Chandler

Roughly 25 miles from Phoenix in the Southeast Valley, Chandler’s downtown district is a lively, walkable area filled with locally owned breweries, restaurants and shops that attracts residents of all ages. "There’s endless options for shopping, dining and entertainment,” says longtime East Valley resident Katrina McCarthy, a Realtor with Hague Partners. “The neighborhood's gone through years and years of change. Now there’s so many new shops and restaurants popping up, with a lot of historic houses that have been turned into popular businesses.” Single-family homes and townhouses here were built between the early 20th century and the early 2000s, and local Chandler Unified district schools are top-rated. Downtown's sidewalk-lined commercial core offers wide array of breweries, cocktail bars, restaurants and shops. The Ostrich serves cocktails in a speakeasy-style basement lounge, while The Perch Brewery doubles as a weekend boozy brunch spot and aviary, with dozens of caged tropical rescue birds on its rooftop dining area. For live music performances in a relaxed environment, locals can stop into West Alley Barbeque and Smokehouse, which serves Tennessee-style BBQ and classic comfort sides, or Bourbon Jack’s, a Western-themed bar and grill with classic American eats. For dessert any time, Pie Snob features a 24-hour pie ATM machine. Locally owned shops here include Blue Planet Outdoors, which sells outdoor and Arizona-related apparel, decor and accessories, and Saba’s Western Wear, for cowboy boots, hats and more. A few miles west, Chandler Fashion Center offers two stories' worth of popular retailers like Macy’s and Dillard's. Walmart and WinCo Foods can be found at the south end of downtown, on opposite sides of State Route 202. Homes in Downtown Chandler date as far back as the 1930s, and as recently as the 2020s. Modest midcentury ranch-style homes are common and range from around $250,000 to $400,000. Larger, renovated versions, as well as one-and two-story homes built since 1980 and featuring Spanish-style stucco exteriors and clay-tile roofs can range from $400,000 to over $1 million. Townhouses from the ‘80s and '90s start just under $300,000, while larger versions built after 2000 and set closer to the center of downtown can go for over $500,000. In the downtown center, Dr. A.J. Chandler Park sprawls on both sides of Arizona Avenue. Surrounded by some of downtown’s most popular restaurants, this park is a grassy meeting place for locals, before and after a bite to eat. Several popular community events are hosted here throughout the year, including the Downtown Chandler Farmers Market on Saturdays, where visitors can buy fresh produce and artisan goods, and visit gourmet food trucks. Southeast of Dr. A.J. Chandler Park is San Marcos Park, surrounded by a paved path popular with joggers and dog walkers, and home to a playground as well as basketball and sand volleyball courts. Across the street to the north, locals can tee off at the 18-hole San Marcos Golf Course, a community staple since 1913 that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On downtown’s east side, Chandler BMX has been welcoming kids and adults to its rugged, expansive course since 1977, and holds weekly competitive races. Downtown Chandler belongs to the Chandler Unified School District, rated the top school district in Arizona by Niche; the district's open enrollment policy allows households to apply to schools outside of their zoned boundaries. Neighborhood students may start school at San Marcos Elementary, rated B by Niche, before continuing to the A-rated Bogle Junior High. The A-minus-rated Chandler High was named a Best U.S. High School for 2023-2024 by U.S. News & World Report, and students here can enroll in career and technical education courses in 16 different programs, including digital photography, agriscience and early childhood education. On the northern side of downtown is the Chandler Center of the Arts, where residents can attend concerts, dance performances and plays at three different theatres or check out exhibits at two on-site art galleries. Dr. A.J. Chandler Park hosts major community events throughout the year, including the two-day Downtown Chandler Barbeque Fest every March, with food from local BBQ vendors and drinks from local breweries and distilleries, and the Rockin’ Taco Street Fest each September, with creative takes on tacos from 20 local restaurants and food trucks, as well as a taco eating competition and lucha libre wrestling; those feeling adventurous can ride on the mechanical taco. Just south of downtown, Tumbleweed Park hosts the Ostrich Festival, Chandler’s largest and most popular annual event, every March over two consecutive weekends; with nods to the area's ostrich ranching history, the festival brings food and carnival rides, as well as large concerts by well-known national artists. Arizona Avenue is Downtown Chandler's main north-south thoroughfare, running parallel to State Route 87 and connecting immediately south and north to State Route 202. The 202 provides easy access to downtown Phoenix (25 miles away) and other Valley destinations, and also connects to Interstate 10, which travels east beyond Phoenix as far as Los Angeles, or west all the way to Jacksonville, Florida. Valley Metro bus stops line Chandler Boulevard, connecting riders with stops throughout the Phoenix Metro Area. Chandler Regional Medical Center is just 2 miles west, while Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is roughly 12 miles east.

