University City

A Beautiful Student-Oriented Neighborhood
University City is a student-friendly neighborhood next to UCSD, generally considered to be the area between I-5, I-805, and State Route 52. With its close proximity to campus, abundant supply of apartments and entertainment, University City is a perfect spot for students looking to live among their peers. With access to the Campus Shuttle routes and public transportation, students living in University City will not need a car to reach campus. However, shuttle services don’t extend below La Jolla Village Drive, meaning those south of La Jolla will need to take public transport. Apartments in this area are plentiful and consist of mainly luxury buildings with rents that reflect their high quality.
What University City Residents
Think About Their Apartments
overall
7.5
value
7.4
amenities
7.0
social
6.0
management
7.0
Median rents in University City
Studio
$
1900
1 Bedroom
$
2100
2 Bedroom
$
2500

Living in
University City

Quiet and safe neighborhood
Convenient
It's cool
Great
University City — 8.5/10 Rating (based on 25 neighborhood reviews)
The neighborhood is very nice. There are many families that live here so you can always see kids outside. There are also many people with dogs. There's a pub, pool, free gym, study rooms, and other useful amenities. The Mesa community is very large and covers other grad housing residences so there is plenty of room to walk around. It's pretty safe too and there's lots of bike parking.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Mesa Nueva
Convenient location if you’re a UCSD student. Near bus stops, Ralphs plaza, Whole Foods plaza, Vons/TapEx plaza, and I-5S freeway entrance. Short drive away from UCSD.

Also great to live in University City if you go to USD/SDSU because you’ll almost always be against traffic on your commutes.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Nobel Court
I moved in during Covid so I can't speak to the social aspects of grad housing, but it feels safe and welcoming. There is some stuff within walking distance, but a car is required for many errands which isn't totally ideal.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Mesa Nueva
Very convenient — plenty of grocery stores, not too far from beaches (15 min), close to plenty of highways, nice park and running routes, very friendly neighbors.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Mirada at La Jolla Colony
It's close to the central campus, and also close to Regents Pizzeria.
Three grocery stores are about 30 minutes away by foot.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Mesa Nueva
quiet, mostly peaceful. not much to do at night (pre-covid times). grocery stores are not that close.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Mesa Nueva
There is a lot of nature in the neighborhood, and it is right next to Westfield UTC. There is a recreational park with room to workout, a path to run, and two fields. There are no major roads around so the traffic is not an issue. There is a center with a few shops, restaurants, and CVS within five minutes walking distance. There are nice gardens with fountains and rivers, Italian Renaissance-themed. This makes the walk very nice. However, you will need to drive around 5-10 minutes to reach any grocery store (the closest are Bristol Farms and Vons).
The neighborhood is extremely clean.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Villas of Renaissance
UTC mall and the proximity to UCSD make this a really nice place to live for UCSD students.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
La Jolla Blue
It'd be great if we had a bunch of grocery shops nearby
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Mesa Nueva
Quiet and safe neighborhood. Convenient for shopping and food. A few transits stops nearby.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Towers at Costa Verde
Overall a very quiet neighborhood
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Mesa Nueva
Great
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Reviewed by
4
/10
Neighborhood Rating
La Jolla Crossroads
It is so loud
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Regents Court Apartments
The UTC neighborhood is close to campus, and Regent's Pizza is a great hangout space for celebrations with friends. I really like how the grad housing is close enough to campus to walk there in 30mins or less. I used to live at Costa Verde (also in UTC), but when I lived there I drove to campus since the walk was a little too long to be practical. While I love living in UTC, it isn't the most affordable place in general (outside of grad housing), as when I lived at Costa Verde I had to share a bedroom in a two-bedroom apartment for $650/month. I prefer to keep my rent under $1000/month if possible, but after I move out of grad housing I will have to pay more than that to have my own room in a two-bedroom apartment.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Mesa Nueva
La Jolla is safe enough to walk any time of day or night, and the housing community is basically just grad students, who are chill but more mature than undergrads. But I spent almost all of my time either at home or on campus, so I don't have a great sense of the rest of La Jolla.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Mesa Nueva
Unfortunately expensive. Lots of good food and close to campus. Not many activities, but has enough things nearby, like La Jolla Shores, that it doesn't matter so much.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Regents Court Apartments
I like living in University City, because I like being close to campus. I also like that I live very close to a public park (Doyle Park).
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Pines of La Jolla
Close to campus, affordable, many grocery stores and shopping areas. Easy to get around by bicycle, car, or transit.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Mesa Nueva
UTC is a nice area, but sometimes it can feel isolated. It is disconnected from campus (although close by) and has limited restaurants and stores. Often we have to drive Clairemont or downtown La Jolla beyond the basics, such as for Target, Wal-mart, ethnic food, etc. And Clairemont just feels old and like Boomer-town. So overall UTC is central to everything and efficient, but doesn't have a lot of energy.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Verano
The neighborhood is very nice and well kept. It's right it the middle of University City (by the mall) so its surrounded by other nice complexes. There is a park nearby, plenty of shopping, and easy access to transit. Neighborhood feels pretty safe (No worries parking on the street). Pet friendly also - there is a dog area at the park. There are also running trails nearby that go through the canyon and have nice views.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
La Jolla terrace
UTC is close to campus but there isn't much else going on besides that.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Mesa Nueva
It's convenient but not the most attractive part of La Jolla. I used to live in Bird Rock so I love the time I save going to and from class however, I miss the sunsets by the beach.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
La Jolla Del Sol
Very safe, close to campus, lots of food nearby.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Mesa Nueva
Pretty close to the school. Has many restaurants.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Costa Verde village
It's cool!
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Mesa Nueva


Getting to Know
University City

Neighborhood Boundaries
East to West Boundaries: Jacob Dekema Freeway to San Diego Fwy

North to South Boundaries: Sorrento Valley Blvd to Mt Soledad Fwk

Best Apartments
in University City

Villas of Renaissance
Studio $1,880
1 Bed $2,045
2 Beds $2,215

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Genesee Highland

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La Jolla Palms Apartment Homes
1 Bed $2,660
2 Beds $3,310

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Nuevo West
Studio $741
2 Beds $579
4 Beds $502

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Nuevo East
1 Bed $117
2 Beds $579
3 Beds $502

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One Miramar Street
1 Bed $555
2 Beds $1,110
3 Beds $2,220

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