One of the questions I get from people thinking about moving to Davis, California is some version of: What part of Davis should I live in?
And I actually love this question because Davis isn't a city where I'd tell everyone to look in the exact same neighborhood.
You can live closer to Downtown Davis and have a completely different day-to-day experience than someone living near a greenbelt in North Davis. You might want an older home with character, a newer neighborhood, proximity to UC Davis, golf course living, or simply a part of town that makes sense for your particular routine.
So instead of telling you there is one "best neighborhood in Davis," here's how I would start narrowing it down.
If You Want to Be Close to Downtown Davis
If being near Downtown Davis and UC Davis is high on your list, Central Davis and the neighborhoods surrounding downtown are worth exploring.
This is where you'll find some of Davis' older housing stock, established streets and homes with plenty of character. College Park is one particularly distinctive pocket near the university, although homes there don't come onto the market every day.
For someone relocating to Davis who pictures themselves regularly heading downtown for coffee, dinner, the farmers market or campus, I would probably start the search around here and work outward.
The tradeoff? You may get less house or lot for your budget than you would in some other parts of Davis, depending on what is available.
If Davis Greenbelts Are a Big Reason You're Moving Here
For some buyers, the greenbelts are one of the first things that make Davis click.
If that's you, I would look closely at North Davis, West Davis and parts of South Davis.
Davis has an extensive network of greenbelts and paths running through residential areas, but the experience varies from neighborhood to neighborhood. Some homes are directly adjacent to them, while others are a short stroll away.
This is one of those things that's hard to understand from a listing portal alone. A map can tell you a house is near a greenbelt, but it doesn't necessarily tell you what that particular section feels like or where it connects.
When I'm helping someone relocate to Davis, I like to actually show them the routes rather than simply pointing at the green space on a map.
If You Like Established Neighborhoods
A lot of Davis buyers specifically want mature trees, established landscaping and neighborhoods that feel like they've been there for a while.
That's when areas of North Davis, West Davis, Central Davis and South Davis often enter the conversation.
The homes can vary tremendously, even within the same neighborhood. Davis has plenty of houses from the 1960s, '70s and '80s, so you'll see everything from beautifully remodeled properties to homes that are largely original.
Personally, I think that's part of the fun of looking at houses here. Sometimes an older Davis home has a layout or location that you couldn't easily recreate with new construction.
If You Want a Newer Home in Davis
If newer construction is more your speed, your search will probably look different.
The Cannery is one area buyers often ask me about because it offers newer homes than you'll find throughout much of Davis. Depending on current inventory, you'll also find newer construction or more recently built homes in other pockets around town.
Newer doesn't automatically mean better... it just depends on what you value.
Some buyers would rather have modern systems and a newer floor plan. Others would happily take an older house in exchange for mature landscaping, a larger lot or a particular location.
If You Want Golf Course Living in Davis
Yes, you can absolutely live near or on a golf course in Davis.
Wildhorse is within Davis and is built around Wildhorse Golf Club, so you'll find homes with golf course proximity and, in some cases, golf course views.
Just outside the main city footprint is El Macero, another area I often show buyers who are looking for a golf-oriented setting and larger homes or lots.
If someone tells me that golf is genuinely part of their lifestyle, these are two places I'm probably going to make sure they see rather than limiting the search to whatever happens to appear first online.
What About Mace Ranch?
Mace Ranch is on the east side of Davis and is another area that frequently comes up with people moving here.
You'll find homes largely built in the more recent decades compared with some of Davis' older central neighborhoods, along with parks, paths and access to the eastern side of town.
It's also a good example of why I wouldn't choose a Davis neighborhood based solely on a list of "best neighborhoods."
Someone could tour an older home near downtown and a home in Mace Ranch on the same afternoon and have a very strong preference for one over the other. Neither answer is wrong. They're simply different versions of living in Davis.
Should I Choose North, South, East or West Davis?
If you're relocating here, I wouldn't start by trying to pick a winner.
I'd start with your actual life.
Where will you be going regularly? Do you want an older or newer house? How important are the greenbelts? Do you care about being near Downtown Davis or UC Davis? Do you want a larger lot? Are you hoping for a golf course setting? What type of home are you comfortable updating?
Those answers usually narrow the map much faster than searching for the "best place to live in Davis, CA."
The Best Way to Learn Davis Neighborhoods Before You Buy
If you're seriously considering buying a home in Davis, spend some time experiencing different parts of town before deciding where your home search should focus.
Drive through North Davis. Explore the greenbelts. Go through Mace Ranch and Wildhorse. Spend some time downtown. Look at the older homes around Central Davis. Explore West Davis.
Davis is not huge, but its neighborhoods aren't interchangeable.
That's also why, when I'm working with someone relocating to Davis, I don't like to start by sending a giant list of houses and hoping one sticks.
I'd rather figure out which parts of Davis actually make sense for how you want to live here... and then find the house.
If you're trying to figure out where to live in Davis, California, or you're looking for a Davis, CA real estate agent who can help you understand the neighborhoods before you buy, that's exactly the kind of thing I love helping with.
Morgan Millang
Davis, CA Real Estate Agent
eXp Realty
DRE #02069648
Real estate availability, neighborhood characteristics and housing options can change over time. Buyers should independently evaluate the features and location that are important to them.
