<p>So i did the math and I can ether take $6k in loans and live in student housing for families or a place near by UCLA</p>
<p>or live at home and commute and take not take out any loans. I live about 24 miles away</p>
<p>If you do not have to use the 405 freeway, then you would probably be better off commuting. You should also factor the cost of gasoline, which can be very volatile. If the cost of gas goes up considerably, then you will probably ending up saving much less money. Then you have to ask yourself is the amount of money you are saving worth the hassle of commuting to UCLA everyday. Think about the amount of time that it is also going to take away from your day. Traffic in LA can get really bad. Remember, time is money!. </p>
<p>@collegeDropout1 I would be taking the 405 but I plan on using the vanpool service. So that I won’t be driving, it will cost $130ish per month bus thats less than I spend per month on gas going to my cc, and I already factored that amount into my monthly budget if I were to stay home. </p>
<p>Hmm, in that case, maybe you should commute.</p>
<p>Did you say you had children? I think I heard you say that. Remember, if you use the bus, you are going to be on its scheduled. It is going to take more time to get places and that is already on top of the already slow traffic of the 405. If you have children, you should consider how this is going to affect them. You will probably have to be away from them longer. This could affect if you can take them to school, or pick them up and other things like that. If you finish in two years, the you will only spend an extra $10,000 on housing.</p>
<p>Take out the loan - or at least split it half and half. </p>
<p>I agree with @lindyk8. Commuting gets old really quick. </p>
<p>Take the loans and live on or near campus. $6k is nothing in relation to the extra time and opportunity to be better connected with professors, the campus and especially other students who may become anything from study partners to best friends for life. You will get a lot more out of your college experience if you’re part of the campus community. </p>
<p>@sonic23 I was in your situation 2 years ago. I tried commuting (20 miles away) but it was hell. I only lasted 1 semester…Im not saying its not doable but I cant read while people are driving so studying on the commute was not a option for me. Plus the Math Dept at UCLA is no joke… Family housing in UCLA is nice (but expensive), however its still 5 miles away…</p>
<p>Those 24 miles translate to 1.5-2.5 hrs of commute each way. So you are looking at 2-4 hours each day looking at traffic. As the great Sweet Brown say “aint nobody go time for that”. You can always try to commuting that 1st semester to see how it feels like. If you are commuting, the best suggestion I can make is to find people that also commute to your same city… it will feel better than taking the Vanpool.</p>
<p>@sonic23 just passing on: <a href=“http://www.rentinwestwood.com/ophir.html”>http://www.rentinwestwood.com/ophir.html</a></p>
<p>@lindyk8 </p>
<p>That sounds way too good to be true. What’s the catch? I have to star in a few amateur pornos? Not that I mind, but I’d at least appreciate honesty upfront…</p>
<p>I know. Brand new building. Almost makes me wish my daughter didn’t sign on to campus. Well next year she’ll be off campus. But if you noticed, it does not show a room or say how many to a room. Although I read someone saw it and liked it. </p>
<p>@burntcorpse @lindyk8 My friend just signed a lease there. She said it’s really nice (wood floors and a huge patio) and she’s staying in a 4 bedroom, 2 to each room. I think she’s paying something around $700 or $800 with parking included. </p>
<p>Are you gonna get a house right next to your workplace too? commute. 24 miles isn’t a big deal and it’s quite typical. </p>
<p>@bomerr no I was planning on renting an apartment somewhere in the middle between my workplace and UCLA. So that it would be 10 miles to UCLA and 12 to work. I could take the bus to UCLA so I wouldn’t catch the traffic </p>
<p>I would rent near to UCLA to save the commute time. It’s not worth it.</p>
<p>@sonic23 - You gotta remember that your schedule won’t be the same each quarter, and you may not always get the classes at the best times. You may end up coming or leaving during heavy traffic despite your best intentions.</p>
<p>Does your spouse have a job or school? If so, where do they need to be on a daily basis?</p>
<p>IMO, if you’re going to move to be closer, then be really close, not 10 miles away. I only live about 10 miles from UCLA, and it can STILL take me 40 minutes one way to commute. Whether I’m on streets or the 405- it rarely matters. </p>