East Davis (Pole Line and East/I-80 and North, Mace and East) is the cheapest area to live in because it is the farthest from campus at 15-20 minutes and is almost all families, which makes it very quiet. There are less public transportation and shopping options too. West Davis (113 and West) is your best compromise when trying to find off-campus housing near UC Davis. It is cheaper than North Davis, but has more options for shopping and transportation than East Davis and by bunking with some fellow UC Davis roommates, your share of the rent will be totally affordable.

Dining

As UC Davis and the Davis area are known for agriculture, there are plenty of awesome local restaurants. Thai Canteen is one such restaurant. Serving affordable and authentic Thai food, this restaurant is right near campus and open late to boot.

If you are looking for authentic Mediterranean food, then Sam's Mediterranean Cuisine is another stop you will have to make. Students rave about the authenticity of their food and the restaurant is right near campus, which makes up for the fact that they close a little bit early. Taqueria Guadalajara Grill is where you head for delicious, comfort Mexican food. Voted Best Mexican food by Reader's Choice in 2020, it is a popular restaurant. If you are looking for some good old-fashioned American food, then Burgers & Brew is your restaurant of choice! It serves a wide variety of classic and unique, one-of-a-kind burgers, so you are sure to find something you will enjoy no matter what you are looking for.

Transportation

UC Davis has a big student population—around 38,000 students! So, it makes sense that the school would offer a plethora of different transportation options for those living off-campus.

First off, the campus is incredibly bicycle friendly. In fact, nearly one-third of the students commute to campus by bike and it is touted as the “Bicycle Capital of the U.S.” The campus is covered in bike paths, which makes it safe and convenient to travel on your bike.

Parking is also offered on campus, with many parking lots and garages available throughout the campus. University of California - Davis also offers public transportation to the campus and city via the Unitrans bus system. A neat fun fact is that the school's fleet of buses includes a few vintage double-decker London buses.

As for trains and planes, UC Davis has that too. Amtrak has a station in downtown Davis for people commuting from out of the city and the school even has a University airport, which offers aviation services, facilities, and programs for the community, including flight lessons.

Parking

There are plenty of places to park on campus, though you will need a parking permit to do so. University of California - Davis goes above and beyond with their amenities for students and faculty by offering complimentary motorist assistance for anyone that comes to campus. These services include lockout service, tire inflation, a ride to a gas station, and a battery jump start. It is offered Monday through Friday.

Safety

Davis has a smaller population, most of which is comprised of the student population of UC Davis. As with all college campuses, it is important to never walk alone at night and be aware of your surroundings at all time. Students can feel safe knowing that the UC Davis police department is there to protect them.

Shopping

There are plenty of shopping options around the UC Davis campus. For grocery stores, there is a good mix of classic chains like Trader Joes, Wal-Mart Super Center, and Safeway. However, University of California - Davis is also known for its farms and agriculture, so there are plenty of more local options as well. This includes Nugget Markets, the Davis Food Co-Op, and Ikeda's California Country Market. If you are looking for shopping besides food, University Mall is a great option.