SperlingViews - Paradise, California

There can not be a town with a LESS FITTING NAME than "Paradise", CA..Its name implies nothing of the truth. First of all, what people are saying about unpleasant weather is absolutely correct. Those who say otherwise, (???)...go figure. During winter months it pours buckets of rain. High winds and snow often knock down large trees and branches, which in turn take down power lines, causing power outages & hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage. Sometimes it actually takes days before power is restored (again, this being in the dead of winter). In the summer you bake & sweat. It is usually very uncomfortable to go outside from about 9AM until just before or after sundown. AC/power & water bills are astronomically high! Wild fires are a huge threat. Mandatory evacuation for weeks at a time & dozens, upon dozens of homes being destroyed by wild fire (ie; 2008). Probably most frustrating though, has to be the mindset of the locals. VERY LITTLE gets accomplished & that is exactly how the majority of people there seem to like it. Many locals think that it actually "paradise" because of un-productivity & laziness. Someone stated that the people there "dropped out of society"... Perfect analogy! Methamphetamine use is common, not only in "Paradise", but in all of Butte County, as so is theft. Surprise! My family, as well as myself were victims dozens of times in the just a few short years. What's really amazing though is just how common the attitude of carelessness, laziness and unaccountability is with everyday, non drug users that reside there (nearly everything, from contractors, retailers, restaurants, the vet's office, to the local health care industry, and so on). Businesses & residents alike shun responsibility on a staggering level. The widespread irresponsible, lackadaisical attitude seems to effect every aspect of business & everyday life there. Pride in excellence is rarely displayed, if at all, and that is the truth. It is a very common thing to hear things like "Yeah, I know we told ya we'd be over thar, but we went fishin' instead"... (No joke!) My loved ones moved their later in life without conducting proper, thorough investigation first. Big mistake! They re-invested nearly everything into that place. Unfortunately, like many others have experienced as well, they were afterwards stuck. Real estate prices are cheap there and once you've lived there you can understand why. Local officials & industry sell "Paradise" as a "retirement community" and there are many older folks there, but don't be fooled. There are very few activities or events for seniors in this community. It's bleak. However, there are many businesses & individuals that capitalize on the elderly demographic, taking full financial advantage. This also extends to the neighboring town of Oroville, CA (GUARD your loved ones & their finances from people in that town!!!). In my observation & years of experience of being in those surrounding communities, I can report, unfortunately, that this is a place of rapid personal decline, being taken advantage of meanwhile. Perhaps there are some who might say that this post is motivated from "having a bad taste in my mouth" & I wouldn't outright dispute that, but, this IS truthful. I also think it is only fair that others should benefit from what I have discovered. There are many others who could substantiate these claims. If you are a retiree and considering a move to Paradise (I like to call it "Purgatory"), do yourself a favor & seriously reconsider (or at least research it very carefully and thoroughly, before making a move, later regretting it). If you are a person who's aging loved one is considering a move to Paradise, do them and your family a favor by dissuading them. I wish that I had. I've never regretted being there for my loved ones as they needed me in their final years. I miss them greatly every day and I know that I always will, but I have never missed the communities of "Paradise"/Oroville, nor Butt(e) County, CA, and I know that I never will.[read more...]

