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Not really, plenty of sports bars, brew pubs, fine dining, breakfast spots, movie theaters like Alamo, Harkins and upcoming flix brewpub, upscale mall, upscale power centers, Phoenix Premium Outlets, 2 casinos, golf courses, etc. What exactly am I missing out on?
You can find most of those in any part of the valley, Harkins are on just about every corner. I think the biggest draws to Chandler are good schools and good jobs. It's a great place for families.
What's the equivalent of FilmBar, Crescent Ballroom, Valley Bar, Lost Leaf, Welcome Diner, Barrio Cafe, Cobra Arcade Bar, Marquee Theater, Valley Art Theater, AZ Science Center, Herberger, Comerica, First Friday, etc... in Chandler or Gilbert or anywhere else? I get that a lot of people don't care about these things but personally, I found that being further out meant less options like the above, which I didn't really care for. And judging by the current infill boom happening all over the valley and the rental prices in the urban centers it seems a lot of other people agree.
You can find most of those in any part of the valley, Harkins are on just about every corner. I think the biggest draws to Chandler are good schools and good jobs. It's a great place for families.
What's the equivalent of FilmBar, Crescent Ballroom, Valley Bar, Lost Leaf, Welcome Diner, Barrio Cafe, Cobra Arcade Bar, Marquee Theater, Valley Art Theater, AZ Science Center, Herberger, Comerica, First Friday, etc... in Chandler or Gilbert or anywhere else? I get that a lot of people don't care about these things but personally, I found that being further out meant less options like the above, which I didn't really care for. And judging by the current infill boom happening all over the valley and the rental prices in the urban centers it seems a lot of other people agree.
OK that's what you meant by culture, a few theaters and AZ Science Center. I've said before AZ Science Center is a one and done place. The museums here are nothing special, all one and done type places. I thought by culture you meant diversity, which Chandler does well with a large Asian population and lots of diversity. The intersection of Warner and Dobson is almost like the valleys Chinatown and has some great Asian cuisine, much of which can't be found in Downtown Phoenix, great sushi and Teppanyaki grills in Chandler too. Downtown Chandler has fun places to go drink like San Tan Brewery, Murphy's Law, The Perch, Modern Margarita, Bourbon Jacks, The Ostrich, wine bars, etc. And really, Cobra arcade bar?? There's plenty of places in Chandler or just over the border to throw down drinks and play arcade games, or bowl with a projection screen above you playing ESPN, whatever.
Want to talk restaurants? Kai (top rated in AZ) Tumi Fine Peruvian Cuisine, La Bocca, Shula's Steakhouse, DC Steakhouse, Chop, good chains like Flemings and The Keg, Roy's, Carlo and Emille's Gourmet Italian Deli, Crust, El Zocalo, La Stalla, I seriously could go on and on and list over a hundred great restaurants, even in the more suburban area like Dobson and Germann where there's a restaurant I recently dined at called The Ivy Mediterranean (local place similar to Postino but better, the kind of place you be strutting around like a peacock talking about if it was in Central Phoenix), right next to that is a great Mexican place, BLD Chandler, Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers and Oregano's. The point is, those great jobs nearby bring the restaurants, just like in Downtown Phoenix. There's great everything whether it's sushi, steaks, Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, breakfast. And yes, there's great places Downtown Phoenix too, so why limit oneself to one area if you are a big time foodie? There are places in Chandler that I would miss if I moved to Central Phoenix as well.
All in all, there's some things Chandler doesn't have like extensive theaters (Chandler Center for the Arts is basically it and the only museum I'm aware of is the railroad museum). There's also elements in Chandler that Downtown Phoenix doesn't have such as Casino's, top performing schools, upscale shopping, safe parks free of hobo's, etc. It's why it attracts ultra wealthy people as well, such as the founder of Lifelock and Dustin Pedroia, both of which I count as neighbors and live in $3-$4M type mansions. It is not merely limited to Central Phoenix.
You can find most of those in any part of the valley, Harkins are on just about every corner. I think the biggest draws to Chandler are good schools and good jobs. It's a great place for families.
What's the equivalent of FilmBar, Crescent Ballroom, Valley Bar, Lost Leaf, Welcome Diner, Barrio Cafe, Cobra Arcade Bar, Marquee Theater, Valley Art Theater, AZ Science Center, Herberger, Comerica, First Friday, etc... in Chandler or Gilbert or anywhere else? I get that a lot of people don't care about these things but personally, I found that being further out meant less options like the above, which I didn't really care for. And judging by the current infill boom happening all over the valley and the rental prices in the urban centers it seems a lot of other people agree.
