<p>I am currently considering living off campus because I think that the meal plans that UCSD has to offer are really overpriced and not enough to last me the entire year. I have found cheaper housing option of campus, and I think that I could make it the by the entire year without taking out a single loan. However, I'm afraid I regret living off campus since I feel like I will miss out on so many college opportunities and social events. I feel like I will live the life of a hermit in my apartment, only making a few friends here and there. Will I missed out on a lot?</p>
<p>It really depends on what you value most. I decided to live off campus because I really wanted to have my own room, and because I’m older than most people who would be staying in the dorms. If you do decide to live in apartments, I would look for a large complex designed for students. That way you still get some of the dorm like atmosphere. I was lucky to find a complex that has a good sense of community and social atmosphere. However it is more expensive than living on campus would be. I just couldn’t see myself sharing a small room with 1 or 2 other people. If you really want to live in a dorm though and the only thing making you consider an apartment is the price, I would go with the dorm. You only get this experience once. Besides, the difference could only be a couple thousand dollars at most right? I’m surprised you found housing cheaper than the dorms.</p>
<p>They have that new transfer complex over there that seems really nice. </p>
<p>Here it is. I checked into it when my daughter was considering UCSD:
<a href=“http://hdh.ucsd.edu/thevillage/”>http://hdh.ucsd.edu/thevillage/</a></p>
<p>Being isolated all by yourself in an apt is not such a great idea if you want the American pie experience.</p>
<p>@music1990 I can save like 7000$ by living off campus. I am very good with managing my money. 
</p>
<p>@linkyk8 I think the worst out come would be if I decided to live on campus, and I still manage to be a hermit. For some reason, I suck at socializing! I really only want to live on campus because of the socializing. </p>
<p>If you are getting aid, you take a severe hit if you live off campus. So the difference usually becomes negligible. Even if it is $2000 more, you are still getting food. </p>
<p>At Berkeley the aid went down like $5000, same with UCLA. </p>
<p>@CSB111 DAAAAMNNNNN That much? Do you mind telling me how much they were offering before ?</p>
<p>Oh ok then, never mind. After doing some research, it seems like the take away grant aid first, so the cost of attending to the student remains the same.</p>
<p>Yeah one the reasons I didn’t go to Berkeley was you got hosed on the housing. You could either stay in a dorm and get food with it but be with freshman, or live off campus or in their off campus apartments, and end up paying the same or more without food. UCLA is the same way, but I knew I’d live on campus and the housing is a lot cheaper anyways. </p>
<p>I guess it depends if you feel like you are throwing free money away, which is how I felt. </p>
<p>@CSB111 Wait, you’re living on campus, right?</p>
<p>@CollegeDropout1 Yup. </p>
<p>No, I could’ve lived near campus on UCLA but I chose not to. Why would I want to be near school 24/7? When I get home, school is the last thin on my mind. </p>
<p>@Tik1127 </p>
<p>But it’s UCLA, lol</p>
<p>Well, I just decided to live off campus. </p>
<p>I meant on campus, hahaha</p>
<p>@Cayton </p>
<p>Whenever I get home, I make it a habit that I put away my books and anything that will remind me of school. I make sure I am done with everything before going home. Every now and then, I’ll review notes, but that’s it. </p>
<p>I have enjoyed Sunset and Hollywood for the last decade, you guys have fun, lol.</p>
<p><a href=“https://students.ucsd.edu/finances/financial-aid/budgeting/undergrad-2014-15.html”>https://students.ucsd.edu/finances/financial-aid/budgeting/undergrad-2014-15.html</a> indicates that the off-campus budget is $1,630 lower than the on-campus budget at UCSD.</p>
<p>
because that’s where the other students tend to cluster?</p>
<p>Live on campus or very near. You’ll be spending late nights at the library and all the student organizations meetings happen in the evening. </p>
<p>@mikemac
Hmm, that’s not really my forte anymore. If you are talking about partying and whatnot, those days are pretty much behind me. I’ve spent enough times at bars and clubs in Hollywood, and Vegas. You kids have a good time. </p>
<p>For me, it’s worth it. I don’t think you can really get into the spirit and “home” atmosphere if you don’t live on campus/very near. </p>