<p>I got my financial aid for this coming school year calculated w/housing</p>
<p>The estimated cost of attendance just about doubled compared to last year when I commuted, going from 3500 to 6964. There's also about $1000 more in federal loans for this coming year.</p>
<p>Should I decline housing and do the commute again? I leave everyday from pasadena.</p>
<p>This is an old post, but still. I s’pose you’ll need to jumble between the convenience factor and what saves you the most money. For me, the money I would save driving from a city in Pasadena would be paramount for the inconvenience of a 22 minute drive (no traffic…ha, yeah, like that would happen) or an hour Metro ride on the Gold and Blue lines (which would save you far more money anyways). </p>
<p>Then you would also need to add what kind of experience you are looking for. Maybe you want to be on campus in the center of it all 24 hours a day and really take in the culture and room mate experience (which can go either way really quick…i’ve been there). </p>
<p>I’d be interested to know which you chose in the end.
I’m sure by now, you’ve made the decision.</p>
<p>Pasadena is a horrible commute. I know a few folks who do it and they pretty much hate their existence. I live off-campus, but picked a spot that was on the Metro line so my commute would be pretty good (25 to 35 minutes). A couple of folks I know also found some places in the Arts District/DTLA and just take Metro as well (it’s like 35 minute commute).</p>
<p>I’ve been doing the commute</p>
<p>it still kinda sucks and there are definitely days where I hate my existence, but I’ve been better at planning times. I leave home around 6:50 am everyday because the traffic gets really nasty if I leave any later. On days where I have work study or a class till 5, I usually stick around till 8pm to avoid the tail end of rush hour. My social life still sucks and I’ve made zero friends, but I don’t think that would’ve really changed if I stayed near campus. I drive btw. It’s a lot more convenient IMO, don’t have to carry all my books everywhere, and I have a place to crash in between classes.</p>