There can not be a town with a LESS FITTING NAME than "Paradise", CA..Its name implies nothing of the truth. First of all, what people are saying about unpleasant weather is absolutely correct. Those who say otherwise, (???)...go figure. During winter months it pours buckets of rain. High winds and snow often knock down large trees and branches, which in turn take down power lines, causing power outages & hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage. Sometimes it actually takes days before power is restored (again, this being in the dead of winter). In the summer you bake & sweat. It is usually very uncomfortable to go outside from about 9AM until just before or after sundown. AC/power & water bills are astronomically high! Wild fires are a huge threat. Mandatory evacuation for weeks at a time & dozens, upon dozens of homes being destroyed by wild fire (ie; 2008). Probably most frustrating though, has to be the mindset of the locals. VERY LITTLE gets accomplished & that is exactly how the majority of people there seem to like it. Many locals think that it actually "paradise" because of un-productivity & laziness. Someone stated that the people there "dropped out of society"... Perfect analogy! Methamphetamine use is common, not only in "Paradise", but in all of Butte County, as so is theft. Surprise! My family, as well as myself were victims dozens of times in the just a few short years. What's really amazing though is just how common the attitude of carelessness, laziness and unaccountability is with everyday, non drug users that reside there (nearly everything, from contractors, retailers, restaurants, the vet's office, to the local health care industry, and so on). Businesses & residents alike shun responsibility on a staggering level. The widespread irresponsible, lackadaisical attitude seems to effect every aspect of business & everyday life there. Pride in excellence is rarely displayed, if at all, and that is the truth. It is a very common thing to hear things like "Yeah, I know we told ya we'd be over thar, but we went fishin' instead"... (No joke!) My loved ones moved their later in life without conducting proper, thorough investigation first. Big mistake! They re-invested nearly everything into that place. Unfortunately, like many others have experienced as well, they were afterwards stuck. Real estate prices are cheap there and once you've lived there you can understand why. Local officials & industry sell "Paradise" as a "retirement community" and there are many older folks there, but don't be fooled. There are very few activities or events for seniors in this community. It's bleak. However, there are many businesses & individuals that capitalize on the elderly demographic, taking full financial advantage. This also extends to the neighboring town of Oroville, CA (GUARD your loved ones & their finances from people in that town!!!). In my observation & years of experience of being in those surrounding communities, I can report, unfortunately, that this is a place of rapid personal decline, being taken advantage of meanwhile. Perhaps there are some who might say that this post is motivated from "having a bad taste in my mouth" & I wouldn't outright dispute that, but, this IS truthful. I also think it is only fair that others should benefit from what I have discovered. There are many others who could substantiate these claims. If you are a retiree and considering a move to Paradise (I like to call it "Purgatory"), do yourself a favor & seriously reconsider (or at least research it very carefully and thoroughly, before making a move, later regretting it). If you are a person who's aging loved one is considering a move to Paradise, do them and your family a favor by dissuading them. I wish that I had. I've never regretted being there for my loved ones as they needed me in their final years. I miss them greatly every day and I know that I always will, but I have never missed the communities of "Paradise"/Oroville, nor Butt(e) County, CA, and I know that I never will.[read more...]

There can not be a town with a LESS FITTING NAME than "Paradise", CA..Its name implies nothing of the truth. First of all, what people are saying about unpleasant weather is absolutely correct. Those who say otherwise, (???)...go figure. During winter months it pours buckets of rain. High winds and snow often knock down large trees and branches, which in turn take down power lines, causing power outages & hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage. Sometimes it actually takes days before power is restored (again, this being in the dead of winter). In the summer you bake & sweat. It is usually very uncomfortable to go outside from about 9AM until just before or after sundown. AC/power & water bills are astronomically high! Wild fires are a huge threat. Mandatory evacuation for weeks at a time & dozens, upon dozens of homes being destroyed by wild fire (ie; 2008). Probably most frustrating though, has to be the mindset of the locals. VERY LITTLE gets accomplished & that is exactly how the majority of people there seem to like it. Many locals think that it actually "paradise" because of un-productivity & laziness. Someone stated that the people there "dropped out of society"... Perfect analogy! Methamphetamine use is common, not only in "Paradise", but in all of Butte County, as so is theft. Surprise! My family, as well as myself were victims dozens of times in the just a few short years. What's really amazing though is just how common the attitude of carelessness, laziness and unaccountability is with everyday, non drug users that reside there (nearly everything, from contractors, retailers, restaurants, the vet's office, to the local health care industry, and so on). Businesses & residents alike shun responsibility on a staggering level. The widespread irresponsible, lackadaisical attitude seems to effect every aspect of business & everyday life there. Pride in excellence is rarely displayed, if at all, and that is the truth. It is a very common thing to hear things like "Yeah, I know we told ya we'd be over thar, but we went fishin' instead"... (No joke!) My loved ones moved their later in life without conducting proper, thorough investigation first. Big mistake! They re-invested nearly everything into that place. Unfortunately, like many others have experienced as well, they were afterwards stuck. Real estate prices are cheap there and once you've lived there you can understand why. Local officials & industry sell "Paradise" as a "retirement community" and there are many older folks there, but don't be fooled. There are very few activities or events for seniors in this community. It's bleak. However, there are many businesses & individuals that capitalize on the elderly demographic, taking full financial advantage. This also extends to the neighboring town of Oroville, CA (GUARD your loved ones & their finances from people in that town!!!). In my observation & years of experience of being in those surrounding communities, I can report, unfortunately, that this is a place of rapid personal decline, being taken advantage of meanwhile. Perhaps there are some who might say that this post is motivated from "having a bad taste in my mouth" & I wouldn't outright dispute that, but, this IS truthful. I also think it is only fair that others should benefit from what I have discovered. There are many others who could substantiate these claims. If you are a retiree and considering a move to Paradise (I like to call it "Purgatory"), do yourself a favor & seriously reconsider (or at least research it very carefully and thoroughly, before making a move, later regretting it). If you are a person who's aging loved one is considering a move to Paradise, do them and your family a favor by dissuading them. I wish that I had. I've never regretted being there for my loved ones as they needed me in their final years. I miss them greatly every day and I know that I always will, but I have never missed the communities of "Paradise"/Oroville, nor Butt(e) County, CA, and I know that I never will.[read more...]

