Opinions on Chandler? (Mesa, Scottsdale, Gilbert: apartment, condos, work)

[Calibelle]

Just wondered what people's opinions on Chandler are. We are newlyweds looking to start off in an apartment and save for a house. Is Chandler better compared to Mesa, or any other nearby smaller city? We don't care about the party life, we will have a small baby when we move from where we are now. How do people like living in Chandler, and is it family centered? I also wondered if there is any club water polo teams... I would like my kids to get into that sport, I am a water polo gal myself. Thanx!!!

[steve22]

Depends where in Chandler. I met a guy who moved from there because he found bullets on his driveway. The downtown area is a Mexican slum although they are trying to renovate it. Try to get on the border with Gilbert, near an area called the "Islands".

[Calibelle]

Originally Posted by steve22

Depends where in Chandler. I met a guy who moved from there because he found bullets on his driveway. The downtown area is a Mexican slum although they are trying to renovate it. Try to get on the border with Gilbert, near an area called the "Islands".

Thanx!!! I will look into that.

[Azrider]

I tend to disagree with steve. Chandler is a nice clean town, very family friendly. It does have its bad parts just like anywhere. The downtown is not a "Mexican slum." I am checking into appartments there currently as well, as I plan to move out of Scottsdale. Most areas are low crime, and nice clean neighboorhoods. Google "Chandler, AZ demographics" and that will give you a better idea about the population and crime rates in the area. I will agree however, that the Islands is one of the best areas.

[COtoAZ]

I agree with the everyone about downtown Chandler, hopefully they will be able to clean it up in the years to come. You also might try the areas west of the 101, east between Queen Creek and Elliott to about Dobson has some OK older areas. We like the Ocotillo area and the newer areas south of Queen Creek. Good Luck!

[steve22]

Azrider, check out Arizona Ave. and Ray. I drive through there frequently. Close to downtown.

[headed4nc]

Originally Posted by steve22

Azrider, check out Arizona Ave. and Ray. I drive through there frequently. Close to downtown.

Yes and try the Islands at Mcqueen and Warner.

Yes and that area of downtown Chandler and south is disgusting, drive through it with your doors locked. Stay away!!

[tismekll]

Originally Posted by headed4nc

Yes and try the Islands at Mcqueen and Warner.

Yes and that area of downtown Chandler and south is disgusting, drive through it with your doors locked. Stay away!!

If you haven't been that way for awhile, they are working to improve the area. Many of the old run down bungalows have been torn down. Some very nice restaurants down there as well as new condos or townhouses..not sure of which they are. They even have a winery where you can go for wine tastings, a great mexican restaurant as well as an Italian restaurant. Just a little bit down the road is a new shopping area.

[Lehi]

Originally Posted by tismekll

If you haven't been that way for awhile, they are working to improve the area. Many of the old run down bungalows have been torn down. Some very nice restaurants down there as well as new condos or townhouses..not sure of which they are. They even have a winery where you can go for wine tastings, a great mexican restaurant as well as an Italian restaurant. Just a little bit down the road is a new shopping area.

That's interesting. I haven't been to downtown Chandler in years. Always thought it was a dumpy and dangerous area so I've stayed away. Does this improvement include the area of Country Club south of Ray? I may have to take a drive over there one of these days..... Thanks for the info.

[tismekll]

Originally Posted by Lehi

That's interesting. I haven't been to downtown Chandler in years. Always thought it was a dumpy and dangerous area so I've stayed away. Does this improvement include the area of Country Club south of Ray? I may have to take a drive over there one of these days..... Thanks for the info.

That area is still not great but improving. The strip mall that is on Ray and Arizona has been remodled but I really don't go into that area much. The area around Pecos and Arizona is totally different now. Super Walmart, Kohls, Sams, and many others are there now. The 202 has made a huge difference to the area.