<p>My parents are under the firm impression that staying in a dorm with roommates is the way to go, and say, save the most money. Unfortunately, I've done most of the research and I've found that even living on your own in a one bedroom might be a bit less expensive.</p>
<p>I took into consideration meal plans, and the social aspect especially. I'm not a very sociable person and unlike most people who want a college experience, I'm here to just get a degree and move on. Additionally, I have a very limited diet so I probably won't find myself in the cafeteria too often. In fact, I'd prefer to make my own food anyways, hence why I don't want to be forced into buying a plan even if I do decide to stay in a dorm.</p>
<p>For UC davis, I've noted that rent ranges from $800-1000+ just for one room, and even if I decide to not get a roommate, would that cost still be lower than staying in a dorm and having to share space?</p>
<p>Im actually under the same impression. Ive been doing some research, and it seems like it is cheaper but by a margin. Ive also found some apartments outside of Davis that is 1 hour away (with a bus) and 18-20 min in a car. These apartments are around 500-600$/month. Though, the only problem is that its a continuous contract, meaning even when schools out, the contract will have to stay. Dorms usually dont charge you when you are out of school. Though since Davis is in a Quarter system, it might be okay to get 2 full years.</p>
<p>Renting an apartment by yourself may be more affordable than paying room and board at the university. If you get an apartment, the complexes may have 6, 9, or 12 month contracts. But when you’re comparing the costs between university housing and renting an apartment, don’t forget to include deposit, transportation, and utilities costs.</p>
<p>Transportation won’t be a problem, I think, biking to and from university will be fine, or even the bus. I’ll admit that I’ve been spoiled with a car to take me to CC everyday and I even live on my own now (with roommates). I’d like to continue that luxury, though I can’t really take my roommates with me since they’re going to their own respective colleges. I just don’t like the idea of finding a roommate by random, or even being placed with several other girls that will be partying until the morning at say, a dorm. I’m just not that kind of a person, I’d like to get my own place for my own convenience. In terms of deposit, utilities, and food, I’d like to think that I got that all covered. When it came to utilities, I usually handled all of it and my roommates would pay me back. It was never a real issue. Living on my own, I don’t expect it to be more than what I paid. </p>
<p>Remember, you can always buy a separate meal plan if needed, or just pay in cash/credit for each meal. You might get like extra 100 meal points extra if you buy a bundle, but more or less likely, youll get food for lunch at Davis, and if you can cook yourself a meal for dinner/breakfast, you’ll save a bit of money. </p>
<p>I mean your parents would like you to probably get a cheaper deal for college. If safety is the issue, just let them know that the bus runs till midnight and theres police going around all around campus.</p>
<p>Thats what I was guessing as well, however according to a friend of mine, he made most of his friends from small class seminars that relates to his major, and joining clubs. Apparently you make better friends with people within your major and clubs.</p>
<p>Friends from dorm are overrated and beside transfer students will most likely get an apartment-style dorm (search primero groves). The food at the DC is okay for the most part but tend to get repetitive (and they manage to offend other culture food… Siraca for bibimbab sauce!!!). I say get an apartment, if you do live outside of davis say… Woodland there should be yolobus running (do your own research).
-current UCDavis undergrad</p>
<p>Literally, all of my facebook location is going to be “Yolo-City ; Yolo-bus ; Yolo-county” ; just to tick off some of my friends ;P</p>
<p>But nonetheless, as a transfer who wants to leave with a degree in his hands as soon as possible, and especially with friends already back home, I dont think actively looking for friendships at Davis is a particularly a good idea, though friendships are pretty cool when it comes by.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses. In my situation, I don’t really want to worry too much about making friends. Now, if I can make connections that would be through clubs, internships, and professors. I’ll try my best with convincing my parents, but it’ll be hard since I’ve had a lot of family go to davis and they all stayed in dorms so it’s natural that I follow suit…</p>
<p>Apparently Davis isn’t housing transfers on campus this year. I saw it on a thread in the UC Davis section on this website. All the transfers are gonna be kicked out to SHA which is basically apartments off-campus (but they’re all leased by the Housing department at Davis). So either way, I guess you could go with the SHA (which may be more expensive), or you could just rent a private apartment by yourself (potentially cheaper).</p>
<p>Oh geez. If thats the case I might have to live in a town nearby. Housing with 3 other guys for like 700$~ seems like a hassle. I heard the nearby town has studio apartments for 500-600$. Since #YOLO-bus is free for Davis students, and its only an hour away, I might opt to that.</p>