Moving to Cali from Michigan need advice on which college to choose???

[rainorshine]

Hi everyone, I'm new here.

I currently live in Michigan and I'm going through a very hard time (divorce, unemployment, single mom etc) My mom lives in California and has offered to let me and my kids come live with her so I can go to school full-time. I've been completing my pre-req's here in Michigan for the past few years.

I don't know anything about California or the colleges there. She lives in Lompoc (I'm trying to get her to move to a near by CITY cause I just can't live there, almost died of boredom when we visited her 2 years ago)

So my question is: are there any colleges located near Lompoc, Santa Barbara or even Santa Maria that have Nursing programs? Also are there any colleges close by that have a waiting list?

Thanks for any advice you can give me. I've tried to google California colleges but SO many come up and I'm not familiar with the demographics so I figured it'd be easier to ask here.

P.S

Since I'm trying to get her to move from Lompoc, can you recommend a nice and safe city not too far from there (she works there) where I can raise my kids (ages 7 and 3) while going to school?

[chijon512]

what are your ideal "demographics?"

which "demographics" are you trying to avoid?

[caliotter3]

Lompoc is in the middle of nowhere. Santa Maria is rather isolated also and is pretty much a town consisting of the fields and fieldworkers, kind of limiting. From those three choices, Santa Barbara offers the most choices for schools and nursing opportunities.

[caliotter3]

This is a link to the CA BRN list of RN programs: http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/rnprograms.shtml

[rainorshine]

I'm looking on craigslist for houses to rent in Santa Barbara and I knew they'd be high, I looked about 2 years ago when I thought about moving out there, but woah...over $3000 for a 3 bedroom house? Is that the norm? I don't remember it being that high when I was looking before. I know 2 years have passed but still. Are the prices so high now because of the fires that are going on in that area?

I think I'm going to go to Santa Barbara Community College. Does anyone know how long the "waiting list" is? Are there any towns close to SB (say a 45 minute drive) that would have a 3 bedroom home for less than....$2000 a month?

[caliotter3]

You will find it difficult to find anything suitable for less than $2000/month in CA. From $2400 to $2800/month is more the norm, depending upon the neighborhood. Housing in Cali can be difficult unless you want to drive and drive to whereever you work or go to school.

[Wanna-B-Nurse]

I'm in the same boat as you, I applied to Santa Barbara but I'm worried about the cost of living. Buellton is about 30 minutes from SBCC and it's a little cheaper also it's closer to Lompoc for your mom. Also, Allan Hancock in Santa Maria and Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo both have nursing programs but beware of the long wait lists.