Well, I don't see any problem for you to come to LA. Yes, it is little expensive, but still you have premium in terms of being in big city and possibility of getting jobs, too. I ahve no idea about CSU, as I am UC student, but CSU Northridge must be a better place. So far as I know, you can not drop semester, except summer. You have to be full time student all the time to maintiain your status. Good luck.