In westwood, I’ve seen a range of prices but most of them are apartments and they’re like 500-600 and that’s even after sharing rooms with some people sleeping in the living room. Then there’s a car, gas and mandatory car insurance etc. so pretty expensive.

I know a girl who moved here on her own from out of state. She had planned to go to school, but I think she was just working for 1 1/2 -2 years before she actually got everything stable enough (moneywise) to go to school. Even then I think she only has time to take like 1 class because of having so many bills to pay.

You said you’re a college student, so I assume that you’re already enrolled in a university. You would be transferring schools from out-of-state, and therefore you would be paying out-of-state tuition. I believe it’s a year for residency in California, but I’m not certain about that.

It also depends greatly on where you live, but everywhere in California is going to be relatively expensive. I grew up in San Francisco and went to school in San Diego (in-state tuition at UCSD averaged roughly $7000/year for me), and both metropolitan areas are some of the priciest real estate in the country. Our 2 bedroom apartments in San Diego within biking distance to school and the beach were about $1500-1700/month, but it was cheaper the farther inland you went.

How tough it would be depends entirely on what income you have to live on and how posh you want to live. I haven’t had difficulty finding jobs, but, especially in the last five years, wages have not done well at adjusting with the cost of living. That said, you can survive and make it just about anywhere, and 2-3 roommates will make it easier to split the expenses.

I’d recommend finding a school you want to go to, not just because it’s in a location that you are interested in. That’s important too, but it’s not everything. Be sure to check it all out to decide why you want to move to California in the first place. I think it’s a wonderful state with a lot to offer and I’m glad I grew up there. But it’s not for everybody, trust me on this one.

I moved away from California after school partly because it became too difficult for me to live there and accumulate savings, I live in Montana now. I have a decent job with an M.S. in engineering, but I’m also getting married next summer and preparing to support a family, so my situation may or may not have been different from yours.

And remember, you don’t get in-state tuition until you’ve been a resident (and it doesen’t count if you’ve been a full time student) for 2 years in California.

cost more for me i am going to california state university fullerton and commuting and it is costing about 11,600.00 a year.