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Off-Campus Housing Near UCSD

Landlords (75)Students (0)

75 places found.

75 places
Aztec Pacific Apartments
Aztec Pacific Apartments features a bright yellow and teal exterior, surrounded by palm trees and landscaped plants, with a large green sign showcasing the Aztec Pacific Apartments name out front.

$1,895+/unit

Fees may apply

Aztec Pacific Apartments

5.0 (5)
The Solstice
A white three-story apartment building with a red-tiled roof and arched windows, featuring a prominent “Solstice Apartments” sign. Several cars are parked in front, while palm trees and bright sunshine evoke the warmth of Solstice days.

$1,990/unit

Fees may apply

The Solstice

1.8 (5)
Aztec Campus Apartments
Aztec Campus Apartments is a modern, beige apartment building with balconies and a black metal gate, marked “5650,” complemented by a welcoming sidewalk and greenery in front.

$3,835/unit

Fees may apply

Aztec Campus Apartments

4.4 (5)
Casa Diego
A street view of modern apartment buildings with large windows, balconies, palm trees, and greenery; cars, bicycles, and pedestrians are visible in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky.

$1,450+/unit

Fees may apply

Casa Diego

1.0 (1)
Fifty Twenty-Five
Modern apartment complex with blue and beige exterior walls, large Fifty Twenty-Five numbers on the building, and a swimming pool surrounded by colorful lounge chairs and palm trees on a sunny day.

$1,005+/unit

Fees may apply

Fifty Twenty-Five

4.2 (5)
Iconic on Alvarado
The Iconic on Alvarado is a modern, multi-story apartment building with a white and beige exterior, standing on a sunny street corner surrounded by palm trees and greenery under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

$1,945/unit

Fees may apply

Iconic on Alvarado

4.2 (5)
M at College
Residents at M at College San Diego sit and relax on cushioned outdoor furniture around a rectangular fire pit in a modern apartment courtyard, surrounded by greenery, tables, and multi-story buildings in the background.

$2,340/unit

Fees may apply

M at College

4.6 (5)
Prisma Student Housing
A four-story apartment building with Prisma Student Housing and the number 5541 above the entrance, four colorful flags on poles, a row of small trees, and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

$935+/unit

Fees may apply

Prisma Student Housing

5.0 (5)
The Vive Collection
A large outdoor swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs and palm trees sits beside the modern, multi-story glass building of The Vive Collection San Diego under a bright, clear blue sky.

$2,640/unit

Fees may apply

The Vive Collection

3.4 (5)
Victory on Paseo
A modern six-story apartment building, Victory on Paseo, displays VICTORY vertically on its facade. Balconies and large windows overlook people strolling outside on a sunny day, surrounded by palm trees and lush greenery.

$871+/unit

Fees may apply

Victory on Paseo

1.6 (5)
Zuma Student Housing
A four-story student housing building with light brown and beige walls, multiple windows, balconies, and decorative architectural details, photographed at dusk under a blue sky.

$905+/unit

Fees may apply

Zuma Student Housing

5.0 (5)
4464 Arendo Dr
Charming single-story house on 4464 Arendo Dr with beige siding, a white double garage door, and a small front porch. Plants and shrubs frame the entrance, while the yard features bare soil patches and a curved concrete walkway.

$4,500/unit

Fees may apply

4464 Arendo Dr

5563 Gala Ave
Modern multi-story apartment buildings on Gala Ave with large windows surround a central courtyard featuring a swimming pool. The scene is taken at dusk, with lights illuminating the buildings and lush landscaping below.

$4,200/unit

Fees may apply

5563 Gala Ave

64 Forty
Aerial view of a modern multi-story apartment building surrounded by streets, palm trees, and a mix of residential and commercial buildings, with a cityscape stretching into the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

$1,975+/unit

Fees may apply

64 Forty

4.8 (5)
6nineteen
A modern mid-rise apartment building with white and beige facades, large windows, and a central glass entrance, surrounded by palm trees and neighboring residential buildings along a sunny street.

$1,499+/unit

Fees may apply

6nineteen

5.0 (5)
7366 Mesa College Dr
A white two-story apartment building on Mesa College Dr features a red tile roof, arched balcony details, large windows, leafy trees, Bird of Paradise plants, and neatly landscaped greenery under a clear blue sky.

$2,595+/unit

Fees may apply

7366 Mesa College Dr

7798 Starling Dr
Two cars are parked on a residential street in front of a landscaped area with bushes and trees at 7798 Starling Dr. Behind them are two-story beige buildings with red-tiled roofs under a clear blue sky.

$1,650+/unit

Fees may apply

7798 Starling Dr

9870 Carroll Canyon Rd
Modern outdoor pool area at 9870 Carroll Canyon Rd with lounge chairs and blue umbrellas, a rectangular fire pit in the foreground, and a contemporary building with large windows in the background at sunset.

$1,295/unit

Fees may apply

9870 Carroll Canyon Rd

AMLI Aero

$2,939+/unit

Fees may apply

AMLI Aero

Ashford
A two-story building with a dark blue exterior, large orange arch designs on its walls, and the number 3187 displayed beside a gated entry, surrounded by dry landscaping and a clear blue sky.

$1,995/unit

Fees may apply

Ashford

Astro Vista Apartments
A courtyard at Astro Vista Apartments lies between two parallel, two-story buildings with staircases, railings, and artificial green grass on each side of a brick walkway, photographed on a sunny day.

$1,550+/unit

Fees may apply

Astro Vista Apartments

3.2 (5)

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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.

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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…

View housing near SDSU

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