<p>So my fiance and I are currently finishing up our associate’s degrees at our local community college (in FL) and we’re getting ready to transfer, possibly as early as Summer 2014 or as late as Spring 2015. The reason for this is, with the economy being the way it is, we’d like to establish ourselves in the town before diving back into school, and we also wanted to take time off to plan our wedding.</p>
<p>We’ve both been set on UCF for about two years. He intends to major in psychology and is a decent student (2.85 gpa) and I’m going into English with a concentration in creative writing (3.94 gpa). I’ve heard good things and bad things about these departments in UCF but we chose it more for the location than the potential academics. We love Orlando, especially the music scene, and UCF just felt like a good fit for us (on our admittedly very brief visit).</p>
<p>The thing is, Orlando is expensive! The more I search for apartments (which is a given, as there is no married student housing at UCF), the more I clench my teeth in fear! I guess what I’d really like to know is, how does USF, UCF, and FSU compare on the “livability” factor? Tuition is one thing, but we’d kind of like to be able to feed ourselves too! Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Hmm…I wonder why parent2noles would only link to FSU?? :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about FSU. USF I would say is cheaper than UCF. You’re able to go beachside and downtown for some pretty cheap and fun options. There are nice apartments near USF, but, as usual, the nice ones are a bit expensive.</p>
<p>bewitching, honestly you have a great GPA and should look into University of Florida. Its a powerhouse program, well known. And its extremely inexpensive, the one thing you might not like is the location. However the strong academic reputation and career services make up for it.</p>
<p>Maybe Florida’s state universities are too inexpensive. State budget cuts the past few years have really hurt all of Florida’s public universities. It is a fine line balancing both access to public higher education and the quality of public higher education.</p>
<p>Families are allowed on campus at USF as long as one member or both are attending and one works for the school. Look into this. The apartments are ok near campus, but if you want something nicer for cheaper look in the Carrollwood area of tampa instead. Its about a 20 minute drive, but it has a nicer mall and better living. Right outside of USF, isn’t the most attractive and is a bit run down unfortunately. But I have never felt unsafe and have lived on campus for almost 5 semesters. FSU is actually ranked 25/25 as one of the most dangerous colleges to attend. Talk about run down. I dont feel UCF is good in the fact that there is nothing around the school.</p>
<p>Well I’m from Orlando and I disagree. Especially if you want to save your money. If you want to go tourist attractions every day then that is fine. But directly outside the school, I do not feel there is much. Right on University Blvd? Just a handful of restaurants and student housing…boring life.</p>