Finding an apartment near Chico State is one of the first real decisions you'll make as a CSU Chico student — and it sets the tone for everything from your GPA to your social life. This guide covers the best neighborhoods, commute options, and what to actually look for in a Chico apartment before you sign.
Why Students Choose Off-Campus Housing
On-campus housing fills fast and comes with trade-offs: shared bathrooms, meal plan requirements, and no real kitchen. By sophomore year, most CSU Chico students have moved off campus. Off-campus apartments give you control over your schedule, the ability to cook your own food, and — critically — your own space when finals season hits.
The math usually works out too. A shared two-bedroom apartment with a roommate runs well under the cost of a campus room-and-board package, and you get significantly more space.
Chico Neighborhoods for Students
Near Campus (The Avenue / Chico Core)
Streets north of downtown and along Esplanade are popular with students who want to walk or bike to class. Rents here are on the higher end, parking is tight, and properties tend to be older. The walkability is real — 10 minutes on a bike to Tehama Hall — but you pay for it.
Downtown Chico
Downtown puts you close to restaurants, coffee shops, and the Saturday Farmer's Market. Noise levels are higher on weekends, and parking is a perpetual headache. Good option if you're social and don't mind trading quiet for access.
South Chico
South Chico offers newer builds, better parking, more square footage per dollar, and real amenities like in-unit washer/dryer. The tradeoff is a 15–20 minute bike ride or 5-minute drive to campus. For students who have a car or a reliable bike, South Chico is often the better financial decision.
Getting to Campus from South Chico
By bike: Oakdale Ave to the Bidwell Park trail network is a scenic and flat 15–20 minute ride. Most students make this work daily. Chico is consistently ranked among the most bike-friendly cities in California — for good reason.
By car: 5 minutes from South Chico to campus. Parking at CSU Chico is a real constraint, but South Chico residents can drive to campus and still arrive ahead of students hunting spots near the dorms.
By bus: Butte County Transit routes run through South Chico with service to campus. Transit is free for CSU Chico students with a student ID (check current semester routes at bcag.us).
What to Look For in a Student Apartment
In-unit laundry. Shared laundry rooms create scheduling conflicts during midterms and finals. An in-unit washer/dryer is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade — you won't understand how much until you need it at midnight before an 8 AM final.
High-speed internet. Verify what's included and whether you can add your own service. Video lectures, research downloads, and Zoom office hours add up fast.
Study space. A two-bedroom floor plan with a second bedroom used as a study room is the most underrated student housing hack. Two bedrooms split with a roommate costs less than most one-bedrooms closer to campus — and you get a dedicated desk that isn't in your sleep space.
Gated parking. If you have a car, secure parking matters. Chico's bike culture is real, but cars still get broken into near campus corridors.
Why Uptown Place Works for CSU Chico Students
Uptown Place Apartments at 1709 Oakdale St offers 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom floor plans specifically suited to student life:
- In-unit washer/dryer in every apartment — no shared laundry hassle
- Gated community with dedicated parking — no street-hunting
- Granite countertops and full kitchen — actually cook your meals and save on food costs
- Modern interiors — the kind of apartment you actually want to bring people back to
Two-bedroom floor plans are available at a per-person cost that beats most studio options closer to campus. Split the second bedroom as a study room or bring a roommate — both work.
The commute to CSU Chico is manageable: 15 minutes by bike via Bidwell Park trails, or 5 minutes by car. For students who need quiet study time away from campus foot traffic, South Chico's distance is a feature, not a bug.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Uptown Place from CSU Chico?
Uptown Place Apartments is located in South Chico at 1709 Oakdale St — approximately 15–20 minutes by bike and 5 minutes by car from the CSU Chico main campus.
Are utilities included in rent at Uptown Place Chico?
Utilities vary by unit. Contact the leasing office at (530) 894-0404 or email RFM@Hignell.com for current utility details on available units.
Is Uptown Place pet-friendly?
Contact the property management team at (530) 894-0404 to ask about the current pet policy, breed restrictions, and any associated deposits.
Is there parking at Uptown Place Apartments?
Yes. Uptown Place is a gated community with dedicated parking for residents — no street parking required.
What floor plan sizes are available?
Uptown Place offers 1-bedroom/1-bath, 2-bedroom/2-bath, and 2-bedroom/2.5-bath floor plans. View current availability and apply online at uptownplacechico.com.
Can I tour before signing a lease?
Yes. Schedule a tour by calling (530) 894-0404 or visiting the property website to see available units before committing.
Ready to See Your Next Apartment?
Uptown Place has 1 and 2-bedroom apartments available now in South Chico — close enough to campus to make it work, quiet enough to actually study.
View Available Units → Call (530) 894-0404