I've never been to Davis, but I LOVE college towns! They are so alive...so full of energy. When my daughter was away at college I looked so forward to visiting her. College towns seem to be a great atmosphere for artists too. I enjoyed wandering the shops that cater to free-thinking students, visiting artist studios and galleries, just soaking it all up.

When my husband and I were first married his company transferred him 4 times. We loved the adventure of exploring new towns, learning about the people and customs of that particular town. I found it most interesting befriending the senior citizens, hearing their histories, listening to their lessons learned. So much goes untapped in seniors.

I'm sure you and Jeff will soak up the richness of living in Davis and I look forward to your entries of your discoveries.

I too moved from Canada (Montreal, more precisely), where I had been born and lived all my life. My lifestyle was almost entirely urban and I loved walking to local produce stores owned by families, I loved living in an ethnically, linguistically, and religiously diverse 'hood and I loved my community of friends from school and gym. But then I met a fabulous man who, a couple of years after we were together, received a wonderful job offer in Princeton, New Jersey. We decided we would go together and got married for love (and health insurance). But even though New York City and Philadelphia are only an hour away by train or by car, my time at home is spent watching the ducklings in the pond behind my house grow up, my evenings are spent watching the fireflies (I had never seen a firefly before!) spark up underneath towering oaks. Hawks and vultures circle the sky and I have seen the fat fox dart across my path in the woods a short walk away from where I live. We may not be here forever (we saw this decision to move as permanent for the next 5 years), but it's been a great adventure; getting married, moving to a new country, getting a new job, and meeting new people.

keri, you will love davis! it's so wonderful there. i grew up in sacramento but visited davis often. downtown sacramento is just a short drive away and san francisco is so close.

Hey Keri,
I live in Woodland, 8 miles or so north of Davis. When we moved here from the mid west we found Woodland more affordable and less pretentious. We are close enough to still take advantage of
all Davis has to offer. Hope you like it hot, it's been 100 degrees all week! Fortunately we are also close enough to the mountains and the coast to get away when we need too. SF is the best city in the US!!!

One of my best friends lives in Sacramento, so I visit there frequently. My husband and I went to my friend's birthday party after she moved from Berkeley to Sac, and we were delighted by the people we met. we talked to writers, artists, doctors, a wonderful man who works for the Mondavi Center in Davis, all deeply thoughtful, smart, funny, great people. I also met Christian through my friend (they worked together). We went to see him play a few times at the True Love coffee House.

I hope you love it there! Good luck

I am shocked and disappointed that you would leave Canada and move to the United States!!!! ;-(

With Bush and his corrupt cronies, their religious right mania, Homeland security, paranoia, no health care, world contempt, self-absorption/egotism, control of the media...need I go on?!

I suppose artists are into creativity and not logic...

I'm excited about the news that you will be moving to Davis!
I live in Fairfield, (about 20 minutes away). I love the town of Davis, and have often thought about living there myself.

I think you will enjoy it, Keri. Lots of cool restaurants (if you like sushi, try Osaka - it's right next to the food co-op.
and a great little artist's co-op downtown.

As far as Sacramento, you will probably be most drawn to Mid-Town. Again, great restaurants and funky little shops amidst the Victorian houses.

And oh - the wine country! For restaurants - don't Bistro Jeanty in Yountville (the cream of tomato soup in puff pastry is positively to die for!) , and Don Giovanni's in Oakville. You are going to have so much fun exploring our little corner of the world!

(Gee, I must be hungry since all I keep writing about are places to eat!)

Feel free to email me if you have any questions about the area. Good luck to you on your move. It's nice to know your creative spirit will be that much closer!

I graduated from UCD many years ago. I studied linguistics. What captures your heart also captured mine. No one ever says, but what resides there is a quiet,unique and captivating "spiritual" essence...that is what has drawn you there. You'll become acquainted with "it" and will see how your life is enhanced through your own initiative, the "It" within. The peaceful lifestyle allows that. The best of luck to you....I love your website!

keri...good luck! i've been relishing your blog for over a year now and love your book & have passed it on to many o' friend. i live in winters, CA.:a town 1/10th the size of davis(pop. 6,500) compared to davis' 65,000 and 14 miles away. davis has many charming qualities! the public library being a boon and also the farmer's market.the food coop is wonderful too. i will write more perhaps later as your plans develop. take care

My nephew, whose name also happens to be Jeff (it's not your Jeff, I'm sure) is also going to Davis in the fall. He just graduated from High School. So Hail, Land of Davis! Alma Mater of Guys Named Jeff.

