<p>^^I posted it on the parents forum because it was a feature story on the front page of the Sunday edition of the Los Angeles Times, a major newspaper, about trends and expectations in college life, how the colleges and companies are seeking to respond to changes, and how these changes are affecting the expenses of both parents and the schools. If this is something that is not of interest to parents of college kids, please forgive me for having misjudged that.</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>As the erratum states, Camino Del Sol is at UC Irvine, not Riverside. It is an official part of UCI’s housing system and is located on campus. But it is managed by a private company much the same way university food service is often managed by private catering companies at many schools.</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>I don’t see a single line in the article where USC or UCLA are “blamed” for anything. I think the main point being made by the article was to contrast the college living experiences and expectations of today’s students to that of their parents.</p>
<p>"And It is not ghetto around campus (we were told that one too). Thank goodness she judged things for herself rather than listening to all the crap out there, and found a place with the programs and atmosphere she was after. "</p>
<p>cvogue5, I agree about judging for yourself.</p>
<p>The reviews of one school we were interested mentioned a skeevey neighborhood. We visited the school and it was an area that was once very nice homes (those wonderful Craftsman type bungalows, which we love) and it looked a bit worn out, and the houses had several, not so new cars in front of them and wasn’t exactly spit and polished. But I said - hmmm - looks to me like these are ‘affordable’ rentals to students, and not a dangerous crime ridden slum area. I did not see graffiti or broken windows or abandoned cars on blocks.</p>
<p>We fell totally in LOVE with that school (did not go because it was one of those that cost a good bit more than her final choice, alas - though that’s okay as she loves her final choice) and I asked one of the kids at the audition about the surrounding area, and he confirmed exactly what I suspected - it was mostly rentals to college kids and while not country club polished, was not a slum and was absolutely as safe as the most sedate suburban quiet little neighborhood anywhere else - kids and professors out jogging and riding bikes at all hours.</p>
<p>You really do have to visit and judge for yourself - it’s good to investigate the buzz, but, check it out for yourself, always.</p>