Nice Neighborhoods in Chico (Oroville, August: renters, houses, amphitheatre)

[headingeast]

Hi everyone -- I am seriously considering going to Chico State for grad school, and I'm wondering about what the good neighborhoods are in town. I'm an older, married student and not at all interested in the party scene. We'd like to rent a three-bedroom house in a decent neighborhood, and we want to pay less than $1300/month. Where should we look? Where should we avoid?

[greatbasinguide]

There really aren't any bad neighborhoods. Some people don't like Chapmantown, but I like the character of that neighborhood. Around the park are nice older homes within walking distance of the school. The typical family neighborhoods are fine. North and east of the school.

[hersbear]

Chico seems like one of the last affordable places in CA. I agree with above poster that there aren't really any terrible neighborhoods. [URL removed}

[headingeast]

Thank you both! We just went up and looked at a house in Chapmantown. It was quite large for a good price. There are lots of houses with character there, but the neighborhood did seem a bit down at the heels. Somehow it didn't seem like a dealbreaker, though.

[thomasw98]

Copied this from Wiki:

Downtown Chico -This is the main commercial district in Chico. It is located generally between the Big Chico Creek and Little Chico Creek between Wall Street and Salem Street. The Downtown Chico Business Association represents the interests of the downtown to the community. Main Street and Broadway are the two main thoroughfares bisecting the downtown. Ringel Park is the triangular shaped area immediately north of downtown. The Chico City Plaza is the central point of downtown, between Fourth and Fifth Streets. The area of West Ninth Street where Main, and Oroville Avenue converge is known as The Junction, the southernmost part of the downtown.
South Campus -The South Campus neighborhood is the area bounded by West Second Street, Salem Street, West Ninth Street and the western city limits (which is called "The Green Line"). Historically, this area was the first residential area established in the city. Currently, it is the most densely populated area of the city. The South Campus Neighborhood Association represents the interests of the neighborhood to the community. South Campus is a dynamic residential neighborhood consisting overwhelmingly of young renters under thirty-five, and specifically Chico State students. The intersection of Fifth and Ivy Streets is a neighborhood commercial core referred to locally as "Five and I." There are many fraternity and sorority houses in the area, and the city has designated a "Fraternity/Sorority Overlay Zone" which is largely contiguous with the neighborhood. South Campus is home of Craig Hall, and Depot Park.
Barber -The Barber neighborhood is a working class residential neighborhood generally south of Little Chico Creek and west of Park avenue. The Barber Neighborhood Association represents the interests of the neighborhood to the community. This neighborhood was originally built to house the employees of the adjacent Diamond Match Factory. The neighborhood was named after Ohio Columbus Barber, President of the Diamond Match Company. Today, the Diamond Match property is designated for a future development called Barber Yard.
Chapmantown -This is a working class residential neighborhood entirely surrounded by area inside the city of Chico, but which itself is not a part of the city. Rather, it is under the jurisdiction of the County of Butte. Chapmantown is currently known as the area bounded by Little Chico Creek, Boucher Street, Guill Street and East Sixteenth Street. The neighborhood south of East Twentieth Street to the east of Fair street is also referred to as Chapmantown. Historically, Chapmantown referred to everything east of Mulberry street, but that is no longer the case. Due to not being within city limits, there are no sidewalks, sewers, or any other city services. However, there are also none of the regulations associated with the municipality either (prohibition on chicken coops, burn permits, etc.) The neighborhood is home to The Dorothy F. Johnson Neighborhood Center, a facility of the Chico Area Recreation District. The neighborhood is named after Augustus Chapman.
The Avenues refers to the numbered avenues that intersect the Esplanade. This residential neighborhood is adjacent to the northern boundary of Chico State campus and is south of Lindo Channel. The neighborhood also is home to Enloe Medical Center.
Mansion Park is the high end residential neighborhood adjacent to the Bidwell Mansion, and immediately between the northeast corner of the Chico State campus and Chico High School. This neighborhood is notable for its being a preferred parking zone for residents with permits only, located in an area of the city with very impacted parking. This neighborhood is home to the Albert E. Warrens Reception Center (formerly the Julia Morgan House), and the Bidwell Amphitheatre. Originally, home to mostly university professors and staff, other professionals and upper middle class families now also call it home.
Doe Mill is the developing urban residential neighborhood generally north of East Twentieth Street and East of Bruce Road.
Nob Hill is the developing residential neighborhood west of Bruce Road and north of Highway 32.
California Park is the developing residential neighborhood east of Bruce Road and north of Highway 32. This area contains a smaller area known as Canyon Oaks.
Aspen Glen is the residential neighborhood east of the Esplanade and north of East Shasta avenue. Many streets here are named after things associated with Colorado.
Cussick Area Neighborhood is an assortment of different housing types on the northwest end of town. It is flanked by orchards, the Esplanade, and West East Avenue. The deeper you go into the neighborhood, the larger and more beautiful the houses get in this peaceful backside of town.
Big Chico Creek Estates is a middle class development in the southwest area of town. Backed by the beautiful Big Chico Creek, and very close to Chico's newest elementary school.
Little Chico Creek Estates a small middle class development built in southeast Chico on what was at one time an olive orchard. Placed between Little Chico Creek and a small flood control channel, the development extends from Bruce Road at the western end to the mouth of Stilson Canyon at the eastern end, where it is separated from the homes in the canyon by the fork in the two waterways at the diversion dam. Little Chico Creek Estates is located very close to Hank Marsh Junior High School as well as Little Chico Creek Elementary School and various shopping centers including the Chico Mall.
Other neighborhoods: South Park, North Park, Vallombrosa, Baroni Park, and Hancock Park.
Chico also is home to several large new urbanist neighborhoods, either planned or under construction, including Doe Mill, Barber Yard, Meriam Park, and Westside Place.