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Off-Campus Housing Near UCSD

77 places found.

77 places
KM PKRD
Exterior view of Parkridge Manor apartment complex with a sign displaying the address, phone number, and available 1 & 2 bedroom apartments. The building, parking area, and landscaping are visible.

$1,850+/unit

Fees may apply

KM PKRD

2.0 (3)
Lantana Hills Apartment Homes
Single-story building with stairs, surrounded by trees and landscaping. A sign in front reads Lantana Hills Apartment Homes with a phone number while colorful balloons decorate the entrance to these inviting apartments.

$1,995+/unit

Fees may apply

Lantana Hills Apartment Homes

2.2 (5)
Las Palmas Apartments
A circular fire pit surrounded by five dark chairs sits on a patio at Las Palmas Apartments, with palm trees and white two-story buildings in the background under a blue evening sky.

$2,495/unit

Fees may apply

Las Palmas Apartments

4.4 (5)
Lauretta Street Luxury Apartment Homes
Modern luxury apartment building on Lauretta Street with a boxy design, white and brown exterior walls, multiple balconies, and lush trees and plants beneath a blue sky.

$3,495/unit

Fees may apply

Lauretta Street Luxury Apartment Homes

Mission Arbor Apartments
A kidney-shaped outdoor swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs, umbrellas, and two-story Mission Arbor Apartments with exterior staircases under a clear blue sky.

$2,645/unit

Fees may apply

Mission Arbor Apartments

3.8 (5)
Mission Pacific Apartments
Outdoor swimming pool at Mission Pacific Apartments surrounded by palm trees, lounge chairs, and apartment buildings under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Poolside umbrellas and lush greenery create a relaxing atmosphere.

$2,995+/unit

Fees may apply

Mission Pacific Apartments

4.2 (5)
Monte
A multi-story apartment building with balconies and red tile roofs is surrounded by tall palm trees, green lawns, and lush plants. There is a shaded outdoor patio area with tables and orange umbrellas in the foreground.

$1,495+/unit

Fees may apply

Monte

5.0 (5)
Morley-18 Apartments
Morley-18 Apartments is a two-story yellow and beige building with several windows and small balconies, surrounded by palm trees and green lawn, under a clear blue sky.

$1,495+/unit

Fees may apply

Morley-18 Apartments

1.8 (5)
Pacific Cove
A three-story Pacific Cove apartment building with exterior walkways, a metal spiral staircase, and a large black SUV parked in front under a clear blue sky. A “Now Leasing” sign is displayed on the second floor railing.

$1,790+/unit

Fees may apply

Pacific Cove

4.2 (5)
Pacific Heights Apartments
A cozy outdoor patio at night features a fire pit surrounded by four cushioned chairs. Palm trees and the softly lit Pacific Heights Apartments line the walkway in the background under a starry sky.

$2,294+/unit

Fees may apply

Pacific Heights Apartments

3.0 (5)
Pakeva
A building with many balconies.

$1,995+/unit

Fees may apply

Pakeva

4.3 (4)
Palmilla
A modern white apartment building with balconies is bordered by lush green grass, tropical plants, and tall palm trees along a clean sidewalk under a clear blue sky.

$1,867+/unit

Fees may apply

Palmilla

4.2 (5)
Parkview Terrace
A curved sidewalk winds through Parkview Terrace, a landscaped apartment complex with green grass, bushes, leafy trees, and brown two-story buildings with balconies.

$2,085+/unit

Fees may apply

Parkview Terrace

2.6 (5)
Prado Apartments
Prado Apartments is a three-story rental property with a red tiled roof, balconies, and a fenced-in outdoor pool with lounge chairs, tables with umbrellas, and lush landscaping under a clear blue sky.

$2,190+/unit

Fees may apply

Prado Apartments

3.4 (5)
Renovated Villas w/Private EV Hookup
A row of renovated villas with dark roofs lines a clean driveway on a sunny day. A truck is parked outside, and a beige mailbox stands near the curb. Each villa features a private EV hookup under the clear blue sky.

$3,595/unit

Fees may apply

Renovated Villas w/Private EV Hookup

Rolando Place Apartments
A small, teal one-story building at Rolando Place Apartments with two large windows, colorful banners by the entrance, trimmed bushes out front, and a parking area with handicap spaces. The sky is mostly cloudy.

$2,495+/unit

Fees may apply

Rolando Place Apartments

5.0 (1)
Stadium Arms Apartments
A fenced outdoor swimming pool at Stadium Arms Apartments is surrounded by lounge chairs, tables with umbrellas, and apartment buildings in the background, all basking in the sun.

$2,000/unit

Fees may apply

Stadium Arms Apartments

4.2 (5)
State
Outdoor communal area in an apartment complex featuring two stainless steel grills under a shaded pergola, surrounded by white two-story buildings, palm trees, and string lights overhead.

