Good Reasons to Live in Gilbert AZ

Welcome to Gilbert, Arizona.

Recognized as one of the Best Places to Live in the United States by CNN/Money Magazine, Gilbert is a vibrant town that is one of the fastest-growing communities in the entire country.

Not only that, but this family-friendly Arizona community provides excellent benefits, such as a nationally-ranked public school district, a top-of-the-line healthcare system, and a booming economy. That’s before you take into consideration all the leisure and recreational activities that’s available.

With so much going for it, demand for housing in Gilbert is high, but there are still many opportunities for those wishing to move to the area.

Things you should know about Gilbert, AZ

• Brief history

Gilbert, AZ was incorporated as a town in July 1920. However, the town’s history can actually be traced back to earlier in the 1900s, when it sprang up as a result of the establishment of Arizona Eastern Railway’s Phoenix and Florence rail line.

A predominantly agricultural community, Gilbert experienced a surge in its development during the construction of the Roosevelt Dam and the Eastern and Consolidated Canals in 1911, eventually becoming known as the “Hay Capital of the World” — a title it would hold until the late 1920s.

In 1912, Gilbert sheltered members of the Mormon church who had fled from the Mormon colonies in Chihuahua and Sonora due to the Mexican Revolution.

In the 1970s, Gilbert’s Town Council approved the annexation of around 53 square miles of county land, essentially kickstarting the town’s further development.

Today, Gilbert, AZ has transformed from an agricultural town to a thriving and vibrant economically-diverse community that marries suburban and frontier living with urban comforts and luxuries, making it one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the country.

• Location

Home to 243,000 people, Gilbert, AZ is part of Maricopa County, and is located just 30 minutes southeast of Phoenix.

Covering an area of nearly 69 square miles, Gilbert, AZ is the fifth-largest municipality in Arizona, and the fourth-largest in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Gilbert, AZ can be accessed via the Santan Freeway portion of Loop 202. Aside from that, a small section of the US 60 Superstition Freeway also skirts the northern boundary of the town at the Higley Road interchange. Several regional arterials also serve the general area, such as Williams Field Road, Chandler Boulevard, and Gilbert Road.

The town is close to several city airports, such as Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport, which is located in east Mesa, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, located about three miles east of downtown Phoenix.

• Climate



Like many other neighborhoods in the Sonoran Desert, Gilbert, AZ has a subtropical, desert type climate, which means that the town’s residents often experience dry and hot summers, and mild to warm winters.

Living in Gilbert, AZ means living in temperatures that range from an average of 66 degrees fahrenheit from December to February to an average of 103 degrees from June to September.

Because of its location in the Sonoran Desert, Gilbert, AZ only gets an average of 9 inches of rain per year.

• Economy

Gilbert, AZ has a thriving economy anchored on several key industries. These include Healthcare, Real Estate, and Education, as well as Manufacturing, Aerospace and Defense, Bio-Technology, Clean Technology and Renewable Energy.

Those living in Gilbert, AZ have a median annual household income of $96,857— an amount that’s significantly higher than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States.

Today, some of the top employers in Gilbert include companies such as Banner Health, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, GoDaddy Software Inc., Dignity Health, Morgan Stanley, and Merrill Lynch.

Aside from its many job opportunities, it is also easy to start a business in Gilbert, AZ, making it a good destination for startups and entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, Gilbert — much like the rest of Arizona — has some of the lowest corporate and individual income tax rates across the country, which translates to even more purchasing power for its residents.

What is the real estate market like in Gilbert, AZ?

Gilbert, AZ has a very competitive real estate market, with homes selling for an average price of $522,130. Some of the more luxurious homes, however, are known to fetch upwards of $1 million and over.

The Gilbert, AZ real estate market is currently a seller’s one, with the number of buyers outpacing the market’s inventory. Because of this, it is not unusual for available homes in Gilbert to get multiple offers.

While the average home in Gilbert, AZ’s real estate market can sell for about 2% above their list price and go pending in around 32 days, so-called “hot” homes can sell for about 5% above their list price, and go pending in just a week

Not only that, but because of the high demand for houses, some sellers in Gilbert, AZ have needed to do little in the way of repairs or offering home warranties, and some have been able to get buyers to forgo certain contingencies such as inspections or appraisals.

