This week’s installment of Neighborhood Navigator takes us to the apartment complexes surrounding campus, otherwise known as Central Davis. Residents of this area describe it as the most convenient place to live, with the best Mexican food in town.
Aptly named for its likelihood of being found in the middle of any given map of Davis, Central Davis is bound on the north by West Covell, on the east by the railroad tracks, on the west by Highway 113 and on the south by Russell Boulevard. Bordering on Downtown Davis, Central Davis is home to a plethora of popular Davis businesses, shopping centers, parks and of course apartment complexes.
Located just a few blocks past downtown, at 804 East Ninth St., is Tamarack Apartments. With just 24 units, residents describe this small apartment complex as a hidden secret.
“It is a really small, cute complex. We are on F and Ninth, which is not downtown so we don’t have to deal with downtown traffic. We are super close to the Davis Greenbelt which is awesome for running, biking or playing tag or Frisbee,” said Christina Pryor, a senior clinical nutrition major and Tamarack resident.
Tamarack has 12 one-bedroom, one-bath units for $875 to $895 per month and 12 two-bedroom, one-bath units for $1095 to $1115 per month. The complex also has a pool and spa, laundry facilities and assigned off-street parking.
Amanda Hawthorne, a senior human development major and Tamarack resident, loves the features Tamarack apartments offer.
“My apartment has a spacious living room, a full kitchen, dinette and a patio. I share a room but the room is huge and has two closets,” Hawthorne said.
Pryor also added that the location is ideal.
“It is so nice to be able to walk a few blocks to downtown and be able to bike anywhere on campus in less than 10 minutes. I have never used the buses while living at Tamarack because it is such an easy bike ride to campus,” Pryor said.
Tamarack’s pre-leasing for next year starts in April.
Away from downtown and to the southwest section of Central Davis is University Court Apartments, on the corner of Sycamore Lane and Russell Boulevard at 515 Sycamore. Conveniently located right across the street from University Mall and the UC Davis campus, University Court offers studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments.
Their studio goes for $915 per month, their one-bedroom, one-bath range in price from $959 to $979 and their two-bedroom, one-bath ranges from $1224 to $1294. The complex also has a fitness center, free study corrals, a pool, a computer lounge with free printing and a social lounge with plasma TVs.
Kelly Burns, a sophomore biological sciences major who has been living at University Court for the past year in a two-bedroom apartment with three other girls, said she could not be happier with the complex.
“Having a gated entry for all pedestrians and cars is reassuring and makes me feel safe. The on-site gym, laundry, study lounges and game room are a plus too,” Burns said.
Burns also said the location of the complex is ideal.
“I absolutely love living in Central Davis. Every classroom is within a speedy 10 minute bike ride and the U-Mall is right across the street. There is no way I’ll want to live in any other part of Davis after being so spoiled here. I frequent the U-Mall including Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, World Market and Forever 2l,” Burns said.
Central Davis residents also agree that this area is in an ideal location for grocery shopping and eateries.
“Although I don’t eat out that often, any of the downtown restaurants are close by. I usually shop at Trader Joe’s because I have a car and I like the prices but the Davis Food Co-Op is always a great option and it is only a few blocks from my apartment,” Pryor said.
Hawthorne adds that one of the perks to living in Central Davis is having Taqueria Davis right in their backyard.
“Residents of Central Davis will attest to the fact that we have easy access to the best burritos in town, at Taqueria Davis. And after living in San Diego, that is moderately important to me,” Hawthorne said.
Pryor agreed: “Taqueria Davis, [which is] the best Mexican food in Davis is super close to me and, [along with] Thai Canteen, is one of my favorite restaurants.”
Other apartment complexes located in Central Davis include Piñon Apartments, Sycamore Lane, Wake Forest and Woodside Apartments.
All agree that Central Davis provides them with the perfect college living environment.
Hawthorne happily summed up Central Davis as, “The ultimate Davis experience. There are so many great bars and restaurants downtown and I can walk to the Farmers Market and Mishka’s Café. Having a bus line that goes through downtown makes impromptu happy hour or coffee runs extremely easy. There is always something going on in Central Davis.”
CLAIRE MALDARELLI can be reached at features@theaggie.org.
