Where UC Davis Students Live: Downtown, North Davis and West Davis Compared

UC Davis off-campus neighborhoods break into four main zones on Find My Place: the blocks along Russell Boulevard just north of campus, downtown and Old North Davis around F and J Streets, North Davis along Alvarado Avenue and Sycamore Lane, and the quieter streets of West Davis. Russell is close (under a mile). Downtown has the restaurants. North and West Davis trade a 1.5- to 1.8-mile bike ride for more space and, in a few buildings, lower rent.

Key Takeaways

• The Colleges at La Rue (0.2 miles) and Sol at West Village (0.5) hug the campus edge. North of Russell Boulevard, Identity Davis and 8th & Wake sit 0.6 and 0.8 miles out.
• Downtown living means The Spoke on J St or Academy Lane on F St, about 1.5 miles out, with rooms from $865 and one-bedrooms from $1,464.
• North Davis has some of the lowest starting rents (Casitas on Alvarado Ave lists individual leases from $525) and a well-rated complex in Aggie Square (4.6).
• West Davis is quieter. FMP's guide says it attracts "graduate students, families."
• Everything here is bikeable, and undergrads ride Unitrans free with a current AggieCard.

How We Compared UC Davis Off-Campus Neighborhoods

Each area below shows how far it sits from campus, using the mileage on each property's Find My Place page. Bike times are our estimate at a relaxed 10 mph. Prices are October 2026 base rent from the page for off-campus housing near UC Davis, which lists 27 places.

1. Russell Boulevard Corridor: Student Buildings Just North of Campus (Under 5 Minutes by Bike)

The Russell corridor is the pick if you want a student building and a short ride. Identity Davis on Oxford Circle sits 0.6 miles from campus, and a resident there calls it "across the street from campus." Rooms start at $864 in a four-bedroom, and it holds a 5.0 FMP score. A few blocks away, 8th & Wake on Wake Forest Drive rents private rooms in four-bedroom units for $880, 0.8 miles out. Best for second-years who just left the dorms and want to keep the same routine.

2. Orchard Park and West Village: On the Campus Edge (2 to 3 Minutes)

These two are technically the closest on the list, and their prices run the widest range. The Colleges at La Rue on Orchard Park Drive is 0.2 miles from campus and rents by the unit: $1,561 for a junior one-bedroom up to $4,585 for a four-bedroom townhouse. Sol at West Village on Jade Street, 0.5 miles out, runs from $509 at the low end of a four-bedroom plan (likely a shared room) to $3,009 for a one-bedroom. Best for students who want the shortest possible commute and can afford to pay for it.

3. Downtown and Old North Davis: Walk to Everything (About 9 Minutes)

Downtown is for students who'd rather walk to dinner than drive to it. FMP's Davis guide describes it as the area "along G and F Streets, for students who prioritize walkability to dining." Three options sit about 1.5 miles from campus:

• The Spoke, 801 J St: shared rooms from $865 and private rooms from $1,180.
• Academy Lane, 1124 F St, 1.6 miles: one-bedrooms at $1,464 to $1,525, and a resident says the pool is "always clean."
• Ryder On Olive, 1133 Olive Drive, just south of downtown: two- to five-bedroom units, with a four-bedroom plan listed from $599 (ask whether that's per person).

FMP's UC Davis page sums up the appeal: "within walking distance of restaurants, cafes, and the farmers market." The tradeoff is a 1.5-mile ride to class instead of a few blocks.

4. North Davis: Alvarado Avenue and Sycamore Lane (About 10 to 11 Minutes)

North Davis is where you go for value and a grocery store down the street. A La Salle resident points to "close to grocery stores" with Safeway, Save Mart and CVS nearby, plus "easy access to G and J lines." The buildings:

• Casitas Apartments, 717 Alvarado Ave, 1.7 miles: individual leases in three-bedroom units from $525 to $625 (ranges climb to $1,450, so the low end is likely a shared room).
• Aggie Square Apartments, 644 Alvarado Ave, 1.6 miles: $1,920 for a one-bedroom and $2,025 for most other layouts, with a 4.6 FMP score.
• La Salle Apartments, 880 Alvarado Ave, 1.6 miles: three-bedrooms listed from $995, one-bedrooms at $1,895, rated 4.2.
• Aria & Luma Davis, 2477 Sycamore Ln, 1.8 miles: rooms from $880 in a four-bedroom.
• Pinecrest Apartments, Cranbrook Court, 1.8 miles: one-bedrooms from $1,825 and two-bedrooms from $2,025. Reviewers like the "quiet setting and lots of grass areas" but flag train noise and slow management.

5. West Davis: Quiet, Suburban Streets (About 9 to 10 Minutes)

West Davis is the calm option. FMP's guide calls it "a calmer, more suburban part of the city attracting graduate students, families." Arlington Farm Apartments on Portage Bay W, 1.5 miles out, runs individual leases from $615 per person in townhomes, flats and cottages. Saratoga West Apartments on Glacier Drive, 1.7 miles, rents whole units: $2,450 for a two-bedroom up to $3,695 for a four-bedroom. Best for upperclassmen and grad students who want to sleep on Friday nights.

6. East Davis: Pole Line Road and the Fifth Street Corridor (About 12 to 14 Minutes)

East Davis is a longer ride, but there are deals. The U Apartments on Cantrill Dr, 2.3 miles out, lists rooms at $799 to $999 in four-bedroom units, though its 3.2 rating comes with at least one serious management complaint. Cambridge House Apartments on Pole Line Road (2.0 miles) asks $1,995 for a one-bedroom or a two-bed, one-bath. Sterling Fifth Street, 2.2 miles, has one-bedrooms from $1,200. You'll want a bike you trust and lights for winter evenings.

7. South Davis and Mace Ranch: Space Over Proximity (13 to 23 Minutes)

South Davis is the bargain-hunter's backup. FMP's guide credits it with "good bike-path connectivity to campus and somewhat more affordable rents." Oakshade Commons on Cowell Blvd, 2.1 miles out, lists four- and five-bedroom units from $975. Farther east, Seville at Mace Ranch (3.8 miles) and Ellington Apartments (3.9 miles) both carry 5.0 scores, with two-bedrooms at $2,760 and up and $1,975 and up. Residents rave about management at both. The catch is a 20-plus-minute ride each way.

Getting to Campus From Any Davis Neighborhood

A bike is the default, and the bus is the backup. FMP's guide calls Davis "one of the most bikeable cities in the United States." For rainy days, Unitrans lets undergraduates ride by showing a current AggieCard; everyone else pays $1.50. Line up any address against the route map before you sign, then compare listings on the Davis, CA student housing page.

Frequently Asked Questions About UC Davis Off-Campus Neighborhoods

What is the closest off-campus housing to UC Davis?

The Colleges at La Rue, 0.2 miles away on Orchard Park Drive, followed by Sol at West Village (0.5 miles) and Identity Davis (0.6 miles). Identity Davis has rooms from $864.

Is North Davis or West Davis better for UC Davis students?

North Davis, for most undergrads. It has more student buildings, grocery stores nearby and low starting rents like Casitas's $525. West Davis is quieter and suits grad students.

Can you live in downtown Davis as a UC Davis student?

Yes. The Spoke on J St and Academy Lane on F St are both about 1.5 miles from campus, roughly a 9-minute bike ride.

Do I need a car to live off campus at UC Davis?

No. Every neighborhood on this list is bikeable, and undergrads ride Unitrans free with a current AggieCard.