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About Chandler, AZ

About Chandler, AZ

A fast-growing city in the Sonoran Desert

Set 25 miles southeast of Phoenix, the Maricopa County city of Chandler is home to about 275,000 residents, representing an increase of 40,000 people since 2010. An agricultural town in the early 20th century, Chandler began attracting industry-leading tech companies in the 1990s. Today, the city's nicknamed “the high-tech oasis of the silicon desert,” and its major employers include Intel, Northrop Grumman, Microchip Technology and NXP Semiconductors. According to the city’s economic development department, manufacturing jobs make up about 20% of the jobs here. Marcie Franklin, a Realtor with Cactus Mountain Properties and over 20 years of experience, feels that Chandler’s population is split between retirees, young professionals with children, and snowbirds — a regional term for someone who moves to a warmer state during the winter. The Chandler Unified School District is highly rated, and the city’s a hub for shopping, dining and recreation. “It’s a great place to live and visit,” Franklin says.

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Arrowhead Meadows offers charming spots to sip iced coffee and unwind with a good read.
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Business park with industrial buildings in Amberwood neighborhood
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Savor authentic Italian cuisine at Pesto's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar in Ironwood Vistas.
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Chandler offers a perfect blend of innovation and rich history.
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Housing in demand

“The market is hot. As soon as a house comes on the market, it’s gone — sometimes within days,” James Gascoyne says, a Realtor with Cactus Mountain Properties and over 10 years of experience. The median cost of a home is $560,000, higher than the national median of about $420,000. Franklin says it’s common for Gilbert homeowners to rent out their homes, often to seasonal residents like snowbirds. Planned communities of single-family homes are common throughout Chandler, and the homes here are typically ranch- and Spanish-style from the late 20th century through today. Most of these homes have two to five bedrooms, and their yards feature desert landscaping or manicured lawns, with the occasional palm tree rising above the rooftops. In the city’s south, 55+ communities are focused on outdoor recreation; Sunbird, for instance, is centered around an 18-hole golf course.

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Experience low-maintenance beauty with the rock garden homes in Arrowhead Meadows.
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The well-maintained homes in Arrowhead Meadows reflect pride and attention to detail.
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Ranch-style homes in Ironwood Vistas provide cozy and functional living spaces.
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Ironwood Vistas features elegant homes with sophisticated design and charm.
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A premier shopping destination

Chandler's eclectic, walkable downtown is packed with locally owned businesses, including clothing boutiques, secondhand stores and microbreweries. Restaurants here offer a range of cuisines, including Mexican, Italian and Japanese, as well as American staples like southern barbecue eateries and steakhouses. On the other side of the commercial spectrum, the Chandler Fashion Center is an indoor mall with over 180 stores and restaurants, mostly high-end retailers like Apple and Lululemon, and national chain eateries.

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Make a day of it at Chandler Fashion Center, conveniently near Ironwood Vistas.
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Bring the family down to Si Señor near Ironwood Vistas for an authentic Mexican experience.
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Explore local treats together at Downtown Chandler Farmers Market near Ironwood Vistas.
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Enjoy a day of shopping and dining at Chandler Fashion Center near Ironwood Vistas.
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Best public school district in Arizona

The Chandler Unified School District, which serves more than 44,000 students across 45 schools, is ranked Arizona's best school district and an overall A-plus by Niche. The district offers both public and charter schools, including specialty schools like Knox Gifted Academy and Arizona College Preparatory High; at the latter, students take mostly honors and Advanced Placement courses throughout their education. Many of the district's high schools offer dual-enrollment courses for college credit at Chandler-Gilbert College.

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Discover a tradition of excellence at Chandler Traditional Academy - Goodman, Chandler.
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Anderson Jr High is home of the Jaguars. Go Jaguars!
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Chandler High School serves over 3,000 students annually.
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At Basha High, South Chandler's students are nurtured to achieve their highest potential.
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Transit, bike lanes and nearby airports make travel easy

Chandler is about 25 miles southeast of Phoenix, a 30- to 50-minute drive during rush hour. Routes 202 and 87 run through the city and travel to other Maricopa County hubs, like Gilbert, Mesa and Scottsdale. Locals are typically car-dependent, but streets are lined with sidewalks and bike lanes as well. Public transportation is limited, but Valley Metro buses stop along local thoroughfares, like Chandler Boulevard and Ray Road. There’s also Chandler Flex, an on-demand rideshare service for getting around town. Chandler Regional Medical Center and Banner Ocotillo Medical Center are located within the city, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 18 miles northwest.

