Doctors live here. Homes are newish. They are many wonderful Don Fouts Craftsman homes. Lots are a little smaller. Think: running trails, backyard swimming pools and easy access.

Old Willowbank takes you back half a century to simpler times. Founded by some independent souls in the late 1940s, it was intended as a place where academic characters could tend their half-acre of grapes and their ponies in the morning and enjoy a cocktail with their neighbors at sundown without having to mix it up with those Davis sorts. The streets have curves, the trees deserve that overused attribute “majestic”, the lots are really large, and there are no sidewalks. Fabulously remodeled, or even new homes sit among original1950s ranch houses. Dogs are walked, neighbors are friendly, block parties are held, the neighborhood bands together and gets hot when there is talk of development across Montgomery Rd. Prices vary…homes wanting a lift can be had for reasonable prices. Others may be expensive. It is a pretty seductive part of town… read more

Soiree, anyone? This is an original golf course community built in the 1960s and 1970s that appears to be undergoing a demographic shift downwards in age. It is characterized by spacious lots, curving roads, and a park-like feeling overall. Homes range in condition from original ranch (just a few of those left) to new g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s ! Not a golfer? Enjoy a social membership – eat with friends, golf-tennis-swimming lessons for the children in summer, book clubs….this is not your parents golf club. Homes come on the market regularly and prices range from $800,000 to $2.5M+. read more

Built in the mid-1990s Mace Ranch offers homes of all sizes – in the Terraces (Trinita, Villa Verde, etc.) look for patio homes – 1800 sq ft of largess (open and high ceilings) on a postage lot. There are several neighborhoods of mid-sized homes connected by bikepaths – neighborhoods vary, so look for the one that suits you best (builders are Richmond American and KB, primarily). Near Explorit, Konditeri Bakery, several hipster workout gyms and Korematsu School, there is lots to like here.

This was the Davis Street-of-Dreams built around a lake. The lake may be manmade, but feeling of the water is soothing and pretty in our arid temperature. The custom homes are large and generous feeling (think: friends for dinner, or a pretty holiday party), there is quite a bit of neighborhood spirit. Homes only come up rarely for sale and there is usually a waiting list. Near Korematsu School.

Cozy homes for the budget-minded…this classic Davis neighborhood has gone through transitions and it is a good…no, great…place to be if you are starting out or don’t want to risk becoming house poor. The homes are well built, small-ish, with pretty good-sized lots. Many of these homes have been remodeled with love and style in recent years. There is a great variation between them, but one aspect is consistent across the board – the residents are proud and friendly.

Originally built around a private golf course, the city bought the golf course and Wildhorse became more of an “everyman’s” neighborhood. Homes are built in the late 1990s, many by Morrison and Meritage….they have the open floor plans and high ceilings we have come to love – all sizes and prices, including a few streets of “affordable” homes. Along the perimeter you will find beautiful custom homes built by local builders. In the soccer fields and on walking paths you will find the diversity of age and nationality that you might expect in a town like Davis. Near Nugget Market and Davis Athletic Club. read more

A neighborhood that Davis simply does not have enough of – think 1930s and 1940s cottages with a little front porch, oversized trees, alleyways, granny flats and a short walk to the farmers market for Wednesday dinner. There is an active architectural review board to ensure the last-century feel of the core area, even with the occasional higher-density infill project. In high demand, prices are higher for the core area. If you want it and you find it, RUN, do not walk, towards your new home. read more

In high demand, you will find many homes from the 1950s and 1960s. Key desirable streets are “old professor row” – Oak Avenue, Miller Drive, Parkside Drive and Elmwood Drive. There are many other great streets! Oeste offers spare but lovely modest homes from the 1950s, find traditional ranch homes from the 1960s, there is a large collection of mid-century Eichler knock-offs that are cult-cool. We call them “Streng” homes – named after mid-mod builder Bill Streng. Near the best schools, bike distance from groceries and downtown, this is the heart of Davis. read more

Here is your chance to enjoy newer homes – those higher ceilings, open kitchen family rooms, plenty of stucco – in the traditionally academic neighborhoods of West Davis. There are three parts to Evergreen – one goes to Willett School, the others are assigned to nearby Patwin School. It all joins Arroyo Park – a park with a wonderful big community pool, soccer fields, and a place where for some reason the sky is a little bit bigger and brighter.