Oh good.
Well, I still hope that you can find affordable housing and daycare for your needs. Again, it would be nice if the school can be a UC, particularly where internships and jobs will be available NEARBY.
You said another CC poster had a very accurate net price calculator for UCLA as a transfer. Was that student also married?
@sugarbabies3 Does your H work over summers? If so, that can help supplement your family’s income.
@thumper1 one member is married, and the other is not, but the calculator was accurate for both.
@mom2collegekids my H works Dec-Oct every year, even while attending school. But I may be the only one working when he goes to a University because he is going into engineering, and we’d like him to focus on his schooling and internships in the summer.
Well, engineering internships are paid…
Yes, he should do internships during the summers…that’s why it’s important that the univ that he picks be commuting-distance from companies that will offer internships. It would be EXTREMELY hard and expensive for your H to find temporary housing for a summer internship (it would likely eat up more than his summer internship money).
Not to mention it would be very burdensome on you to be working full-time with 3 young kids while your H is living elsewhere. 
That’s why I’m hoping that a UC near high-tech companies will work out for you.
@sugarbabies3
UCI is well-located as far as nearby high-tech companies that offer internships. However, it may be difficult to find inexpensive housing that doesn’t require a horrible commute (traffic can be nasty around UCI).
The problem with areas around UCLA is that everything is either too expensive or not in a great area. Since you’ll have school-aged kids, good schools will be important as well.
@mom2collegekids Thanks for your info, I didn’t know that internships were paid. I always thought you had to get lucky to get a paid one.
We agree that going to an area with many high-tech companies would be a good idea. I’m liking the idea of UCLA, UCI, and UCSD. At least for the first year, I’d like us to have on-campus housing so that we are in close proximity to the college and we can get accustomed to some of the area. Even though on-campus housing can be pricey, I believe it’d be worth it since we don’t know the area.
We have been looking into elementary schools while researching colleges. More often then not, there seem to be great schools surrounding the colleges. We are looking for a Spanish Immersion program in particular, and most colleges seem to have one close by as well. Our daughter is currently in an immersion program, and we’d like to keep her in one, as we feel it is a great opportunity for her future.
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At least for the first year, I'd like us to have on-campus housing so that we are in close proximity to the college and we can get accustomed to some of the area. Even though on-campus housing can be pricey, I believe it'd be worth it since we don't know the area. <<<<
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While I can understand that thinking, moving a family of 5 each time…transfer summer, the following summer…and maybe even the next summer if a job is elsewhere would be a huge pain in the tush with 3 young kids…and very expensive. That would be a LOT of work for two parents, both working (you-job, H-internship).
Instead, try to research the areas…there should be plenty of people to ask in the UC forums so that you can transition from Tahoe to an area near a UC in a rather seamless flow.