$943,746Average Value$345Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
As San Diego State University grows, so does College East
As the name suggests, College East borders the east side of San Diego State University's campus. The university's culture dominates College East, evident in the neighborhood's recent development trends. "The college has said that it wants to add 15,000 students by 2030, so it has become the most popular place for investment," says Daniel Sipher with JLM Real Estate, who's been selling in San Diego since 2018. "Developers are buying up a bunch of the single-family homes and turning them into multifamily units and apartment buildings for students." So, while College West — the neighborhood's cross-campus counterpart — remains a residential haven for professors, College East has progressively gotten more student-centric. Even with this outlook, much of College East is still a residential community of single-family homes.
Condo units, single-family streets and multi-family investments
Despite many homes being converted for multifamily use, the neighborhood's streetscape hasn't significantly changed. Ranch-style homes with grassy lawns line the streets north and south of El Cajon Boulevard and Montezuma Road — the neighborhood's main thoroughfares. Many were built between the 1950s and 1980s, ranging from $750,000 up to $1 million for those with modern interior and exterior renovations. More of these homes are being rezoned for multifamily use because of the rental opportunity. "From an investment perspective, this is the best place for rental income in San Diego because of all the students and faculty looking here," says Sipher. These ranch-style turned roommate-friendly homes can cost $1 million to nearly $2 million. Condos and townhouses range from $350,000 to $750,000.
College East is growing upward and outward with a rise in ADU additions throughout the neighborhood.
College East features charming ranch-style homes with spacious yards and timeless appeal.
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San Diego State University and an A-rated public school district
The neighborhood borders the east side of San Diego State University. The campus is compact by major university standards but serves almost 40,000 students. The school has also gained notoriety for its basketball prowess as a mainstay in the NCAA March Madness tournament. So, big crowds can be expected around game times. SDSU employs almost 7,000 faculty and staff, making it the area's largest employer.
Naturally, education is a priority for many residents. The neighborhood is served by the San Diego Unified School District, which is rated an A by Niche. Most kids begin at Hardy Elementary, located next to SDSU and rated an A-minus. Depending on their address, students might continue at Lewis Middle, given an A-minus, and A-rated Patrick Henry High to the north. The other pipeline could be B-minus-rated Mann Middle and B-rated Crawford High to the south.
Lewis Middle School in San Diego's Allied Gardens neighborhood fosters academic excellence for grades 6-8.
Patrick Henry High School stands as a cornerstone of education and community engagement in San Diego.
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Eateries on EL Cajon Boulevard
The area has plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars to cater to the residents and the local student body. Along El Cajon Boulevard, one of the neighborhood's central thoroughfares, there are casual Mexican eateries, juice shops like Yummy Yummy, cafes like the Daily Grind and college dives like Dirty Birds. There's also a Ralphs for essentials and as well as other markets. On the neighborhood's west side, bordering campus, there's a Trader Joe's and more spots to grab a bite on College Avenue.
"Start your morning right at The Daily Grind Café, a College East staple for coffee and comfort.
Ralphs in College East offers fresh produce and everyday essentials for the community.
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City parks, community gardens and nearby hiking and paddling at Lake Murray
Besides natural canyons between residential streets, there isn't much open space in the neighborhood. Montezuma Park, on the south side, has a spacious lawn with a walking path and shady trees. Local plant enthusiasts can tend to a plot in the College Area Community Garden on the west side, near campus. This organic garden has ample bed space and communal supplies for master and novice gardeners. They also host educational events and expos for gardeners in the community. Lake Murray provides abundant outdoor recreation just 2 miles north of many homes. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and paddling, and it's surrounded by natural space, walking trails and a community park. Cowles Mountain is on the north side of Lake Murray. Cowles Mountain is the highest point in San Diego, and trailheads begin less than 4 miles north of the neighborhood.
Montezuma Park brings open space and fresh air to the vibrant College East neighborhood.
Cowles Mountain combines a challenging hike with stunning views of San Diego’s vast beauty.
