$1,155,201Average Value$643Average Price per Sq Ft20Homes For Sale
College West is where suburban community meets college town
About 10 miles from Downtown San Diego, College West is lined with single-family homes that share the area with academic buildings and campus facilities of San Diego State University (SDSU). “It’s a family neighborhood that also has students and small businesses,” says Real Estate Agent Joe Carta with Joe Carta Realty, who has over 40 years of experience and once lived in the neighborhood. Local shops and restaurants are within walking distance of many homes, and there’s a transit center on campus. “[College West] is a gateway to East County, and you’re not even far from downtown. You can take a trolley and get to the bay and beach in 20 minutes.”
Single-family homes, condos and apartments for sale or rent
Residential properties in College West are either found in the Alvarado Estates subdivision or south of Montezuma Road. Most are accompanied by grassy front lawns and driveways and are surrounded by tall trees and shrubbery. Mid-century ranch-style homes are common and come in a variety of architectural designs – some have traditional brick or vinyl exteriors, while others have Spanish Revival influences and adobe exteriors with red tiled roofs. Prices range between $750,000 and $1.8 million, depending on property size. There are also contemporary single-story homes with a similar cost. Split-level homes and bi-levels built between the 1950s and 1980s are another popular housing type and go for $1.2 million to $1.6 million.
Condominiums with a Spanish influence are also in the neighborhood and have units going for $375,000 to $525,000. Renters can expect to pay $3,000 to $6,000 per month, depending on the type of housing. SDSU students living off-campus tend to rent from residents who have investment properties. As such, there is a mix of both students and community members in College West. “I used to live over there, and there is a bit of a problem with parking and noise, but you know that when you decide to live there,” Carta says.
In addition to the houses, there are multiple apartment complexes in the area, including Twenty-Five Apartments, College View and Aztec Apartments.
SDSU’s impact on the surrounding community
San Diego State University is the city’s oldest higher education institution. Roughly 39,000 students are enrolled at the college, with over 3,500 living on campus. “The university is one of the main reasons why people like living here. It’s a big part of the economy, bringing millions of dollars to the area,” Carta says. “They have a lot of functions going on. There’s a beautiful gym, and if you’re a resident, you can get a membership there.”The Viejas Arena is a well-known public venue for concerts and sports events, where students and fans gather to cheer on the Aztecs. The Cal Coast Credit Union Amphitheater is another popular location for entertainment and various events.
Shopping centers on College Ave and El Cajon Blvd
South Campus Plaza is a shopping center along College Avenue, directly south of SDSU’s campus. There’s a Trader Joe’s, 7-Eleven and multiple fast-food chains such as Starbucks, Domino’s and Epic Wings. Trujillo’s Taco Shop is a casual taqueria serving traditional Mexican cuisine and late-night bites.
El Cajon Boulevard travels south of the neighborhood and functions as a commercial corridor, with used car dealerships, private medical practices and various other small businesses along it. Campus Plaza Shopping Center sits at the College Avenue intersection and has a Vons. Tandoori Vibes specializes in authentic Indian dishes and Woodstock’s Pizza serves customized and specialty pies. Counter-serve restaurants include Chipotle and Jersey Mike’s Subs.
Navigating College West by foot, trolley, train or car
Multiple modes of transportation exist in College West. “There are a lot of public transportation options to feed the university, so you don’t have to have a car if you don’t want to,” Carta says. The SDSU Transit Center is a trolley and light rail station, connecting to the Green Line. Additionally, San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System has bus stops along Collwood Boulevard, Montezuma Road, College Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard. SDSU’s campus has walkways, crosswalks and bike lanes that promote a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly community.
Commuters who drive can access Interstate 8, known as Mission Valley Freeway, and use it to travel into Downtown San Diego. “It’s really convenient. You can get on I-8 and go in every direction,” Carta says. The UC San Diego Health East Campus Medical Center is over 2 miles away and provides healthcare to the community. The San Diego International Airport is roughly 12 miles west.
