Yuba City, Paradise, Marysville, Oroville which one is best? (Sacramento: home, university)

[nouse4aname]

trust me these aren't my first choices of where to move but they are the only options right now. I am going to likely get a management postion at any one of these cities. Just a short history, we are a family of three, the third being a month old baby. We currently live in Redding and I don't care for it here so the less redneck and conservative the better. Or am I fighting a losing battle?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by nouse4aname

trust me these aren't my first choices of where to move but they are the only options right now. I am going to likely get a management postion at any one of these cities. Just a short history, we are a family of three, the third being a month old baby. We currently live in Redding and I don't care for it here so the less redneck and conservative the better. Or am I fighting a losing battle?

wow, of course Marysville is military and probably not what you are looking for, Oroville will be small town as well, which probably means redneck as you put it, although I am not sure you really have been in true Redneck country cause Redding is not what many would call redneck land. That leave Paradise. It is a good mixture with some carry over from Chico and the university but also lots of retired, conservative types. If I had a choice I would opt for Paradise anytime. If you are really looking for divesity and liberalism, yes, you are fighting a losing battle. Maybe you need to start concintrating on places like Sonoma and Napa Valley.

Nita

[4beanie]

That's a no brainer, Paradise wins hands down

[mateo45]

Basically, from north to south, the whole inland valley corridor is pretty 'redneck', one way or another. It's just a difference of what "brand" of redneck you're talking about. Also, historically, this where most of the Depression-era "Oakies" re-settled from the Dust Bowl, and they brought with them much of the values that we still associate with "redneck culture" today.

So up towards Yreka and the OR/CA border (aka "the State of Jefferson"), it seems to tend more towards the "Libertarian/Conservative leave-me-the-hell-alone" types. But then as you get down into the Redding area, where there's more ranchin' & ropin', you'll find more of the self-styled "cowboy" brand of redneck (complete with the K-Mart cowboy hat), even if all they really do is work at Taco Bell or install cable TV!

Farther south it's still pretty conservative, though more "agricultural" than "ranching". But even in the nearby foothills in my own neck of the woods, Paradise (and Oroville), it seems to be more of the "hillbilly" types, along with alot of Fundamentalism. And there are places around here that would easily rival the deep South for conservatism. Chico of course has the university, which helps a bit with the arts & progressivism, but it still ain't no Berkeley!

Then by the time you get down to Yuba City, Marysville, etc., these are increasingly just becoming bedroom communities for the Sacramento area ('cuz they're more affordable). So while not exactly "liberal", at least the redneck types start to become part of the typical "urban/suburban" mix, along with yuppie commuters of all types, chicanos, other minorities, etc.

If you really want more "liberal", it seems you have to go out towards the coast, but then the cost of living is obviously much higher, and it has its own problems besides (traffic, crowding, crime, etc.). Nuthin's ever free...!

[Clarks]

Paradise is scenic, Chico has stuff to do. The other towns are pretty basic.

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by 4beanie

That's a no brainer, Paradise wins hands down

Yup.

[mateo45]

The OP is looking for "less redneck and conservative than Redding". Paradise is many fine things (scenic, etc.), but "less redneck and conservative" ain't among them.

At least not judging from all the monster 4x4's, Jesus stickers, and cars with huge decals saying things like "Hillbilly Girl" across the windshield...!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by mateo45

The OP is looking for "less redneck and conservative than Redding". Paradise is many fine things (scenic, etc.), but "less redneck and conservative" ain't among them.

At least not judging from all the monster 4x4's, Jesus stickers, and cars with huge decals saying things like "Hillbilly Girl" across the windshield...!

My parents lived there for many years and we almost moved there. it is certainly more liberal than the other areas the OP mentioned. Yes, it is true the area isn't liberal by any means, but it is more so than most of the area. There are a number of professors from Chico who live there and some students as well, thus the liberal culture plays a role.

Nita

[mateo45]

Originally Posted by nmnita

My parents lived there for many years and we almost moved there. it is certainly more liberal than the other areas the OP mentioned. Yes, it is true the area isn't liberal by any means, but it is more so than most of the area. There are a number of professors from Chico who live there and some students as well, thus the liberal culture plays a role.

Nita

Nita.... I don't disagree that there are many "progressive" elements and individuals in the Paradise area (I are one). But the same could be said of Redding (for example they built that beautiful & innovative Sundial Bridge).

Yes, there are an increasing number of folks from Chico (redneck or otherwise) moving to Paradise. Housing is also way more affordable than in Chico. But same as with people, there's a big difference between how places (and old-timers) view themselves, and how others (especially newcomers) may experience them.

In fact, I think that's part of the problem, that so much of Paradise seems to be living in some sort of "yesteryear fantasy". Meanwhile the reality is that, all the old-timers are dying off or moving on, "low-rent" types are replacing them 'cuz it's cheap, and all the local businesses are gradually being boarded up, only to be replaced by yet another Walmart.

Dunno, maybe we need a Chico/Paradise thread here.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by mateo45

Nita.... I don't disagree that there are many "progressive" elements and individuals in the Paradise area (I are one). But the same could be said of Redding (for example they built that beautiful & innovative Sundial Bridge).

Yes, there are an increasing number of folks from Chico (redneck or otherwise) moving to Paradise. Housing is also way more affordable than in Chico. But same as with people, there's a big difference between how places (and old-timers) view themselves, and how others (especially newcomers) may experience them.

In fact, I think that's part of the problem, that so much of Paradise seems to be living in some sort of "yesteryear fantasy". Meanwhile the reality is that, all the old-timers are dying off or moving on, "low-rent" types are replacing them 'cuz it's cheap, and all the local businesses are gradually being boarded up, only to be replaced by yet another Walmart.

Dunno, maybe we need a Chico/Paradise thread here.

thanks for the update, we haven't been in Paradise for about 2 years. We visit my step mom, in a nursing home in Chico yearly but this past year we didn't even drive through Paradise as we were in a hurry. I guess I am just comparing it with the other towns. I also think, if Op finds Redding too conservative and Redneck, none of these areas will work.

Nita