Everything You Need to Know About Chandler, Arizona

When people think of Arizona, they tend to think mostly about the state’s largest city, Phoenix. However, if you’re looking for a more sedate place that still has some of that laid-back city vibe, Chandler, AZ might be the place for you. Situated in Maricopa County, Chandler can still be considered a suburb of Phoenix, though it definitely has a special vibe that you’ll come to appreciate.

Az Express Services is a local contractor that provides handyman services for Chandler residents. We love this area and have written this guide to help you get the most of our town.

Photo source: https://www.chandleraz.gov/explore

Delicious Food

Food culture has taken off in Arizona, and it’s definitely a part of the local scene in Chandler. The days of settling for faux-Chinese or Italian are long gone, and restaurants now serve a world of cuisines and cater to all walks of life. Whether you just want a casual, welcoming meal or an upscale experience, Chandler has everything you could want. No matter if you want to go South, East, or stay in the West, there is something that will whet your appetite and keep you looking for even more. check out yelp’s top 10 restaurants in Chandler

Culture

Despite being a relatively small town of only 270,000 residents, Chandler boasts a ton of history and culture. There are museums, art galleries, and sports venues. Even the parks come alive with art installations. The Chandler Centre of Arts should be your first stop if you want to soak up some culture. The Vision Art Gallery represents 300 local artists with rotating exhibits that change every few months. It’s a non-profit organization that donates a portion of all its sales to the Vision Kidz program that provides art education to the community, fostering the art scene in the next generation.

The Chandler Center of Arts also has a theatre that is home to the Chandler Symphony Orchestra. It hosts plenty of local theatre and ballet, so if you’re looking to take in some excellent local art, the Chandler Center of Arts should be your first stop.

If you’re hunting for something more casual, you can try either the Chandler Museum or the Arizona Railway Museum. It may sound a bit dry, but it showcases the history of the modern American railroad in a way you’ve never seen before. There are over a dozen trains on display, and you can even board them and feel like you’ve stepped back into the past. The only part lacking in realism is that you can’t toot the horns.

If that’s not enough history for you, there is also the Tumbleweed Ranch. It is a great place to learn about agriculture in the East Valley and how it has evolved over the years. There is a historic grocery store and old-timey farm equipment, and you can take a wander around the 1917 ranch home.

If history and culture aren’t really your thing, you can still find something to excite your inner nerd. The Chandler Science Spectacular is a yearly event that shows off all of Chandler’s scientific and innovative achievements. The Science Spectacular is part of the Arizona SciTech Festival that is sure to have something for nerds of all stripes.

Pet-Friendly

If you have a dog, you’ll be glad to know that Chandler, AZ is very dog-friendly and most people you meet will have a canine companion too. How much do people love dogs in Chandler? Enough to host Woofstock, an annual dog festival for your dog! It’s a one-of-a-kind event that you’ll love for sure.

Most restaurants and parks in the area are dog-friendly. And if you miss Woofstock, there are still plenty of things to do with your dog. There are agility competitions, dog shows, and even costume parades that will keep you and your furry companion endlessly entertained. If you have a doggie we can install a new doggie door for him

Experience the Outdoors

Who needs a gym when you have the great outdoors? Chandler, AZ is filled to the brim with parks and trails that will keep you fit and trim. If you prefer team sports, there are sixty parks that are always looking for more players. In fact, Chandler is right in the middle of the Valley of the Sun, and 15 Major League baseball teams make this their home for the spring. You can get fit and get excited about baseball all at once! Once you decide you need to cool down and escape the summer heat, there are six aquatic facilities that will keep you cool and entertained.

If you’re looking for a unique outdoor experience, make sure to visit the Chandler Ostrich Festival, which celebrates the goofiest bird in existence. If you’ve ever wanted to see a grown man race a bird, now’s your chance. The Festival is filled to the brim with unusual activities, which is why it’s one of the city’s favorite events of the year. Whether you want to ride a camel or take it easy and watch some chainsaw carvers make beautiful sculptures, there will be something for you at the Ostrich Festival.

Many of Chandler’s parks are filled with local artwork to support artists, and Chandler also mixes education with the great outdoors. The Veteran’s Oasis Park is aimed at raising environmental awareness, with four outdoor classrooms that are used by local schools to teach kids about the environment and wildlife protection. Though the classrooms are aimed at kids, there are plenty of activities for adults as well. There’s an urban fishing lake that offers the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon as well as four miles of wilderness trails that provide a refreshing change from the urban lifestyle.

So Much Sun

Chandler, as you may have guessed, is in a desert. This means that up to 330 days of the year are soaked in the sun’s glorious rays. You won’t need a coat and mittens here! Chandler doesn’t get any snow, so if you’re looking for a white Christmas, you may have to look elsewhere.

That said, if you love the sun and the outdoor lifestyle, you can rest assured that winter will never slow you down in Chandler. Expect average yearly temperatures of 39F to 106F with maxes in the summer hitting 110F.

Luckily, there are plenty of water parks and indoor ice-rinks to cool you down. While you may not see snow during the holidays, you can still enjoy some traditional pastimes.

Nightlife

Even though Chandler, AZ has a small, sleepy town vibe to it, there is a lot going on at nights as well. There are bars with fire pits by the patio, which are a perfect way to relax and slow down after a day’s work. If you want something fancier, you can visit the many upmarket restaurants that are sure to delight your senses.

The craft beer scene is massive in Chandler, with the biggest micro-brewery in Arizona making its home in Chandler. No matter what your preference, you’ll find something here that will make you happy.

Transport

If you’re in Chandler, you’re going to need a car. Chandler is still growing and currently has almost no public transportation to speak of. There is a plan to extend the Valley Metro Light Rail into Chandler, but that’s not coming into effect for the next decade or so. So until then, be prepared to sit in traffic or hop on a bike. No city can be perfect, not even one as great as Chandler.

Housing

Despite being home to Intel and other major tech companies, the housing market in Chandler is actually going pretty strong. The median house prices are $35,000 more than the Maricopa County average, and the median income is also high compared to the rest of the United States. This means that you’re likely to get more home for your buck than you would in other cities and your house is more likely to retain its value for longer.

Conclusion

Some view Chandler as Phoenix’s little cousin, but Chandler is a vibrant, growing community that is friendly and open to new experiences. If you’re looking for a city with a bustling food and beer scene, this is it. There are also plenty of activities for both kids and adults in the city, both indoors and outdoors.

If you’re an outdoors aficionado, this is the place for you. With over 50 parks and miles and miles of trails for you to explore, you’ll always find something new and exciting around the corner. And you can bring your canine companion with you as well. Heck, you can bring them anywhere. Just be prepared for lots of pets from random strangers, because Chandlerites do love their dogs almost as much as they love their city.

The main drawbacks of Chandler, AZ are the same as other cities like Mesa, Gilbert, and Tempe — traffic and heat. Chandler is always hot and sunny and can reach some pretty extreme temperatures in summer. So if you don’t want to drive everywhere, and you don’t like the idea of spending the summer huddling by your air-conditioner, Chandler may not be the place for you. Maybe its charms are so strong that you’ll start to love the sun and not mind the drive so much.

If you buy a house in Chandler, be sure to call Az Express Services to hire a reliable local contractor!