Just realized you posted places in both downtown Phoenix and Tempe. Tempe is my town, lived there for years and owned my first property there. I easily can be in Tempe in under 15 minutes so I consider those many of my amenities as well. Much like you list two different cities BTW the City of Peoria has the Arizona Broadway Theater so you may want to head out that way and enjoy a show
You can find most of those in any part of the valley, Harkins are on just about every corner. I think the biggest draws to Chandler are good schools and good jobs. It's a great place for families.
What's the equivalent of FilmBar, Crescent Ballroom, Valley Bar, Lost Leaf, Welcome Diner, Barrio Cafe, Cobra Arcade Bar, Marquee Theater, Valley Art Theater, AZ Science Center, Herberger, Comerica, First Friday, etc... in Chandler or Gilbert or anywhere else? I get that a lot of people don't care about these things but personally, I found that being further out meant less options like the above, which I didn't really care for. And judging by the current infill boom happening all over the valley and the rental prices in the urban centers it seems a lot of other people agree.
Don't bother trying to convince surburbanites with blinders on with those things. I can't believe people are somehow downgrading the cultural and entertainment values that Phoenix has to offer. Stop bashing them and support them, whether that is by visiting them or appreciating that they exist. Phoenix has always had a problem with a lack of culture and energy. Even if those things don't appeal to you, and that is understandable, there is no reason to make it seem like their pointless, that somehow a suburban world is the best answer. When someone throws up Crescent or Cobra, you hear them blow them aside like Chandler/Gilbert has an equivalent (which isn't the case) or if they're not desirable. I disagree with them completely, and I live in Chandler.
Don't bother trying to convince surburbanites with blinders on with those things. I can't believe people are somehow downgrading the cultural and entertainment values that Phoenix has to offer. Stop bashing them and support them, whether that is by visiting them or appreciating that they exist. Phoenix has always had a problem with a lack of culture and energy. Even if those things don't appeal to you, and that is understandable, there is no reason to make it seem like their pointless, that somehow a suburban world is the best answer. When someone throws up Crescent or Cobra, you hear them blow them aside like Chandler/Gilbert has an equivalent (which isn't the case) or if they're not desirable. I disagree with them completely, and I live in Chandler.
Yeah, I can appreciate everyone likes different things but I don't see where any suburb holds a candle to central Phoenix on the cultural front or foodie fronts. I tried the east valley and it didn't last long for me. Downtown just keeps getting better with the Van Buren opening next and pretty phenomenal dining options expanding regularly. Not to mention most of this stuff is walkable.
OK that's what you meant by culture, a few theaters and AZ Science Center. I've said before AZ Science Center is a one and done place. The museums here are nothing special, all one and done type places. I thought by culture you meant diversity, which Chandler does well with a large Asian population and lots of diversity. The intersection of Warner and Dobson is almost like the valleys Chinatown and has some great Asian cuisine, much of which can't be found in Downtown Phoenix, great sushi and Teppanyaki grills in Chandler too. Downtown Chandler has fun places to go drink like San Tan Brewery, Murphy's Law, The Perch, Modern Margarita, Bourbon Jacks, The Ostrich, wine bars, etc. And really, Cobra arcade bar?? There's plenty of places in Chandler or just over the border to throw down drinks and play arcade games, or bowl with a projection screen above you playing ESPN, whatever.
Want to talk restaurants? Kai (top rated in AZ) Tumi Fine Peruvian Cuisine, La Bocca, Shula's Steakhouse, DC Steakhouse, Chop, good chains like Flemings and The Keg, Roy's, Carlo and Emille's Gourmet Italian Deli, Crust, El Zocalo, La Stalla, I seriously could go on and on and list over a hundred great restaurants, even in the more suburban area like Dobson and Germann where there's a restaurant I recently dined at called The Ivy Mediterranean (local place similar to Postino but better, the kind of place you be strutting around like a peacock talking about if it was in Central Phoenix), right next to that is a great Mexican place, BLD Chandler, Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers and Oregano's. The point is, those great jobs nearby bring the restaurants, just like in Downtown Phoenix. There's great everything whether it's sushi, steaks, Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, breakfast. And yes, there's great places Downtown Phoenix too, so why limit oneself to one area if you are a big time foodie? There are places in Chandler that I would miss if I moved to Central Phoenix as well.
