With a population of 102K, Chico is a mid-size city. Median household income is $67,929, which feels about average for the area. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Is this normal for Chico? The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
1 upvotes
7 Replies
Miles Price
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in North area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Santiago Young
Bought a house here in 2017 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
32 upvotes
Victoria Nguyen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 40, moved here 13 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Downtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- North: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Baltimore, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
31 upvotes
Isaiah Taylor
noted, appreciate it
31 upvotes
Nathan Morris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely pretty good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
8 upvotes
Ethan M.
accurate
1 upvotes
Anna Scott
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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