Longtime lurker here, We have two kids and Average temperature is around 73°F, so it's warm year-round. Rent is about $2,028/month for a decent place. With a population of 271K, Gilbert is a mid-size city. It's a a mid-size city city with about 271K people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Is this normal for Gilbert? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
48 upvotes
27 Replies
addison_life
hard disagree but ok
40 upvotes
Adrian Smith
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is underrated in most areas.
35 upvotes
Eliana L.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it was the best decision I ever made.
35 upvotes
Allison Patel
This.
34 upvotes
Xavier
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
34 upvotes
Mia Adams
great question, following
33 upvotes
Christian Morales
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
32 upvotes
Emilia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Eleanor G.
couldn't agree more
29 upvotes
Mackenzie Gutierrez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 44, moved here 7 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Westside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Atlanta, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
28 upvotes
Greyson W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Ruby Phillips
bump
25 upvotes
Greyson Thompson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Miami it's excellent.
25 upvotes
Adrian Brown
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Alexa Lopez
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
Luna F.
100%
20 upvotes
Joseph W.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Old Town area are improving. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Luke L.
I'm a nurse and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
stlguy2022
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Portland about 6 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Scarlett Davis
exactly what I was thinking
9 upvotes
Isla Davis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Phoenix it's hit or miss.
8 upvotes
Victoria G.
noted, appreciate it
8 upvotes
Landon M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Houston about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Mackenzie H.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Eleanor Collins
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Melanie Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 11 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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