<p>Hi, im trying to decide between UCSD & UCSB. I have heard that UCSD is very overcrowded, and that you’ll basically only be able to be on campus your freshman year unless you get lucky and get lotterey for sophmore apartments. Is it hard to stay on campus after freshman year? And if you have to move out, does being further away from campus affect your experience negatively?</p>
<p>I don't know who told you that but they're dead wrong. UCSD has a large (greater than 1000 acres) campus and housing for freshmen is guaranteed for two years. </p>
<p>If you move out (which most people do) to the apartments near or on the school grounds you'll experience will be the same, if not better. Most people like having the ability to have more room, better roommates, and the ability to throw parties and have alcohol. None of which is available in the res halls.</p>
<p>UC campus sizes:</p>
<p>UC-Davis -- 5993 acres
UC-Merced -- 2000 acres + 20K-25K acres reserved for conservation
UC-Santa Cruz -- 2000 acres
UC-San Diego -- 1976 acres
UC-Irvine -- 1477 acres
UC-Berkeley -- 1232 acres
UC-Riverside -- 1200 acres
UC-Santa Barbara -- 989 acres
UC-Los Angeles -- 419 acres</p>
<p><a href="http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/selecting/housing.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/selecting/housing.html</a>
Heh, i guess i was misinformed; thanks for that. But anyways, is affordable housing in La Jolla nonexistent? Because im coming from OOS and wont have a car, so evenetually when i move off campus i'd like to stay within a close distance. No 15-20 minute drive commutes. Is this possible? Because i know at Santa Barbara, Isla Vista is basically right next to the school so i wouldnt have to bike more than 15 minutes at most to get to class.</p>