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South Chandler's safe streets make it a haven for young cyclists to explore on two wheels.
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Enjoy hassle-free travel with public transit connecting Downtown Chandler to Arrowhead Meadows.
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South Chandler is a haven for cyclists, with its supportive community and scenic routes.
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Chuckwalla Park is a neighborhood park in Chandler where families go for walks and have picnics.
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Explore the Sonoran Desert without leaving the city

Chandler’s location in the Sonoran Desert means both warm weather and striking views of the nearby Superstition and Gila Mountains. The city has over 60 parks, and features include tree-shaded walking paths, multiple playgrounds and courts for basketball, pickleball and sand volleyball. The 113-acre Veterans Oasis Park, the city's largest green space, offers dirt-packed equestrian, hiking and biking trails, a fishing lake stocked with catfish and trout, and a veterans memorial known as the Field of Honor. Summer temperatures regularly top 100 degrees, so to help locals keep cool, many of Chandler’s city-managed aquatic centers function like water parks, with slides, splash pads and lazy rivers. Bear Creek Golf Complex is one of the city’s most popular golf spots, with two 18-hole courses set with lush greenery and a practice facility with putting greens. “There’s a lot of golfers who want to be in this area because we have so many golf courses,” Franklin says.

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Veteran's Oasis Park in South Chandler is an oasis of tranquility and natural beauty.
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Play a round at the picturesque San Marcos Golf Course in Ironwood Vistas.
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Dive into summer at the Arrowhead Pool, a favorite gathering place in Arrowhead Meadows.
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Work up a sweat playing tennis at Arrowhead Meadows Park in Chandler, Arizona.
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An arts scene as diverse as the demographics

The Chandler Center for the Arts serves as the central hub for the city’s culture and creativity, hosting live performances and rotating art exhibits year-round. Franklin says lots of folks audition at the center, looking for a role in the latest theatrical productions or a seat in the Chandler Symphony Orchestra. Chandler’s Art in Public Places Program has been highlighting work by local artists since 1983; as a result, downtown businesses are adorned with murals, street corners are dotted with sculptures and paintings are hung in government buildings. The local music scene here is vibrant, too, with an annual summer concert series at city parks, and weekly performances by jazz, country and rock artists at downtown venues like Bourbon Jacks American Tavern. In January, the city hosts the 10-day Chandler International Film Festival, where filmmakers from around the world showcase their works.

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Explore captivating exhibits at Downtown Chandler’s charming art galleries.
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Taste the best of American cuisine at Bourbon Jacks in Downtown Chandler.
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Enjoy a vibrant day-to-night lifestyle in the heart of Downtown Chandler.
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Discover world-class performances at The Chandler Center for the Arts.
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Crime and environmental concerns

According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, the number of reported crimes in Chandler has declined from 2013 to 2023. The overall crime rate in 2023 was the lowest in the city's history. Chandler Police has attributed the improvement to building trust through community outreach, technology usage, effective training, accountability from leadership and meaningful partnerships with regional and federal law enforcement. Extreme heat is the main environmental concern for residents here, with over 300 sunny days each year and summer temperatures regularly topping 100 degrees. There’s also a moderate risk of wildfires, and the Chandler Fire Department responds to local emergencies. In 2024, a wildfire burned more than 400 acres of land on the Gila River Indian Reservation, about 16 miles south; no structures were damaged. Fire insurance isn’t required in Arizona, but residents may want to research their options.

Travis Rocha
Written By
Travis Rocha
Alex Medina
Photography Contributed By
Alex Medina
Jeffrey Knight
Video By
Jeffrey Knight

Neighborhood Map

Chandler by the Numbers

281,468
Population
$619K
Average Housing Value
40
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Chandler, AZ

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Chandler Traditional Academy Independence Campus
#1 Chandler Traditional Academy Independence Campus
A
Niche
10
GreatSchools
Franklin at Brimhall Elementary School
#2 Franklin at Brimhall Elementary School
A
Niche
10
GreatSchools
Knox Gifted Academy
#3 Knox Gifted Academy
A
Niche
10
GreatSchools
Franklin Accelerated Academy Jordan Campus
#4 Franklin Accelerated Academy Jordan Campus
A-
Niche
10
GreatSchools
Audrey & Robert Ryan Elementary School
#5 Audrey & Robert Ryan Elementary School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Basha Elementary School
#6 Basha Elementary School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Chandler Traditional Academy - Liberty Campus
#7 Chandler Traditional Academy - Liberty Campus
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Charlotte Patterson Elementary School
#8 Charlotte Patterson Elementary School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Kyrene del Cielo Elementary School
#9 Kyrene del Cielo Elementary School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle Schools

