Neighborhood Spotlight: University City, San Diego

San Diego NeighborhoodUniversity City – San Diego, California is one of the most vibrant and cultured towns in the greater San Diego area. Its name derives from, you guessed it, the University of California, San Diego. The college (that’s one of the top rated schools in California) is the center and hub of the town. As far as living goes, the majority of residents call an apartment rental home. University City has two unofficial parts that the Rose Canyon divides. One being the Rose Canyon Open Space, a more calm and relaxing part of the city. There is a serene creek, which runs the length of the canyon and eventually falls into Mission Bay. A nature walk in itself, visitors constantly find themselves discovering something new during each and every visit. The second and much more commercial section of University City is referred to as University Towne Centre (UTC) and has been dubbed the “Golden Triangle.” In the UTC mall you will find the best shopping for miles. There are 150 stores so you won’t have to go anywhere else. There are restaurants and popular name brand stores such as Nordstrom, Macy’s, and the Apple Store in the area.

In a recent 180 million renovation, which included adding 750,000 SF of new retail space, Westfield’s UTC Mall has focused on providing comfortable places for children and parents too. There are lounge areas, niche stores, toddler play space, jungle gyms, and kid-friendly restaurants. Westfield has also added ArcLight, a 14-screen premium movie theater and expanded 24-Hour Fitness Center. Visitors can even get a great workout and cool off at the University Towne Centre’s year-round Ice Town. The UTC is the perfect place to spend a weekend with family and friends.

For families who have children, University City has some amazing schools. There are five public schools including: Marie Curie Elementary School, John D. Spreckels Elementary School, Doyle Elementary School, Standley Middle School, and University City High School (San Diego). Public transportation is an important feature in the UTC area. In addition to the Super Loop Bus Line and UCSD Shuttle Service, The City of San Diego is also planning on adding a trolley line to this I-5 which will run through UTC. Construction is expected to begin in 2015. The Trolley extension route, known as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) will begin just north of the Old Town Transit Center and will travel in existing railroad right-of-way and alongside Interstate 5 to Gilman Drive. It will cross to the west side of I-5 just south of Nobel Drive and continues on to the UCSD campus, crosses back to the east side of I-5 near Voigt Drive to serve the UCSD east campus and medical centers on the east side of I-5, transitions into the median of Genesee Avenue, and continues down Genesee Avenue to the Westfield UTC transit center. If you’re considering moving to the UTC area, please browse our apartment rentals.