While a big draw to North Chandler is its proximity to Phoenix, it's more than just a suburb of a big city. Residents enjoy a variety of single-family homes, shopping, dining and entertainment right in the community. “It’s thriving,” says Mindy Jones, a longtime resident of Chandler and owner of the Amy Jones Group real estate firm. “The city has invested in its citizens from all walks of life, and being close to a downtown area that continues to evolve is a plus.” North Chandler offers many exciting restaurants, which means residents can avoid going downtown if they want to stay closer to home. Chandler Marketplace offers indulgences like short rib grilled cheese at Founding Fathers Kitchen. Nearby, Tom Ryan's is a local favorite, with its country dive bar vibe and live music on the weekends. Chou’s Kitchen off North Alma School Road serves authentic Chinese cuisine from the Liaoning Province and is famous for its handmade steamed pork dumplings and tomato flour ball soup. Running errands is simple, thanks to the neighborhood's shopping centers and big box retailers. North Park Plaza offers El Rancho Market IGA and Food City for groceries, and Walmart, located off West Warner Road, is a go-to for home essentials. Residents can find churches throughout the neighborhood dedicated to a variety of faiths, especially along West Ray Road and North Alma School Road. For retail therapy, the popular Chandler Fashion Center is just five and a half miles away and features many national retailers and more dining opportunities. Many houses in North Chandler are ranch-style with low gabled roofs and big front windows. They often feature attached garages or carports, which keep cars out of the hot Arizona sun. Front yards are almost all landscaped with gravel or synthetic grass, which helps save water, especially during the extra hot summer months. Greenery is limited, but towering palm trees dot the streets and horizon. Sidewalks are common, which makes the neighborhood walkable. Prices range from $310,000 for three bedrooms and two bathrooms to $570,000 for four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Those looking for condos and townhouses can find them mainly concentrated in the neighborhood’s northwest side, ranging from $230,000 for one bedroom and one bathroom to $465,000 for three bedrooms and three bathrooms. There are several big parks inside and just outside the neighborhood, where residents go when they’re looking to get fresh air and exercise. Espee Park off East Knox Road features an extensive BMX course where extreme cyclers can develop their skills and a large spray and splash pad, which is popular in the summer. Friends challenge each other on the basketball, pickleball and tennis courts at Apache Park off North Hartford Street, and nearby Navarette Park features walking trails and a shaded playground for kids. Golf enthusiasts tee off at San Marcos Golf Course, a public, 18-hole course just outside the neighborhood. When temperatures get especially high, residents head indoors to AMF Chandler Lanes and bowl a few games with friends or take in some live entertainment at the Chandler Center for the Arts. Kids in the community may begin their education at Andersen Elementary School, then head to Andersen Jr. High School and Chandler High School. All three schools are a part of Chandler Unified School District No. 80 and have an A-minus on Niche. Chandler High serves about 3,500 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 22-to-1. It offers nearly 100 clubs and organizations, including Environmental Club, Dungeons & Dragons Club and Girls’ Weight Training. Families considering private education for their kids have several faith-based schools in the area to choose from. Proximity to State Routes 101 and 202 makes it easy for residents to travel around the Valley, and Arizona Avenue provides quick access to downtown. North Chandler’s CAP Index score is five, one point higher than the national average.

