differences between San Diego and Long Beach??

[f_m]

CSULB appears to be located on the East side and closer to Belmont and Seal Beach. That area is fairly nice. As you go towards downtown and go along Pacific Hwy 1 there are places that are run down and you can see people just walking around and hanging out on the street. The newer movie theater and shops by the convention center is nice. They improved that section quite a bit. The areas surrounding that location aren't as nice if you wanted to walk at night. The hotel by the convention center is where they have the Long Beach Grand Prix races, and there are other touristy things in that area like a large Aquarium.

[sd.girl]

Originally Posted by Reivax

EVERY school has a better reputation than SDSU (my alma mater)

There are lots of nice parts of Long Beach, no doubt. you should drive around there on a weekend, spend a couple days and get a feel for the place before making a decision. Parts of it are very similar to Mission Beach, like Belmont Shore and Naples.

One point in LB's favor, you're close to a Rosco's Chicken and Waffles.

jaja, yes! sdsu has a "party school" rep. and thanks i most def will!

[sd.girl]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

But eventhough it's not the core(if you consider LA the core, though LB commands the South Bay and Southeast LA County just fine), it has everything one needs at your doorstep. All your recreation, business, and other needs are here, like any major city.

@OP, If you want something like San Diego, Long Beach is the best fit than the other schools you chose. Temp will be more or less the same near the beach(within a quarter or half mile or so), but can get warmer, especially if you're away from the beach, because of the microclimates generated by urban development. It's one of the most diverse major cities around, sporting large white, black, latino, and asian(Cambodia Town/Little Phnom Penh is a highlight) populations. It's a big city with plenty of job opportunities. Goods will probably cost the same. Rent I'm not sure about, check out craigslist. I pay 1400 for a 2bd townhouse style apt in neighboring Los Alamitos(which is easy commutable distance to CSULB)

Thanks! That's what I was thinking that it's probably about the same. I'm hoping not too warm though. And I do live about 4 miles from the beach so I am looking for something that is more or less "home". Job opportunities are going down the drain here (as they are in the entire country) but I'm guessing it might be a bit worse because of how people work in the US but actually live in MEx and cross the border every day. Rent sounds about the same, I live with my parents and rent is roughly 1300 for a 2bd/2br apt in Imperial Beach.
Thank you!

[sd.girl]

THANKS to everyone that has responded! All are such great comments and I have throughly read all of them. Thank you.

[Bunjee]

I think rent is a little cheaper ($75-$100) in SD for apartments in comparable neighborhoods. My friend recently found a 1BR (though small) on Banker's Hill for $850 that I know would go for about $925-$1K in LB anywhere from Belmont to downtown. Further inland, closer to CSULB you'll be in the '50s tract houses and duplexes for less, comparable to SD rent but minus the vibe you get in areas around Balboa Park or University Heights. Everything's a bit in flux, though, rent-wise. I hear different stories about prices going up or going down, so you may find something ideal. Long Beach seems pretty mellow to me, just slightly less so than San Diego.

[ehcsrop]

Long Beach was the 5th poorest city in the US for pops over 100K and the most poor city in CA according to the US Census Bureau for individuals and families living below the National Poverty Level (adjusted for region, I hope). Look it up, I don't make things up.

And I live here.

But, it's a big place. You can find nice accommodations in the city. Anywhere north of 7th St. will be 10 degrees warmer than the rest of the city and San Diego as a whole. Look at downtown L.A. temps on any given day and LB will be the same N. of 7th.

[Reivax]

Originally Posted by ehcsrop

Long Beach was the 5th poorest city in the US for pops over 100K and the most poor city in CA according to the US Census Bureau for individuals and families living below the National Poverty Level (adjusted for region, I hope). Look it up, I don't make things up.

It is the largest city in California that does not have a Spanish name! You can win $5 on that in a bar some time. I did.