Chico, CA questions (Sacramento: renting, homes, neighborhoods)

[Dec08]

Considering a move to Chico, CA
Can anyone tell me about the neighborhoods?
Looking for an area that is close enough in to bike/walk to markets and downtown events, but not filled with college kids.
Is there a specific area that would meet this criteria? I am planning on renting or buying and looking for that urban hip feel and being able to walk to local eateries etc. I keep hearing about the college kid slum areas and I really would like to avoid that.

[wburg]

The college is pretty much right downtown, any neighborhood walkable from downtown is already filled with college kids. Finding an "urban hip feel" in a town the size of Chico is going to be a bit difficult (heck, it's a bit difficult in much-larger Sacramento,) but you could probably manage that "college town hip feel" if you can tolerate a certain quantity of keg parties. Look at the historic neighborhoods along the Esplanade; probably more expensive than most college kids can afford, more of your neighbors in the older single-family homes are likely to be professors rather than students.

[romanceisdead]

I would say the Aves is less full of party type kids, than it is to the west of down town and the campus. But really, you will see that Chico is a mix of family/ adults and University kids all over. And it isn't nearly as wild as people make it out. Chico over all is a quiet, artsy, really friendly place.

I miss it so...

[happ]

I just spent several days over Thanksgiving in Chico visiting relatives. The huge trees were in color & leaves covered the ground. I love Chico [and not because I was raised there] for it's isolation in the Sacramento valley, nearness to the Sierra & opportunities for good food\ culture. The university mostly enhances Chico & downtown is alive with clubs.