On account of its jobs, affordability, schools, and many daily conveniences, Chandler is often dubbed one of America’s most livable cities, and the West Chandler neighborhood, in particular, is no exception. The neighborhood is home to a thriving shopping mall, with top-rated schools, well-planned subdivisions, and easy access to transportation. Still, according to Dean Selvey, who has sold more than 50 homes in the neighborhood as the CEO for Arizona Builder Sales of RE/MAX Excalibur, “Mostly, it’s about jobs,” he says. “There are tens of thousands of tech jobs within a very reasonable commute in the West Chandler area.” The West Chandler employment corridor encompasses seven square miles of the neighborhood, hosting more than 630 businesses that employ more than 29,000 workers. Most homes in West Chandler were built in the 1980s and 1990s. Because of that, Selvey says the neighborhood is more affordable than others in the area. “If you go into Southeast Chandler and Gilbert, you get a lot of newer homes,” he says. “There’s not a lot being built in West Chandler, so that’s really why it’s a little bit more affordable.” Homes are often Spanish-style or ranch-style homes on well-planned suburban streets with sidewalks and many cul-de-sacs. Townhomes and condos can also be found, and there’s also an airpark subdivision in the neighborhood that includes personal hangers and shared runway access. Pricing starts at around $335,000 for a typical three-bedroom home in the neighborhood, but estates in one of the neighborhood's more luxurious subdivisions can go as high as $2.7 million. The West Chandler neighborhood is a prime location for those who love shopping, as some of the valley’s biggest destination shopping centers are within 10 to 20 minutes of home. Without a doubt, Chandler Fashion Center anchors the neighborhood with its name-brand stores, luxe movie theater, and long list of restaurants. Along Interstate 10, the neighborhood's western border, residents can quickly access Arizona’s only IKEA, the Phoenix Premium Outlets, and the enormous Arizona Mills outlet mall. When it’s time to fill the fridge, residents can take their pick from several grocery chains in the neighborhood, including Fry’s, Bashas’, and Albertsons. Dining options run the gamut from familiar favorites like The Cheesecake Factory and Benihana to locally-loved options like Helluva Brewing Company, Wonderful Wanda’s, and Perfect Pear Bistro. The biggest event of the year is the Chandler Ostrich Festival, which hosts ostrich-themed activities, carnival rides, concerts, and plenty of fair food. Thousands attend the festival in Tumbleweed Park, which is only a 10-minute drive from the West Chandler neighborhood. Chandler Fashion Center hosts a full calendar of events closer to home, from fitness classes to vendor markets. West Chandler’s youngest learners attend schools in the Kyrene School District, like Kyrene de la Paloma Elementary School, rated A-minus by Niche, and Kyrene del Pueblo Middle School, rated A. High schoolers attend schools in the Tempe Union High School District, like Corona del Sol High School, rated A. Corona del Sol offers a dual enrollment program with Rio Salado College that allows high school students to earn college credit and high school credit simultaneously — and save money. Across West Chandler, homeowners can find many parks nestled within residential neighborhoods. However, a few city parks stand out as favorite destinations regardless of where you live. These include Desert Breeze Park, with its scenic lake and the Desert Breeze Railroad for kids, and Nozomi Park, which has baseball fields and an updated aquatics center with a lane pool, diving pool, and play pool. With access to Interstate 10, Loop 101, and Loop 202, West Chandler is only 20 to 25 minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport and downtown Phoenix. Although there is no light rail service in Chandler, bus routes connect residents in West Chandler to Valley Metro Rail stations in nearby Tempe.

