Photo by Abaton Consulting

Originally Posted On: https://www.davisapartmentsforrent.com/finding-the-best-off-campus-uc-davis-apartments-spend-less-for-more/

 

These days, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed by the costs of your college education. That’s why you’re interested in living in a more affordable housing situation this next academic year at the University of California (UC), Davis.

Well, the good news is that you’ve come to the right place by reading this article. Detailed below is everything you need to know about finding the ideal off-campus UC Davis apartments.

After all, even experts recognize that off-campus student housing is more purpose-driven and valuable than in the past. If you’re ready for a well-rounded living situation, off-campus student housing is going to be worth your investment.

Don’t live in just any apartment you find near Davis, though. Take the time to do your research and find the best student housing for your money. Keep reading to make the most of your next academic year with more secure, affordable housing.

UC Davis Aggie Band-Uh performs at Fountain Circle Townhomes celebrating Davisville Management Company’s award for the Best Property Management Company in Yolo County.

Start by Considering the Costs and Your Available Budget

Of course, the first thing you’re going to want to think about when considering housing is that of cost. It’s important to stick to your budget when you’re in college as the overall expenses can really start to add up.

Take the time to work with your parents regarding your financial situation. In addition, you recognize the value of applying for scholarships and grants. Anything you can do to cut down on the money you’ll be spending on your college education is a valuable endeavor in the long run.

As you’re searching for the best apartment unit to live in, it’s worthwhile to compare different prices in the area. Remember, though, investing in the right apartment community can be worth the cost for your success and overall quality of life.

That’s because the best ones offer a focus-driven community and awesome amenities available to streamline your studies, stay fit and improve your overall efficiency and effectiveness. These amenities as well as convenient location next to shopping make off-campus apartment housing a better option than UC Davis dorms for students.

Off-Campus Student Housing Is a Great Way to Transition to Adulthood

Another great benefit to remember when searching for off-campus housing is that of the responsibility it will teach you. Living in residence halls during all your time as a student, after all, can make the transition to adulthood after graduation a bit of a culture shock.

Instead, choose to live off campus in your upper-class years to get a good idea of how you can expect to live in just a few short years. Plus, it’s a great way to build a rental history for when you do need a different place to live as a working professional.

When you’re not living on campus, you must start thinking about monthly expenses like utilities. You didn’t even have to buy your own toilet paper when you lived in the UC Davis dorms. Even though UCD dorms come with custodial services and you don’t have to pay for utilities, this living option can be too expensive for many people.

Living in Davis Residence Halls Is Too Expensive

One of the most significant advantages of living off campus in the first place is that residence halls at UC Davis can be too expensive. This becomes even truer over the years as more and more people are competing for your student housing options in those residence halls. Conditions can get to be too cramped if universities aren’t willing to keep investing in residence hall development.

Consider the following statistic regarding students in the UC System. In the fall of 2019, there were over 285,000 students enrolled. That’s a lot of potential competition when it comes to finding the best residence hall units on campus.

Instead of sacrificing your quality of life just to be closer to your classes, look at what off-campus housing options can offer you. If you’re smart and stick to a proper budget, living off campus can be way more affordable throughout the rest of your college career.

Don’t Underestimate the Value of Having a Roommate or Two

Perhaps the best thing you can do for your off campus living situation is to have a roommate you can trust. After all, America’s Debt Health Organization suggests that the easiest way to cut living expenses is by having at least one roommate. In fact, that’s one of the best perks of living off campus: you can choose your roommate.

It’s an unfortunate truth that in most residence halls, roommates are assigned to each other at random. This can sometimes result in tension between roommates whose personalities don’t get along naturally.

Off campus, though, you can get a couple of friends together and choose the ideal living situation for all of you. Not only can this be an exciting prospect for many students in terms of establishing a trusted support system, it can save you a ton of money in living expenses.

Take the time to ask around your current groups of friends on campus. Is anyone interested in living in an apartment close by? What would be their top priorities when it comes to choosing an apartment unit?

It’s also important to only choose responsible roommates. Living with roommates you can trust and who are your friends will be an invaluable college experience in the long run.

UC Davis students discussing apartment rental options at Aggie Square Apartments. A perfect place for you and your friends to prepare for the future.

Live Somewhere That Prioritizes Security

Another important characteristic of your off-campus living situation is that of security. Don’t underestimate the value of living in a safe and secure apartment complex. You deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing you and your belongings are well-protected.

Well, that’s why some off-campus housing solutions always prioritize security. Don’t live in an area or location where you don’t feel one hundred percent comfortable.

In addition, continue to practice proper safety habits so you can avoid dangerous situations on a consistent basis. For more detailed guidance, check out this article on staying safe when walking around a college campus – even late at night.

Appreciate the Community of Off-Campus Student Housing

Living off campus might sound intimidating for some college students. You might think you’ll be afraid of missing out on all the activities that are going on throughout campus.

Don’t worry, though. The ideal off-campus student housing options are community-oriented. There are still plenty of events and functions you can attend with other UC Davis students. It’ll be up to you, though, to do the work and connect with others who have similar interests to you.