Change is good. I struggled with leaving home and family a lot before I moved part-way across the U.S. to be with my boyfriend. But as soon as I arrived it felt like I'd always lived here. I feel very comfortable here, and when I call home and talk to family, I see that nothing has changed and I'm glad I made the move. Living in a new city is always exciting for me, and I'm sure you'll have a lot to explore and enjoy. Have fun!

I want to say that I am so inspired by your creativity. My sister (Courtney-- who posted a comment earlier) e-mails me to tell me to visit your site all the time. I think it is fabulous. I wish I could explore my creative side again. I have been studying science for the past six years, but I am now about to embark on a transitional journey to discovering my true passion.
I hope you find Davis a great place to live. I live and work in Davis. Because of the University, I find I get to meet such a diverse community of people here. I also love the atmosphere, very friendly and green! I work at Nugget Market, a very popular place in Davis. Come visit sometime.

"The first step is to lose the way."

Thanks for reminding me of all the great things about big changes. My soon to be hubby (7 weeks til the wedding) is starting school in Cincinnati this fall. We move in 9 weeks. I'm excited to discover a new city, meet new people, find new adventures. So many changes in such a short time seem so daunting in the abstract. Between the wedding, the move, finding a new job and Troy starting grad school, I really am frightened. But when I look at it all as an adventure, an experiement, I can't wait to get started.

My sister has been living in Davis for 5 years, and I've visited her a number of times. If you have any questions about the town, email me and I'll direct them her way. She's an artistic, vegetarian soul in the Vet school there working on her thesis.

One note: you'll probably be seeing a lot of Sacramento! She does most of her shopping there.

northern california is so beautiful. i live in los angeles and go up there about twice a year. i feel happier and healthier when i'm there. it's just good for the soul. i think you're really going to love it. best of luck!

I'm new to your blog but I just wanted to wish you luck on your Big Change. It takes courage to willingly dump out the life-box sometimes and sort through stuff.
Lindsay

I worked in Davis for 2 years as a hairstylist and while I didn't especially love my job, I did love Davis. It's a really nice community that gets sleepy in the summer and vibrant during the school year. I highly recommend that when you start exploring the wine country (which is the absolute best thing about northern California) you visit V. Sattui. It's across the street from Dean and Deluca and any sort of line for parking is well worth the wait. Good luck to you and your new journey!

i lived in davis for five years while attending UCD as an undergrad, and i absolutely loved it. it's grown quite a bit since then ('94-98'), but the character's still the same.

my favorites were 1) walking the orchards and fields at night in west davis off russell drive (and watching the owls and crows at twilight) 2) wandering the downtown--mishka's coffee, bogey's books, the newsstand 3) late summer nights where you can wear shorts and a tank top til midnight 4) the food co-op that has fresh local produce and organic everything 5) the arts and crafts center on campus & the extension courses--they've got everything 6) biking everywhere 7) lectures on campus & the new mondavi center 8) the john natsoulas gallery --3 floors of great art 9) the davis holistic center--great for chinese medicine and homeopathy

and the list goes on...

congratulations and happy moving!!!

I lived in Davis for two years while I attended the graduate creative writing program (I assume that this is what Jeff is doing?). There are many lovely things to like about Davis. I still miss living in a community safe enough to take late night walks without any real fear. I cannot remember the street names offhand, but I would love to give you directions to my favorite park, where I would take sunset walks and see the sun turn all sorts of colors before it dipped below the mountains.

A few suggestions--at the farmer's market, buy lots of local honey. Consider stocking up on stinging nettle tea. The only place in my life where I've ever had allergy troubles is, unfortunately, in Davis. However, eating lots of the locally pollinated honey and drinking stinging nettle tea is supposed to help considerably (I ditched the au naturel route and went straight for the Allegra-D!). Also consider some kind of small air purifier for your home. ;o)

If you have questions, let me know.

Marilyn, I didn't know that you ended up in Davis! ;o)

Espana can wait for us to be neighbors ;) Actually, since I'm in Oakland you'll be closer by, sort of almost neighbors. I hope Andrea has a welcome party for you here, that way you can meet your Northern California fan base! (Hint hint, Superhero!)
I have been itching for a change and have been trying to convince myself that a physical change is not necessary to constitute a change, that below the surface stuff is good change too...it reminds me of that silly wherever you go there you are stuff...

We moved to Davis a little over two months ago after five years in the Caribbean, so I understand about a big geographical move. It's a nice-sized town, but still close to urban pleasures. The City is only an hour away (by car...a little longer by train, of course). And of course Sacramento is only 15 minutes away (although I haven't quite figured out the vibe there.) I love Davis (and I've lived in some cool places). I think you'll like it here. If there's anything I can do to assist, drop me an email.