Your Search Guide to Moving to Chandler, AZ

Have you ever seen a Tumbleweed Christmas tree? You will when you move to Chandler, AZ, as this is a Western alternative in a landscape missing fir trees. It’s one of the many quirks of living in this Phoenix metro suburb. The interesting things to do–the Ostrich Festival and Southwest Cajun Fest, among them– are part of why so many people are moving to Chandler. 

Perhaps you are one of them? Chandler is a great place to live, so much so that it often appears on top lists by media like Livability and Niche.com. What they don’t give you is an overview of what life is like in Chandler. This moving guide provides information and insider tips to ensure your transition is smooth.

About Chandler, AZ

Did you know Chandler is the “Innovation and Technology Hub of the Southwest”? But that’s not its only claim to fame. Independent media have highlighted Chandler as an exceptional city to live in Arizona, to raise a family, find a job, and for safety. Its top-ten accolades include, but are not limited to:

• Best Place for Women in Tech
• Best Place to Raise a Family
• Top Digital City
• Safe Place to Raise a Family
• Best City for Early Retirement
• Best Place to Celebrate Halloween

Chandler is part of the greater Phoenix metro in Maricopa County, one of the top five largest metros in the US. By population, it’s the state’s fourth-largest city. It’s on the metro’s southern end, between the Gila River Indian Reservation and the other suburbs of Mesa, Tempe, and Gilbert. 

Industry leaders make a strong economy

The self-described “Community of Innovation” is proud of its history as a cutting-edge city. Thanks to its willingness to embrace new ideas, Chandler’s economy thrives despite recent turbulent economic times. As a technology and innovation hub, local companies are at the cutting edge by building autonomous cars and spacecraft and pioneering healthcare research.

In fact, around 20% of the jobs in Chandler are in high-tech manufacturing and include well-known names like Intel and Northrop Grumman. Major employers by size include Intel, Chandler Unified School District, and Wells Fargo. The city is also home to the Price Corridor, a tech-heavy business district.  

Leading Industries in Chandler AZ:

1. Autonomous Vehicle R&D

   

2. Aviation & Aerospace

   

3. Business & Financial Services

   

4. Healthcare & Bioscience

   

5. High-tech Manufacturing

   

6. Information Technology

   

The cost of living is high

Anticipate a slightly higher cost of living in Chandler, as 2022 data from Sperling’s Best Places Index indicates an approximate 15% increase in spending compared to national averages. Notably, four of the six indexed expenditure categories exceeded the national norms. Expect to spend more from your budget on housing, utilities, transportation, and various miscellaneous expenses. Only groceries and healthcare expenses remained below. 

However, unlike other metro cities, Chandler’s government does consider its higher cost of living when deciding on setting costs for property taxes or utilities. It monitors how its charges compare in the Phoenix metro yearly and takes steps to optimize its budget.

Buying a home in Chandler

Naturally, moving to Chandler means looking for a new place to live. The real estate market stands at the intersection of convenience for what you get and Phoenix metro affordability. 

Keep in mind that in September 2023, the greater Phoenix metro area had a median residential sales price of $465,000. That combines single-family homes, townhomes, and condos. For Chandler, the 495 listings had a median price of $565,000. 

However, the local median single-family home prices were down 7% for the year-to-date as of August 2023. It’s aligned with a nationwide and marketwide trend of stabilizing home prices. 

For local property taxes, the total millage rate for Chandler in the 2022-2023 fiscal year stood at 1.1026, positioning it midway among the suburbs of Phoenix. Chandler’s tax rate was nearly half that of Tempe but slightly higher than that of Scottsdale. Residential real estate in Arizona is taxed at 10% of its assessed value.

In terms of what you can find, Chandler has an ample selection of property types. Want to ditch the car? Downtown is the place to walk to public parks, upscale boutique stores, and gastropubs. Find a golf course or lakefront living in Ocotillo. Those who want deed-restricted living or master-planned suburbs with shared common spaces like swimming pools or clubhouses can find those, too, such as in Fulton Ranch.

High-quality learning

Moving to Chandler opens the door to excellent public schools. The Chandler Unified School District consistently earned high marks for its quality education, ranking No. 1 in Arizona for 2024 by Niche.com. Over 44,000 students attend one of its 51 K-12 schools. They include gifted, early college, and non-traditional learning options.

But it’s not the only district covering the city limits. Depending on the address, you may be zoned for Gilbert Public Schools, Mesa Unified School District, Kyrene School District, or Tempe Union High School District. Inside these are more schools, some cracking nationwide lists for their quality. 

Alternatively, there are seven more faith-based and secular private schools for K-12 education.

Higher education and workforce training are available at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Campus.