There can not be a town with a LESS FITTING NAME than "Paradise", CA..Its name implies nothing of the truth. First of all, what people are saying about unpleasant weather is absolutely correct. Those who say otherwise, (???)...go figure. During winter months it pours buckets of rain. High winds and snow often knock down large trees and branches, which in turn take down power lines, causing power outages & hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage. Sometimes it actually takes days before power is restored (again, this being in the dead of winter). In the summer you bake & sweat. It is usually very uncomfortable to go outside from about 9AM until just before or after sundown. AC/power & water bills are astronomically high! Wild fires are a huge threat. Mandatory evacuation for weeks at a time & dozens, upon dozens of homes being destroyed by wild fire (ie; 2008). Probably most frustrating though, has to be the mindset of the locals. VERY LITTLE gets accomplished & that is exactly how the majority of people there seem to like it. Many locals think that it actually "paradise" because of un-productivity & laziness. Someone stated that the people there "dropped out of society"... Perfect analogy! Methamphetamine use is common, not only in "Paradise", but in all of Butte County, as so is theft. Surprise! My family, as well as myself were victims dozens of times in the just a few short years. What's really amazing though is just how common the attitude of carelessness, laziness and unaccountability is with everyday, non drug users that reside there (nearly everything, from contractors, retailers, restaurants, the vet's office, to the local health care industry, and so on). Businesses & residents alike shun responsibility on a staggering level. The widespread irresponsible, lackadaisical attitude seems to effect every aspect of business & everyday life there. Pride in excellence is rarely displayed, if at all, and that is the truth. It is a very common thing to hear things like "Yeah, I know we told ya we'd be over thar, but we went fishin' instead"... (No joke!) My loved ones moved their later in life without conducting proper, thorough investigation first. Big mistake! They re-invested nearly everything into that place. Unfortunately, like many others have experienced as well, they were afterwards stuck. Real estate prices are cheap there and once you've lived there you can understand why. Local officials & industry sell "Paradise" as a "retirement community" and there are many older folks there, but don't be fooled. There are very few activities or events for seniors in this community. It's bleak. However, there are many businesses & individuals that capitalize on the elderly demographic, taking full financial advantage. This also extends to the neighboring town of Oroville, CA (GUARD your loved ones & their finances from people in that town!!!). In my observation & years of experience of being in those surrounding communities, I can report, unfortunately, that this is a place of rapid personal decline, being taken advantage of meanwhile. Perhaps there are some who might say that this post is motivated from "having a bad taste in my mouth" & I wouldn't outright dispute that, but, this IS truthful. I also think it is only fair that others should benefit from what I have discovered. There are many others who could substantiate these claims. If you are a retiree and considering a move to Paradise (I like to call it "Purgatory"), do yourself a favor & seriously reconsider (or at least research it very carefully and thoroughly, before making a move, later regretting it). If you are a person who's aging loved one is considering a move to Paradise, do them and your family a favor by dissuading them. I wish that I had. I've never regretted being there for my loved ones as they needed me in their final years. I miss them greatly every day and I know that I always will, but I have never missed the communities of "Paradise"/Oroville, nor Butt(e) County, CA, and I know that I never will.[read more...]

