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Ellie Morris living

Chico quality of life -am I missing something?

Curious what people think. I relocated for work and It's a a mid-size city city with about 102K people. Household incomes average around $67,929 in Chico. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Am I wrong here? TIA! The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
16 upvotes

3 Replies

Hazel Brown
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Tampa about 4 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.

Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities

Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough

Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.

Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Hailey S.
literally same
31 upvotes
Leah Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
9 upvotes
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