but a big part of the decision for him (besides the core curriculum, which really attracted him) was to challenge himself to move outside his comfort zone and go some place very different. He basically seems happy he made the choice he did. Hope that helps!</p>
<p>No, Carman was his first year dorm. This year he's in a dorm on Broadway and made the mistake of choosing a room too close to the street. It's a great room in terms of light and size, and his floor is quiet, but he hadn't anticipated the street noise.</p>
<p>You are correct. Some dorms are very quiet and you will have some choice.</p>
<p>Thanks brdc and sac, that was really informative and exactly what I hoped to hear.
Would you guys agree that the transition process depends more on the individual than his or her background? It's obviously silly to assume that everyone from a certain state will be the same. While California is definitely more laid-back and beach-culture-ish, I have always been more of a serious one around my friends. It's not that I can't have fun, but sometimes the apathy here disturbs me a little. I have no choice but to love California because it's home, and by necessity there is definitely a "Californian at heart" identity as sac said, but I'm hoping that I am drawn to the big city not becasue I reject California, but because I was better suited to it to begin with. </p>
<p>I have been a royal reader on this Columbia forum and have probably read every thread. The things that people didn't like about the school --not superb campus life, no excessive jock culture -- are some of the very things I like about it. Plus the Core is amazing. </p>
<p>I guess my point is that I fell in love with Columbia because of its independent, intellectual and serious atmosphere, and I'm guessing that is part of the big city as well. I would argue that SoCal is great for vacation and for people who are established enough to settle down. For kids our age though, I think it's definitely time for adventures. </p>
<p>Some people seem to suggest in the past that being a Californian is almost like a disease, and that it won't allow you to enjoy the East Coast culture, which is no uptight and intense, for lack of euphemisms. I think that's nonsense, and it seems like you guys agree too. That's really awesome, because conviction still leaves room for fear when I'm contemplating a decision that has a huge potential for change. </p>
<p>Thanks again. Anybody else? Haha by the way, California (or just San Diego) is so freaking cold this year. It's May and I am wearing a sweater, it's ridiculous.</p>
<p>Our weather isn't anything to brag about this year, is it? I had the heat on all day yesterday. </p>
<p>What you say about personality types is very much true. I'd say my son was more intense than a lot of his friends out here and fits into the intensity at Columbia very well. (Of course, you probably know how many Californians there are at Columbia. The year he started, in any case, Californians made up the second largest group, just after New York residents.) As you say, there is a lot to be gained in terms of confidence and knowing you can deal with things that may not all be easy. NYC is an adventure for sure.</p>
<p>It's also really fun. He has a good time. Among other things, one aspect of the New York and Columbia personalities that should be mentioned more often, I think, is humor. There is a really lively sense of humor on campus.</p>
<p>Good luck with your college hunt. You seem to have good instincts, and I"m sure you'll follow them.</p>