UCI Transfer food budget?

<p>Hi! I will be living in arroyo vista. I am a transfer from a community college. I currently have money problems and was hoping to save some money by making most of my food (there is a kitchen in Arroyo Vista with refrigerators).</p>

<p>How much should I budget for food? I don't know the price of the grocerries in southern california as I am from Sacramento.</p>

<p>Do people actually use the kitchens in AV housing? Does food get stolen from the refrigerators? Do I have to have a car to get groceries? How accessible are groccery stores? Especially regular american stores like lucky's, Safeway, Ralphs, Nob Hill's, and Asian markets like Ranch 99, mitsua, etc?</p>

<p>If I really will be living in Arroyo Vista, how important is getting a meal plan? Should I just cook all my own food, or suck it up and get a meal plan? </p>

<p>I plan on cooking in bulk and then storing the food for the rest of the rest. I am great at cooking fast, healthy, cheap food lol.</p>

<p>btw, does anybody know anything about working in the dining halls? How much does it pay and how difficult is it to gain entry into that job? How many shifts are usually given? I tried calling but it's always voicemail!</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>