For that reason, you should choose a potential off-campus apartment based on its emphasis on community spirit. For instance, that’s why this apartment community hosts annual holiday parties for its residents. Developing a solid social support system could make all the difference in terms of your overall success in college.

UC Davis studens enjoy the delicious lasagna meal at the Almondwood Apartments holiday party. Provided by Davisville Management Company.

Be Willing to Do Plenty of Research

Thanks to the modern Digital Era, technology and the Internet reign supreme. It appears everyone is glued to their smartphones on a regular basis. Well, that’s great news for college students looking to research potential apartment options.

A quick Google search, for instance, could inform you whether an apartment building has a negative or positive reputation in the community. The Davis student housing market is doing well and it’s continuing to grow over the next few years. It’s important to know that your housing provider has a reputable history, too.

It can also be smart to check out potential reviews or testimonials from previous students who lived there. Doing so could give you great insight as to the kind of experience you can expect as well.

Make sure you go on a tour of your potential apartment unit, too. Pictures of potential units online are not always the best way to know if you can see yourself living there. You and your roommates should schedule a time to tour a new place and see if it’s an ideal fit for everyone.

Search for Your Student Housing Well in Advance of the Academic Year

A key strategy for choosing off-campus housing is planning way ahead of time; the best apartments are rented up by the end of February. You recognize that there is quite a bit of UC Davis students who might be looking for the same kind of living situation as you.

Start searching for your ideal apartment unit several months before the semester you plan on moving in. Not only will this mean you might have more options to choose from, but you can also start packing and thinking about what other items you’ll need for the new place.

Remember, living off campus means you’ll need to be a lot more prepared in terms of supplies and belongings. You’ll likely need to invest in a bunch of new furniture, for one thing. Unlike residence halls, most off-campus apartment facilities are unfurnished.

Remember to Ask About Amenities

Don’t forget to ensure you know what amenities are available in a potential apartment community. In fact, access to better amenities is one of the key reasons for living off campus in the first place.

The best amenities include services like high-speed Wi-Fi or a substantial exercise facility. Plenty of quiet places to study with Wi-Fi, computers and printers are great things to prioritize as a responsible college student. Amenities are just another way that off-campus student housing can make you feel more comfortable and at home.

You Deserve to Feel Comfortable When Working with Your Housing Provider

Be willing to expect your off-campus housing provider to offer excellent customer service always. Without you or other students, after all, they can’t expect to make a profit. You deserve to feel completely at ease every time you interact with your landlord.

For instance, when you’re on the phone with someone from the apartment management team, how does the call make you feel? Is it clear that you are their top priority as a potential tenant? Or rather, do they make you feel as though you’re a waste of their time and energy?

Remember, it’s important to feel comfortable in your own home. It can be wise to cultivate a familiar relationship with your housing provider, too. That way, you can ensure that any potential repairs or maintenance in the future gets taken care of.

How Will You Be Getting to and From Your Classes?

As mentioned above, you’ll be wanting quick access to your classes at UC Davis. Not all off-campus apartment units are going to be within walking or biking distance.

All of our north Davis apartment complexes are located on Alvarado Ave. with service provided by Unitrans bus route F,G&J, Zip cars, or other kinds of transportation (like your own car) which you can rely on. Instead of messing with the cost and hassle of trying to find a place on campus to park, just get an apartment community that’s in a great location next to great shopping and with excellent transportation options for your personal convenience.

Understand the Finer Details of Your Lease Before Signing It

The last thing to keep in mind is to make sure you know what to expect in terms of liability and responsibility as a tenant. For instance, will you need to pay for any extra charges like water, parking, Wi-Fi, and use of amenities or are these costs included in your rent?

Make sure you ask plenty of questions like this before signing your new off-campus apartment lease. Once you do, though, you can get the keys and start moving into your new place for the new academic year!

Find the Ideal UC Davis Apartments Today

At this point in the article, you have a thorough understanding of what to look for in potential off campus UC Davis apartments. There’s no need to cut corners when it comes to making the most of your time enrolled in the university.

Of course, there are still a lot of ins and outs to navigate when it comes to finding the best off-campus student housing for your needs. It can be in your best interest to work with expert professionals on the matter.

In fact, that’s where we can come into play. We prioritize bringing students like you the most reliable and secure living facilities in the UC Davis area. You and your roommates deserve to live in an environment well-suited to student life with plenty of amenities.

UC Davis students can choose from our standard rental units or choose one of our luxury remodel units (as pictured above). Luxury remodel units include updated flooring, cabinets, fixtures, and appliances plus all the other amenities our apartment complex provides.

 

For that reason, we encourage you to browse through the rest of our website today. On our blog, you’ll find the latest and greatest trends in off-campus student housing. To start, check out more details about our UC Davis apartments for rent that are available to you for the upcoming school year.

Aggie Square Apartments, Fountain Circle Townhomes and Almondwood Apartments offer all the amenities a serious student needs for success and they are all located across the street from shopping as well as on the Unitrans bus lines to the Silo and the MU for easy access to the UCD campus. Our apartments don’t stay on the market long!  Come see why the UC Davis students love our communities.