Getting around Chandler

Chandler is well-connected with a network of major highways, making it easy to access neighboring cities like Phoenix and Scottsdale. Connect to these cities or the airport through the Loop 202 Highway that circles the metro and links to I-10. 

But if you don’t have a car, the Valley Metro provides public transportation options primarily through bus routes. These do link up with the Metro Light Rail in Tempe and Mesa.

Chandler is desert-hot

Since you’re moving to the Phoenix metro, temperatures over 100F in the summer months are no surprise. On the plus side, Chandler enjoys over 300 sunny days a year. The fall, winter, and spring are mild and pleasant, making outdoor activities possible year-round.

Also, just because this is the desert doesn’t mean zero rain. Be prepared for sweeping monsoon rains with two primary seasons. One will drive in from the Pacific, while the other originates in the Gulf of Mexico. Ahead of these storms may be haboobs, which kick up the fine sand for miles into the atmosphere.

Chandler is outdoorsy

Part of what makes living in the Valley of the Sun and those 300 days of sunshine is getting around to enjoy it. Chandler makes the most of it with an extensive network of parks and trails, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, picnicking, and more. For instance, the 100-acre Veterans Oasis Park has a lake, bird-watching areas, and trails amidst the desert habitat. The Paseo Trail, a multi-use path, is perfect for walkers, runners, and cyclists.

And with a little bit of a drive, more miles for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding await at San Tan Regional Park or South Mountain Park.

Phoenix is well-known for its 100-plus golf courses. Seven are in Chandler. Play the fairways at Ocotillo Golf Club, Whirlwind Golf Club, and San Marcos Golf Course. 

But sometimes, it’s simply too scorching to safely be outside. Chandler has sports and recreation complexes, such as the Chandler Tennis Center and the Snedigar Sportsplex, with tennis, soccer, baseball, and other sports facilities.

Shop til you drop

Chandler Fashion Center Mall, often called “the Fashion Mall,” is the city’s premier shopping and dining destination. This sprawling, upscale shopping center features over 180 well-known retailers in an indoor-outdoor mall. Anchor stores include Dillard’s and Macy’s, with other specialty stores like Michael Kors, Sephora, and H&M delivering name-brand goods. When shoppers need a break from retail therapy, a diverse culinary selection of chains awaits, from the Old Spaghetti Factory to BJ’s Brewhouse.

The Fashion Center also has family-friendly entertainment options: a LEGO store, Crayola Experience, a movie complex, and an outdoor lawn with a splash pad.

If crowds have you shying away from the state’s second-largest mall, try Downtown Chandler. The city hub bustles with a rich selection of local breweries and handcrafted cocktail bars that perfectly complement delectable cuisine. Explore charming boutique stores, entertainment options, and a calendar with over 60 annual events–like the Tumbleweed Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.

Chandler has the Phoenix Premium Outlets and The Shoppes at Casa Paloma for even more shopping.

Southwestern arts and culture

The city’s commitment to creativity and community engagement is apparent from the public murals at the Fashion Center to the exceptional collections of American Indian art. 

The Chandler Center for the Arts is at the center, with its rotating collection of contemporary artwork. Its venue also hosts exceptional performing artists, from Hall of Fame performers to GRAMMY award winners. 

Once you move to Chandler, you don’t miss out on The Eddie Basha Collection of Western American and American Indian Art, a captivating treasure trove featuring an impressive array of over 3,000 artworks. This free gallery spotlights contemporary Western American and American Indian art.

And people of all ages love the Arizona Railway Museum. The open-air museum has historic cabooses and train cars to check out. History buffs will also like the Chandler Museum, dedicated to understanding the city’s past through its exhibits and programs.

Chandler’s also a big festival town. The one you can’t miss is the famous Ostrich Festival, a colorful event that has been going on for over three decades. It draws on the old days when there were Ostrich ranches in Chandler. There is an ostrich pen, but you won’t be able to ride one of these birds. Think classic county fair with a Midway, rides, buskers, and performances. 

Chandler utilities

Once you are moved into your new Chandler home, you’ll need to set it up with the modern conveniences you expect. The city of Chandler operates utilities for water, sewer, and trash. To open your account, go online to the city utility website.

Depending on your address, electricity will fall under APS or the Salt River Project (SRP).

Southwest Gas is the most likely supplier if your home uses natural gas. You can go to their website to get their pricing and service information.

Prepare for moving to Chandler

As you’ll come to know, life in Chandler is pretty exceptional. You have one of the best school districts in Arizona and prime access to all that makes a living in the Valley of the Sun so desirable. The innovative job market draws serious intellectual power. And the lifestyle is complemented by some fantastic amenities, from significant shopping centers to park access. So get to know more about Chandler, AZ, real estate with your local real estate agent.