Campus fields and nearby open spaces with outdoor recreation
Most green spaces in College West are found on SDSU’s campus, from athletic fields to open lawns and gardens. About 2 miles south of the neighborhood is Colina Park Golf Course, a public 18-hole course that also has disc golf. The Navajo Canyon Open Space Park is about 3 miles north with a hiking trail that cuts through natural vegetation and clusters of cacti.
Mission Trails Regional Park is an 8,000-acre open space roughly 5 miles from College West with over 60 miles of hiking and biking trails. The Grasslands Loop Trail heads to the Oak Canyon Waterfall, while the Cowles Mountain Trail travels to its namesake’s summit. Other trails circle Lake Murray, which allows fishing and non-motorized boating. Lake Murray Community Park has a playground, ball fields and picnic tables. Farther north is the Kumeyaay Lake Campground, with 46 individual campsites.
A-rated San Diego public schools
Families living in College West can send their kids to schools in the San Diego Unified School District, which allows choice enrollment through a lottery system. Hardy Elementary School and Lewis Middle School both earn A-minus grades from Niche. From there, students can attend Henry High School, which receives an A. Henry High offers Advanced Placement courses and career pathways programs such as a Teaching Academy and an Engineering Academy.
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
David Knox,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Transit
Airport
San Diego International
17 min drive
Subway
Sdsu Transit Center
Bus
Montezuma Rd & College Av
Bus
El Cajon Bl & Dayton St
Bus
El Cajon Bl & 56th St
Bus
Montezuma Rd & 54th St
Bus
Collwood Bl & Monroe Av
Bus
54th St & El Cajon Bl
Bus
College Av & Alvarado Rd
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
College West
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in College West, San Diego sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in College West, San Diego over the last 12 months is $1,115,585, up 4% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This stunning 3-bedroom, 2-bath home located in the highly sought-after College View Estates is a true mid-century modern gem, inspired by the renowned architect William Krisel. Featuring an expansive open-concept design and a beautifully remodeled gourmet kitchen, amenities include professional-grade appliances, sleek slab countertops, and a spacious center island. The home also boasts classic
Kevin HallBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
PRICE RANGE - $1,499,998-$1,599,998(+) will be entertained! Welcome to 5171 College Gardens Court, a modern gem in San Diego. This stunning split 3-level home features 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms across 2,363 square feet of stylish living space. The first floor offers a convenient bedroom and full bathroom. The second floor shines with a remodeled open-concept living area, seamlessly connecting
Move in Ready! Welcome to this lovingly maintained El Cerrito home. Locaed in a charming neighborhood surrounded by urban San Diego.Home features a brand NEW kitchen, freshly painted inside and outside, freshend bathrooms, newly refinished original hardwood floors, brand new drought tolerant landscaping front and back with beautiful flowering mature trees. Owner has carefully maintained all and
Seize this rare opportunity just steps from San Diego State University! This property includes approved plans to transform the main house into a 6-bedroom, 3-bathroom residence and construct a brand-new 1,200 sq ft, 5-bedroom, 2-bathroom ADU. Situated on an oversized lot, it features two driveways for abundant parking, plus expansive front and rear yards. The garage offers future potential for
Spacious 3/2 Off-Campus Apartment - Steps to SDSU - Now Leasing for Fall 2024 - Welcome to Hardy Avenue Apartments! Our location is unbeatable, within steps of the SDSU college campus, Aztec Athletic Club, and essential amenities like grocery stores, shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and public transportation. Our apartments feature spacious 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom layouts equipped with
*** Available starting 08/20/2025*** Come stay in beautifully remodeled studio located near San Diego State University. Minimum 1 calendar month rental Fully Furnished and all inclusive (owners pay all utilities). Completely upgraded studio with 1 bath. Featuring beautiful flooring, updated counter tops, and a gorgeous remodeled bathroom with walk in shower. The unit was thoughtfully designed,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
David Knox,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
12,842
Median Age
28
Population under 18
19.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
8.7%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$73,020
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$101,019
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.3%
College Graduates
46.2%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
21%
% Population in Labor Force
53.7%
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®
21/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
31/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
47/ 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.
