Finding The Best Student Housing In San Diego
College life in San Diego is nothing short of magical! From the constant 70-degree temperatures to the 70 miles of coastline, or the allure of the surfer lifestyle, life in California is paradise. Choose a great option for student housing in San Diego and the rest will fall into place!
Now that you’ve put yourself on course for the best school season of your life, it’s time to start planning out a few of the logistics for finding San Diego student rentals.
• Enroll in school – check.
• Book flight – check.
• Pack a sense of adventure – check.
• Book student housing – wait, what?
You need something that will cover all the basics for the best San Diego student living.
San Diego is an expensive city to live in but with the right insights, you can find a way to live a fun and affordable life.
Choosing Your San Diego Neighborhood To Live In
San Diego has tons to offer. Depending on which school you are attending, having a great central location is key to a great lifestyle. From the beaches to Downtown, and all of the neighborhoods in between, San Diego has many great places to call home. Before you sign any leases, you should do a full tour of the city and explore all the best places to live.
If you want to be in the middle of the city, check out living in Hillcrest near Balboa Park. Hillcrest is filled with plenty of great shops, cafes, and restaurants. Roll through Hillcrest on any evening in the summer and you’ll find it buzzing with activity. One of the best things about Hillcrest is just how close it is to everything! Here, you’ll have access to Ocean Beach, Gaslamp District, and San Diego State University. Everything is about 45 minutes away via public transportation.
No matter if you are attending SDSU, UCSD, UCSD School of Medicine, or one of the city’s English schools, you will be conveniently located in Hillcrest. It’s our top pick for students looking for affordable housing in San Diego.
Top Neighborhoods For Student Housing Based on Your School
San Diego State University
- College Area
- Pacific Beach
- Hillcrest
UCSD
- La Jolla
- Pacific Beach
- Hillcrest (UCSD Hospital)
University of San Diego
- Linda Vista
- Pacific Beach
- Mission Beach
San Diego City College (Downtown Campus)
- Downtown
- South Park
- Hillcrest
San Diego City College (Mesa Campus)
- Mission Valley
- Ocean Beach
- Hillcrest
On-Campus Vs Off-Campus Student Housing in San Diego
The majority of students who go to school in San Diego spend their first year living on campus to fully embrace the college lifestyle. This is a great idea and will give you some of the most unique experiences. Not to mention, doing this will keep you close to your classes so you are never late and don’t have to worry about parking.
After a year of campus life, you will want to move off campus. The hottest place for student housing in San Diego is Pacific Beach. I mean you are studying in San Diego, you need to be by the beach and work on your tan right?
If you are looking for a student apartment in San Diego, I recommend using Facebook groups to explore a wide variety of student rentals as well as potential roommates to share a place with.
Worried about transportation if you live off-campus? The city of San Diego provides discounted bus and metro passes for students to help get you to class.
Keeping Your Student Housing Cheap
The secret to living in San Diego is to not spend all your money on rent! The weather is so beautiful in San Diego, so you won’t be spending much time indoors. Many students share rooms to save money, allowing you to still have a comfortable but fun lifestyle. Hostels and CoLiving accommodations have become very popular lately for San Diego student housing. Our Adventure Hostel in downtown San Diego is a perfect place to look for co-living. If you enjoy great experiences and a social atmosphere at the most affordable price, consider looking into hostels and coliving lodging.
Things To Consider For International Student Housing In San Diego
For international students traveling to San Diego, finding student housing can be tough. The last time we checked, beds weren’t allowed as a carry-on item for your flight. We get it. You are moving to California from across the world and have tons of questions. We understand your situation and know that having a good community of like-minded students is the secret to feeling comfortable in your new home.
We recommend finding a more co-living style of accommodation with other foreign exchange students in San Diego because chances are you will meet a fellow student from the same country you are from. Many international students come to San Diego to learn English, and they also need an all-in-one housing environment that is comfortable. Community-based housing establishments are the best solution for international students. When you are not in school practicing language, you will be using your English skills and conversing with fellow students in the community. This can have drastic impacts on your language fluency!
San Diego Furnished Short-Term Rentals
You came to San Diego to study and have great experiences! The good thing is that San Diego offers plenty of furnished short-term rentals. When looking for housing, you don’t need to settle for an empty apartment. I recommend exploring hostels and co-living buildings because they often are fully stocked with comfortable furnishings. Some websites to check out are Roomfinder, Craigslist, or Hotpads. These can be great resources, especially for furnished rooms!
What you should look for with furnished student rentals:
- Room and Bed with linens
- Fully furnished living areas
- Quiet library for studying
- Communal kitchen
- Social lounge with billboards, TVs, and entertainment
- Free Wi-Fi
Save Money With A Communal Kitchen
As a student, you’ve got a lot on your plate. Just between classes, studying, and tests, balancing school can be overwhelming at times. As a student, you add a whole other layer—you need to experience San Diego!
Find accommodation with a full-size kitchen and cooking utensils so you can make some meals yourself. Eating out in San Diego can be taxing on your wallet. When you stay at a community-based lodging building, you may even be able to share the cooking with other residents and try new foods! Our hostels in San Diego all offer communal kitchens, giving you great access to everything you need to prepare your weekly and nightly meals.
Student Housing in San Diego With Community and Adventure
You didn’t travel halfway around the world to spend the whole semester with your nose in a book? No, you chose San Diego for a reason.
In between your studies, it’s important to fit in fun experiences. Consider what activities or events are happening at the student housing establishment you choose. At ITH, we’re all about community, sharing cultures, and awesome people. We offer daily activities and monthly events to connect travelers and see the best parts of San Diego.
From sailing to surfing to yoga at the beach and more, you can’t help but have a good time while you are here. The nightlife in San Diego, especially in Pacific Beach and the Gaslamp district, is what makes it such an amazing city! Our Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel in Pacific Beach is the perfect place to get a taste of the action while you scope out housing situations in San Diego.
San Diego takes care of its students with a variety of discounts. You can live in San Diego without experiencing our world-famous Zoo. Be sure to save money on our ticket with the San Diego Zoo Student Discount pass.
Looking for student jobs in San Diego?
Living in San Diego is not cheap. Most students work at least one job while living in San Diego to help pay the bills. Easy jobs with flexible schedules in San Diego include driving for Uber, DoorDash, or Instacart. San Diego is also built around tourism, so finding a job where you can earn tips is highly recommended.
Do Your Research And Find The Best Student Community For You
People who choose to stay at ITH are like-minded travelers who want to become part of a global community. If you are someone who wants to have an authentic, memorable, and meaningful experience, then ITH is for you.
So if you are looking to make your next semester the best semester yet, book your room today. Ultimately, you are signing up for a semester with some of the coolest and friendliest people around. You couldn’t ask for better roommates or a better San Diego experience.
At International Travelers House, we are all about creating global, cultural, and sustainable relationships.
