<p>Hey guys.
I'm from NY and I hope to attend college in the West Coast (USC, UCLA).</p>
<p>So for you NY->CA or CA->NY people, I was just wondering how much you guys pay for airfare and such every year?</p>
<p>I'm sure you guys go back at least two-three times annually, so how much is everythin?</p>
<p>I was estimating and wouldn't it be definitely less than $1500 if you buy in advance (2-3+ months)? If so, that seems like a reasonable price and I don't see why so many people tell me it'll be so expensive to travel back and forth. Am I overlooking something?</p>
<p>It seems reasonable to you, but some people look at that as alot of money that can easily be saved by going to a school within 6 hrs driving distance or so. If you spend an average of 1500 a year for 4 years of college, that's $6,000 extra that you're spending on college in total. But, I think you can spend less than $1500 per year...
Ticket #1) Leave to go to school in August, come back for Thanksgiving. $300 or so.
Ticket #2) Leave to go to school right after Thanksgiving, come back winter break. $300 or so
Ticket #3) Leave to go to school right after Winter Break, come back at either spring break, or after the school year is over. Coming home for spring break would cost an extra $300 or so.</p>
<p>If you don't come back for spring break, figure airfare would cost about $900 per year as long as you remember to always get roundtrip tickets. I'm not in college yet, but don't people usually stay at school and party non-stop during spring break?? Also, are there any other breaks I'm missing? I don't think so...</p>
<p>I went to LA a few summers ago, and the tickets were about $300. On priceline, I looked at a random date (Jan to May roundtrip) and they had tickets for $299 which is pretty reasonable.</p>
<p>I do DC to LA and back. Tickets for me run about 250 r/t (jetBlue) for all breaks except spring break. Spring break tix are always more expensive, at 300 r/t. If you do come to USC, be advised that our "Thanksgiving Break" officially starts on Thanksgiving day itself; there are still classes the day before. Plus since we have only 2 1/2 weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter breaks (less if you have earlier final exams), I decided to stay put here for Thanksgiving rather than travel home.</p>
<p>Wow, does USC not care about the fact that kids come from all over the country (or even northern Cali) to go to USC?? That's really inconvinient, but I guess it's not the worst thing in the world to stay at school for Turkey Day.</p>
<p>I am also considering making the big transition from NY to LA for college. Besides the price, do any of you guys have any comments on the lifestyle changes? I'm a little scared that it will be complete culture shock, and I'm interested to hear what your experiences were. Thanks!</p>
<p>Awwwwww USC is actually my #1 choice.
Thanksgiving break starts on the day itself? Wow that sucks.
Anyway, that won't deter me from wanting to go there. =P</p>
<p>Oh, and what Dawn said.
Oh one majorrr question for you NY->CA people.
In NY, well the city at least, we don't really need cars. This is the total opposite in Cali, no? So did you guys get a car or...what?</p>