Chico CA and surrounding area-Moving (Sacramento, Paradise: homes, neighborhoods, high school)

[amye697]

My family and I are moving to the Chico area. We have a child going into high school next year. Is the north east area of Chico better than other parts? What neighborhoods are not surround with college students? Is Paradise an option if you work in Chico? How long is that drive approx.? How does the Paradise high school compare to PV and Chico High? is there one there?

Is there a threat of wildfires in Paradise?

Thank you all!

[Freezer41]

Here is your answer about wildfires. Humboldt Fire - Chico Wiki
The drive from Chico to Paradise isn't bad at all about 20-30 minutes. Don't know if there are high volume times where traffic slows down on Skyway. I live in LA so my idea of traffic is different.

[Clarks]

Chico is a great little town, Paradise is a great little town. Is Chico High a better school? There is a chance.

Paradise is "above the fog and below the snow" The winter fogs must be seen to be believed. Paradise is a shade more tolerable in the summer.
Paradise has "cuter" neighborhoods.

Chico has fine old homes.

[Curmudgeon]

My oldest daughter and her family moved to Paradise about three years ago as my oldest granddaughter was entering high school. They love it there (and they do get snow on occasion) as well as the schools. It's a lovely town in the woods and seems to have a real sense of community. Forest fires have and can be a reality! So far, so good.

[Clarks]

They also get fog,,

I attended Chico State and lived out beyond Magalia across the West Branch in an old gold miners cabin. Three years there, driving old VW buses, once everyone had to jump out and push us up the last half mile of road due to snow, other than that, we never had a problem with snow. It did snow, just not on the roads I guess.

When you go looking, check out Magalia.

[Chicoan]

If you're working in Chico, I wouldn't suggest living in the surrounding cities. Chico easily surpasses Durham, Magalia, and Paradise in quality. There is a vast array of stores and other necessary amenities in Chico, and you won't have to drive 30+ minutes to get to them. It only snows about once every 10 years in Chico, although in the winter it regularly gets down to about freezing (although not much lower). If you're looking for neighborhoods in Chico, California Park and Nob Hill are both pretty nice neighborhoods. Pleasant Valley (PV) is also considered to be the stronger high school in both academics and athletics. While there are classes for farmers' kids at Chico High that specialize in farming, that's about the only thing that Chico has that PV doesn't. PV's average test scores are also much higher.

[amye697]

Thank you all for your replies! I will post more questions once I get there for the final interview...leaving Friday

[sms1967]

Chico is a really cool 'college' town. It manages to stay progressive yet manage growth. Paradise is a mountain town... Chico is 'valley'... so pretty different. There's not much around the area but you're a short drive from Sacramento if you need anything else. Check greatschools.com and API scores for California if you want a snapshot of the schools. I was actually surprised the housing is as pricey as it is. Good luck.

[Clarks]

Don't check websites and test scores for good schools. Talk to people when you get there.

Life is not a multiple choice test, and multiple choice tests will not prepare your child for life.

[MotleyCrew]

We lived in Magalia and had an office in Chico, so to us the drive was not bad at all. In fact, it was one of the most beautiful drives I have ever had to endure. The only time we complained was during the snow storms and Skyway was clogged. We carried chains with us in the winter months. The snow doesnt last very long. Our kids went to Paradise High. We loved Paradise/Magalia, well most of it. Had some hard times there, but we took the good memories with us. Best of luck.