UC Davis Transfer Housing

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

So right now I am a transfer student at UC Davis.
Let’s just make this simple and fast to read

STUDENT HOUSING APARTMENTS (IN GENERAL )
PROS:
-You can easily meet with transfers
-You do not live in a dorm
-You do not need a meal plan, which is super expensive
-You can be with people around your age
-You do not need to pay for Wifi, Electricity, Water, or any other bills associated with housing b/c all your fees paid for that
-You can do room transfers if you do not like your roommate
-FURNISHED APARTMENT
-IN UNIT WASHER AND DRYER
some apartments have communal washers and dryers or you have to go somewhere else.

CONS:
-It’s EXPENSIVE (cuz you have that unlimited access to water, air conditioning, and electricity)
-Sometimes you don’t meet people esp if you’re “off campus”
-^this depends on your extroverted or introverted
-Because the apartments are furnished now you must buy furniture that you will only use for a year for your last year here (unless you do the 5 year route)

I live at the Lexington complex currently, and I don’t know it’s going to be offered next year, but here is some information about my experience here

LEXINGTON
PROS:

-You get your own bathroom (NO SHARING)
-NO doubles
-VERY nice amenities
NACHO FRIDAYS
Really Nice Staff
Swimming Pool & Hot Tub
Small Gym, but at least there’s a gym

CONS:
-VERY LOUD because it’s literally (I MEAN LITERALLY) right next to the freeway so if you are a sensitive sleeper DO NOT LIVE HERE or get the inner ones NOT THE ONES CLOSEST TO THE SIDE
-I wear ear plugs at night to block out the noise. However, I can still hear the cars and the occasional motorcycle with my ear plugs too.
-Walking at night can be sketch, but there is the option of safe rides and the bus
-Hobos will always be part of your daily routine esp if you walk
-I’ve never had a problem with this, but the neighborhood next to the Lexington is a low income housing development so just be aware of that. So if this is a big deal for you, please know.

If I can do a redo of my experience with Student Housing Apartments, I would’ve wanted to live at Primero Grove or Colleges La Rue. I heard of nice things about Colleges La Rue, and you are so close to campus and with other people around your age. Even though you do not get your own bathroom at Primero, I would still want to live there because it’s super close to campus and where Trader Joe’s is. There is a dining hall and other food options nearby, so work at the dining hall so you can get free food haha. Also Primero Grove is on campus, and it’s super convenient when you need to go to class. I’m a very sensitive sleeper, so anywhere far from the freeway would just be a thumbs up.

BUT, if you CANNOT afford Student Housing Apartment, then DO NOT GO FOR THAT ROUTE. If you think the money will be worth it, then okay. However, if money is SUPER tight, then just do OFF CAMPUS housing. Off campus housing is the best route, and I know a transfer student who chose off campus non affiliated university housing. She made friends, and is not a loner. HOWEVER, you must put yourself out there and be somewhat open to people if you want to make friends. And this concept goes either way for Student Housing Apartments or Off Campus Housing.

I hope this helps you a lot in making your decision. I will be probably not quick in replying posts, but I will try my best :slight_smile:

2

wow thanks :slight_smile:

I’m doing transfer housing because the aid they offered me will pretty much cover it for the most part. I’m leaning towards Colleges at La Rue so I’m glad you mentioned that.

Do you know how much aid goes down if you switch to off-campus housing? Like how much will aid give you for rent and stuff.

3

First of all, congrats on getting into Davis!

So I really don’t know how financial aid work, and I really don’t think anyone does. I can’t give you a formula or a magical number to guarantee your aid will or will not change if you switch to off campus. What I can tell is you my friend’s experience and mine, as well.

So she was going to do SHA. However, she changed her mind and changed to off campus housing. She said her aid did not change, but I do not think she received much in the university grant option and she had to get loans or the aid was all loans. When I did off campus housing and then switched to on campus housing, it did not seem there was a big change. However, my dad did his tax estimations wrong, so my aid did decrease. I do not think my aid decrease was because of the campus housing change. I hope this helps. If it didnt, I am sorry. You can always call financial aid :slight_smile: if you want a more official answer as well.

http://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/contact.html
^here is their link for contact info!

4

@transferstudent12074174873

Thanks for the information! I was only offered the Student Housing Apartments as a transfer student. In terms of location and cost, which apartment do you recommend? I am a relatively social person but I do enjoy having my privacy and quite space. I am leaning towards The Colleges at La Rue because of it’s location. I also liked Primero Grove because I heard it was going to be cheaper.

Also, do you know where we could look up costs of living for each apartments so I could compare exact prices? On the video that walked me through the roomsync app, it showed options for single and doubles? Will sharing cost less?

Thanks in advance!

5

Hey guys I applied for transfer housing and all I got was the following message:

Thank you for completing your housing application with UC Davis. You may make changes to the application until the stated deadline. Housing assignments will be emailed to you through your UC Davis email account.

Please check your UC Davis email account and the Message of the Day on a daily basis for important information and updates.

They never told me if i would be living in an apartment or a dorm…or anything else

When asked for either double or single accommodations I put single

Any help would be appreciated

Are they simply going to let me know later where I will be living and if it will either be a single or a double?

I did pay the $500 deposit and chose the 180 meal plan.

Please and Thank You

6

@zerlingdude As a transfer student, you can only live in SHA. You go back to the housing application in July and pick out an apartment. They choose a handful of apartments available depending on how filled up they get, so log in on the 26th at 10 am to pick out an apartment, and a room within that apartment. Since you put single you’ll have your own room. Housing is first come, first serve so if you have a strong attraction to living in La Rue or Adobe, for instance, you need to be on the application first thing and pick out what you want.