How to find the best retirement community
CHICO-CALIFORNIA
Chico retirement communities Google Map

Discuss "What its Like to Live in CHICO"

Forward to a Friend

What Chico is like for active adults
Chico, California represents a more affordable California retirement community for active adults who are looking for an active outdoor lifestyle. Located in the Sacramento River Valley, the city is the cultural, economic, and educational center of the northern Sacramento Valley. There are more than a dozen parks and greenways. Fishing, skiing, biking, and hiking are abundantly available in the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains. Live oak and ash trees provide shade in the hot summers. About 70,000 people live in Chico, which is in Butte County.

California State University, Chico makes this town especially popular with active adults 50+. The university not only provides a lively environment and youthful presence, but it also encourages retirees to attend classes and take part in the university’s cultural offerings.

There are many new developments on the edge of town where active adults would be happy. In some cases these have rental apartments or condominiums. There are several large new urbanist neighborhoods, either planned or under construction, including Doe Mill, Barber Yard, Meriam Park, and Westside Place. Within town there are older neighborhoods where adults can live in a mixed generation environment. Mansion Park is the old high-end neighborhood.

Prices are relatively modest compared to much of California. According to City-Data.com the average home sold for about $300,000 in the first quarter of 2008.

Find out more about what it is like to retire in California.
[Edit] [History]

What is special about this community
• Bidwell Park is one of the largest parks in the U.S. • Weekly farmers’ markets • Sierra Nevada brewery • California State University, Chico • Sierra Nevada mountains
[Edit] [History]


What is not special about this community
It is a drive to nearest big city. Hot in summer
[Edit] [History]

What kinds of people like living here
Chico attracts a community of who enjoy living in a small college town near the mountains.
[Edit] [History]

Local economy is driven by
Education, medical services, brewing (Sierra Nevada), agriculture, and financial services are the principal drivers of the economy
[Edit] [History]

Physical environment
Chico is on flat ground which gives way to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada just outside of town. Summers are hot and dry; most rainfall comes in winter.
[Edit] [History]

Cultural environment
California State University, Chico provides much of the cultural opportunities. There are many musical venues such as the North State Symphony, Several theatres, 4 museums, and numerous galleries. There are a number of public sculpture and mural art expositions provided by the City of Chico Public Art Portfolio.
[Edit] [History]

Medical facilities
The Enloe Medical Center is here, 3 other hospitals are within 30 miles.
[Edit] [History]

Transportation
Chico Municipal Airport is the major airport, where United Express operates. Amtrak operates the Coast Starlight service. The B-Line (Butte Regional Transit) serves the Chico Urban area with eight routes. Chico is considered very bike-friendly.
[Edit] [History]

Active Adult Communities in Chico

Showcase Listing
Top Communities
 Chico Active Communities
Facts about CHICO
State:  CA
Environment:  College Town,
City Population:  50,001-100,000
Median age of Population:  25-44
Avg Jan Temperature:  41-60
Median HH Income:  20,001-40,000
Average Home Price (MLS):  $300,001-$500,000
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house:  2000-4000
Total Crime Index:  101-110 (slightly above average)
Cost of Living Index:  101-110 (slightly above average)
Culture Index:  101-110 (slightly above average)
State Sales Tax:  Yes
State Income Tax:  Yes
Name of the Guide:  boomer1
Can you add to or correct these Facts? Or do you have a photo of this community we could use? If so, please click on Edit these facts
Vote on the Ratings for Chico
Update Your Ratings
Overall Retirement Ratings Discuss

1. Rating: 3.3/5 ( 3 votes cast)

Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury Discuss

2. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive Discuss

3. Rating: 2.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan Discuss

4. Rating: 3.5/5 ( 2 votes cast)

Recreation:
None to Summer camp Discuss

5. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub Discuss

6. Rating: 2.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox Discuss

7. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent Discuss

8. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal Discuss

9. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

Environmental:
Oblivious to Ultra-Green Discuss

10. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

Was this review helpful? YesNo
Please share your opinions on this community in the Forum
Register to become a Site Guide to Edit these sections or Add a Community
If you have suggestions on how Topretirements.com could improve these reviews, contact us.
Suggest a community we want to know about your top retirement spots
Please note that all contributions to Topretirements may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you don't want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then don't submit it here. By submitting content and/or photographs here you agree to give Topretirements.com the rights to use them in any manner without cost or attribution.You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Project:Copyrights for details). DO NOT SUBMIT COPYRIGHTED WORK WITHOUT PERMISSION!
Site Map | About Us | Contact Us | Site Rules | Advertise | Free Baby Boomers Guide | Privacy| State | Communities| Press | Join Us | Help | Reviews | Active Adult Communities | Add Your Community
Copyright © 2006-2009 Topretirements.com. All Rights Reserved.