Hi, I have recently toured SDSU and loved the campus. However, I didn’t have time to explore the surrounding area. I noticed that there was a lot of construction going on near the campus. Does anyone know when it will be done and what it will be? Also, how is the surrounding area? Is it safe? Are there things to do without needing a car? I know that there is a trolley that students can use, but I am not sure where it goes. Thanks for any help!
I’ve lived in the San Diego/Riverside areas almost my entire life and our public transport system is severely lacking. If you only plan to explore the immediate local area then you are probably fine with just the trolly, but if you want to go further than about 10 miles you are either going to be dependent on Uber or you will need to get yourself an inexpensive vehicle (for about $2000 you can get yourself a used car that should last you 4 years, even cheaper if you are know how to fix em)
tangent: I had a friend purchase a 2004 VW Jetta for $600 because it was “broken”. He diagnosed the issue and replaced the fuel pump for the princely sum of $85 and he now owns a running Jetta with 80k miles worth $2500 on a bad day.
I was briefly stationed in the Chicago area for a bit and their public transport is incredible, during my 18 months there was not a single time it would have benefitted me to have my car there. Sadly though, this is not Chicago, this is San Diego, and our public transport is severely lacking.
As an SDSU student, you get can get a semester pass for the Trolley. If you take the Green Line east, it will end up in Santee, neighboring city. The end of the line in Santee is a small strip like shopping center that has a several specialty stores like Party City, Tilly’s etc… If you take the Green line west, it has stops at Qualcomm stadium, Santa Diego Mission, Mission Valley Mall, Fashion Valley, Old Town, Santa Fe Depot, Seaport Village and the Gas Lamp quarter. You can catch the Amtrak trains at either the Santa Fe Depot or Old town along with the Coaster if you want explore up the coast. The green line also connects to the Orange and Blue lines which allows you access to other parts of San Diego. My son had no car first year and took the trolley everywhere along with coming home on the Amtrak during breaks.
https://www.sdmts.com/schedules-real-time-maps-and-routes/trolley
Parking on campus is an issue, so if possible, leave your car at home the first year. If you move off campus, 2nd year, then having a car would make more sense.
The residential housing construction should be finished this fall for in-coming Freshman. The bottom of the mixed use building is for retail stores which are expected to open end of 2016 including a Trader Joes.
As in any big city, safety is up to you. Just be aware of your surroundings and never walk alone at night. My son is going on his 3rd year and has not felt unsafe on or near campus.
Thanks for the help @Graverobber and @Gumbymom 
As a freshman dorm dweller you will have no trouble getting by without a car.