Forums » General
Housing at CalArts
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I can't seem to find the price on the CalArts website, all it has is an email and to contact us.
I remember reading last year..I think housing was.. $13,000 yr? Or around there
Does anyone have any recommendations?
I am also looking if anyone would want to live off campus I don't mind either, I will be bring my car so I can drive to class
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Elyse Filigheri said:
Voila. http://calarts.edu/financial-aid/estimated-yearly-costsDo you mind giving your advice on housing for first year students?
What you think about it or what you reccomend
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Because I'm from Santa Clarita, I lived at home this year. I live about 20 minutes away. It's a lot cheaper, but it sucks driving back and forth every day. If you want to live off campus at some of the apartments nearby, I estimate that it's around the same amount of money for a dorm provided you're splitting the rent with someone. (around $600 a month) It seems nice because you'd have your own room and space away from school, and you wouldn't get kicked out over the summer if you decided to stay. The con would be having to travel to school and maybe finding someone responsible to live with. The dorms are pretty cool, but I can't really say much about them since I didn't live there. They are a decent size and each floor gets a kitchen. I think the main advantage to getting one is that it's right on campus. You're going to be working late hours. Would you rather drive/bike home after a long day or just walk 5 minutes to the dorms? It's also nice because all your friends are there and you'll get to hang out without worrying about heading home. I really recommend the dorms unless you plan on staying in california and not going home over the summer, or if you have issues with personal space. lol Personally, I am considering living off campus because after this year I can't stay at the place I am currently living, but if I can't find a place I'll live in the dorms.
This post was edited by Elyse Filigheri at March 3, 2011 12:19:54 PM PST -
If you area looking for a roommate please let me know! I am just leaning towards off because I think it could be cheaper, plus I don't want any meal plan. The ONLY reason i would want to live on campus is for the reason of working late hours but I think I can handle the drive back home. I want to start looking for a roommate even though it's so early, but It'd be nice to find someone early on
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Ambar Navarro said:
If you area looking for a roommate please let me know! I am just leaning towards off because I think it could be cheaper, plus I don't want any meal plan. The ONLY reason i would want to live on campus is for the reason of working late hours but I think I can handle the drive back home. I want to start looking for a roommate even though it's so early, but It'd be nice to find someone early onHey Ambar! Would you be interested in renting a house then?
Me and Thomas are still deciding but renting a house is a possibility. It would be so cool to see what the experimental students are up to vs character animation students.
We're also waiting on our friend to hear about her acceptance so possibly 3 roommates? I'll need to talk to them about it though.
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Ambar Navarro said:
Sure House or Apartment is fine, What price range are you going for? Also, would I need to sign my name under any house lease? I would try not to for that, Apt Lease is fine as long as someone else did with me too. Let me know what happens!I think we are going for 500 - 700. Not too sure about the prices in California. Hawaii is usually 800+
We can have one of us sign the lease or co-sign it? Would that work better?
And yeah House or Apartment is fine as well. I'm meeting with Thomas tomorrow to finalize our decisions. We might lean on dorming but not too sure about it.
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Housing at CalArts:
I will repeat some of what Elyse has said and add a lot of my own.
Living on campus is really nice at about 4 AM... You've been animating for about 6-12 hours and you need to crash. Also really nice at 8 AM when you have class in an hour and just need to take a shower and brush your teeth to perk you up for class at 9...
The required meal plan is a pain for most (though I honestly have very few problems with it- I just wish for a little more variety). However, I know that there is a significant movement to change this policy. Currently, the ONLY way out of a meal plan on campus is a doctor-approved food allergy/medical condition. Also- WARNING! During breaks (Christmas and Spring Break), the Cafe is CLOSED! You must find your own meals during these times!
Housing also provides you with neighbors from other programs and a support system through the RAs. You will know about activities through the dorms that people who live off-campus just won't. Ice cream socials, pool parties, etc.
When it comes to prices, here is all I will say. I like living in the dorms because I do not have to worry about paying rent every month, buying things like toilet paper, trash bags, a vacuum, cleaning supplies (most of this is provided by the RAs), and there's no additional costs like electricity, water, etc. The laundry room is equipped with enough machines that people can do their laundry and get out.
On the negative side, there are occasionally fire alarms that go off at 3 AM when you've just crawled into bed (which no one reacts to anymore) XD and you can possibly end up with a roommate/suitemates from hell. You occasionally get locked out of your bathroom. But big enough problems can always be worked out with the Housing Office.
Also- free bags of food at Christmas! XD -
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Amanda Candler said:
Housing at CalArts: I will repeat some of what Elyse has said and add a lot of my own. Living on campus is really nice at about 4 AM... You've been animating for about 6-12 hours and you need to crash. Also really nice at 8 AM when you have class in an hour and just need to take a shower and brush your teeth to perk you up for class at 9... The required meal plan is a pain for most (though I honestly have very few problems with it- I just wish for a little more variety). However, I know that there is a significant movement to change this policy. Currently, the ONLY way out of a meal plan on campus is a doctor-approved food allergy/medical condition. Also- WARNING! During breaks (Christmas and Spring Break), the Cafe is CLOSED! You must find your own meals during these times! Housing also provides you with neighbors from other programs and a support system through the RAs. You will know about activities through the dorms that people who live off-campus just won't. Ice cream socials, pool parties, etc. When it comes to prices, here is all I will say. I like living in the dorms because I do not have to worry about paying rent every month, buying things like toilet paper, trash bags, a vacuum, cleaning supplies (most of this is provided by the RAs), and there's no additional costs like electricity, water, etc. The laundry room is equipped with enough machines that people can do their laundry and get out. On the negative side, there are occasionally fire alarms that go off at 3 AM when you've just crawled into bed (which no one reacts to anymore) XD and you can possibly end up with a roommate/suitemates from hell. You occasionally get locked out of your bathroom. But big enough problems can always be worked out with the Housing Office. Also- free bags of food at Christmas! XDThanks for all the info Amanda! Ok this sounds good, yes I would rather not do a meal plan hopefully that can get changed eventually. I am still going to consider this or off, not sure yet. There are my pros and cons but thanks so much for this it was so helpful
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Nak Yong Choi said:
Cool! Me and my friend were deciding if we should go for 10 meal plan or 17 meal a week plan. Are there groceries/farmer's markets nearby? We were planning to cook but weren't sure how far the markets are. Thx Amanda!By the way what is the name of your friend so I can put him on the accepted list?
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There's a farmer's market on Sundays, I hear. But most groceries are bought at the Von's, which is a short 10-12 minute walk across the freeway. There is also a Wal-mart further down- more like a 30 minute walk one-way.
I personally am on the 14 meal plan- 2 meals every day including weekends. My flex I spend on snacks, drinks, or special items. -
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Amanda Candler said:
There's a farmer's market on Sundays, I hear. But most groceries are bought at the Von's, which is a short 10-12 minute walk across the freeway. There is also a Wal-mart further down- more like a 30 minute walk one-way. I personally am on the 14 meal plan- 2 meals every day including weekends. My flex I spend on snacks, drinks, or special items.I know this question was asked on the old AB but, how is the food at CalArts?
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Still on campus.
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But i'm over it.
One thing I WILL mention is that Choinard isn't like it was when i was a first year. A higher amount of kids straight from highschool are being accepted. So that means that the dorms are basically highschool 2.0. lol. So hmmm, maybe not. But HEY i think it's worth the experience at least! I mean, Besides, animators have no social lives anyways. :)
