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Off-Campus Housing Near UCSD

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no exact matches, but 20 come close

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Inman
Single-story white house with numerous windows, a sloped roof, and a gravel front yard. A leafless tree stands by the house, with a wooden fence and utility meters visible to the left. The sky is clear and blue.
entire unit

$3,500/unit

Fees may apply

Inman

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.
entire unit

$2,640/unit

Fees may apply

The Vive Collection

3.4 (5)
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.
entire unit

$1,850+/unit

Fees may apply

KM PKRD

2.0 (3)
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.
entire unit

$2,595+/unit

Fees may apply

7366 Mesa College Dr

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.
entire unit

$1,995/unit

Fees may apply

Ashford

AMLI Aero
entire unit

$2,939+/unit

Fees may apply

AMLI Aero

Ulric 45
A courtyard view of a residential apartment complex with tan and yellow buildings, green grass, and paved walkways on a clear, sunny day.
entire unit

$2,900/unit

Fees may apply

Ulric 45

3.4 (5)
Vista Capri Apartments in Kearny Mesa
Vista Capri Apartments in Kearny Mesa is a two-story building featuring exterior stairs, stone-textured columns, and balconies. The property is surrounded by grass, bushes, and trees under a clear blue sky.
entire unit

$1,750+/unit

Fees may apply

Vista Capri Apartments in Kearny Mesa

2.0 (5)
Hourglass Park Apartments
entire unit

$2,178/unit

Fees may apply

Hourglass Park Apartments

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.
entire unit

$1,550+/unit

Fees may apply

Astro Vista Apartments

3.2 (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.
entire unit

$2,294+/unit

Fees may apply

Pacific Heights Apartments

3.0 (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.
entire unit

$1,495+/unit

Fees may apply

Morley-18 Apartments

1.8 (5)
The V Tower
A modern four-story apartment building with balconies, palm trees, and landscaped plants in front. A black car is parked at the curb, and the building has a white facade with V. signage near the entrance.
entire unit

$2,150+/unit

Fees may apply

The V Tower

1.8 (5)
Dunlop 28
A modern multi-story apartment complex with white and yellow accents is situated at a street intersection with cars parked along the roads; the cityscape and blue sky are visible in the background.
entire unit

$2,500+/unit

Fees may apply

Dunlop 28

Dunlop 15
Two modern, white apartment buildings with palm trees in front, separated by a walkway and connected by open-air corridors, under a blue sky.
entire unit

$3,150+/unit

Fees may apply

Dunlop 15

Gold Coast Apartments
entire unit

$2,350+/unit

Fees may apply

Gold Coast Apartments

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.
entire unit

$1,650+/unit

Fees may apply

7798 Starling Dr

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.
entire unit

$3,495/unit

Fees may apply

Lauretta Street Luxury Apartment Homes

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.
entire unit

$1,295/unit

Fees may apply

9870 Carroll Canyon Rd

The Village Mission Valley
Relax at The Village Mission Valley’s outdoor swimming pool, featuring lounge chairs and orange umbrellas, surrounded by palm trees and a large building with a tiled roof under a partly cloudy sky.
entire unit

$2,695+/unit

Fees may apply

The Village Mission Valley

2.6 (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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