<p>I know this subject has probably been brought up a million times, but where would you guys/girls say is the best off-campus housing? The main two places I've heard are University City, and Pacific Beach. I understand PB is a little further from UCSD (8 minute drive?) but also a nicer place to live, with a better surrounding area. I'm willing to spend around $750 a month, $800 max, and already have a roommate so $1600 max I guess.. would this price range exclude me from any housing areas? Also, what is the college atmosphere like at the different areas? Being a college student I'd probably enjoy living around a lot of other college students, but this isn't necessarily a major factor. Lastly, when should I start seriously looking for housing? Looking on craigslist and other places I see a lot of decent looking apartments/condos that will be available to rent very soon, if I wait until around early July would all of the decent places already be taken?</p>
<p>You forgot UTC, which is where the vast majority of off-campus students live.</p>
<p>University City and especially Pacific Beach are quite a long commute away from school. With your price range, you and your friend can each have a single in a 2 BD/2 BA at UTC and not have to drive to school.</p>
<p>Any idea how much the 2bd/2ba would cost?</p>
<p>What would a UTC place be like? A big apartment complex, a condo, a townhouse? Also, reading some reviews I've heard that a lot of people get their cars broken into in areas close to campus, is that a serious problem at UTC?</p>
<p>there is car theft around the utc area but thats mostly if u park out in the street.</p>
<p>if i can say one thing, live close to a bus stop (like 1 block), either the ucsd shuttle or the city bus. i lived a mile away last year from the closest one and i was always 15-20 mins late for a 50 min class haha.</p>
<p>When should I start looking for an apartment? Are the good ones generally all taken by mid-summer?</p>
<p>Most students live in the UTC area although it's sometimes also referred to as University City. 'UTC' is actually just a shopping mall. IMO it's a 'nicer' area than PB in terms of higher-end apartments, condos, etc. However, it's not in the more 'party atmosphere' of PB. There aren't 'huge' problems of car break-ins in UTC over PB but don't leave an Alpine stereo, backpack, laptop, CDs, etc. visible in the car. </p>
<p>The UTC area is served by the free UCSD shuttle and is very convenient for students which is why there are so many in the area. From some areas you can easily bike or feasibly walk to campus. Follow the advice of the poster who said to pay attention to where the shuttle stops are.</p>
<p>Look at the approximate around Regents/Nobel at places like Costa Verde, La Regencia, Archstone, etc. There are also quite a few rental condos available.</p>
<p>You might find some nice 2br/2ba apartments for around $1600-$1800. If you and your roommate are willing to share a 1br then it'll be cheaper.</p>
<p>If you're not familiar with the general area go look around. if you're not in the SD area, use 'Live Local' birds-eye view or Google street view to get a pretty good idea of what the areas look like.</p>
<p>You should start looking now to get an idea of them and consider actually getting one around the end of August or early September depending on availability.</p>
<p>^This was very helpful. Thank you for posting that!</p>
<p>UTC / UC area is nicer than PB. there are no bars or drunk college students</p>
<p>concurring with ucsd<em>ucla</em>dad,</p>
<p>UTC = block bordered by La Jolla Village Dr. (north), Towne Centre Dr. (west), Nobel Rd. (south) and Genesse Ave. (west).</p>
<p>University City = also "golden triangle" bordered by 5, 805, and 52</p>
<p>Generally, when people say "UTC" they mean "UTC-area" or properly, North University City (everything north of Rose Canyon between Nobel and Governor). People often call it "condo hell" since the horizon in the residential district is always obstructed by 4 story condo or apartment buildings.</p>
<p>I'm moving into these apartments in UTC called archstone la jolla colony. The rent is going to be a little under 2k/month between me and my girlfriend and we're getting a 2bdrm/2bthrm. The reason we chose to live there supports what an earlier post said, there is a UCSD shuttle that goes through the area like every 10 minutes. I have a car, but I heard parking/driving in the area is a nightmare.</p>
<p>Stupid question... you can take your bikes on the UCSD shuttles right?</p>
<p>nope, but you can take them on the san diego (MTS?) city buses</p>
<p>Interesting... astrina you haven't weighed in on this topic yet, where would you recommend for off campus housing? Is the commute from PB or Clairemont really as dreadful as people make it out to be, and is UCSD parking really that bad? I've been looking at apartments/condos/townhouses/houses the last few weeks and it seems that I could get a monstrous house in the Clairemont Mesa area for the same price as a tiny apartment in UTC, or maybe I could take the middle ground and get a decent townhouse around Genessee for the same price. I'm also interested in PB but like the previous poster said, its a long commute - only 8 miles but I have no idea what San Diego traffic is like. Any thoughts? I wish I didn't currently live 8 hours hours away :(</p>
<p>I haven't weighed in on the topic because it's been addressed before and I've posted to those previously. :)</p>
<p>In short: I lived at La Regencia for three years, shared room in 2br/2ba for $400/mo. Not super-splendid, but for the price, a great deal considering the alternatives. Commutes are as easy/hard as you make them. You will soon learn what the rush hour schedule is and learn to conform or commute at odd hours. I had no problem driving to school every day once I moved off campus, partly because I secured a B permit even as an undergrad and worked off-campus during my last two years. I've had friends bike from the Clairemont area with success. (One didn't have a choice, he got a DUI as a 20 year old) </p>
<p>Most students will rely on some form of public transportation to get to school (permit prices aren't cheap, S spots aren't plentiful either) and keep a car for going elsewhere in the city. My roommates all did this.</p>