Arizona College Prep Middle School
#1 Arizona College Prep Middle School
A+
Niche
10
GreatSchools
Hamilton High School
#2 Hamilton High School
A+
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Franklin Accelerated Academy Jordan Campus
#3 Franklin Accelerated Academy Jordan Campus
A-
Niche
10
GreatSchools
Campo Verde High School
#4 Campo Verde High School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Kyrene Aprende Middle School
#5 Kyrene Aprende Middle School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
South Valley Jr. High School
#6 South Valley Jr. High School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School
#7 Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Chandler High School
#8 Chandler High School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Kyrene Traditional Academy
#9 Kyrene Traditional Academy
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools

Best Public High Schools

Arizona College Prep Middle School
#1 Arizona College Prep Middle School
A+
Niche
10
GreatSchools
Hamilton High School
#2 Hamilton High School
A+
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Corona Del Sol High School
#3 Corona Del Sol High School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Campo Verde High School
#4 Campo Verde High School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Chandler High School
#5 Chandler High School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Mountain Pointe High School
#6 Mountain Pointe High School
B+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Dobson High School
#7 Dobson High School
B+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Mesquite High School
#8 Mesquite High School
B+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Marcos De Niza High School
#9 Marcos De Niza High School
B
Niche
4
GreatSchools

Best Private Schools

New Vistas Center For Education
#1 New Vistas Center For Education
A+
Niche
Seton Catholic Preparatory
#2 Seton Catholic Preparatory
A
Niche
Tri-City Christian Academy
#3 Tri-City Christian Academy
A-
Niche
Adobe Montessori School
#4 Adobe Montessori School
Brightmont Academy
#5 Brightmont Academy
Casa Del Nino Bilingual Montessori School
#6 Casa Del Nino Bilingual Montessori School
Desert Jewish Academy
#7 Desert Jewish Academy
HOPE Christian Academy
#8 HOPE Christian Academy
Life Christian Academy
#9 Life Christian Academy

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Raoul Loustaunau
(623) 254-7612
Raoul Loustaunau has had a successful sales career since 1993, being a top-producing realtor as a single agent since 2012, with a proven track record of top sales performance and goal achievement. He is very assertive, aggressive, and enthusiastic nature and has high energy. Loustaunau possesses practical communication skills with the ability to negotiate complex transactions. His quick adaptability and ease of learning new strategies and policies with up-to-date information and terminology have made him highly effective in creating productive teams that promote excellent teamwork. His ability to create instant rapport is due to his personable approach, enthusiasm, attitude, motivation, and humor. Raoul prides himself on building long-lasting relationships with industry professionals and past and current clients. His broad skill set encompasses a solid sales and financial background and experience with vast and diverse multicultural client exposure, including his Spanish proficiency. Raoul Loustaunau is an outstanding realtor, motivating team member, and industry leader.

In addition to his impressive sales career, Raoul Loustaunau is also deeply committed to serving and helping the Latin community. He is actively part of some resources to various community organizations and events that aim to support and uplift the Latin community, like Harer and Harper. Raoul's dedication to supporting the Latin community extends beyond his professional and volunteer work, and he keeps helping his clients and communities with their questions and needs about homeownership. Through his extensive experience in sales, his multicultural background, and his commitment to serving the Latin community, Raoul Loustaunau is a remarkable and well-rounded realtor who brings skill and compassion to his work.
Awards:
2022: TOP 100 in the Southwest, top 50 in the greater Phoenix metro area
2022: 29 sales as a single agent
2021: Top 50 in the Greater Phoenix metro area
2021: Icon designation Exp realty
2021: 45 sales as a single agent
2019-2023 Google customer serves award
2019-2022: Top 50 Realtors Greater Phoenix metro area by NAHREP and ZILLOW
2019: Top 100 in the West NAHREP AND ZILLOW (#78)
2019: 38 sales as a single-agent
2017 – 2022: Held ongoing rank of Top 3% in the Nation
2017 - 2019: Silver presidents table
2015 & 2016: Bronze presidents table
2014: Top Realtor by Trulia
2013 - 2022: Consistently averaging 25 sales per year
2013 - 2022: Top producer in the real estate business
2004 - 2007: Top producer in the mortgage industry
1995 - 2000: Top producer car industry
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.