Less than 25 miles southeast of Phoenix on the southern end of Chandler, Ocotillo offers suburban living amidst scenic man-made lakes, a renowned golf club, and pristine landscaping. “It’s a beautiful area, and because of the way its kept, that’s why the values are so high and continuing to stay high,” says Katrina McCarthy, a lifelong area resident and a Realtor with Hague Partners. “From a family standpoint, the Chandler School District is one of the number one school districts in the state, which attracts a lot of buyers.” While the area is largely residential, commercial pockets feature shopping centers and trendy restaurants. “There is a lot in the area in regard to shopping, dining, and entertainment,” McCarthy says. “It’s newer from a residential and commercial standpoint. Yes, you’ll find some 20-plus-year-old homes, but they’ve done a good job of keeping it up and bringing in fun restaurants. It’s also right by The Price Corridor, which brings a lot of opportunity to the area from a work standpoint.” The Price Corridor on Ocotillo’s west side is a fast-growing corporate district and is Chandler’s largest employment hub, home to over 700 companies including Intel, Wells Fargo and Bank of America. “A lot of people moving into the state to work for these companies love the area,” McCarthy says. “The commute is phenomenal.” Ocotillo’s quiet, winding residential streets are lined with sidewalks, palm trees and homes featuring Spanish and Mediterranean style architecture. Some residences date as far back as the late ‘70s, though most were built since 2000. "There’s a really big range of prices,” McCarthy says, noting the neighborhood’s large array of everything from luxury townhomes to sprawling single-family mansions. “It’s home to Fulton Ranch, which is a very big community, and specifically within Fulton Ranch is a section called The Island, which is made up of multi-million-dollar custom homes, which is unique not just for the Chandler area but the East Valley, so that’s a big draw for a lot of families. If you’re in Fulton Ranch, you’re going to pay for it, but if you’re outside Fulton Ranch in some of the surrounding communities, you can find some older homes that may need a little lipstick.” McCarthy adds that the concentration of small manmade lakes in the area are a selling point for buyers. "You'll be able to find some property that has waterfront, which is very unique to the Ocotillo area," she says. “Some let you have paddleboats, some let you have pontoon boats.” Luxury townhomes and condominiums start at around $350,000, though waterfront units and those facing the golf club can go for up to $800,000. Detached single-family houses start at around $425,000 and range to over $4 million for one on the waterfront or golf course. Ocotillo is zoned for Chandler Unified School District, Niche’s pick for the #1 best district in Arizona. While all households fall within boundaries that determine the schools at each level a student may attend, Chandler Unified is a district of choice with open enrollment, meaning students can attend any school in the district regardless of their location. Students in Ocotillo may attend Jacobson Elementary and Bogle Junior High, which both receive an A-rating from Niche, before moving onto the A-plus-rated Hamilton High, with STEM-focused curriculum offerings and renowned fine arts and athletic programs. In the neighborhood’s southeast end, Snedigar Recreation Center is a 90-acre sports complex with multiple facilities for baseball and soccer, a large skate park and a dog park with separate areas for large and small pooches. Fido can also run at the larger Bark Park at the nearly 65-acre Paseo Vista Recreation Area to the east, where there is also a disc golf course, archery range, large playground and nearly two miles of walking trails. Chandler’s multi-use Paseo Trail, which spans nearly 7 miles, is also accessible from here. Families with kids enjoy the shaded protection at covered playgrounds found in smaller parks throughout the neighborhood, including Blue Heron, Fox Crossing and Crossbow; visitors to Crossbow Park can take the footbridge over the canal to the playground at the neighboring Pinelake Park. To cool off on a hot day, locals can take a dip at the Hamilton Aquatic Center, a public water park with a lazy river, waterslides, and an interactive splash area for kids. Residents can also tee off at the popular Ocotillo Golf Club, which features three different waterfront, palm-tree-lined nine-hole courses. With its notable Santa Barbara architecture, Downtown Ocotillo in the neighborhood’s northwest corner on West Queen Creek Road is an upscale commercial center with a variety of popular local restaurants and resort-style condominiums. Here each Sunday, local farmers, artisans, and vendors gather at the Ocotillo Farmers Market, offering patrons fresh produce, baked goods, locally sourced meats and a variety of handmade products. Also downtown, The Living Room Wine Café & Lounge has an extensive list of wine from around the world that can be paired with bruschetta, flatbread and shareables, while Rock Lobster next door serves Japanese fusion cuisine and specialty sushi rolls alongside sake and craft cocktails; both stylish locations are local favorites for their happy hour specials. Further east on West Queen Creek Road at its intersection