Crime rate is something to consider — Gilbert sits at 96.6 per 100K. It's a a mid-size city city with about 271K people. Poverty rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. With a population of 271K, Gilbert is a mid-size city. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Any advice would be great. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development.
11 upvotes
16 Replies
Jace Williams
big facts right here
39 upvotes
Susan P.
Bought a house here in 2024 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
35 upvotes
Stephen M.
I've lived in Springfield for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- The traffic scene is tough
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Alexa Castillo
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Old Town area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Eliana J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 8 years. Moved from Baltimore for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is solid - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Olivia Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 41, moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in North and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Raleigh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
30 upvotes
Clara Sanders
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to New York it's excellent.
20 upvotes
Jameson Davis
I'm a sales manager and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is average and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
leah_guy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 8 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Limited high-paying job options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Lillian Jones
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
14 upvotes
tucson_eleanor
big facts right here
13 upvotes
quinn_life
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
Waylon
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Denver about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
Arthur W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 13 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Gabriella Robinson
Moved here from San Francisco about 10 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to public transit but Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes
Lillian L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 45, moved here 9 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Uptown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- West: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Tampa, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.