Moving to Chowchilla, is it a nice area? (Fresno, Livermore: appointed, real estate)

[calicurious]

My family is relocating to the Chowchilla area, and I was wondering if it's a good community, or if other towns would be better. I noticed real estate is low there, and I'm wondering why. Is there a high crime rate? Does anyone know what the school systems are like? Any advice would be great, thanks!

[happ]

Sorry to answer: "Is Chowchilla . . a nice area?" - not really

[EscapeCalifornia]

It's cheap because its a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. What did you do to deserve moving there?

[MtnSurfer]

Well,

Chowchilla is a very small town close to Merced which is not known to be a nice area. It is primarily a farming community with potential crime problems and some serious smog/air quality issues - hence the low prices. Do a search here for Merced and you'll get an idea of the area.

There might be nicer parts of Fresno or places closer to the Sierra Foothills which would be better. Small towns on the way into the Sierras should be better health wise - areas nearer to Mariposa or Oakhurst. I'm sure FrenoFacts will chime in, especially since this is close to Fresno.

Derek

[Twinkle Toes]

I remember that a school bus filled with 26 children was kidnapped from Chowchilla and buried in 1975 or 1976. I think they were buried in an adjacent town, if I remember correctly. I believe the kids and the bus driver were able to dig themselves out and were rescued. It was on national news way back then. For some reason, I've always remembered this incident.

[markfromCA]

What is bringing you there? Nothing to do and few jobs. It is Hot in the summers. Good luck.

[momojojo]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

I remember that a school bus filled with 26 children was kidnapped from Chowchilla and buried in 1975 or 1976. I think they were buried in an adjacent town, if I remember correctly. I believe the kids and the bus driver were able to dig themselves out and were rescued. It was on national news way back then. For some reason, I've always remembered this incident.

Yep, they were buried in a rock quarry around Livermore or Tracy I think. The three men (one was 18 or so when this happened) are all still in prison and keep coming up for parole but are denied every time. They made a TV movie about it some years ago.

Chowchilla (or Chow-town) is a small farming community between Madera & Merced. It is growing. They have a nice golf course community and businesses are springing up. If you like a really small town, this would be okay.

If you have to choose, I'd head for the foothills or Atwater/Merced.
My brother and other relatives lived in Chowchilla and they liked it. Schools are small, but that's not a bad thing.

Good luck.

[Adriatica]

Some people commute from Fresno to jobs in Chowchilla. Fresno is a large city with lots of amenities, a variety of schooling options, etc. You could also commute down from Merced, which is smaller than Fresno but larger than Chowchilla.

Or you could live in the foothills and get to a job in Chowchilla. That would be a more rural lifestyle, if that's what you prefer.

Chowchilla itself isn't bad. Small, quiet for the most part, agricultural origins. For some people it's perfect and for others it's too small.

So, you could work in Chowchilla and live in a larger city, a small town, or a rural community (there are several to choose from)--depending on your commute and lifestyle preferences.

[City Boy]

Some colleagues of mine work at the two womens prisons there and hate the area. The air quality is horrible and it's hot. I would avoid it personally.

[calicurious]

Thanks for all the reply's, I really appreciate it!

My husband is a farmer, and we hear that is an excellent farming area.

I'm disappointed to hear that the air quality is so bad, I may look into the foothills. Living in the country wouldn't be bad, it looks like a short trip to town no matter where we settle.

Thanks again!