St. George vs. Chico, CA (Ivins, Francis: renting, consignment, new home)

[Hawkbacker]

Does anyone have an opinion on rather to live in St. George or Chico, CA? I know they are very different places but we're considering both. I am non-LDS and married with two young children. I have not been to Chico but have been through St. George and thought it was okay, perhaps a little remote and dry.

I'm flexible on location for work and our priorities are:
- Scenic environment, parks
- Shops/restaurants; cute downtown
- Schools
- Affordable housing
- Sunny, warm weather but still a little green

Thanks in advance.

[Victoria1967]

Do some research about the nuclear blasts that have blown through St George, UT. I have never lived in either place but. . . Nuclear testing site wind blows through St George.

[motormaker]

Yoohoo, this is 2011.

[DelaneyRudd]

Lol.

[RSFMomma]

We just moved to St. George about 2 months ago. We like it here so far.

(And we are non-LDS with young children.)

I don't even know where Chico, CA is, although I did just google it, and I think it looks beautiful. I think if you are wanting more greenery, then Chico is the place to go (based on the pictures). You can drive north of here and be in the green, and when you are driving along the Red Hills Parkway, you can look down into St. G and see trees, but there's minimal grass (imagine that, in a desert landscape, huh? LOL)- and my kids do miss the grass, for sure...

There are a lot of parks within an hour or so from here, and many are within 20 minutes. We actually moved here for the outdoor activities and because it's such a family-oriented area.

Shopping is what you would expect for the area I guess. I preferred what SLC had to offer for shopping, but hey-- it's a bigger area up there, so of course they would have more. Vegas is about 90 minutes away though.

The restaurants are good-- a great mix of chains and local restaurants.

As for schools, I have been told that "Utah isn't known for it's schools, but if you take an interest in your child's education, you will find teachers do care." My daughter is going to the Vista School in Ivins, a public performing arts/technology charter school. And we are SUPER excited that this opportunity exists here!

Housing is pretty affordable, in my opinion. We are renting right now because we just packed up and moved, not really knowing much about St. G. When we are ready to buy we are likely going to be looking in Ivins, or the St. G side close to there.

Anyway, good luck-- when are you planning to move?

[Hawkbacker]

Thanks for your reply. We are going to Chico in a few weeks (going to a wedding in the region) so we'll have a better idea then on our thoughts but just wanted to get a head start on it Glad to you hear you like your new home and that school in Ivins sounds great!

What are your thoughts on St. George's downtown? Does it have a lot of neat shops or anything or just mainly some old businesses and the churches?

[DelaneyRudd]

St. George was only a couple thousand people until 1980. The whole area is up to 100k since then. Theres very little in the old part of town.

[RSFMomma]

We haven't gotten to get out and explore downtown St. George on foot yet-- or at least, not much. We actually tried to do that last night, but there was a storm brewing, and when the raindrops flew, we decided to drive. Of course, it didn't last very long and we could have continued walking...

Anyway, St. George Blvd has quite a few little restaurants along St. George Blvd-- one that is *always* busy is Cafe Rio and I really want to try it. There are ice cream and custard and frozen yogurt stands galore.

The "downtown" area is probably Main Street/Tabernacle something or other. I would say there are a handful of shops there. Some quaint consignment stores scattered around, some used book stores, a couple of bike shops. There is a park with a carousel and a big splash pad (meaning the water is super high!) and a super-cool lazy river that I only discovered because my neighbor told me about it. I never get to really explore downtown because my husband works 6 days/week, and a lot of the shops, I would not even consider taking my terrible two year old into. :-D The shops are all closed by the time my husband makes it home...

Anyway, enjoy your trip to Chico! It looks like the temperature there is a bit more mild.

[Hawkbacker]

Thanks. I forgot how relatively new the St. George area is. I like newer construction homes so in that sense it's a definite plus. Which city in the area is best for running/biking trails, if any?

[markg91359]

Does anyone have an opinion on rather to live in St. George or Chico, CA? I know they are very different places but we're considering both. I am non-LDS and married with two young children. I have not been to Chico but have been through St. George and thought it was okay, perhaps a little remote and dry.

I'm flexible on location for work and our priorities are:
- Scenic environment, parks
- Shops/restaurants; cute downtown
- Schools
- Affordable housing
- Sunny, warm weather but still a little green

Thanks in advance.

Hello. Wanted you to know that I grew up in Chico, CA and now live in St. George UT. You being non-LDS, I think you would prefer Chico. However, if raising children, I would recommend St.George. I had a lot of exposure to drugs and alcohol in Chico schools. Raising my own children, there is much less of that influence here, in part due to the LDS culture. There are a lot of stay at home Moms and kids are heavily supervised in school activities. Climates are very similar. Housing comparable. Chico is about 5-6 hours from San Francisco. St. George is about 5-6 hours from L.A. Both are very livable and both are very nice places. Best of luck in your decision.