Set about 10 miles northwest of Phoenix, Glendale is a growing city of about 250,000 people that offers a more suburban feel than the fast-paced, urban Phoenix, with palm tree-lined neighborhoods and highly rated schools. “It’s a tight-knit community and family-friendly atmosphere,” says Jamil Alshmailawi, a Realtor with West USA Realty and over six years of local experience. Glendale was an agricultural town in the late 19th century, but today its leading industries include military defense and aviation; Luke Air Force Base is the city’s largest employer, bringing contracting and aerospace jobs to the area. Banner Health and Glendale Union High School District are major employers here, as well.
Commercial hotspots like Arrowhead Towne Center and Westgate Entertainment District, as well as event venues like Desert Diamond Arena and State Farm Stadium, make Glendale a tourist destination. “VAI Resort is the newest thing that’s getting done right now. They’re also putting in a huge water park,” says Paul Griffin, a Realtor with West USA Realty and over six years of local experience. VAI Resort and Mattel Adventure Park, scheduled to open in 2025, will continue to grow Glendale’s tourism economy, creating hundreds of new jobs.
Glendale offers a more suburban feel than the fast-paced, urban Phoenix.
Citrus Park has many unique and artsy mailboxes.
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Homes from the midcentury through today
The median home price in Glendale is about $420,000, on par with the national median. “The northern parts of Glendale are definitely more expensive than the southern parts,” Griffin says. “Some neighborhoods have semi-custom homes, a few little horse properties and big acreage, but there are a lot of subdivisions with homeowner's associations.” Some of Glendale’s homes date back to the midcentury, but new subdivisions continue to pop up, like those around Luke Air Force Base and State Farm Stadium. Midcentury homes downtown are typically ranch- and Craftsman-inspired, while newer builds from the past 20 years are often new traditional Spanish-style. In 2024, the city announced plans to add over 1,300 lower-income housing options by the end of 2025, which includes apartment and condo complexes.
Discover the character and charm of older homes in Downtown Glendale.
A beautiful row of desert landscaped homes in Cactus.
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Exploration and play at local parks
With a backdrop of desert mountain views, the city offers over 70 parks and nearly 50 miles of trails across 2,200 acres of open space and parkland. At the nearly 1,200-acre Thunderbird Conservation Park, native wildlife includes rock squirrels and Gambel’s quails, and dirt-packed trails allow for hikes and bike rides through a rocky desert landscape. Sahuaro Ranch Park is another highlight for its dog park, picnic area and sports like soccer, baseball and sand volleyball. Also at the park, Sahuaro Ranch is a historic site built in the late 19th century with a rose garden and fruit orchards. Splash pads and community pools are especially popular in the summer, and there are several golf courses in the city as well.
The White Tank Mountain Regional Park offers hiking and biking trails in Citrus Park.
Admire the artistic statues in Murphy Park, adding charm to Downtown Glendale.
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Glendale schools and colleges
Glendale is part of the Glendale Elementary School District and Glendale Union High School District, rated C-minus and A-minus overall by Niche, respectively. Private school options include the B-plus-rated Dream City Christian School and the B-minus-rated Arrowhead Christian Academy. Many high schools in the district offer dual-enrollment courses for college credit through Glendale Community College. About 5,000 students attend Arizona State University’s West Valley campus, which offers over 100 degree programs.
Centennial High School enriching young minds in Peoria.
Arrowhead Elementary School in Glendale teaches over 300 children.
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Annual traditions and the Arizona Cardinals
Glendale hosts a year-round schedule of annual events and celebrations. In February, the Glendale Chocolate Affaire celebrates Valentine’s Day with visiting chocolatiers and wine tastings. “It’s a celebration of all things sweet and decadent,” Alshmailawi says. In the winter, Glendale Glitters is a six-week celebration that lights up historic downtown with festive decorations and includes an annual Christmas parade. Home of the Arizona Cardinals, State Farm Stadium seats over 60,000 football fans and draws crowds from around the Phoenix metro area. “We’ve even had the Super Bowl there,” Griffin says. Desert Diamond Arena is another hotspot that hosts a variety of big-name concerts and sporting events.
Getting around from Glendale
Glendale is about 10 miles northwest of Phoenix, but traffic can get heavy during rush hour. Most locals drive, although Valley Metro buses stop throughout Glendale, and streets are generally pedestrian- and bike-friendly. Banner Thunderbird Medical Center is next to Glendale Municipal Airport, both centrally located in the city, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is 14 miles southeast.
Busy shopping and dining districts
There are shopping centers and retail plazas throughout Glendale, but the Westgate Entertainment District is a highlight. Located next to State Farm Stadium, the district’s an outdoor hub for shopping and dining. Folks at the district can find family-friendly entertainment, retail chains and everything from neighborhood sports bars to fine dining. Another highlight is the Arrowhead Towne Center, which offers over 180 shops and restaurants and is popular with shoppers all over the Phoenix metro area.
Glendale’s historic downtown has a charming, midcentury feel with its red brick sidewalks and small businesses. Downtown streets are dotted by public art and lined with locally owned shops and restaurants. Folks can find a variety of European eateries and authentic Mexican cuisine, including regional favorites like birria tacos, nopales (cooked cactus) and paletas, an ice pop made from fresh fruit.
Matt's Big Breakfast in North Peoria attracts locals in the morning.
Keep your pantries stocked with all the treats available at Trader Joe’s in Arrowhead.
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Crime and extreme heat
According to the Arizona Crime Statistics, Glendale’s overall reported crime rate fell by 7% between 2023 and 2024, and violent crime rates dropped by more than 15%. To help identify criminals and deter crime, locals can join the community watch program and share their security camera footage with the police department.
Summer temperatures in Glendale regularly top 100 degrees. In response, the city provides a Heat Relief Network, a list of public places where folks may cool down, including libraries and aquatic centers.
On average, homes in Glendale, AZ sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Glendale, AZ over the last 12 months is $421,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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