Chandler

About Chandler

Chandler is a part of Arizona's Phoenix metropolitan area and is one of the fastest growing cities in the state. In the past 30 years alone, the city's population has nearly tripled, following the rest of the greater Phoenix area. Thanks to a local economy flourishing with the recent arrival of many high-tech manufacturers, a variety of recreational amenities and famously mild desert winters, Chandler has rapidly grown into a diverse and dynamic city.

The History of Chandler

Chandler got its start in 1891, when veterinary surgeon Dr. Alexander John Chandler bought 80 acres of land from the federal government. Chandler had also studied irrigation engineering and was a key figure in helping bring water to the arid desert with a series of canals. By 1900, Chandler owned 18,000 acres in the area, which he subdivided and advertised for sale as Chandler Ranch.

On May 17, 1912, Chandler opened the town site office and sold land to 300 speculators for $50,000. At the time, the town had only a grocery store, a dining hall and the town site office. However, within a year, the town truly blossomed. There were a variety of new businesses, including a bank and a train depot, established on the west and south sides of the central park. The Hotel San Marcos was constructed and became the site of the first golf course in Arizona.

In 1920, the citizens voted to incorporate, and the area officially became the town of Chandler. At the time, Chandler agreed to serve as mayor. Chandler was officially promoted from town to city in 1954.

Jobs in Chandler

The early Chandler economy was based on cotton, corn, alfalfa and ostrich farms, but its modern-day industries couldn't look more different. Its largest sector is high-tech manufacturing, and computer chip manufacturer Intel is the city's largest employer. There are several other high-tech manufacturers in the city, including Orbital ATK and Microchip Technology, providing a wide variety of jobs. Other major employers in the area are Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Verizon Wireless and the Chandler Unified School District.

Because Chandler still has the geographical space to continue growing, the forecast is bright for the job market.

Neighborhoods in Chandler

Here are a few of the great neighborhoods that Chandler has to offer:

Ocotillo

Located in the southern portion of Chandler, Ocotillo is an affluent community with golf courses, several man-made lakes and a number of private gated communities. Ocotillo is home to some of Chandler's most well-known residents, including professional athletes and local entrepreneurs.

Downtown

The downtown area of Chandler is fairly small, mainly concentrated on a one-mile stretch of road. Many of the buildings in the downtown area date back to the city's founding and, now are home to trendy restaurants and local shops.

Southwest Chandler

Many of the city's top tech-based businesses are located in southwest Chandler, many of them having arrived in the last two decades. This has resulted in a huge amount of growth for the community, and unique restaurants, shopping and other amenities.

Sun Lakes

Arizona is an extremely popular destination for retirees and winter residents, thanks to its year-round sun and warm weather. Sun Lakes is one of the largest communities of retirees in the state, offering several country clubs, golf courses and fishing lakes.

Chandler Schools

The Chandler Unified School District, one of the top-rated districts in the state, serves the majority of public schools in Chandler. There are a wide variety of charter and private schools as well, including parochial and magnet schools.

If you're planning on attending college in Chandler, the largest campus is Chandler-Gilbert Community College, which provides a variety of two-year degrees. There are several small private colleges in the city as well, and the main campus of Arizona State University is located in the nearby city of Tempe.

Resources for Moving to Chandler

Here are a few handy resources to make your move to Chandler as easy as possible:

• Utilities: The city provides sewer and water services. The main electricity providers in the city are the Salt River Project (SRP) and Arizona Public Service (APS), and Southwest Gas manages natural gas.
• Garbage and Recycling: Chandler provides both trash and recycling curbside pickup on a weekly schedule.
• Transportation: Chandler is mainly a city of personal vehicles, but there are limited bus routes available.
• Parks and Recreation: There are more than 60 parks in Chandler, including children's play spaces, dog parks, skate parks and community centers. You'll also have access to the city's local programs, including fitness classes and children's activities.

Chandler Housing

As the population in Chandler increases, housing prices have gone up as well. The median home value in Chandler is above the national average, as is the average price of rent. However, the active market means that you'll have plenty of options to choose from, ranging from small town homes and condos to expansive single-family estates.