Sterling 5th Street - Davis, California

Justin Leong

Sterling 5th Street is an amazing apartment complex to live in, the best in Davis! I couldn't recommend it enough! Let’s start with the pricing, which is modest and affordable, especially considering the incredible facilities. For the 2024 year, I managed to get my own private bedroom and bathroom in a 5x5 apartment for $1,099 per month. I’ll talk more on how Sterling compares to other housing options in Davis at the end of this review, but first, let me talk about the details of the apartment.

Apartment Features:
The 5x5 unit (their most affordable option) is incredibly spacious, much larger than any other apartments I toured in Davis. Each bedroom comes fully furnished (at no additional charge) with its own private bathroom, bed, desk, chair, and plenty of storage. My unit even has a spacious walk-in closet! There are 2 large windows that allow you to let in plenty of sunlight.

The private bathroom is massive, modern and with all-new fixtures. The common areas are equally as modern. The living room is large and comes furnished with comfortable couches, a coffee table, and a big TV. The kitchen has a huge island with 5 bar chairs for entertaining, plenty of cabinet space for all five residents, and new appliances. The in-unit washer and dryer are also large and new.

While you can hear noise within the unit (e.g., someone cooking or talking in the living room), it’s better soundproofed than any other student apartment I’ve visited in Davis. The walls between apartments are thick, so I never hear my next door neighbors. Traffic and train noise are nonexistent, even though I live on the south side around 300ft from the tracks.

Amenities:
Sterling’s amenities are the best! There’s a pool and a heated jacuzzi, study areas on every floor, and a large main study area with private rooms and free printing (30 pages/month). The game room features a pool table, and the community kitchen is perfect for hosting events. Wifi is fast everywhere.

The gym is my favorite amenity. It’s huge, well-equipped, with most equipment you can find at the ARC. With dumbbells up to 75 lbs, mirrors throughout, and great views of the pool, it’s convenient and saves me time and money from driving and parking at the ARC.

There are also BBQs scattered around the property, making it great to host gatherings. The secured parking garage is spacious, with plenty of spots even for general parking pass holders like myself. There is also a bike garage.

Staff and Management:
The staff at Sterling are fantastic! Shoutout to Angelina and Jonathan, who have been incredibly helpful and friendly every time I need assistance. The leasing office is open daily, and maintenance requests are addressed quickly (usually within 1-3 days). The team is polite, accessible, and always willing to help.

Location:
While Sterling is a bit far from campus compared to pther apartments in Davis, it’s manageable with a car. For bikers, the nearby bike highway to the West on the overpass works well!

Pricing Comparison:
Sterling stands out as the best value for student housing in Davis, especially with how new and great their amenities are! Other apartments for the 2025-2026 year charge upwards charge of $1,400-$1,700 for private rooms without private bathrooms, or $1,059 for shared bedrooms in overcrowded units like Identity, which accommodates up to 12 people. By comparison, Sterling’s pricing and modern buildings are unbeatable.

I moved in mid-Fall quarter of 2024, and initially hesitated to renew my lease due to being new. But after a month, and after touring other apartments for the 2025-2026 year, I realized how much better Sterling was. Unfortunately, I missed the opportunity to lock in the $1,099 rate for the 2025-2026 year but was offered a reasonable $1,229, which is still far better than any other private bed+bath in Davis for 2025-2026.

Learn from my mistake, sign up for Sterling asap (spots always run out!) and renew your lease early! This place truly offers the best student housing experience in Davis, with affordability, luxury, and convenience!

Cindy Isabel Martinez

The absolute best apartment complex I’ve ever stayed at. Definitely renewing my lease for next year! It is a very safe place to live, not only that, neighbors are great, roommates are very sweet and the office staff is absolutely fantastic. Pet friendly too!!

Yawen Pu

Great location, easy to get to school, close to the bus stop
There are events every day and the neighbors are very welcoming

Kylie Anda

I highly recommend living at Sterling! They have great amenities and the staff are very kind and welcoming. The maintenance staff are very quick and efficient. The location is great as it’s right next to the bus stop and pretty close to Downtown Davis!

Brenda

I recently had the pleasure of working with Ari, and I can't say enough positive things about my experience. From the moment we first connected, her customer service was nothing short of amazing!

Ari took the time to really listen to my needs and preferences, which made a world of difference in my search for the perfect apartment. She provided options that were specifically tailored to my situation, demonstrating a genuine understanding and care for what I was looking for.

Throughout the entire process, her guidance was invaluable. She was knowledgeable, patient, and incredibly responsive, making what can often be a stressful experience into a smooth and enjoyable one. Thanks to her expertise and dedication, I found an apartment that I'm absolutely thrilled with.

If you're looking for a leasing agent who truly goes above and beyond, I highly recommend Ari. Her professionalism, attentiveness, and personalized approach make her a standout in the industry. Five stars all the way!

Jocelyn Chang

It seems like their staff are extremely disorganized and do not have strong communication. I have had my unit switched around before I moved in and there was no relaying or communication to me until I took the initiative to follow up. Also when I was emailing the staff due to their confusing and poor labeling and payment system, the staff member on the other end sounded very passive aggressive in her comments. Overall very disappointed experience, and I have yet to even move in.

Markell Johnson

Great Vibes! The front office staff is very kind and always makes sure you’re taken care of! So many amenities to use!

Not to mention during my finals they have tons of snacks and food for us to eat. They bring the mental health puppies and dogs for us to pet and play with. I will be staying here for my next 3 years of college!

Tony Faisal

One of the best place to live ever! Great Amenities it's like living in a resort. Their staffs is also super friendly and very responsive. Unfortunately had to leave cause graduated last year but 10/10 will definitely live here again if i'm ever back to Davis!