<p>im a high school senior who is looking for city life in college(mega size city)</p>
<p>is your life going as you had expected??</p>
<p>Juuust remember that you’ll be experiencing “mega size city life” on a student’s budget (usually if not your own, then your friends). I knew an NYU student who really had a tough time because she made wealthy friends and fell in love with a lifestyle that she could not afford. That said, she really did embrace the so-called Sex & the City scene…lots of celebrities, constant going out, a surprising amount of glam for a 20 year old. It’s not something that every big-city-student will pursue or experience, but hey, it’s there for those who want (and can afford) it. Not that you’ll run into the same problems…just keep things in perspective when you picture city life, and remember that some cities are much more accessible than others.</p>
<p>Where in Sac are you from? I lived in the foothills and went to HS in the city :)</p>
<p>Yeah, NYC is definitely expensive. Even to us who live here. But because there’s so much…stuff here, there’s also a lot of things you can get into for free/cheap. Even moreso in the summertime, but fall/winter too. I guess it depends on what your scene is.</p>
<p>You should really check out going.com. It a sorta like mypsace but focused more on events and going out. I’m not sure if they operate all over the country, but probably in most big cities. But its cool, cuz you can usually find all kinds of free/cheap events to check out during the week.</p>
<p>But yeah, simple stuff like food, rent, etc. is crazily expensive here. I wonder how it is in other big cities?</p>
<p>im from somewhat poorer part of sacramento than foothill…if i remember correctly, foothill is relatively wealthy school… im from Rancho Cordova…</p>
<p>Good for you dnduswo, go for it. Living in a large city really does change you. Are you thinking of city life like in San Francisco? Or city life as in NYC?</p>
<p>I grew up in the burbs of the Sf/Bay Area and now I’m at a university in NYC.
City life is different in so many ways. But east coast city life is different in every way…esp. when your coming from CA. In NY, the pace is faster, the weather is harsher, the competition is fiercer and yes, it’s expensive. But if you can stick it out it will be the most amazing thing you’ll ever do. </p>
<p>My friends that are going to school in SF have it way easier. They love it. But it’s still really expensive.</p>
<p>Just remember to keep your education as your first priority.The city can really seduce you into becoming an all night player. My school just wrapped up mid terms and a lot of my dorm mates have grade shock. And not in a good way!</p>
<p>I didn’t go to school AT Foothill. I live <em>IN</em> the foothills (<30mi east of the city) :)</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, what is it about city life that you’re looking forward to? Knowing if it’s the general hustle-and-bustle, the club scene, the diversity, the availability of stuff to do, the ease of getting around, or whatever else might help people respond to you more directly. Similarly, knowing what you want in your college experience, understanding that part of that is a big city environment, could help. For example, there are a few city schools that are known for having virtually zero on-campus life/community, because the city offers everything that the students need. Other city schools really do try to foster on-campus community in addition to what the city has to offer. Any preference?</p>
<p>And are you looking for school suggestions, or just anecdotes?</p>
<p>I go to school in Boston, otherwise known as the Athens of America, and I absolutely love it. I’m not sure about all cities, but Boston is the perfect place for a suburban kid like myself to go to school. Cities in general offer every resource a student can use to supplement learning inside the classroom. Major companies are located within minutes of me and there are an endless array of job opportunities for upperclassmen. I am in hospitality administration so Boston hotels are always coming to my particular school in Boston U. to come and recruit. </p>
<p>Aside from academics, a city offers everything you could possibly desire. There are restaurants, movie theatres, professional sports teams, a lively and bustling atmosphere, a huuuge population of smart and diverse people, etc. I like Boston U. because it has its own place in the city, as opposed some city schools such as NYU that are simply scattered buildings. Sure, in a city many kids will go off campus and do their own thing as opposed to the on campus school activies, but that really isn’t a problem. City life is great to experience at least once. And college is definitely the time to do it.</p>
<p>I don’t want to steal a thread, but I also have some questions about living in a big city. I’ve lived in a suburban environment all of my life, so I want to go to school in a big city (preferably NYC). </p>
<p>Is it hard to stay focused on school while there are so many things going on around you? My parents are strongly opposed to me going to NY because they say it would be too distracting.</p>
<p>My parents said the same thing when I said I wanted a school in Boston as opposed to the nice and quiet campuses they loved so much. It is only a distraction if you allow it to be a distraction. If you focus and put the proper emphasis on your work, even if it means giving up some fun activities you want to do, then there wouldn’t be a problem. However, if you are the type that gets easily distracted from your schoolwork by the proposition of going out for pizza and movies with a bunch of friends, then a city will only be a greater distraction. I am not going to lie and say it didn’t distract me a bit, but it really wasn’t the city. It was me. I allowed things (friends, girls, city) to distract me at first. Now that I am a junior and living on my own, my work comes first and I can fight off any temptation or distraction. It is all up to you.</p>
<p>"I didn’t go to school AT Foothill. I live <em>IN</em> the foothills (<30mi east of the city) "</p>
<p>Student615 ; I did not realize that. Adds perspective to your other posts. We are southeast of Sacto. Halfway down the 80 towards San Francisco. Do you or anyone else care to expand on near east coast ( Boston, New York), vs near west coast cities ( San Fran., LA) or even southern ( Atlanta) for a kid from N. Cal suburbs?</p>
<p>And Student615, what’s your take on UC Davis? Do you think Sacramento offers any “city life”.</p>
<p>PS; I’m the parent, not the student, but I have lived as a student in New York, LA, DC.</p>
<p>southerncharm, whether or not those temptations will distract you depends almost entirely on how you prioritize things. If you realize that you need to have X assignment done on X-day, then you work your outings around that. I think it’s healthy to go out and explore the city once in a while, so I would actually encourage you to pursue a city life. Be aware though…it is not for everyone. Sometimes it’s all too easy to get sucked into the mindset that city life is all about bar hopping and clubbing.</p>
<p>Shrinkrap: I love both Davis & Sac, but opinions vary. I PM’d you :)</p>
<p>my wants from city:
many stuff to do(since i am not hiker or fisher or anything), many diversity(or i miss my friends in korea…so maybe a little bit of korean taste, especially LA or NY, but generally i like to be around other people…), and shopping…(i love to shop in san francisco(union square) or In LA…+i love to walk around the city on weekend…
I spent my summer in Seoul which is really major city with as many as 10million pop and it was really good experience…oh and i dont know why but i love to ride on subway…haha</p>
<p>dnduswo - i spent a summer in Seoul too, which was amazing. i love Korea. I really like riding the subway (I have like an obsession lol).
When i went to NY, there was a street (i think it was 32nd) that had a lot of Korean restaurants and bakeries.</p>
<p>^ Yep, “K-town” is on 32nd st and broadway. It’s only one block though, which means there really isn’t much to see there…but if you’re looking for traditional korean food, that would be the place to get it.</p>