<p>I am highly interested in applying to this school however I have concerns about the prices of things in L.A. being too expensive. I am from Chicago where I hear from outsiders that the prices here are expensive (although I am used to it so I don't really recognize this) but I hear that the prices are even worse in L.A. Could someone help me out with this with things such as how much does the average meal cost at restaurants in L.A.? How much does public transportation cost? The price of gas? Also, is it hard to find a job in L.A.?</p>
<p>We are from Seattle and honestly, I don’t see much difference in the prices between the two cities so I can give you a rundown from here. btw…4 trips over the last year, renting a car each time and eating out for all meals.</p>
<p>Average restaurant meal runs $15-$20 - this is not at a “college kids” hangout - talking nice Italian, Mexican. Steak/fish houses run $20-$40. You can pay way more if you want to but these are averages.</p>
<p>Gas right now here is about $4.25 gal. reg unleaded - was similar in LA during the trips. Public transportation is about $2.50- $3.00 here or so depending on how far on the bus. Jobs are better answered by someone local (and I’m sure you will get other figures from them as well- I am also interested in hearing the public transport costs).</p>
<p>When we stayed near USC and ate at one of the college hangouts - we thought the price was great ($5-$8 an entree?), food was about a “B” but it served the purpose for basic pasta/pizza. Place was packed with college kids so must be somewhat popular.</p>
<p>I think you can spend a lot or a little depending on what you want to do. Most prices near campus seemed reasonable (CVS, food).</p>
<p>Finding a job: depends on what you’re interested in doing/how hard you look/how prepared you are
Food: Going to Spagos? Really expensive…going to an ethnic restaurant? not so much
Apartments: We tend to be expensive but again, depends on the area/amenities/room mates etc.
Gas is expensive but no idea about public transportation</p>
<p>Cost of School: priceless (obviously depends on fa, scholarships/ parent contribution)</p>
<p>Housing is expensive. Other than that there is not all that much difference, imo. Spent last 6 years in Ohio, 10 prior to that in LA area. Gas tends to be a little higher in LA, too.</p>
<p>Okay thanks for the help. Those prices are actually pretty good. Roughly the same over here except gas is about $5.00 here lol I think we’re the most expensive in the nation.</p>
<p>how does LA compare to the Boston/cambridge area? higher or lower in general?</p>
<p>Boston/DC/NYC/SF all tend to have a higher cost of living(usually seen through apartment rental cost) than LA. I’d say Chicago is slightly cheaper than LA as far as apartments run but other living expenses are more or less the same.</p>
<p>I’m very familiar with NYC and DC and the prices overall are comparable. Apartments right around USC are expensive ($2800+ a month for a 2 bedroom/2 bath) because they take advantage of the fact that most of us NEED to live in this area. Food, I think, is cheaper. Sales tax is crazy high but you get used to it. Public transportation is about the same. I think the metro bus is $1.50?</p>
<p>You can find a student job (with or without work study) easily just go to the job fair they have at the beginning of the year.</p>
<p>A lot of these responses don’t seem catered to what you’d have to pay for things being at student at USC. Yes, certain parts of LA living are pricey but are you realistically going to be living on your own in Beverly Hills and eating out in West Hollywood every night while you’re a USC student? Probably not.</p>
<p>The short of it is that LA (and California in general) are more pricey than say, the midwest. But I have also discovered since graduating that LA is MUCH less expensive that New York City and San Francisco. So, there is that.</p>
<p>RESTAURANTS: There’s lots of cheap eats around campus pretty much everything from fast food to casual dining. Most of the non-fast food joints popular with students that aren’t USC owned (La Barca, Pasta Roma, Bacaro, La Taquiza, etc) will run anywhere from $5-$15. (Alcohol not included in that estimate.) Taco trucks are considerably cheap options (~$1 a taco) and the farmer’s markets near campus offer affordable fresh fare.</p>
<p>FOOD: Produce is VERY cheap in California. Groceries are average. You won’t be paying $8 for a box of cereal like you would in NY. I was just in Texas and the prices at their grocery store were about what I pay here.</p>
<p>RENT: Sadly, a lot of housing around USC has inflated rent. The nicer buildings and safer areas will be more pricey than similarly-styled units in safe residential areas of LA. North of campus, a one bedroom apartment will run around $1200-$1500 a month, two bedrooms usually around $2000-3000. West of campus, there are cheaper options, but please take the safety of that area into consideration. Usually, you will share a bedroom, which will cut down on costs. I paid $900 a month to have my own bedroom in a house my senior year.</p>
<p>Outside of USC, it depends on the area you live after graduating if you decide to stay. Rent in places like Silver Lake, Los Feliz and Culver City (popular with recent grads) will be cheaper or around the same as USC but you’ll find the apartments are nicer. I live in a two bedroom bungalow in Silver Lake and our rent is $1600. (Compare that to my cockroach infested 2 bedroom apartment at USC that we paid $2400 for…and my friend’s two bedroom in Brooklyn that costs $4000 and isn’t much different than my place in LA. Yikes!)</p>
<p>PUBLIC TRANSIT: It’s pretty affordable, but I haven’t used it in a while. I think they raised the day pass price to $5? Either way, that’s about what you’d pay in any other large city. The new Metro line will make things so easy for students. I’m going to take it to campus in the fall instead of paying $400 for my on campus parking pass.</p>
<p>GAS: It sucks and it’s always expensive here. Luckily by USC, the prices are slightly cheaper than they are on LA’s Westside. Right now, regular is about $4.19-$4.30 a gallon. It’s always high in the summer.</p>