with Alma School Road, residents can grab breakfast and a cup of joe at Press Coffee or stop into one of many other chain or local restaurants, including Stone and Vine Urban Italian for homemade pasta and wood-fired pizza. Grocery stores like Albertson’s, ALDI and Sprout’s Farmers Market can also be found here, while retailers like Target, Lowe’s and Ross Dress for Less can be found to the southeast at Octillo Road and Arizona Avenue. For major retail shopping, locals can head to Chandler Fashion Center roughly 5 miles north, with two stories of popular stores like Macy’s and Dillard’s and surrounded by plenty more retail and dining options. Downtown Ocotillo, residents can visit the annual Ocotillo Spring Art Show, with a juried art exhibition featuring work from local artisans alongside live music. Locals can head a few miles northeast to the Arizona Railway Museum at Tumbleweed Park where they can walk through 12 different passenger train cars from various eras throughout history. Tumbleweed Park also hosts Chandler’s largest and most popular annual event, the Ostrich Festival. Held over two consecutive weekends in March, the festival pays homage to the area’s early ostrich ranching history, hosting carnival rides and concerts from big-name national artists. Residents can also enjoy popular events further north in Downtown Chandler, including the annual Downtown Chandler Barbeque Fest, a two-day weekend event in March with local craft brews, live music and plenty of smoked meat from local vendors. Also downtown is the Chandler Center for the Arts, which stages touring music and theatre acts at each of its three in-house theatres. Ocotillo is bordered to the north by West Queen Creek Road, a main east-west thoroughfare that leads just west to Interstate 10. South Arizona Avenue on the neighborhood’s eastern side runs concurrent with State Route 87 and is a main north-south thoroughfare, leading directly north to State Route 202 and Downtown Chandler or south to Interstate 10. Interstate 10 easily connects residents with Phoenix, or they can follow it west to Los Angeles or east all the way to Jacksonville. Ocotillo Road in the center of the neighborhood is dotted with Valley Metro bus stops that take riders to Downtown Chandler and Phoenix, and for air travel, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is less than 20 miles northeast. Residents don’t need to travel far for emergency and specialized medical attention, as Banner Ocotillo Medical Center is roughly 3 miles north. Ocotillo has a low CAP Index Crime Score of 3 out of 10 compared to 4 out of 10 nationally. Ocotillo’s assessed risk is low across the board for both violent and property crime.

Located on the southern end of Chandler, Sun Groves offers a quiet residential respite and great mountain views. “The location is a big draw, you’re close to everything, says Kristee Vanderheyden, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Legacy One, “From shopping to dining to downtown…anywhere you need to go isn’t more than 15 minutes away." Sun Groves is conveniently located 10 miles from Downtown Chandler and is also close to Gilbert. Residents can get their steps in for the day with an early morning jog around the community lake at Quail Run Park. This expansive lake allows residents to sit out and cast a line for catch-and-release fishing. For a pickup game of basketball, head over to Mustang Park. It’s likely that you’ll see students playing in the jungle gym or seeing who can swing the highest on the playground at Chuckwalla Park after school lets out, as the park is located right next to Navarette Elementary School. Housing options in Sun Groves mainly consist of detached, single-family homes ranging from single level ranches, multi-level homes with Spanish Revival stucco walls and tiled roofing. Homes in this area tend to sit on large lots of land and real estate prices tend to range between $500,000 up to $800,000. The roads throughout the neighborhood are lined with sidewalks, so it’s not uncommon to see neighbors going on a morning jog or walking their pets. Public schools in and around Sun Groves report to the Chandler Unified School District, one of the largest in the state. Located in the heart of the neighborhood, Navarrete Elementary School teaches students from kindergarten up until sixth grade and has an A grade on Niche. Students interested in the arts can take part in the Art Masterpiece program that teaches students the different aspects of art and design in a fun and engaging way. After graduating from Navarette, students will likely attend A-rated Payne Junior High School. Basha High School, which is just minutes away, also has an A grade. Students and residents can check out the latest bestselling books, movies on DVD, and magazines from the Basha branch of the Chandler Public Library. Locals can nestle up with a good book or get some work done with a latte and avocado toast at Top Cup Coffeehouse, located just minutes away from Sun Groves. Residents looking to buy fresh produce and other groceries can head down East Riggs Road to find Albertsons and other retail shops. Several fast-food options are also available in the area for a bite on-the-go. Sun Groves is conveniently located 10 miles from Downtown Chandler. For travel throughout the Valley, the 202 Loop is only a few miles away.