What are the available properties in Gilbert, AZ?

Gilbert, AZ boasts a wide range of available properties, with condominiums and townhouses often sitting side by side with single-family homes in gated subdivisions in many listings.

There is also an abundance of luxury properties in the area, with interested residents free to take their pick among semi-rural house properties, gorgeous golf homes, or sprawling private luxury estates.

The majority of houses in town come in a wide variety of architectural styles.

Here are some of the most common architectural styles that you will encounter when you browse Gilbert’s listings:

• Contemporary – Houses built in the Contemporary style often boast clean, stark lines and a neutral color palette with minimalist forms. They are often packed with the latest home technology, and are built with simple and straightforward materials such as wood, steel and glass.
• Spanish Mission – Often built from materials like stucco and adobe brick, houses built in the Spanish Mission style possess features like enclosed courtyards and tiled roofs, giving them a sense of elegance and Old World charm.
• Ranch – Ranch-style homes take inspiration from the Old West. Known for their single-story structures and open-concept floor plans, these homes are perfect for the arid Arizona climate.
• Mediterranean Revival – Arguably the most famous architectural style in Arizona, Mediterranean Revival-style homes often boast features such as rectangular floor plans, red-tiled roofs, arches, large windows, and wrought iron gates.
• Hacienda Style – Also known as Spanish Revival, homes built in this style typically use materials like stucco, clay, exposed wood, and wrought iron. They also have features such as arches and low-pitched roofs.
• Pueblo Revival – A quintessential Southwestern architectural style, the Pueblo Revival style first gained prominence around the turn of the 20th century. Taking inspiration from the dwellings built by Pueblo Indians, Pueblo Revival homes are known for their distinctive flat or sloping roofs, heavy wooden accents, rounded corners, and square windows.
• Mid Century Modern – Popularized by architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Mid Century Modern homes are known for drawing inspiration from the environment. Often built out of materials such as wood, stucco, stone, and brick, Mid Century Modern homes are famous for their very wide, low footprints, large, open spaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

What are the best neighborhoods in Gilbert, AZ?

Spacious houses, luxurious estates, and similar residences can be found all over Gilbert, AZ. The majority of these types of houses, however, can be found in these sought-after communities:

• Finley Farms – Split into four separate areas namely Estates at Finley Farms, Parkside at Finley Farms, Manor at Finley Farms, and Finley Farms South, Finley Farms is best known for its extensive selection of spacious homes.

  Finley Farms is also famous for its amenities, such as the Eastern Canal Trail, which is a favorite spot for bikers and runners alike. Moreover, the neighborhood is also home to two top-rated schools, Greenfield Elementary and Finley Farms Elementary, making it perfect for families with children.

• Power Ranch – A close-knit neighborhood, Power Ranch is perfect for those who want to pursue a more active and fun-filled lifestyle. This is because aside from having an impressive inventory of available houses, Power Ranch also boasts an amazing selection of outdoor amenities, such as two community clubhouses, fishing lakes, basketball and sand volleyball courts, swimming pools, and playgrounds.
• Seville – Home to the Seville Golf & Country Club, this affluent neighborhood is located near the southern border of town. An ideal location for young families to raise their children, Seville has facilities such as tennis courts, swimming pools, a fitness center, and an amazing restaurant called The Grove.
• Val Vista Lakes – As its name suggests, Val Vista Lakes is the ideal neighborhood for those who love waterfront living. Val Vista Lakes beautifully integrates single-family homes into a network of four beautiful man-made lakes, giving residents of this 900-acre “Water Wonderland” breathtaking views from all directions. Val Vista Lakes has enviable amenities, such as a decked-out clubhouse complete with its very own set of tennis courts, gyms, swimming pools, waterfalls, a tropical lagoon, and even a sandy beach.
• Stonecreek – Another popular neighborhood in Gilbert, AZ, Stonecreek is a well-established community that features mostly mid-sized homes and apartments. It is also known for its many amenities — it has its very own luxurious clubhouse, tennis courts, and a swimming pool — as well as access to many top restaurants and retail establishments.

Why you’ll love living in Gilbert, AZ

Aside from the town’s stunning selection of homes, there are many things to love about living in Gilbert, AZ.

