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Shift 1 of 1

Shift

$2,227 – $4,418/mo

  • Studio–2 bedrooms
  • 1–2 baths
  • 568–1,658 sq ft
  • 29 units available
  • Pet friendly
1501 Island Ave, San Diego, CA, 92101

As of October 14, 2026, Shift in San Diego, CA has 29 apartments for rent from $2,227 to $4,418/mo. Studios start at $2,227, one-bedrooms at $2,540, and two-bedrooms at $3,375. The average asking rent has risen 2.8% since May 8, 2026, from $3,033 to $3,119.


Floor plans

Shift has 29 units available across 22 floor plans: 2 studio layouts (568–586 sq ft), 11 one-bedroom layouts (773–1,045 sq ft), and 9 two-bedroom layouts (1,109–1,658 sq ft). Prices checked October 14, 2026.

S5

Studio • 1 Bath • 583 – 586 Sq Ft

Starting at $2,227/mo

2 available unitsPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
0328$2,227583Oct 30
0440$2,252586Nov 4

S7T

Studio • 1 Bath • 568 Sq Ft

Starting at $2,595/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
1302$2,595568Oct 11

A4T

1 Bedroom • 1 Bath • 841 Sq Ft

Starting at $2,540/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
0510$2,540841Mar 8

A18T

1 Bedroom • 1 Bath • 773 Sq Ft

Starting at $2,635/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
1203$2,635773Oct 12

A15

1 Bedroom • 1 Bath • 834 Sq Ft

Starting at $2,657/mo

2 available unitsPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
0347$2,657834Oct 12
0547$2,857834Oct 12

A10

1 Bedroom • 1 Bath • 823 – 844 Sq Ft

Starting at $2,662/mo

2 available unitsPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
0441$2,687844Oct 18
0233$2,662823Nov 23

A12T

1 Bedroom • 1 Bath • 906 Sq Ft

Starting at $2,723/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
0700$2,723906Dec 15

A6

1 Bedroom • 1 Bath • 884 Sq Ft

Starting at $2,757/mo

2 available unitsPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
0414$2,757884Oct 12
0516$2,882884Oct 12

A14T

1 Bedroom • 1 Bath • 849 – 850 Sq Ft

Starting at $2,775/mo

3 available unitsPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
1806$2,950849Oct 12
1906$2,975849Oct 12
1106$2,775850Nov 15

A8T

1 Bedroom • 1 Bath • 837 Sq Ft

Starting at $2,965/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
1909$2,965837Nov 24

A20.1T

1 Bedroom • 1 Bath • 903 Sq Ft

Starting at $3,035/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
1807$3,035903Nov 14

A19T

1 Bedroom • 1 Bath • 1,045 Sq Ft

Starting at $3,045/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
1001$3,0451,045Nov 13

A13T

1 Bedroom • 1 Bath • 859 Sq Ft

Starting at $3,115/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
2005$3,115859Oct 21

B4T

2 Bedrooms • 2 Baths • 1,151 Sq Ft

Starting at $3,375/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
0311$3,3751,151Oct 12

B1T

2 Bedrooms • 2 Baths • 1,109 Sq Ft

Starting at $3,564/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
1504$3,5641,109Oct 21

B13T

2 Bedrooms • 2 Baths • 1,253 Sq Ft

Starting at $3,620/mo

2 available unitsPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
1300$3,6201,253Oct 11
1400$3,6461,253Oct 12

B14T

2 Bedrooms • 2 Baths • 1,181 Sq Ft

Starting at $3,672/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
1801$3,6721,181Oct 12

B2

2 Bedrooms • 2 Baths • 1,283 Sq Ft

Starting at $3,727/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
0418$3,7271,283Oct 12

B5

2 Bedrooms • 2 Baths • 1,177 Sq Ft

Starting at $3,747/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
0222$3,7471,177Oct 12

B6

2 Bedrooms • 2 Baths • 1,243 Sq Ft

Starting at $3,812/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
0224$3,8121,243Oct 12

B12T

2 Bedrooms • 2 Baths • 1,171 Sq Ft

Starting at $4,035/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
2010$4,0351,171Nov 13

B15TPH

2 Bedrooms • 2 Baths • 1,658 Sq Ft

Starting at $4,418/mo

1 available unitPriceSq ftAvailableOpen unit
1901$4,4181,658Oct 12

See all 121 units listed at Shift, including ones no longer available.


