I want to hear from people who transferred to Cal Poly what they think is the ideal place to live, whether that be on campus or off campus. I would prefer to live in apartments where I could meet people, have my own bedroom, as opposed to a house where partying may not be optional on those nights I just need to study. Any recommendations? What is more ideal, off campus or on campus apartments? I would like to be living somewhere where I can meet people in a similar situation.
I’m also considering attending Cal Poly in the Fall and think this is a great idea for a thread! Have you made a decision regarding your housing?
Are any transfers going to live in PCV and looking to choose their roommates?
We have till May 8 to update our housing app with requests to be grouped with specific roommates. I’m hoping to find a few like-minded transfers who don’t stay up late partying when we have studying to do.
do you mean suite mates or actual roommates? I am considering transferring there and living in pcv but I’m not sure that I want a roommate. What kind of person are you looking for?
In PCV, how many students they put in an apartment isn’t up to us, so while I am thinking suite mates, it could become roommates.
I’m a quiet guy studying computer engineering, introverted but friendly, and I don’t care to party. I enjoy hiking, chess, and programming. An ideal suitemate/roommate would be similarly studious and neat, quiet at night (I’m a light sleeper), and maybe have some common interest. No weed/vape in the apartment.
I’m a transfer student (EE) graduating in June. I’ve been here 3 years now and pretty much all of the transfers I’ve met have lived off campus. Not sure what your age group is, but being older I just didn’t want to put up with student housing and all of the headaches that come with it. For one, the internet is terrible.
What you need to do is start searching Craiglist, NOW. When I transferred in, I searched Craigslist and had a lease signed in March starting in June for 1 room in a 4 bed house just off campus. I stayed here the entire time and loved the convenience of being both close to campus (biking distance) and downtown (Uber is still best). Might sound weird looking in Craigslist, but everyone who has seen my place agrees its the best student house they’ve been in. Hence staying here in the same place…
You’ll have roommates regardless of being on or off campus, which hopefully you’ll get along with and maybe have some fun nights in the house or going downtown. I also was afraid of not being able to socialize as easily being off campus and it turned out to be not a problem at all.
Where NOT to live off campus? Let’s start with the atrocious apartments Mustang Village and Stenner Glen. Valencia seems to be somewhat acceptable, but I would recommend against.Apartments in general are tough to find, so again, search Craigslist for rooms in houses. Stay away from Hathway St. area if you don’t want noise and drunk frat guys walking down the street knocking mirrors off your car.
I would say you’ll pay less for a room in a nice house than you would Cal Poly housing in general. Probably much less, but the rent around increases at a rate that significantly exceeds inflation; but don’t be fooled, that’s also driven by Cal Poly raising the prices for student housing on campus.
Any other specific questions feel free to ask.
Hello, sparkle of sunshine here to shine on your day.
On-campus: Poly Canyon Village (PCV) - you’ll have floor RA’s, it’s mostly freshman, good way to meet people, slightly expensive
Off-campus: Mustang Village or Abbott Apartments - both are next to campus, affordable, no RA’s, quiet, lowest security deposits. Mustang has laundry rooms, security, pools, a gym, and a study room BTW; however, parking costs $550+ for a spot and they DO tow everyday
I have lived in Mustang Village for four years and lived in the dorms freshman year. Call soon if you want to get a spot. Be prepared to spend $800-$1200 for anywhere really.
I don’t recommend Stenner Glenn (now called The SLO); it is a huge party atmosphere and requires an over-priced meal plan.