College Living Experience (CLE) Costa Mesa: A Supported Path to Independence
College Living Experience (CLE) Costa Mesa: A Tour of Independent Living, College Support, and Community
One of the most exciting parts of our college transition journey has been visiting programs that help neurodivergent students build independence while pursuing college, career, and life goals. Recently, Avery had the opportunity to tour the College Living Experience (CLE) location in Costa Mesa, California, and we came away impressed by the combination of support, structure, and opportunities available to students.
If you’re exploring post-secondary options for autistic young adults or students with learning differences, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, or other support needs, CLE Costa Mesa is definitely worth considering.
What is College Living Experience (CLE)?
College Living Experience is a nationally recognized transition program that provides individualized support for young adults attending college, vocational programs, or pursuing employment goals while living independently in the community.
Rather than operating as a separate college, CLE partners with local colleges and provides wraparound support services including:
- Academic coaching
- Executive functioning support
- Career development
- Independent living skills training
- Social coaching
- Community engagement opportunities
- Wellness and self-advocacy support
The goal is to help students develop the skills needed to thrive both during college and beyond.
Touring the Costa Mesa Center
Our tour began at the CLE Costa Mesa center where we met Program Director Lisa, who warmly welcomed us and walked us through the program.
The center itself felt inviting, organized, and student-focused. There were dedicated spaces for:
- Academic coaching
- Career coaching
- Independent living skills instruction
- Social activities
- Group meetings
- Study support
One thing we appreciate when touring programs is seeing spaces where students naturally gather and connect. CLE’s environment felt supportive without being overly clinical, creating a comfortable balance between structure and independence.
Career Coaching and the Greenwood Assessment
One of the highlights of our visit was meeting with the career coach.
CLE students receive individualized career development support designed to help them better understand their strengths, interests, and potential career paths.
We learned about the Greenwood System, a career assessment process that helps students identify:
- Personality strengths
- Interests
- Work preferences
- Natural talents
- Potential career matches
For many neurodivergent students, choosing a career path can feel overwhelming. Having access to tools that provide concrete guidance can help students gain confidence and direction as they plan for the future.
The Recreation Room and Student Community
Next, we visited the recreation room where several students were hanging out and playing ping pong.
This was one of those moments that can’t really be captured in a brochure.
Seeing students naturally interacting, relaxing, and spending time together gave us a glimpse into the community aspect of the program.
College isn’t just about academics. Building friendships, finding social connections, and developing confidence in community settings are equally important parts of the transition to adulthood.
The rec room provides a space for students to unwind, connect, and enjoy downtime between classes and coaching sessions.
Independent Living Skills Support
Another important part of our visit was meeting the Independent Living Skills Coach.
For many families, independent living skills are one of the biggest concerns when planning for the future.
CLE works with students on areas such as:
- Time management
- Organization
- Meal planning
- Grocery shopping
- Budgeting
- Laundry
- Apartment maintenance
- Transportation
- Personal responsibility
- Health and wellness routines
We especially loved seeing the checklists and step-by-step systems they use to teach these skills. Breaking complex tasks into manageable steps can make independence feel much more achievable.
A Busy Social Calendar
One thing that stood out was CLE’s commitment to helping students get involved in their community.
Students have access to a variety of organized social activities and outings throughout the year.
Activities may include:
- Sporting events
- Community outings
- Local attractions
- Group dinners
- Volunteer opportunities
- Recreational activities
- Seasonal events
And yes…
Disneyland is right down the freeway.
For students who enjoy theme parks and local adventures, Costa Mesa offers access to countless opportunities throughout Orange County and Southern California.
Student Apartments
After touring the center, we headed over to see the student apartments.
The apartments were clean, secure, and conveniently located.
Students live in community-based housing while receiving support from CLE staff, allowing them to practice real-world independence while still having guidance available when needed.
This balance between support and autonomy is one of the reasons so many families consider transition programs like CLE.
Students are able to experience what independent adult living looks like while gradually building the confidence and skills necessary for long-term success.
Orange Coast College: Right Across the Street
One major advantage of the Costa Mesa location is its proximity to Orange Coast College.
The apartments are located directly across the street from campus, making transportation simple and accessible.
During our visit, we walked through Orange Coast College and were genuinely impressed.
The campus offers:
- Career and technical education programs
- Transfer pathways
- Student support services
- Clubs and organizations
- Athletic facilities
- Beautiful campus spaces
One feature that really caught our attention was the planetarium, which Avery thought was incredibly cool.
Being able to attend a college campus while receiving additional support from CLE can be a great option for students who want the college experience but may benefit from extra coaching and structure.
Why Costa Mesa Stands Out
Costa Mesa offers a unique combination of college access, community resources, and Southern California amenities.
Students are close to:
- Beaches
- Shopping
- Restaurants
- Public transportation
- Cultural attractions
- Internship opportunities
- Entertainment venues
The location creates numerous opportunities for students to practice real-world independence while exploring their interests.
Our Takeaway
Every transition program has its own personality, and one thing we appreciated about CLE Costa Mesa was the emphasis on individualized support.
The combination of academic coaching, career planning, independent living skills, social opportunities, and community integration creates a well-rounded approach to helping students prepare for adulthood.
For students who are capable of pursuing college, employment, or vocational goals but would benefit from additional support along the way, CLE Costa Mesa may be worth adding to your tour list.
A huge thank you to Lisa and the entire CLE Costa Mesa team for taking the time to show us around and answer our questions.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the program and look forward to continuing our journey exploring transition and college options for neurodivergent young adults.
Quick Facts: CLE Costa Mesa
Location: Costa Mesa, California
Program Type: Comprehensive transition and support program for young adults
Support Areas:
- Academic coaching
- Executive functioning
- Career development
- Independent living skills
- Social coaching
- Wellness support
Housing: Supported apartment living
Nearby College: Orange Coast College
Ideal For: Students seeking additional support while pursuing college, career, vocational, or independent living goals.
For more information, visit the CLE website or schedule a tour to see if the program might be a fit for your family. Click here for their website