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Take Interstate 8 or the light rail to downtown San Diego
Of course, SDSU is a dominant employer in the area, along with its associated entities like the East Campus Medical Center on the neighborhood's north side. Healthcare professionals might also work at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, the area's largest hospital, 3 miles east. Aside from working at these nearby institutions, many residents commute to downtown San Diego. With Interstate 8 along the neighborhood's north side, downtown's military and biotech industries are just 10 miles west. Downtown commuters can also take the light rail train from stations at the medical center on the north side and on SDSU's campus. The 8 and the light rail also lead to San Diego International Airport, just over 12 miles west on the north end of downtown.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kip Boatcher,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Montezuma Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
College Area Community Garden
Transit
Airport
San Diego International
18 min drive
Subway
Alvarado Medical Center
Bus
Montezuma Rd & 63rd St
Bus
70th St & El Cajon Bl
Bus
Montezuma Rd & Catoctin Dr
Bus
El Cajon Bl & 73rd St
Bus
El Cajon Bl & 67th St
Bus
Montezuma Rd & Reservoir Dr
Bus
College Av & El Cajon Bl
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
College East
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
College East Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in College East, San Diego sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in College East, San Diego over the last 12 months is $610,000, up 57% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Gorgeous 2 Bed, 2 Bath Condo w/ a prime location near SDSU! This beautifully upgraded home is perfectly situated on the first floor for effortless, stair-free living & has 1 assigned parking space. The open floor plan was designed for privacy w/ bedrooms & baths on opposite sides making this an excellent setup for roommates, guests or a peaceful home office/retreat. Enjoy designer wall colors,
Welcome to 6821 Alvarado Rd, Unit 3—a beautifully updated townhome located in the desirable Del Cerro neighborhood of San Diego. This spacious 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers a perfect blend of comfort, style, and convenience, situated just minutes from SDSU, the San Diego Trolley, and a variety of popular local eateries. Inside, you’ll find a thoughtfully renovated interior featuring new luxury
VA APPROVED & MOVE-IN READY! This property comes with a 2-1 rate buydown, reducing the buyer’s interest rate by 2% for the 1st year of their loan, 1% the 2nd year. Welcome to your beautifully remodeled 2-bedroom condo in a highly sought-after, gated community just steps from SDSU! Enjoy modern living with a bright open floor plan, perfect for entertaining or a roommate setup, with bedrooms on
Great investment opportunity in the College area, near San Diego State University, come and see this great home/property per the city zoning department is OZM3-7. Home buyers, developers, investors the property has 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2,455 sq ft. and 7,420 Sq. Ft. Lot, Come and see this property with great possibilities to upgrade.
Carolina Juarez
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Prime SDSU Cashflow property. Leased to 7/10/2026at $12,600/mo. Main house 5Br/3ba and ADU 3br/1ba. Two units leased to one group on one lease. Expert property management company available to manage.
Step into modern comfort with this beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom end-unit condo, perfectly situated on the first floor for easy access. Featuring brand-new flooring throughout, this stylish home boasts sleek, modern tiles and custom vanities that elevate both bathrooms. The open-concept layout is bright and inviting, ideal for both relaxation and entertaining. With thoughtful upgrades
Welcome to Atlas Alvarado—a modern retreat in the heart of the San Diego College Area, where luxury meets balance. We know you have ambitious goals but also value a fulfilling work-life lifestyle, so we’ve designed a home that blends elegance with tranquility. With high-end finishes, and thoughtfully designed spaces, our studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments provide the perfect
**Now Offering Half Off First Month's Rent – Sign Your Lease by August 8th!** Modern Top Floor 2 Bedroom Apartment at 7231 Mohawk St Available now – move-in ready! Stylish and energy-efficient living in a newly built 2024 top floor unit with no neighbors above. This 2 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom apartment offers 750 sqft of thoughtfully designed space with top-of-the-line appliances and hard flooring
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kip Boatcher,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
12,244
Median Age
28
Population under 18
20.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
6.5%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$43,734
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$75,951
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.9%
College Graduates
44%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
15%
% Population in Labor Force
52.3%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
10''
Average Winter Low Temperature
46°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
49/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
81/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
49/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
