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Mark R.
qa
How is Gilbert for outdoor activities?
OK so The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
38 upvotes
24 Replies
Hailey Cox
it depends on the neighborhood
40 upvotes
Santiago Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Luke T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 26, moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in East and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 26, moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in East and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
40 upvotes
Greyson Kelly
Bought a house here in 2017 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
39 upvotes
Miles W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 2 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Can feel isolated. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in North for 2 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Can feel isolated. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Amy M.
been saying this for years
36 upvotes
Zoe Ruiz
lol so true
36 upvotes
Gabriella W.
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
Stephen A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 6 years. Moved from Seattle for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are challenging. 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. Limited entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in East for 6 years. Moved from Seattle for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are challenging. 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. Limited entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Robert Gray
it depends on the neighborhood
29 upvotes
Jackson Adams
facts
28 upvotes
aiden_vibes
I work in finance here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is better than expected. Feel free to reach out with questions..
27 upvotes
Willow Price
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The traffic is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Santiago Myers
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
22 upvotes
Clara
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Charlotte about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Charlotte about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Nicholas Peterson
I've lived in Downtown for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Adeline Alvarez
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Clara Patel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
I've been here 14 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Emilia W.
Totally agree!
19 upvotes
Gabriel Y.
Totally agree!
17 upvotes
Evan Thompson
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Mason T.
I'm a electrician and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
2 upvotes
Johnny A.
this is the way
1 upvotes
Dominic Anderson
as a local I can confirm
1 upvotes