Houses & Apartments Near UC Davis

When To Start Searching For Apartments & Houses Near UC-Davis

The UC-Davis dorms are great; they give you the opportunity to meet new people and get the total college experience. But, after a little while, sharing a room—regardless of how good of a roommate they are—and awkwardly speed-shuffling back to your room after a shower can get pretty old. Since you’ve probably never lived on your own before, you may not know how and when to start your search for your very first apartment or house in Davis, CA near UC-Davis. Well, we have good news. You seem to already have the “how” part down since you’re currently on the UC-Davis off-campus housing page.

The “when” part is a little bit trickier to answer. When to start your search for UC-Davis off-campus housing kind of depends on what level of excitement/anxiety you have about finding a place. Are you looking to hold off till the start of January when the competition is fiercest and the place you fell in love with could potentially be off the market before you can even call the landlord? Or would you prefer to start your search a few months early and have more options and less competition?

If you’re leaning towards the first option, we hope the odds are in your favor. And if you choose the second option, keep in mind there will always be a fair amount of competition. Not to be too dramatic, but you could say that finding an apartment or house for rent in Davis, CA near campus is almost as competitive as actually getting into UC-Davis. The best advice we can give you is to start your search in November or December before things get too crazy. 

Cost of Living in Davis, CA

Unfortunately, apartments and houses for rent in Davis, CA are pretty darn expensive. There are tons of people moving to California—because, you know, it’s California— which means that the vacancy rates are going to be on the low end and the demand is going to be high. This means you can expect to pay more for rent each month. That being said, as long as you put in a little effort into your UC-Davis off-campus housing search, you’ll be able to find a relatively inexpensive apartment or house for rent in Davis, CA.

If you’re looking to save yourself some money every month you should look into teaming up with a few people and rent a place together. We know that sometimes roommates can be the actual worst, but having a few can save you hundreds of dollars every month on rent. Plus, the more people there are to split the cost of utilities and groceries, the cheaper it’ll be for you. If you absolutely refuse to have a roommate, know that living on your own is going to be pretty expensive. 

UC-Davis Jobs & Careers

We can all agree that college is expensive! From the cost of housing, tuition, books, and your everyday living expenses, it can feel like you could be paying off student loans until the end of time. But there are definitely ways to reduce the stress you feel about how much money you’re spending during your college career, like: creating a budget and sticking to it, limiting the number of times you go out to eat or order delivery, and/or getting a part or full-time job on or off-campus.

If you already have a job, congrats! If you don’t, maybe it’s time to start your search. If you don’t know where to start or what you want to do, no worries - there’s a wide variety of job opportunities available in Davis and a ton of ways to find them. Try job searching on LinkedIn or Glassdoor. If you’re looking for something with a flexible schedule and a short commute to campus, you can learn more and start your search for jobs through UC Davis Student Jobs and Internships.

You may find common jobs like:

• Library Aide
• Undergraduate Assistant
• Gym Attendant
• Resident Assistant
• Graduate Assistant
• Cafeteria Worker 
• Child Care
• Campus Safety Officer
• And more! 

Safety at UC-Davis

The safety of students and the entire campus community is very important at UC Davis. The University strives to provide a safe, healthy, and secure environment for anyone learning, working, or visiting the Davis campus. The University offers education and multiple resources to ensure that all members of the university are safe and secure at all times. Here are some tips to help you stay safe on campus:

• Lock the doors and windows in your residence. Don't prop open the door to your room or an exterior door.
• Let your friends or roommates know where you are going and when you plan to be back. You can share your location with them or download a safety travel app like Noonlight.
• Register for real-time text message notifications of emergency events through the university by signing up for WarnMe.
• If you have to walk somewhere on your own, always take the safest route, not the fastest route. You should also stay in well-lit areas, and always use sidewalks and crosswalks. 

For emergencies please call 911, or you can always file a report or concern online here.

Parking Around UC-Davis

Students and faculty at UCD have various lots and parking structures they can park in daily. However, these spots go fast! Annual and semester campus parking passes are available through Parking and Transportation Services. Keep in mind that these lots are on a first-come-first-served basis. A parking permit is required in most areas, but pay stations and meters are also available. If you don’t get a pass or parking space, you’ll most likely find yourself navigating parking on the streets around campus, so be aware of your time—parking tickets add up fast! 

How to get around Davis, CA

The majority of UC Davis students live near campus so they walk and bike to class and around the city. If you don’t have your own vehicle, or if you just don’t feel like driving all over searching for a parking spot, Davis offers plenty of options to help you get around the city. Many UCD students use alternate modes of transportation to get around.

Common modes of transportation:

• Unitrans
• Yolobus
• UC-Davis Bicycle Program
• Amtrak
• Davis also has both Lyft and Uber. Pro tip: download both apps and compare the route costs before scheduling a ride. 

Things To Do in Davis, CA

If quarantine has taught us anything it’s that there are only so many naps and DIY projects a person can take before they lose it completely. When we’re all finally given the green light to go out and do the things, you won’t catch anyone staying in to chill. If you’re not familiar with everything you can do on and off-campus in Davis, don’t worry. There are a ton of things you can do from going Greek, joining one of the 800 student clubs, volunteering, breaking a sweat in an intramural at the student rec center, or cheering on your fellow Mustangs at a one of the Division I sporting events.

When you need a break from school-sponsored activities, Davis has a ton of different events, shops, and restaurants to keep you busy and entertained. It seems like there’s always something to do on and off-campus at UC-Davis.

Dining in Davis, Ca

If your hobbies include going out to eat instead of grocery shopping and meal prepping, we have good news. From pizza to poke, Davis has a little something for everyone. Whatever you’re craving, you’ll be able to find it! If you need help deciding where to go, we picked out a few places where you can grab some great grub in Davis, CA.

Thai:

Sophia's 

Thai Canteen

Thai Nakorn

Pizza:

Woodstock's Pizza

Uncle Vito's 

Paesanos

Sushi:

Mikuni

Huku Japanese Bistro

Jusco

Outdoors and Recreation at UC-Davis

The ARC is home to a wide range of equipment, exercise studios, specialty fitness areas and more. Join an exercise class, find your own routine in the fitness center, or get personalized advice from a certified trainer. The friendly and knowledgeable staff are here to help you on your way to wellness.

Students can also enroll in Outdoor Adventures and join fellow students on day and extended trips, hiking, mountain biking, rafting, camping, and lots more!