Small town lifestyle – Despite its reputation as the fifth-largest municipality in the Metro Phoenix Area and its world-class, upscale amenities, Gilbert still embodies the spirit of country living, with the conveniences of the city, making it one of the most charming and enjoyable towns to live in.

Vibrant culture – Don’t let the small-town aura fool you: Gilbert, AZ has a very vibrant culture as exemplified by its downtown area, the Heritage District. Arguably the most hip destination in Gilbert, the Heritage District is home to bustling shops, outdoor dining spots, as well as a weekly farmer’s market. It is also home to the Hale Theater, which regularly hosts Broadway shows, and the Art Intersection, which aims to showcase art from emerging and established artists in the area.

Excellent education system – Families will be delighted to know that Gilbert, AZ is served by three highly-rated and nationally-ranked school districts, including Gilbert Public Schools, Higley Unified School District, and Chandler Unified School District. Together, these school districts operate a total of 103 schools, and serve a total of 91,500 students.

Gilbert, AZ is also home to several colleges and universities, including Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Campus, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, East Valley Institute of Technology, Northern Arizona University, Park University, and University of Arizona.

Premier shopping and dining options – Living in Gilbert, AZ means living close to several great shopping destinations. These include SanTan Village, an open-air lifestyle center that serves as home to major retailers and brands like Macy’s, Coach, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Forever 21, Sephora, and White House | Black Market.

For a more straightforward shopping experience, you can opt to visit Crossroads Towne Center, which hosts apparel, beauty and home decor retailers, plus eateries and a movie theater.

Aside from its shopping options, Gilbert, AZ also features an extraordinary culinary scene, with a wide range of restaurants and eateries guaranteed to excite diners’ taste buds.

Some of the popular restaurants and eateries in Gilbert include High Tide Seafood Bar & Grill, which serves amazing ahi tuna poke tostados and pan-seared Chilean sea bass, among others. Another local favorite is Postino East, which serves brunch classics such as meatball shakshuka and smoked salmon carpaccio.Those looking for hearty sandwiches can head over to Not Your Typical Deli, which serves scrumptious pastrami and cubanos.

Wine drinkers can drop by Garage-East to savor Arizona-made wines. The first — and so far, only — winery in Gilbert, Garage-East prides itself on its selection of wines, from Riesling and Chardonnay, to Sauvignon Blanc and Malvasia.

Abundant outdoor recreational facilities and attractions – Thanks to its warm and sunny weather, living in Gilbert, AZ means being able to enjoy the great outdoors whenever you want, whether it’s on foot, on a bike, or on horseback.

Gilbert, AZ is home to several stunning recreational facilities, including Freestone Park, which features sports facilities and athletic fields, a playground, a picnic area, an amphitheater, a skate park, and the Freestone Recreation Center.

Another attraction in the town is the Water Tower Plaza. Located in Gilbert’s Heritage District, the Water Tower Plaza is a favorite venue for community events like the Downtown Concert Series and the Gilbert Art Walk.

Those who wish to enjoy nature and the Sonoran wilderness can do so at places like the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. Designated as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is home to approximately 298 species of birds, making it a must-visit for lovers of wildlife. Aside from that, the Riparian Preserve is also known for its 4.5 miles of trails, as well as a dinosaur dig site.

Visitors can also drop by the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, which boasts gorgeous landscapes and stunning gardens. First dedicated in 1929, the Arboretum regularly hosts tours and educational workshops for visitors. It is also home to the Wallace Desert Garden, which features nearly 6,000 plants arranged in a naturalistic environment spanning 13 acres.

Fulfill your dreams of living in Gilbert, AZ with the help of The Carol Royse Luxury Division

Looking to invest in Gilbert, AZ real estate? Call The Carol Royse Luxury Division team today.

Led by the Team’s CEO Carol Royse, the Luxury Division team is dedicated to providing exceptional professional guidance and personalized white-glove service when it comes to their real estate clients.

With their 30 years’ worth of experience and knowledge in the real estate industry, trust that Carol and her team will deliver a smooth, stress-free, and rewarding home buying experience.

Find the perfect Gilbert, AZ home today. Call 480.776.5231, email “[email protected]” or leave a message here to start a conversation with one of our local luxury real estate experts.