There can not be a town with a LESS FITTING NAME than "Paradise", CA..Its name implies nothing of the truth. First of all, what people are saying about unpleasant weather is absolutely correct. Those who say otherwise, (???)...go figure. During winter months it pours buckets of rain. High winds and snow often knock down large trees and branches, which in turn take down power lines, causing power outages & hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage. Sometimes it actually takes days before power is restored (again, this being in the dead of winter). In the summer you bake & sweat. It is usually very uncomfortable to go outside from about 9AM until just before or after sundown. AC/power & water bills are astronomically high! Wild fires are a huge threat. Mandatory evacuation for weeks at a time & dozens, upon dozens of homes being destroyed by wild fire (ie; 2008). Probably most frustrating though, has to be the mindset of the locals. VERY LITTLE gets accomplished & that is exactly how the majority of people there seem to like it. Many locals think that it actually "paradise" because of un-productivity & laziness. Someone stated that the people there "dropped out of society"... Perfect analogy! Methamphetamine use is common, not only in "Paradise", but in all of Butte County, as so is theft. Surprise! My family, as well as myself were victims dozens of times in the just a few short years. What's really amazing though is just how common the attitude of carelessness, laziness and unaccountability is with everyday, non drug users that reside there (nearly everything, from contractors, retailers, restaurants, the vet's office, to the local health care industry, and so on). Businesses & residents alike shun responsibility on a staggering level. The widespread irresponsible, lackadaisical attitude seems to effect every aspect of business & everyday life there. Pride in excellence is rarely displayed, if at all, and that is the truth. It is a very common thing to hear things like "Yeah, I know we told ya we'd be over thar, but we went fishin' instead"... (No joke!) My loved ones moved their later in life without conducting proper, thorough investigation first. Big mistake! They re-invested nearly everything into that place. Unfortunately, like many others have experienced as well, they were afterwards stuck. Real estate prices are cheap there and once you've lived there you can understand why. Local officials & industry sell "Paradise" as a "retirement community" and there are many older folks there, but don't be fooled. There are very few activities or events for seniors in this community. It's bleak. However, there are many businesses & individuals that capitalize on the elderly demographic, taking full financial advantage. This also extends to the neighboring town of Oroville, CA (GUARD your loved ones & their finances from people in that town!!!). In my observation & years of experience of being in those surrounding communities, I can report, unfortunately, that this is a place of rapid personal decline, being taken advantage of meanwhile. Perhaps there are some who might say that this post is motivated from "having a bad taste in my mouth" & I wouldn't outright dispute that, but, this IS truthful. I also think it is only fair that others should benefit from what I have discovered. There are many others who could substantiate these claims. If you are a retiree and considering a move to Paradise (I like to call it "Purgatory"), do yourself a favor & seriously reconsider (or at least research it very carefully and thoroughly, before making a move, later regretting it). If you are a person who's aging loved one is considering a move to Paradise, do them and your family a favor by dissuading them. I wish that I had. I've never regretted being there for my loved ones as they needed me in their final years. I miss them greatly every day and I know that I always will, but I have never missed the communities of "Paradise"/Oroville, nor Butt(e) County, CA, and I know that I never will.[read more...]

Been here 5 years....it's too cold in the winter, it snows here and it rains a lot plus it stays around 100* all summer. This place has 4 months of decent weather.[read more...]

The weather here in Paradise is far from Paradise, it's terrible here and I am writing out of frustration on another 100* day in summer. I moved here 5 years ago from San Jose, I had some relatives here who made it sound like this place was a Paradise, Paradise is no Paradise it's far from it and I can't wait to leave here, I am sorry to say but this place is not for the living, I have nothing good to say about the weather, the forest fires that come every year that put us all in a panic to evacuate or the people. There are a lot of people here who have just dropped out of society and I see them all the time. There is no way a person can enjoy walking around here unless they live on a park because there are no sidewalks and everything is sloped because we are on ridge. I can't wait to get to flat land and it won't be Chico that place is always 5 degrees hotter than Paradise. Don't waste your time or money here, the housing market is a loser you would be lucky to get back what you got into it too. Paradise is just one of those places to have a cabin and get away from it all but no to live...but people are living here.[read more...]

