<p>There’s transfer housing at all ten of the residential colleges, not just Porter. There is also the Village, University Town Center, and University Inn (the latter two are technically “off campus,” but are considered to be UCSC housing; the Village is at the base of campus).</p>
<p>I’m not trying to dissuade you at all :). You should go to whichever campus feels right to you. I just wanted to clear up UCSD’s and UCSC’s transfer housing details. I hope you are able to get the housing you want at UCSD, but be prepared to potentially be told there’s no room and/or you’ve been placed on a waiting list.</p>
<p>In contrast, UCSC seems to be so desperate for more students to live on campus that continuing students are being offered to pay 2009-2010 rates for residence halls (dorms) instead of the 2010-2011 rates. I was pretty sure I wanted to be in the on campus apartments until that little tidbit was announced. Now I’m weighing whether the savings staying in the dorms versus switching to the apartments is worth it to me.</p>
<p>UCSC was listed in some article I read awhile ago as being among the most expensive on campus university housing in the United States. It falls behind UCB (not much difference, though) and a few others. The article I saw was from a couple years ago, though, so the list could have changed some. I have a single room and I pay through the nose for it. But I love the privacy and feeling like I’m at camp disguised as school.</p>
<p>Also remember the rates you’re looking at include UCSC’s awesome meal plans (except for the Village’s rates which residents of are not required to have a meal plan). I happily abuse my 7-day, all you care to eat, meal plan by swiping in during random times of the day just to run and fill my mug with soda on my way to classes. Sadly, they reduced the late night service to only 11pm instead of midnight, though. Not that I made much use of it, but it was still great to have the option.</p>
<p>But I digress XD…</p>
<p>Seriously, though, go to whichever campus makes you feel the most “at home,” so to speak, and which campus is the most financially sound. Hopefully these will be the same campus 
And I hope you don’t have any problems getting housing at UCSD. Just make sure you meet all deadlines so you have the best chance of getting what you want. Be open to all types of housing they offer and you’ll have an even better chance (ie, be willing to take a triple).</p>