Info on Chandler AZ? Possible relocation

[mbliss57]

I have a job opportunity in Chandler AZ. I have always wanted to move west. Anyone from there? What do you like and dislike about it?
I would be taking an engineering position there. Still pretty early in process...job is mine if I want it. The location means a lot to any decision.

 

[VM]

I vacationed in AZ for 25 years then moved here permanent almost three years ago. My wife I love the entire state and the year around climate. We are in Mesa, just a few miles from Chandler.
The only thing I can say............ be prepared for extreme heat and extreme traffic.
I'd visit and check it out in JULY, AUGUST before you make commitment.
Send PM if you'd like

 

[EdnAZ]

I live right next door in Gilbert. The summer is hot; that's why they invented air conditioning. I really don't have anything at all negative to say about the area. Decent schools, low taxes, low crime, traffic isn't ever bad, housing is pretty cheap, cost of living is reasonable, decent airport, what else? You can drive to the mountains in a couple of hours or less.

The houses all look alike and there isn't much outside of chain restaurants would be my biggest complaint. Hunting sucks compared to back east, a lot of people don't realize that.

What other questions do you have?

 

[rwsmith]

I just can't take the heat of southern AZ......

The Phoenix area is better than Tuscon which is hot as hell but my brother moved to Prescott which to me is fairly ideal. Not to high, not too low so the temps are more moderate. I have a friend in Phoenix who was a little put out at the 118 deg F. Every few days a storm would give some relief and it would start again. But that's not all the time. I don't know if people in Phoenix get that salty crust on their clothes when it's hot like they do souther of there.

Now this is just me. Even my brother who is a geologist admits that if your mindset isn't right, the southwest can get old. I love the imagery, the landscape, the style but I'd be afraid I'd get tired of it. Being a suburb of Phoenix you can get what big city you want and otherwise stay away. Which to me is good because I need a lot of services, Dr.s etc. but I hate the city.

I may be selling it short, it is a beautiful place but it would be a big change for me from the pine forests and salt marshes. My brother lived in OK before he retired and I think AZ would be a welcome change from OK if I had lived there.

 

[yaktamer]

I've lived in Arizona since 1992, mostly in the Maricopa-Pinal County sprawl. When I bought my first house it was in Chandler, and it was the edge of civilization. Now it's kind of the middle of the metro area. If you have school-aged kids look at locating in the Gilbert district, which does not entirely share borders with the town of Gilbert (public school districts are independent government entities so the boundaries cross municipal lines sometimes). Some good public charter schools, too. But a lot of the public schools are pretty crummy. Gilbert is kind of a real estate hotspot right now, so you'll pay more than a lot of surrounding areas.

The summer heat is what it is. I loved it at first, but I'm sick of it now.

Property taxes in Maricopa County are low, other counties can be quite a bit higher, but nowhere near other states. Also, some unincorporated county areas don't have public fire departments, so if want protection you need to pay for semi-public service (Rural Metro).

Lots of outdoor opportunities within a few hours drive. VERY gun-friendly.

 

[chmpco]

If you are single I say it would be fine as a experiment but if you are taking a family it will be difficult because... Everyone there is from somewhere else. Lots of acquaintances, few good friends. That will effect your family more then you as you will be busy in your new job. Hunting/fishing can be ok but it is pressured hard. Gun laws are the best in the country. Drivers are arsholes for the most part. Then there's the heat. It is a burden and can be very dangerous. always keep lots of water with you. Street people are abundant, very abundant. If you live there do a lot of traveling all over the west. It's a beautiful place. Sabino canyon to the south as well as Bisbee to the south. Saguaro my favorite lake in the metro area. Lake Powel for awe and grandeur. Lyman lake has Walleye, (find that on the map AZ boys). Skiing both snow and water is possible in one day, or golf. Nothing like the desert but, It's a killer. Best Mexican food in the country. Sonoran style. (that I truly miss) The air, yea the air. Mostly horrible. Go to the top of south mountain and look across the valley afternoon rush hour. Floating dirt cloud. Yea I left it. Had my bags packed mentally in my brain every May cause I knew what was coming. If you move there get rid of the dark colored vehicles.

 

[chaparrito]

You'll find lots of current information about Chandler in the City-data.com AZ forum.

 

[WuzzFuzz]

You will find a surprise in that there are 4 seasons to enjoy in the valley. Chandler, I think you will find Chandler is just a small community located within the whole...Most people who live in one of the suburbs of Phoenix, usually don't venture too far away from their abode, because most everything they need to see or do is located close by.

1. The heat in the summer is no worse that what you'd find up there in Ohio, except things are in reverse..You stay inside in Ohio in the winter, you go out in Arizona...In the summer time though, you'll find that you turn into vampires!!!!! You'll only come out at night, and during the day, you won't want to get out of your box....

2. There aren't enough hours in a day, or days in a week to see and do everything there is to do from the valley..Be it go up in one of the mountain ranges, go boating, become a "Zonie" and go over to San Diego. You can't say there is nothing to do, except sit around and watch the paint dry. There is something for everyone, that will strike one's interests.

3. Don't throw away your snow shovel just yet...It has been known to snow in the valley.....But you'll have to hurry, if you don't see it by 10 in the morning!!!! Keep your winter coat....You'll find 50 degrees at night is cold..You'll find out who has lived in the valley for a while, by whether or not they wear a winter coat, or are sporting shorts in that 50 degree weather.

4. Sports wise...since you'll be coming from Ohio, there are several enclaves that cater to the Buckeyes, so you won't be alone on your Saturdays.

5. When it comes time for looking for a place to live down that way...When you see bars on the doors and windows, then that's a area to keep on driving past...

6. A Jack in the Box is is a fast food joint, much the same as Micky D's, only worse!!!!!

Consider, if the Valley is such a bad place to live, then why is everyone flocking to the valley to live???? It's a good place to set down your roots. After all, one's home is where they hang their hat.



WuzzFuzz

P.S. There are more than three local tv stations to watch!!!!!!!

 

[bigwheelzip]

Great opportunity to experience a different part of the country, and get paid for it.

You can always leave.

 

[mrrick]

I was in the Chandler municipal court supporting a friend. I was appalled by people being fined $2500.00 for unleashed dog, cracked windshield, un-mowed lawns and other mickey mouse offenses.

It seems that this all is a way to raise revenue to pay high salaries for city employees. I wouldn't want to live there and be subjected to these tactics.

There are several municipalities in the valley that are preferable.

 

[mbliss57]

Thanks all. The company I have the opportunity to work for is in Chandler. We don't necessarily have to live there. It's just me and the Mrs. The kids are all out of the house and raising their own families. Some in Ohio some in other states. 5 kids in all. We have been to Northern AZ / Southern Utah and Vegas in 2010. Visited there about 3 or 4 times and fell in love with the West. We haven't been to Phoenix area before but have lived in a similar climate in Amman, Jordan for a couple of years about a decade ago. (We loved the climate there.) So if everything falls into place this may actually happen in the next 2 months. We will see. Thx again for your input.