Cost to rent here

At Shift, a studio starts at about $2,537 a month all-in: $2,227 rent and an estimated $310 for electric, gas, water, internet, renters insurance, and laundry. A one-bedroom starts at about $2,867 and a two-bedroom at about $3,785.

All-in from$2,537/mo

Estimates are local averages, not quotes from the property.

Can you afford it?

Most landlords ask for a monthly income of about 3× the rent, so qualifying at Shift takes about $80,172 a year for a studio, $91,440 for a one-bedroom, and $121,500 for a two-bedroom. Keeping the $2,537 all-in month for a studio within 35% of take-home pay takes an income of about $122,400 a year.

Total monthly housing cost

$2,537/mo

Income to afford it comfortably

$122,400/yr

Income to qualify

$80,172/yr

Your estimated budget

Suggested rent budget, Studio

$ —/mo

See what you can afford here

Add your income and debts for a rent budget at this building.

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Rent history

Over the past year, the average asking rent at Shift has ranged from $2,937 to $3,357. The current average is $3,119, up $86 (2.8%) from $3,033 at the start.

Prices reflect the average advertised rent across units listed as available each day (137 days observed).

Fees & lease terms

At Shift, leases run 12 months.

  • Rent

    $2,227 – $4,418/mo
  • Lease term

    12 months
  • Earliest move-in

    Mar 8

Amenities

Shift is pet friendly. It lists 18 amenities, including 7th floor sky terrace and package acceptance.

  • 7th Floor Sky Terrace

  • Dog Park

  • Expansive Closets With Upgrades

  • Floor To Ceiling Windows More Info On Floor To Ceiling Windows

  • Full Ceramic Tile Backsplash

  • Get Rewarded For Paying Rent And Shopping Local

  • Keyless Entry Front Door Locks

  • Kitchen Island With Quartz More Info On Kitchen Island With Quartz

  • Modern Two-Tone Cabinetry With Under-Mount Lighting

  • Onsite Retail With Unique Eateries And Services Right At Your Doorstep

  • Package Acceptance

  • Quartz Countertops

  • Resident Social Lounge

  • Shuffleboard

  • Signature San Diego Views

  • Walk-In Showers More Info On Walk-In Showers

  • Balcony

  • Courtyard View


Amenity photos

  • Pool

Location

1501 Island Ave, San Diego, CA, 92101


Resident reviews

Shift has a 4.2 out of 5 rating from more than 200 resident reviews. Residents rate amenities and shared spaces (4.0) and management (4.0) highest and maintenance (2.3) lowest.

4.2 · 200+ reviews
Overall rating
Positive
Mixed
Neutral
Negative
Management4.0
Amenities and Shared Spaces4.0
Building Quality2.5
Maintenance2.3
Location3.8
Overall100 reviews

Shift Apartments offers spacious, modern units with excellent amenities including a rooftop pool, gym, and community events in a walkable downtown location. However, the property has experienced significant operational challenges under recent management, including prolonged HVAC failures, garage gate malfunctions, inconsistent maintenance, and communication issues. Staff quality varies considerably, with exceptional front-desk and leasing personnel receiving consistent praise, while management responsiveness to maintenance requests and resident concerns has declined. The surrounding neighborhood presents ongoing challenges with homelessness and security concerns.

Management responsiveness and communication are inconsistent, with positive experiences during leasing and move-in contrasting sharply with delayed maintenance responses and unclear updates on ongoing issues. Staff professionalism varies significantly, with front-desk and leasing personnel frequently praised for helpfulness, while maintenance and facility management concerns—particularly air conditioning outages lasting months and common-area upkeep—remain unresolved. Billing communication has included errors and fee increases on previously advertised amenities, adding to resident frustration. Recent management transitions have coincided with declining service quality and resident satisfaction.

Shift offers extensive amenities including a rooftop pool, 24/7 gym, assigned parking, EV chargers, and co-working spaces that residents generally appreciate. However, maintenance responsiveness has declined, with recurring issues including broken garage gates, non-functional AC units, dirty common areas, and aging equipment showing wear. Communication about repairs and fee changes has been inconsistent, and some amenities advertised as included now carry additional charges.

