What BestPlaces Users Say about Chico
Chico, California is a small city located in the northern part of the state, known for its outdoor recreation opportunities and local colleges. It has a population of around 100,000 and has been ranked as one of the best places to live in California. However, as with any city, there are varying opinions on what it's like to actually live there. Many people have shared their experiences and thoughts on Chico on the Best Places website, providing valuable insights for those considering a move to this particular place.
According to user reviews on Best Places, Chico has received mixed reviews from those who live there. One user, named "Julie," praises the city for its "charming downtown area and friendly community." She also mentions the abundance of outdoor activities available, stating that "there's always something fun to do outside." Another user, "Mark," talks about the affordability of living in Chico, saying that "housing prices are reasonable compared to other parts of California."
On the other hand, there are also some negative reviews about living in Chico. "Samantha" mentions issues with safety, stating that "there is a growing problem with drugs and homelessness in certain areas of the city." Another user, "Mike," expresses frustration with the lack of job opportunities and the high unemployment rate in Chico. He says, "finding a well-paying job here is not easy and many people end up commuting to other cities for work."
Overall, the user reviews on Best Places present a diverse range of opinions about living in Chico. While some praise the city for its charm, affordability, and outdoor activities, others mention concerns about safety and job opportunities. It's important for anyone considering a move to this particular place to thoroughly research and weigh both the positive and negative aspects before making a decision. As "Julie" wisely advises, "do your homework and visit the city before making a move."
based on 31 ReviewsGet to know Chico with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Chico
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Not so great since the housing boom - 12/7/2008
Thanks to the housing boom a few years ago a lot of bay area families moved here. That is fine, in theory. The reasons they came here are the problem. Reason number 1, they wanted affordable housing compared to the bay area. This of course raised demand here which in turn raised our cost of housing. Reason number 2, they wanted to get their gang banger kids away from the gangs. Rather than removing their kids from the gangs, they actually brought the gangs here. Now we have increased violent crime. I cant recall a single murder from when I was a teenager. Now I hear on the news about murders all the time. Thank you so much to the all of you who brought your problems to a town that 10 years ago was a nice place to
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90s Visit - 8/18/2008
I visited Chico once in the early 90s for a lenghty stay with my mother's childhood friend and family. The town was very VERY HOT and it seemed a bit humid. Lots of college students, but also lots of hicks and rednecks. The last poster on this forum is not serious or he is misinformed when he says Chico is too liberal. Chico is VERY conservative for a college town and the stats in the Sterling profile support it--just read them. Registered republicans far outnumber registered democrats. Even here in the conservative Midwest of Columbus, Ohio where I live, dems far outnumber repubs in my county. Politics aside, Chico did seem like an OK place back when I visited in the 90s, but it probably is a lot worse now, and not worth the outrageous housing costs to live
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Hot Enough For You? - 8/4/2008
Chico is one of the best college towns in California. In fact,it is one of the few true college towns in the entire state. Set in the middle of the Sacramento Valley, Chico is close to Lassen National Park and the Northern Sierras. Due to its valley location, Chico is an agricultural hub, producing a vast array of vegetables and fruit. Almost all important agricultural products can be grown here except for tropical and cool-weather plants.
Because of CSU Chico, the city has an extensive array of cultural and entertainment options along with a relative mild sense of political activism. Chico may be more liberal than other valley towns, but is no Berkeley.
Chico's main issue is how to contain growth. It is by far the most desirable small city in the North Valley (except for Davis), but there is a strong movement to limit growth. At the same time, the city is hemmed in by a green belt on the West to protect agricultural land and environmentally sensitive foothill
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POLITICS - 4/22/2008
If you are at all republican then steer clear of liberal Chico. We are hammered with teachers in this town who are generally liberal and teach thier students to be like them then be fore warned. While Chico has some great outdoor activities to indulge in the politics run by money grubbing city coucill men and women, find art more important than lets say firefighters jobs and other saftey jobs in this community. They find it easy to buy global flags and hire personel to hang them, huge expensive pieces of art to put down town, yet want to cut wadges of our saftey staff when they know it was them who are overspending and want someone now to point the finger at. The real estate is great here though, some very unique homes to buy and referbish. If we got a new city council team and people who knew how to build a sucessful business then this city could thrive, but the mentality of our council members is not to do whats best. It's to do what looks best in the eyes of the liberals
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Culture & Recreation for Retired Persons - 2/1/2008
1.For $45 per year retired persons can take all of the classes they want in a Chico State University program in which seniors teach seniors.
2.Folk Music events occour about 8 times per month.
3.There are about 4 Swing dances per month.
4.The University provides many cultural events for all age groups.
5.More parkland per capita than almost any city in the country.
6.Excellent restaurants at reasonable prices.
7.Still a small town feel (but less so every year) coupled with big city
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Politically active community - 1/24/2008
The City of Chico has a large council chambers for a city its size, but it is common for the audience attendance to be standing-room only. If you're interested in politics, Chico will be a fun place for you to
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Becoming unlivable - 3/15/2007
I've lived in Chico since 1996. I found myself here to be with a man I am no longer with. I found one who is better and now we are married. I would have never chosen Chico but now am a homeowner and married to a man who has many family members in the area. After hearing about all the cold weather on the East Coast, I guess I should feel fortunate to live in central California but I have been thinking about leaving for two main reasons and a few minor reasons. The main ones: extreme heat and poor air quality. The heat by itself is oppressive, and add extremely poor air quality, which is getting worse by the year as the population increases, and you don't want to do much but sit inside by the AC all summer. Allergies and asthma are very high here and I have developed asthma and hyper-reactive airway disease since I moved here. It is a combination of auto exhaust pollution, smoke from agricultural, backyard and fireplace burning, and airborne pesticides (this is a major
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No longer a place worth living in - 1/1/2007
I grew up here. While I have wonderful memories of how Chico USED to be..... it is no longer the town I loved. The cost of living & housing is rediculous. The crime is UNbelievable. We now have gangs & it'sntounusual to have a murder a week. I actually check the newspapers Monday morning to see how many murders there were over the weekend or what the latest crime is.
The college students are self centered, spoiled & DO NOT respect that this is ALSO a place where families live. Yes I guess thats their age......... but it makes it very uncomfortable trying to raise a family & live around such garbage.
Don't believe that it gets to be 94 in July on average here. It's hotter than HELL here alll summer long. My PG&E (utility) bill in ONE summer month was 600 dollars and we were STILL miserable!
looking forward to leaving this place which is sad.........I thought I would never leave. I loved it here. The real estate is the MOST over inflated in the COUNTRY
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The Best of Everything! - 10/23/2005
Chico is one of the most beautiful and cultural cities in Northern California. Everything you want is here: Warm sunny dry weather and the best shopping and
recreation in the North Sacramento Valley. I know from my own experience that the
website link listed for Chico area real estate will introduce you to the best and most
honest Realtor in Chico. I clicked on it, and I'm glad I did! I wouldn't live any place
else now that I found
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