Here’s the reality: lots of people are moving to the Phoenix area. In 2022, it was estimated that on average approximately 150 people were moving to Maricopa County on a daily basis. And without question, one of the hottest areas in the greater Phoenix area are the cities of Chandler and Gilbert.
But which one? What’s the difference? Is there a difference?
As someone who’s lived in both cities, I can say they each offer a lot for residents. But what specifically? I’ll break it down…
Chandler and Gilbert – Location and Age
Let’s start with the obvious factors. Chandler is closer to the middle of the County, which means it will take less time getting to Downtown Phoenix, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Scottsdale, etc. for the most part. It’s also closer to both the 101 and 10 Freeways which take you north and west.
Gilbert does feel newer, however. Much of the land was agricultural for many years since the 1920s with much of its urbanization happening around the year 2000. You won’t see as many pockets of older, pre-1980s homes in Gilbert as you would in Chandler. Not that Chandler is an old town either: there are parts of the city – especially south of the 202 Freeway – that has a modern, upscale feel to it (you will certainly notice it when you see some of the home prices).
Chandler: The Dynamic Hub of Innovation and Culture
With that said, Chandler does embody a nice blend of modern innovation and cultural heritage. Here are some reasons why you might pick Chandler as your home town:
Growing Job Market: Chandler has grown quite a bit over the years in terms of being a center for technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. Major companies like Intel, Wells Fargo, and PayPal have a strong presence here, which is another huge reason why the population has been growing exponentially in recent times.
A Cool Downtown Scene: If you want to experience a nice night out, you can do that in Chandler without having to make a 20-minute drive to Scottsdale or Downtown Phoenix. The bar scene downtown has been busy for years, with plenty of restaurant options to compliment a thirsty appetite. BlackSheep Wine Bar & Merchant is a personal favorite spot of mine – check out their happy hour.
Highly-Rated Education: For families, Chandler is an ideal location because of its well-regarded schools. Chandler Unified School District is known as one of the best in the state. I know my wife is planning on having our kids go to Tarwater Elementary School in Chandler when they become of age.
Asian Cuisine: For the fans of Asian food, whether it’s eating out or cooking at home, Chandler is the superior option in this case. Dobson Road is known to be the street that connects all Asian food businesses together, from the 99 Ranch Market Plaza off Dobson Road and Chandler Blvd, to Lee Lee Supermarket two miles north off Warner Road, all the way north up to Mesa’s Mekong Plaza.
Gilbert: A Family-Friendly Oasis with Small-Town Charm
Gilbert has a slightly different feel to Chandler. How is it different, you say? Well, it feels a tad newer (as I’ve stated), a tad more uniform, and tad more – well, I’ll say it, whiter. That’s neither good nor bad, by the way – don’t cancel me – I’m just stating what I see, and the Census backs me up on this.
All that aside, this is a very family-friendly town. Both Chandler and Gilbert are, I would just say in general, Gilbert seems just a bit quieter and more peaceful. It could be the bigger subdivisions, the newer shopping centers, or its further distance from Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, and the rest.
A Downtown Scene of Its Own: Gilbert also has a nice downtown area. It’s very similar to downtown Chandler. The difference in my opinion is that Downtown Gilbert has more of a Saturday brunch feel to it as opposed to the Friday night feel of Downtown Chandler, if you know what I mean.
SanTan Village: One of the central hubs of Gilbert has to be SanTan Village. This outdoor mall boasts a nice mixture of shopping and dining – Grimaldi’s and Thirsty Lion being two solid recommendations for a meal out. Adjacent to this shopping center are more stores including a Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, and Trader Joe’s, and a whole slew of fast food chains – where else will you see a Shake Shack, In-N-Out Burger, and Whataburger all within a block of each other?
Expansive Green Spaces: Because most of the communities in Gilbert were built more recently, you will find more neighborhoods that include greenbelts for neighborhood strolls, parks for children to play at, and lakes for nature and wildlife to thrive. It does make the town feel a bit grander and newer because of this.
So is Chandler or Gilbert Better?
Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with either city to call home. They are both family-friendly with plenty to offer in the form of education, shopping, dining, nightlife, and outdoor activities. It really boils down to your preferences and priorities. Chandler is more closely connected to the rest of the Phoenix area and has a lot of cultural diversity, and Gilbert gives you that suburban, peaceful Pleasantville vibe. There’s something for everyone in these two gems of Maricopa County.