Is Chandler liveable without a car? (Phoenix, Mesa: best city, apartment, condo)

[ringler24]

We are new to Phoenix and live in North Phoenix so we are super unfamiliar with the East Valley. My husband's mother is planning to relocate to be near us in May and she has a job transfer that will have her working in the Chandler Fashion Plaza. She doesn't drive. Is this doable? Is there an area of Chandler that she can live that is proximate to work and also somewhat accessible to other amenities? She's on a very small and pretty fixed income, so she will need a studio or 1 bedroom apartment that is near transit (if that even exists in Chandler or nearby). I'm trying to get a sense of whether or not her plan is feasible. Thanks for the insights!

[Pink Jazz]

Mass transit in Chandler isn't as good as some other cities such as Phoenix, Tempe, or Mesa, so a car is probably recommended. Bus service is almost non-existent in South Chandler. The only east-west bus routes serving Chandler are the 108-Elliot, 140-Ray, and 156-Chandler/Williams Field, and there are no north-south bus routes between Arizona Avenue and Gilbert Road serving Chandler, since the north-south routes serving those corridors up in Mesa dead-end at Baseline Road. Also, some routes serving Chandler don't run Sundays, the ones that do are 56-Priest, 66-Mill/68th Street, 72-Scottsdale/Rural, 108-Elliot, 112-Country Club/Arizona, and 156-Chandler Williams Field. If she has a disability she might qualify for Valley Metro Paratransit.

[LBTRS]

In my opinion you need a car to live in the valley. This isn't a walkable place at all and the public transportation is far behind other US cities.

[ringler24]

Good to know. We see many many people living in Phoenix itself without a vehicle. I know Chandler is another ball game.

[Pink Jazz]

Probably the best city for bus and rail transit is Tempe, with most major corridors served by a bus route.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by ringler24

Good to know. We see many many people living in Phoenix itself without a vehicle. I know Chandler is another ball game.

Many many? I doubt that. Even in central Phoenix, you need a car.

[goolsbyjazz]

There is a fairly new apartment/condo development across the street from Chandler Fashion Center. She could walk to work from there, but may need to take an Uber for things like grocery shopping. There is public transportation available, but I don't know the schedules?

[ringler24]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

Many many? I doubt that. Even in central Phoenix, you need a car.

I drive down 7th St. or 19th Ave in North Phoenix and see people taking the light rail to work or waiting for the bus. Many lower income people don't have a car.

[ringler24]

Originally Posted by goolsbyjazz

There is a fairly new apartment/condo development across the street from Chandler Fashion Center. She could walk to work from there, but may need to take an Uber for things like grocery shopping. There is public transportation available, but I don't know the schedules?

I'll check that out. Thanks.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by ringler24

I drive down 7th St. or 19th Ave in North Phoenix and see people taking the light rail to work or waiting for the bus. Many lower income people don't have a car.

Riding the light rail is not the same thing as not owning a car. Especially with how popular park and ride is.

But anyway good luck.