Recommendations for Good Suburbs near Chico, CA? (Sacramento, Yuba City: best town, 2014)

[knicksin8]

I am considering a job offer that I have received in Chico, CA.

I currently reside in the Phoenix metro area.

If I accept the new job, my family and I will be renting a house for the first two years.

Any suggestions for safe family-oriented suburbs with good public schools that are somewhat closer to the Sacramento airport? A 90 minute drive is long when needing to use the airport for leisure travel.

I can tolerate up to a 30 minute one way commute to Chico, if needed.

Thanks in advance.

[sacreole]

Chico really doesn't have any suburbs. It's a city of about 90,000 approximately 90 miles north of Sacramento. The surrounding towns are Oroville, Paradise, Gridley, Hamilton City, and Orland. You may want to look into Yuba City, which would be a 40 minute commute to Chico and is roughly half way between the Sacramento Airport and Chico.

[BeauCharles]

If you're working in Chico I would strongly recommend living in Chico - especially if you're coming from a large city since its the only place in the area with any semblance of culture, shopping or decent dining. Being a little bit closer to the Sac airport is not worth the day in and day out hassle of a commute nor the poorer schools in a town like Gridley, Live Oak or Yuba City.

There's a reason a typical house in Chico is about 40-50% more expensive that surround communities.

[StandingLenticular]

Chico is probably the best town around as far as quality of life - just look at rentals that are further from the college if you want a little more quiet and a family friendly atmosphere.

Durham is just south of Chico - however it's a little removed from HWY 99 so it would only save a few minutes of drive time. It's a nice smaller town with pretty good schools.

It would be doable but not as fun to live in Yuba City, Live Oak, or Gridley - however, if you prefer rural areas, there could be some nice finds on the outskirts of town.

[sacreole]

Originally Posted by BeauCharles

If you're working in Chico I would strongly recommend living in Chico - especially if you're coming from a large city since its the only place in the area with any semblance of culture, shopping or decent dining. Being a little bit closer to the Sac airport is not worth the day in and day out hassle of a commute nor the poorer schools in a town like Gridley, Live Oak or Yuba City.

There's a reason a typical house in Chico is about 40-50% more expensive that surround communities.

I have to concur with BeauCharles. You're probably better off just settling down in Chico. It's a large enough town to meet most of your needs. There's Chico State University and Bidwell Park, which is one of the largest urban parks/greenspaces in the country. The commute time between Chico and Yuba City is actually more like 50 minutes since Highway 99 is two-lane most of the way and passes through Live Oak and Gridley.

For your air travel needs, Sacramento Airport would still be the best option in the region. Commercial air service into Chico Airport was discontinued about two years ago. The local transit operator, B-Line, is looking at providing service between Chico and the Sacramento Airport:

Chico-Sacramento B-Line bus route ‘viable,’ but expensive

But for now, North Valley Shuttle provides ground transportation between Chico and the airport:

The Sacramento Airport Connection, daily shuttle service from Chico, Paradise, Oroville and Marysville to Sacramento Intl Airport

[knicksin8]

Thank you for all of the helpful replies to my question!

[DCMann2]

I don't have much to add other than I think you'll like Chico. It's not as hot as Phoenix in summer and far cooler and rainier than Phoenix in winter, plus you have pretty easy access to the Bay as well as the mountains. Relatively speaking Chico is still pretty affordable for housing and there are lots of areas to choose from. Bidwell Park is wonderful all year round and the rails to trails program has allowed for some excellent walking and biking trails throughout the area. Enjoy!