So I’m gonna transfer to SDSU this Fall, GO AZTEC! I thought about dorms but how much they charge is just outrageous… so maybe live off-campus? but I wanna be able to know more people and make lots of friends my first semester here. What would you guys recommend for some housing options?
When I went to CC I stayed in a 2b apt with my own b and shared ba so I kinda like having some privacy. My budget is around 600-700 and I have a car but I don’t really know much about SD area.
@aztecbound hello fellow Aztec! I’m transferring to SDSU in the fall as well, but I’m local to San Diego and have lived here for 10+ years. I’m sure you already know that San Diego is an extremely expensive place to live. With that being said, a budget of 600-700 will not get you much. You will definitely be sharing an apartment with 2 or even 3 people. I know it’s not ideal, but it’s just too damn expensive out here. In addition, housing near SDSU is also expensive due to their prime locations. Just to give you a price range for a decent apartment my rent is 1600 for a 2br/2ba and that’s not including any other bills such as cable, internet, and electricity. My apartment is also not located near SDSU and is a good 15 mins away. You’re best bet is to look through craigslist to find current college students that are looking for roomies. If you have any other questions I’ll be glad to answer them!
A lot of students, on a budget, live East county in El Cajon. It’s not the best area and it gets extremely hot and cold in the seasons. You will need a roommate. Most areas start at $1500. Use the trolley to travel and save on car expenses.
These are some of the more popular apartments near the university. Places like Sterling Alvarado charge rent by the bed - I believe they have one rate level that is around $600 per month. You’ll need to research the apartment complexes listed in the above pdf in order to see how much they charge for rent. Usually, there are two students per bedroom so that the rent is more manageable.
@nionic Thank you so much for the insights! I’m thinking about settling in some students apt around campus for my first semester. I figure that it may be easier to meet some other students and hopefully find a good roommate to share an apt with in the future. But yea, you’re definitely right about the price of housing near campus, most of the places I found within a mile from SDSU are asking for over 700 with sharing bedroom.
Do you have any recommendations on some popular student apts around SDSU like Sterling Alverado, Suites on Paseo, or Fifty Twenty-five?
@aztecbound - I’m a parent and grad, and have little experience with those three complexes, but each one is in a different type of location. Sterling is basically next door to a hospital and next to Interstate 8. I’d check to see how noisy that street is. It is a quick, but slightly cumbersome, walk to campus (though that might not still be the case - it may be an easier walk) and next to the trolley line, which goes straight to SDSU. Fifty Twenty-five is off-campus, but not too long a walk. The Suites on Paseo is right on campus, and right in the midst of things activity-wise.
Paseo Place is next to The Suites on Paseo and right next to campus. You pay rent by the bed and will have to share a room but they do offer a roommate matching service. Many of my son’s friends: 2nd and 3rd years rented in this complex to be close to the campus activity. They also have underground parking for a fee.
@Gumbymom I was wondering if you have any recommendations for the on campus apartments? We need to apply for this soon if my son wants to live there. Another question… if he chooses to live off campus would we still qualify for parent loans to cover rent?
My son did not consider any of the on-campus apartments. He and most of his friends however opted to rent apartments just across the street from campus. He was at Paseo Place last year which rents by the bed as stated in my previous post #6.
Parent plus loans can be used for all education expenses including room and board (rent/food).