SperlingViews - Davis, California

Here's my take on the total of 16 years living in Davis, CA for those contemplating a move here. Kids are generally polite and law abiding. They tend to score well because the parents are competitive and help them. Parents also supplement with extracurricular programs to keep kids busy and out of trouble. Instead of more classes, I would rather take my kids traveling or homeschool them to wake their minds and show them what's bigger, better and lovelier. "Kids, look how smart and hard-working people in other countries are, look at their architecture, look at how they dress (not in usual Davisware of shorts and t-shirt), let's go out to lunch or make lunch together (the perks of homeschooling)." Public schools here are rather preoccupied with fund-raising. Even the University. Unfortunately, times are different now and I can't give my children what I had growing up in the S.F. bay area. So Davis is just ok. They are always telling me that they would like to move. Davis is boring after having lived in the Wild Wild West, S.F. bay area, and Taipei Taiwan. But it doesn't do any good to complain. As my husband has told me, "I don't like Davis and all it stands for (politically), but the people are law-abiding." Recognize the good things. It can help you hang in there until a town feels like home. If you've never felt at home, maybe you are moving too much. Settle down and invest in one community. Davis is safe enough. I see people walk their dogs or jog at 11pm. It's normal fare. What's also normal are kids/adults with frequent allergies. It can make life tough. If medication does not work, I would seriously consider moving. People are people and if people don't know anything better, they will think Davis is great. I have appreciated the relative safety in Davis for my kids, but overall I would rate Davis a 7 compared to our past residences which were 8's, 9's and 10's in quality of life. [read more...]

I have appreciated the city reviews on this site. My husband just got a new job in another city and we've been contemplating moving or not. The reviews are personal experiences and therefore subjective, nevertheless eye-opening and helpful. Here's my take on the total of 16 years living in Davis, CA for those contemplating a move here. I have experience living in Davis in two different periods of my life. I was a student from 1987-1995. I left Davis after completing a graduate degree. I came back to Davis in 2003 and have resided here with my husband and two children ever since. I'm ok with Davis, CA but it is not beautiful or intelligent (just my opinion). People are rather average or used to ease. The homes are cheaply built; lacking in style and landscaping. If you want a humble place to live, this is it. The schools do not challenge students in academics or build up their natural gifts. They are rather preoccupied with fund-raising. Even the University. Kids are generally polite and law abiding. They tend to score well because the parents are competitive and help them. Parents also supplement with extracurricular programs to keep kids busy and out of trouble. Instead of more classes, I would rather take my kids traveling or homeschool them to wake their minds and show them what's bigger, better and lovelier. "Kids, look how smart and hard-working people in other countries are, look at their architecture, look at how they dress (not in usual Davisware of shorts and t-shirt), let's go out to lunch or make something new (the perks of homeschooling)." One's past will affect how you feel about living here in Davis (or anywhere, for that matter). I guess I was lucky growing up in the S.F. bay area with green hills, mild climate, clean air, ethnic diversity, good schools, good food, beaches, vistas/views, culturally rich, linguistically rich, low divorce rate, close-kit families with relatives close by, stay at home parents or grandparents who took care of youngsters, gangs were unheard of, healthy and polite children (parent-raised, not career/daycare raised), people who had faith in God (not necessarily church goers though), strict teachers, a principal who spank misbehaving kids, living humbly in three story/six bedroom homes and looking after our neighbors like they were family, etc. There's just so much good, it's hard to list it all!. This was all normal to me and my peers in the 1970's. Our parents weren't rich, but they were hard-working and oh-so-strict. (It's because they had immigrated from another country and weren't yet fat and lazy Americans. The latter happens after two generations of being slack and idolizing sports/television. Just my opinion.) Unfortunately, times are different now and I can't give my children what I had growing up. So Davis is just ok. They are always telling me that they would like to move. Davis is boring after having lived in the Wild Wild West, S.F. bay area, and Taipei Taiwan. I grew up with a lot of space in the 1970's just 15 minutes south of San Francisco. I know now how blessed I was. So wherever I live, I tend to treat others as I was treated. I can't change Davis, but I can check my attitude and be thankful. I hope I can teach my children this principle of adjusting oneself to where one is called to live for the time being. Davis is not forever, although it seems it sometimes. If you want your town to be better, invest in it. Others, in particular your kids, will copy you. It doesn't do any good to complain. As my husband has told me, "I don't like Davis and all it stands for (politically), but the people are law-abiding." Recognize the good things. It can help you hang in there until a town feels like home. If you've never felt at home, maybe you are moving too much. Settle down and invest in one community. Davis is not the perfect place to raise your children, but it is safe enough. I see people walk their dogs or jog at 11pm. It's normal fare. What's also normal are kids/adults with frequent allergies. It can make life tough. If medication does not work, I would seriously consider moving. People are people and if people don't know anything better, they will think Davis is great. I have appreciated the relative safety in Davis for my kids, but overall I would rate Davis a 5 compared to our past residences which were 8's, 9's and 10's. Thanks for reading this long long review. Good luck![read more...]