Building maintenance and infrastructure issues dominate resident concerns, with prolonged HVAC failures, broken garage gates, and elevator problems reported across multiple reviews. Common areas show visible wear including stained hallways, dirty elevators, and inconsistent upkeep, while security vulnerabilities and lack of transparency about repairs create resident frustration. Staff responsiveness varies significantly, with some front desk and maintenance personnel praised for professionalism, though management communication about major issues remains a persistent complaint.

Maintenance responsiveness and follow-through have been significant concerns, with widespread reports of prolonged HVAC outages lasting months without clear timelines or communication. Residents report extended wait times for repairs, lack of transparency on resolution dates, and unresolved issues including garage door malfunctions, plumbing problems, and flooding. While maintenance staff are described as friendly and responsive when directly approached, systemic delays and communication gaps have created frustration, particularly given that residents continue paying full rent during extended service outages.

Shift's downtown East Village location offers convenient walking access to restaurants, coffee shops, Petco Park, and grocery stores, with free assigned garage parking and EV chargers. However, residents report significant neighborhood challenges including high noise levels from traffic and sirens, a visible homeless population, and street conditions that require caution. The building's security infrastructure—including a frequently non-functional garage gate and limited camera coverage—has been cited as insufficient, with at least one documented break-in to storage units.

Summaries are written by AI from reviews residents posted on public review sites such as Google and ApartmentRatings. Each topic shows how many of those reviews discuss it.

Getting around

Shift is very walkable and bikeable, and transit is good.

Walking
Very walkable
Grade A
Transit
Good
Grade C+
Biking
Bikeable
Grade C+

Climate and air quality

Air quality near Shift was good on 44 of the past 365 days, and at its worst in March (average AQI 77, moderate). Daily highs averaged 80°F in October, the warmest month, and lows averaged 51°F in December, the coldest.

Air quality

44 good-air days

of the past 365

: Moderate, AQI 60

Temperature

80° / 51°

average October high / December low

: 75° high, 55° low

Pollen

Very low

Oct 14–18 forecast

Tree: none, grass: none, weed: very low

MonthAverage highAverage lowAverage AQIGood-air days
January69°F51°F69 (moderate)4 of 31
February69°F52°F68 (moderate)4 of 28
March75°F56°F77 (moderate)0 of 31
April70°F56°F60 (moderate)5 of 30
May69°F59°F57 (moderate)8 of 31
June71°F61°F55 (moderate)7 of 30
July77°F66°F55 (moderate)3 of 31
August80°F69°F64 (moderate)3 of 31
September80°F67°F59 (moderate)1 of 30
October80°F61°F70 (moderate)0 of 31
November68°F54°F71 (moderate)4 of 30
December68°F51°F75 (moderate)5 of 31
Daily readings from Oct 15, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026. The pollen chart shows typical US seasons.

About this property

Indulge in the epitome of urban luxury living at Shift Apartments, nestled in the heart of vibrant Downtown San Diego. With sweeping views of the city and the tranquil waters of the Bay, Shift Apartments offers a sophisticated retreat. Immerse yourself in the sleek, contemporary design of our spacious residences, where every detail is meticulously crafted to exceed expectations. From the exclusive amenities, including a rooftop pool and 24-hour fitness center, to the personalized touches you'll find inside your home, Shift Apartments redefines upscale urban living. Embrace a lifestyle of elegance, convenience, and distinction at Shift Apartments!


Nearby schools

The closest school to Shift is e3 Civic High School, a charter high school 0.3 miles away. The closest public school is East Village High, 0.5 miles away.

SchoolTypeLevelDistance

e3 Civic High School

Charter · High
CharterHigh0.3 mi

Urban Discovery Academy Charter

Charter · High
CharterHigh0.3 mi

Urban Discovery Academy Charter

Charter · High
CharterHigh0.3 mi

St. Vnicent De Paul VLG Child Care Center

Private · Preschool
PrivatePreschool0.3 mi

Nha Early Link-Sherman Head Start

Private · Preschool
PrivatePreschool0.5 mi

San Diego City College Cdc

Private · Preschool
PrivatePreschool0.5 mi

College Head Start Child Development Center-Nha

Private · Preschool
PrivatePreschool0.5 mi

East Village High

Public · High
PublicHigh0.5 mi

Area 2-City College Head Start

Private · Preschool
PrivatePreschool0.5 mi

Garfield High School

Public · High
PublicHigh0.6 mi

Contact & management

Shift is managed by MG Properties. The leasing office's phone number is (844) 489-0433.


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