Yeah, I attend the UC here. It's a small town, but developing quickly!
Gotta watch those 'Develooping quickly' California Towns. I hit San Diego in 1976. I had so much fun there, even though I was in the Navy. Dirt biking trails were amazing. LaJolla beach was amazing. Scuba diving was amazing. And I made some very good freinds there, and eventually, met my wife in nearby El Cajon. On a vaction, we tried to take a trip from San Diego to my home town (where I live now), Sault Ste. Marie, MI. We went through Barstow. It was so hot, leaving Barstow at night (about 115'F.) that we warped a cast iron head in a Dodge van with a 318 V8. Now you have to understand that this engine was bomb-proof. It was known for its rugged, take anything, dependability.
Barstow was the hottest week I've ever had, anywhere. I lived under the hotel room air conditioner, and in the pool, and so did my wife and children. But it was a small town, where we truly didn't know if we would find a mechanic to replace the warped head. It's also the home of Carlos & Totos Mexican Restaurant, where they make the best fried ice cream I've ever eaten.
Ten years later, we drove through Barstow, on our way to El Cajon, from Sault Ste. Marie, to visit Grandma. The twon is now immense, with urban sprawl everywhere. And the places just south of Imperial Beach, where I did most of my dirt biking, is now covered with houses. There was no place to get away from the crowd anymore.
So enjoy your small town while you can. If history is the example, it won't stay small for very long.
Oh, and welcome to DC. You're gonna love it here. And now you know why they call me Chief Longwind of the North
Seeeeeeya; Chief Longwind of the North