$1,865+/unit

Fees may apply

State

4.0 (5)
State Apartments San Diego
A clear blue swimming pool at State Apartments San Diego is surrounded by a concrete deck and black metal fence, with two white, two-story apartment buildings and several palm trees in the background under a bright blue sky.

$1,905+/unit

Fees may apply

State Apartments San Diego

4.0 (5)
Stateside
Modern five-story apartment building with a white, gray, and black facade and a large red rectangular accent around upper windows, located next to residential homes; a white truck is parked in front.

$1,455+/unit

Fees may apply

Stateside

2.0 (5)
Talmadge Canyon Park
Row of light blue houses bordered by trees and shrubs, with a dirt path and dry grassy area in front, nestled at the edge of a wooded hillside near Talmadge Canyon Park.

$2,550+/unit

Fees may apply

Talmadge Canyon Park

5.0 (5)

About Off-Campus Housing Near University of California, San Diego

UC San Diego is set in La Jolla, a coastal neighborhood with stunning scenery and some of the highest rents in San Diego County. Most students pay $1,200–$1,700/month for a shared room near campus. The neighborhoods immediately adjacent to UCSD — University City and the Village area just east of campus — have the densest student apartment inventory. Students who want lower prices, more social energy, or beach proximity look to Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach, 20–30 minutes away by bus or car. La Jolla itself has limited rental inventory and high baseline prices, so most off-campus students end up in University City or beyond. The coastal climate makes biking genuinely pleasant for much of the year.

University of California, San Diego Housing Requirements

Freshman Live-On Requirements

UC San Diego requires incoming freshmen to live on campus for their first year through the residential college system. UCSD has six residential colleges, each with its own culture and community — freshmen are assigned to one and live on campus in housing affiliated with that college. Planning for sophomore off-campus housing should begin during spring quarter of freshman year.

Off-Campus Eligibility

After the freshman year, students rent freely throughout San Diego. There is no contracted off-campus housing system. UCSD's Off-Campus Housing office maintains a listings board and tenant resource guides. Many students find housing through Facebook groups and Craigslist as well as through the official board.

Lease Timing

Most apartments near UCSD turn over in June and September. Landlords in University City start listing units in February and March. Good 3- and 4-bedroom apartments in University City go quickly in March and April for summer move-in. Students who wait until May are searching in a noticeably thinner market.

Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with University of California, San Diego before signing a lease.

When to Start Looking for Housing Near University of California, San Diego

Early Searchers

February and March are the prime months for securing quality housing near UCSD. University City apartments — the primary off-campus zone — turn over predictably in summer, and the best units go to students who start looking before spring quarter ends. Starting early also lets you do in-person tours, which are essential in a market where condition varies widely.

Peak Demand Window

March through April is the peak competition window for near-campus housing. Current tenants are deciding whether to renew, and returning students and incoming transfers compete for the same inventory. University City units within biking distance of campus are the most sought-after and go the fastest during this window.

Last-Minute Options

Students searching in May or June can still find housing, but University City availability thins out and you're more likely to end up in Clairemont Mesa or further east. Pacific Beach is a popular fallback — more availability, lower prices per square foot, and the beach, with a longer bus or car commute to campus.

Neighborhoods Near University of California, San Diego

University City (UTC Area)

The primary off-campus student zone — east of campus and adjacent to the UTC mall area. Dense apartment complexes built specifically for the UCSD population. Close enough to bike to campus and walkable to grocery stores, restaurants, and the UCSD Trolley station. Most competitive area for near-campus housing.

Pacific Beach

About 20–30 minutes from campus by bus or car, Pacific Beach offers more spacious apartments at lower prices than University City, plus the obvious draw of being blocks from the ocean. Popular with upperclassmen who prioritize lifestyle over proximity. Nightlife and beach culture are central to PB's identity.

La Jolla Village

Walking distance from campus but expensive and limited in inventory. Mostly used by grad students and professional programs who can afford the premium. Limited availability — landlords here know they can charge above-market rates given the location.

Frequently Asked Questions: Off-Campus Housing Near University of California, San Diego

Common questions from students searching for housing.

Shared rooms near UCSD in University City typically run $1,200–$1,700/month. La Jolla Village proper is more expensive. Pacific Beach offers shared rooms in the $1,000–$1,400 range with a longer commute. Solo apartments near campus start around $1,800–$2,200/month.

Other Universities in San Diego

Other universities in San Diego share a similar off-campus housing market.

San Diego State University

San Diego State's campus in the College Area neighborhood of East San Diego has a surrounding rental market that's competitive but more affordable than UCSD's La Jolla location. Most shared rooms near SDSU run $1,000–$1,500/month, with higher prices for renovated units and anything within walking distance of the…

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