At least in Paradise you can get one of those "cowboys" to come to the schene in a matter of minutes, where as in Magalia, depending on where the Butte County Sheriff is, could take an hour. By the time BCS gets to the scene, you could be dead. Crime in BOTH Magalia and Paradise are comparable. BOTH communites are suffering major ecomonic blows, and BOTH communites are over run with meth use as well as marijuana and prescription medication as well as all of the drunk drivers. BOTH communities are known as Hydrocodone Heights! Magalia is NO safer than Paradise, IMHO. Where exactly do the Ridge Runners run?? Magalia, Paradise, Sterling City, and Inskip. The truth is Butte County is the MOST corrupt county in the state of California, and everyone knows it. Which place is safer to live? Which place has more to offer our kids in the way of after school activities? Magalia has nothing but a golf course and the POA of which I believe you have to be a home owner to have membership? OH, I know! The people of Magalia can come to the Boys and Girls Club in Paradise, or to the Senior Center, or to the library or any of the MANY beautiful parks...! Magalia citizens use every resourse in Paradise, but are not responsible for paying the taxes that keep the roads clear and safe. Butte County should be wiped off the map, period! I've lived in Magalia and Paradise, beautiful places as long as you don't look or speak to the people who live there.[read more...]

i love paradise. it is my favorite place in the world. i cant wait to go back there. its BEAUTIFUL. at least it was when i was down there last[read more...]

Paradise is just about that most of the year in climate, especially the fall which is usually wonderful. Summer can be HOT and days with the 3digit temps.! If you like rain in winter, you will also love it here.[read more...]

I moved here in May of 08 with no research, so it's my fault. This area is breathtakingly beautiful in late March, April, and most of May. It's very pretty for a month or 6 weeks in autumn. The rest of the year is ruined by very unpleasant weather. Come and visit in the spring, but get the stats on the rain in the winter and the heat in the summer if you're thinking of living here. I will be moving this summer.[read more...]

Paradise is, to be bluntly honest, a typical small community replete with the nepotism, divisive politics and lack of vision that have inhibited economic and cultural development. Resisting an infusion of new blood and ideas in favor of a good old boy system and business as usual it is a stagnant town and will continue to be so. Paradise’s myopic view of itself has equated into a lack of economic growth and consequently new employment. What jobs are available, public and private alike, pay a wage far below the cost of living for the area, offer no benefits and all too frequently are filled based on relationships and favors owed. Only neighboring Chico offers any opportunity for employment but, unfortunately, as it is a university town, college students will work for far less “dumbing down” wages and benefits for workers with families. As a result Paradise has been unable to be little more than a retirement community as it and its larger metro neighbor offer no opportunities for its younger residents and, in particular, new residents. Prices for goods and services in Paradise, including those of the few national chains in the area, are not on par with wages in the area with food and fuel prices exceptionally higher than average. This may be in part due to not only the lack of choices but because Paradise is along no major routes between major metropolitan areas requiring that goods delivered are diverted to the area. Drug related crimes, such as burglary and theft, as are the case in most economically depressed communities, have been high disproportionately high in Paradise. Methamphetamine is such a major issue that the Butte County Sheriff’s Department exhausted all of its inmate medical funding for one year within a matter of a few months treating “meth mouth” among its jail population. On the subject of crime and law enforcement, the Paradise Police Department is currently under investigation by the FBI for excessive force. The department’s use of deadly force to its population size is disproportionate and the department has had a reputation for employing “cowboys”. Those who wish rural mountain retirement ,or are self-employed, with lower housing prices, minimal crime, quiet neighborhoods, a home owners’ association that provides amenities while maintaining a desirable community, including nearby golfing, viewing wildlife, light winter snows and an overall better lifestyle should consider Magalia just a few miles further up the ridge from Paradise. [read more...]

When you visit Paradise, prepare yourself for amazing weather! Sunny days average over 250 per year, with an annual rainfall of about 50 inches. This gentle altitude of Paradise rises to around 2300 feet. Below the heavy snow of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Now close your eyes and imagine a community where residents take time to smile, wave and chat with neighbors. I love Paradise and hope when you come to visit you will find Paradise Ca home too![read more...]