<p>Hi everyone! The thread I started about Amtrak and busses to CPSLO, has become a really great discussion about housing. I thought we should continue with this topic here, so people don’t miss it. </p>
<p>Let’s keep in mind that every student is different and they have different opinions about the dorms. Try to stay positive. All of the dorms are social and have great features. What we are hoping to do here is talk about the different choices so students can make the right decision for them.</p>
<p>Great thread, momofmv. I don’t think anyone can go wrong no matter where they ultimately end up. There’s definitely an opportunity to meet friends all over campus and in every living environment.</p>
<p>yes, that is true. I know a student there right now and he had a micro/fridge as part of the room. His room is pretty large and he looks out onto the lawn where students often walk and play frisbee and such. He likes it there because it can be quiet when he needs to study, yet friendly too. He can visit Santa Lucia for more social life. they can use the community room there. My son has chosen Cerro first and then North Mountain. They are pretty nice.</p>
<p>I highly recommend that you check this out. A friend told me about this student insurance AFTER my older son had things stolen on spring break. It is excellent insurance. They replaced my friend’s son’s $2500 photo lens that was broken.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the link. I will talk with my husband and look into it for sure. My son will have a very nice guitar and amp as well as his computer stuff in his room.</p>
<p>Does Cal Poly offer insurance? My daughter (at Cornell) was offered a renter’s/dorm insurance for a very reasonable rate this year, through school. Last year, I got her a rider on the home policy for kids at college - also reasonable. I think it’s a great idea to do this, just for peace of mind.</p>
<p>S requested Santa Lucia, then North Mountain (he is going to be engineering student). Is Santa Lucia one of the “red Brick” dorms talked about on cc? If you don’t want a triple are you assured of not getting one? I have heard a lot of positives about the North Mountain Dorms–although there are also triple rooms there too. S is very tall and can’t imagine him in room with two others with space issues. Would appreciate any feedback.</p>
<p>Santa Lucia is the Red Bricks and I have heard that those are the ones that can be tripled. Didn’t know that about North Mountain.</p>
<p>My son is tall too and he felt very claustrophobic in the red bricks. North Mountain was bigger and didn’t have the narrow hallways. Some kids love the hallways though!
My son likes the space in the Cerro apartments. they are newer and seemed better designed for tall people! Higher ceilings and space.</p>
<p>S has never been inside any dorm. Was influenced by tour guide of engineering school that told us it was definitely an advantage to live with other engineering students. The tour guide chose to live with liberal arts majors and regretted it bc he could not access help from other engineering students. S likes the idea of the lounge in Santa Lucia, but I understand that the North Mountain students hang out there too. S called the housing office and the nice student that answered the phone said she had a triple in North Mountain her freshman year and loved it. She told him about big windows and nice view, etc. S does not want single living in suite his first year bc he wants to make friends, although I understand that they are quite nice. Its a trade off for him I guess. Wish he could have gone to the open house to be better informed, but I guess it will be a learning experience no matter where you live! :)</p>
<p>One other mention–the student that he spoke to said that this year was different bc there is more dorm space available this year than in previous years–he didn’t think to ask why. I can only presume that it is bc of budget cutbacks and decreased admits (bc no spring admits?)?? Still did not say that he would not get triple in either living situation.</p>
<p>Hi ss1202! I think this year there are more spots because Poly Canyon has opened up. The North mountain dorms are bigger rooms and they do have a nice large window. They are wide rooms, not long and narrow. </p>
<p>As for the single living dorms, they really aren’t singles. they are apartments with 4 students. Each student has their own bedroom, but they have 3 roommates to live with. It may not be a social as the dorms with the inner hallways, but the students there make plenty of friends too. We have been in all of the dorms and they all seem to be nice places. the students are very positive about the places they live in. At Cerro the students love the apartments and have lots of social interaction. They can leave their room door open. They also have a way to have privacy and the ability to cook and hangout with roommates. </p>
<p>I think students will make friends in any environment. The dorms will be the most social to be sure. North Mountain and the apartments will be a little quieter. I do agree that being around some engineering students would be good for studying and help. It is also nice to be around people with other majors. You will be around plenty of engineering students in your classes and can make study groups from there. My son hopes to have a mix of engineering majors and other majors as roomamtes and friends.</p>
<p>Sorry you can’t go to Open House to visit. I hope the posts here help your son with his decision. I am sure any of the living arrangements will workout for him.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information. It seems like they all have advantages. I appreciate all input! Will pass it on to S, but ultimately he makes the decision–a good thing! :)</p>
<p>My sons (Materials Eng. and Comp Sci) got advice similar to your son, and both chose Santa Lucia (Engineering LLP dorm, red brick with interior halls). Both wanted double occupancy, but the older (MatE) one was tripled. Yes, it was tight quarters, but he had a fun year anyway. He got along fine with both of his roommates, but did not really “click” with either one of them. He did however, “click” with several guys (all engineers) on his hall, and by February there were 5 of them that wanted to live together the next year in Poly Canyon. Now as a 3rd year student, he still lives with 4 other guys from his hall freshman year in Santa Lucia. They now live in a house about a mile from campus and they seem very happy there.</p>
<p>Son #2 (now a freshman) got only 1 roommate in Santa Lucia, and they get along great. They have decided to live together next year in Poly Canyon, but they aren’t sure who else they will share an apartment with. They have until June to request additional roommates. </p>
<p>I think Santa Lucia was a good choice for my boys who are not into partying, or chasing girls. They are not really “out-doorsy” guys either. I think they mostly like video games, music, movies, books, and just hanging out. There are lots of guys like them in Santa Lucia! Also, all the people in Santa Lucia have to study alot and do lots of difficult school work, so they can help each other and not have to be jealous of hall mates that have way lighter loads. :/</p>
Also, all the people in Santa Lucia have to study alot and do lots of difficult school work, so they can help each other and not have to be jealous of hall mates that have way lighter loads. :/</p>