Ask anyone who has spent any amount of time in Chico, California and they will tell you Chico is a great place to live, work, and play.  Chico is blessed with a unique combination of factors that create a high quality of life for those fortunate enough to live or visit here.  And all this translates into excellent opportunities when it comes to real estate.

Chico is located in Northern California's Sacramento Valley about 20 miles East of Interstate 5 (I-5) and within Butte County.  San Francisco, the Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Sacramento, Lake Shasta and Lake Oroville, and Mt. Shasta are just a few of the world class areas one can visit within a mere one to four hour drive by car.

Chico, founded in 1860 by John Bidwell, has preserved its historic downtown and small-town feel while at the same time offering all the modern shopping and service conveniences one would expect in a thriving community of some 105,080 people.  Chico is home to California State University, Chico, a four-year university with a student population of 15,000, in addition to Butte College, the largest community college campus in California.  Bidwell Park is one of the crown jewels of the area and is the second largest municipal park in the United States containing 3,750 acres of beautiful land along both sides of Big Chico Creek.  The park offers visitors and residents the opportunity to hike, bike, walk, run, horseback ride, swim, picnic, and to even take a closer look at the stars and planets at the Kiwanis Chico Community Observatory.  Whether you attend one of the free Friday night concerts in the newly renovated Downtown Chico City Plaza, or one of the many performances at Chico State's Laxon Auditorium, go to the Farmer's market or downtown Thursday Night Market, visit the Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park, enjoy a game of golf at one of Chico's many golf courses or play tennis at the Chico Racquet Club, attend events at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, savor good food and beverages or a live music performance at the world famous Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, or experience one of Chico's many other fine restaurants, shops, parks, or entertainment venues, you will certainly find something to match everyone's tastes and interests.  In addition, Chico has been regularly recognized for its many positive attributes and high quality of life both nationally and on a state-wide level including, being one of the best art towns to live in, one of the most bicycle-friendly towns, as being a Tree City USA town, and as one of the best mid-sized city downtowns in California.

For more useful information on Chico see my Relocation Guide.