Davis is a great place to raise a family. Schools are among the best! More than 60 miles of biking and walking trails. Well maintained greenbelts and many city parks. No other city butts up to Davis yet Sacramento (capital) is only 12 miles away. The climit is mild some hot days in summer but only for short periods of time, winters are mild. Housing is high but locations is what it is about. Good health facilities, great transportation (airport 20 min, Amtrack station, easy freeway access,) Be sure to bring your bike, we are known as a bike friendly city. The university brings much culture to commuinty.[read more...]

I came to school here, naively knowing nothing about the town besides UCDavis was a "good school". Yes, UCD is a good, prestigious college but I can say that I have certainly not enjoyed living here. This school is geared towards predominately white, middle-class, inexperienced rich kids.It seems as if the entire town is obsessed with being Davis even though there is nothing adventurous to do here. We have to leave the area to have any fun. I have a spouse and a young child, but have felt isolated from my schoolmates because of being young (I am 23), and having a child. People are really snobby here. Also, and this is my biggest gripe, the water here is so gross-it is heavily contaminated by pesticides and other run-off (like sewage) as well as "dissolved solids". So, after about a year of not knowing the severity of the water, my skin and hair became extremely damaged and I have consistent painful break outs on my face as a result of the bad water and harsh dry environment, my son has also experienced eczema on his body too, as well as my boyfriend. I would not recommend moving here. I wish I had known how gross and conceited this place was, the school although prestigious is highly theoretical and close-minded. People here are not as nice as they seem. This is unfortunate, I can not wait to graduate just so I can move out of this place it is so miserable here (too hot and dry in the summer, and very monotone year round actually). Once we can move, we are never coming back. Thank god for that.[read more...]

very good[read more...]

It's very easy to get around in the city of Davis. The bus system is very reliable and inexpensive. There are bike lanes throughout the community and drivers are very courteous and accustomed to bicycles.[read more...]

Best part of this town is the bike focus.[read more...]

Davis is what some would refer to as a college town, it’s has all the amenities someone in the real estate investing business would like, positive appreciation over the last ten years (1997-2007) up on av. 185%. It is set along the I-80 corridor connecting the San Francisco Bay Area and Reno/Tahoe. It has great public schools and not to mention a branch of the California UC system (Unversity of California at Davis). Davis is centrally locate with access to some Northern California most attractive venues, Napa Valley, Monterrey Bay, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park and the San Francisco Bay Area are all within two hours drive. What can I say, it’s great place to be and invest in Real Estate.[read more...]

Davis is a wonderful place for families. Everything is oriented around outdoor activities for families; biking, soccer, little league, etc. The schools are excellent and the downtown is very cultural and intimate. The city is very tight knit and everyone seems to know each other. Very friendly place to live with lots to do if you are into sports and being outside and don't mind summer heat![read more...]

Davis is an excellent location for families. Parents have a variety of job opportunities to choose from in town or at the University of California at Davis, while children can grow up in a safe environment that they will learn to care for. The schools are excellent for kids too![read more...]

We've never heard of our neighbors having their house burglarized. We've accidentally left our garage door open for 10+ hours and nothing was missing! It is safe to walk just about anywhere in Davis. No issues![read more...]

UC Davis attracts a diversity of restaurants with attractive prices that even college students can afford. Unfortunately, housing is expensive and out of reach for the first time homebuyer.[read more...]