All in all, there's some things Chandler doesn't have like extensive theaters (Chandler Center for the Arts is basically it and the only museum I'm aware of is the railroad museum). There's also elements in Chandler that Downtown Phoenix doesn't have such as Casino's, top performing schools, upscale shopping, safe parks free of hobo's, etc. It's why it attracts ultra wealthy people as well, such as the founder of Lifelock and Dustin Pedroia, both of which I count as neighbors and live in $3-$4M type mansions. It is not merely limited to Central Phoenix.
Yeah Chandler is very safe and clean, with great schools, I'll give you that, otherwise there's just not much else interesting happening and it's pretty far to get to the places I've mentioned. For example AZ Science Center, I happen to like science so I go to quite a few of their events like the adult oriented science with a twyst or some of the laser shows. I don't go back to look at the same exhibits. The art museum has similar types of events along with discussions with artists and such. The one performing arts center in Chandler just doesn't cut it for me. If I lived in Chandler I'd likely never want to deal with the drive to see these types of things.Even going to a pro sports game seemed like a haul from there, at one time I tried living near AZ Ave and Loop 202 and found it just didn't work well for what I like.
I also found it to be much more limiting for most choices than Phoenix, I can drive over out there if I want to but I rarely find any need to. The furthest East I tend to go is west Mesa where a giant form of a Chinatown seems to be erupting near Dobson/Main.
Like I said, I don't look down on anyone wanting to live there but I do find it ironic when newcomers buy a new place on the fringes and then complain that Phoenix is boring and lacks all these indie businesses like whatever's they came from. In central Phoenix you can find just about anything you want to eat, see or do and will have all of these options within a much closer proximity than any of the suburbs.
Yeah, I can appreciate everyone likes different things but I don't see where any suburb holds a candle to central Phoenix on the cultural front or foodie fronts. I tried the east valley and it didn't last long for me. Downtown just keeps getting better with the Van Buren opening next and pretty phenomenal dining options expanding regularly. Not to mention most of this stuff is walkable.
Dining options are expanding all over, I want you to realize it isn't just a Central Phoenix phenomenon. There's new construction in distant SE Chandler which will have a Tryst Cafe, The Montauk and another restaurant (was gonna be an original chop shop but they opened in DT Chandler). Yes, of course DT Phoenix has more options but other communities most certainly do hold a candle to it as they have extensive options as well (too many to try in a year, really). As far as culture, I can go look at native American pottery once maybe, if you expect me to go again you'll have to pay me . I would much rather play some blackjack at my area casinos or catch a movie/dinner/drinks at Alamo Drafthouse than go see a play, etc. Different strokes.
Like I said above, there's some groups that Central Phoenix is great for. Once one has kids they don't fit into that group and other areas of the valley become more desirable.
Dining options are expanding all over, I want you to realize it isn't just a Central Phoenix phenomenon. There's new construction in distant SE Chandler which will have a Tryst Cafe, The Montauk and another restaurant (was gonna be an original chop shop but they opened in DT Chandler). Yes, of course DT Phoenix has more options but other communities most certainly do hold a candle to it as they have extensive options as well (too many to try in a year, really). As far as culture, I can go look at native American pottery once maybe, if you expect me to go again you'll have to pay me . I would much rather play some blackjack at my area casinos or catch a movie/dinner/drinks at Alamo Drafthouse than go see a play, etc. Different strokes.
Like I said above, there's some groups that Central Phoenix is great for. Once one has kids they don't fit into that group and other areas of the valley become more desirable.
This.
Spot on. And not to mention, places like Gilbert (especially Gilbert's downtown) are adding all the great restaurants of Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Once one has kids, it's a really hard sell to justify living near downtown Phx unless you have a lot of money and can send your kids to private schools. Downtown Phx areas are still very much so better suited for singles, Dinks, alternative lifestyles. Not knocking them at all, just calling it like it is and being realistic.
I live in North Central Phoenix (Central and Greenway).
I love my location as I'm pretty close to most of the suburban amenities (Arrowhead, Norterra, and Desert Ridge are all only 15 - 20 minutes away) plus most of the Central Phoenix amenities / downtown are also 15 - 20 minutes away (Biltmore, Downtown, 7th St. Corridor).
I get that Chandler / Gilbert are more "typical" good suburbia (reminds me of Johnson County Kansas (near Kansas City)). However, the rest of the valley offers enough that you hardly need to go to Chandler / Gilbert.
My wife and I are season ticket holders to the Phoenix Theatre and absolutely love their productions. I don't think we've seen a bad show there yet.
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BTW the City of Peoria has the Arizona Broadway Theater so you may want to head out that way and enjoy a show
. I would much rather play some blackjack at my area casinos or catch a movie/dinner/drinks at Alamo Drafthouse than go see a play, etc. Different strokes. 
