Glendale

About Glendale

Glendale is located in the Greater Phoenix area, and it is often considered the state's central sports destination. Home to two of the area's major sports venues, Glendale hosts both the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes. Thanks to the region's temperate spring weather, it's also the location of a large baseball spring training facility for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox. In addition to the regular games of these professional teams, Glendale is host to the Fiesta Bowl, one of the biggest events in college football.

Sports aren't the only thing that draws people to Glendale; it also has a variety of yearly events, large parks, a diverse population and a dynamic culture.

The History of Glendale

Despite its proximity to the capital city of Phoenix, Glendale remained undeveloped desert land until 1880. The 1882 Arizona Canal Co. project brought much-needed water to the area, and Glendale welcomed its first settlers later that decade. Many of the settlers were attracted by Glendale's status as a temperance colony that outlawed alcohol within its limits.

The city's first financial and retail centers opened in the early 20th century while several milling and food processing plants began to drive the local economy. The establishment of Luke Air Force Base in the 1940s brought new residents to Glendale, and the city began to grow rapidly by mid-century.

Jobs in Glendale

Glendale is home to numerous public, private and retail employers. Health care providers Banner Health and Arrowhead Hospital are two of the city's largest employers, with pharmaceutical provider Humana Healthcare also providing many jobs. The American Automobile Association, Luke Air Force Base, and the city's public school districts are also significant sources of local jobs. The Arrowhead Mall and Walmart are Glendale's largest retail employers.

Glendale and theGreater Phoenix metro area have a diverse economy with a wide variety of industries. The largest industries in the area include trade, transportation, professional and business services, education, health services and government. If you're planning on joining the job market in Glendale, you'll find that the fastest-growing industries in the city include construction, information technology and professional and business services.

Glendale Neighborhoods

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

Historic Downtown

Glendale's downtown district spans three pedestrian-friendly blocks, and is home to a number of historic homes that have been transformed into local businesses. Here, you can tour the local Cerreta Candy Company, a local candy and chocolate factory that's been in business for nearly half a century.

Arrowhead

The Arrowhead neighborhood is home to a large number of Glendale's most affluent residents, and there are plenty of golf courses and million-dollar homes in the area. The Arrowhead Towne Center is one of Glendale's largest shopping malls, providing a variety of stores and restaurants in an open-air setting.

Westgate

Westgate is one of Glendale's entertainment districts, with one of the city's sports stadiums within its borders (and the other one very close by). In addition to a huge variety of shopping and dining, Westgate is home to WaterDance Plaza, a large dancing fountain system inspired by the one at the Bellagio casino in Las Vegas.

Thunderbird

The Thunderbird section of Glendale is not necessarily an officially-designated neighborhood, but it's one of the popular nicknames for the northern portion of the city. One of its highlights is Thunderbird Conservation Park, a large nature preserve that provides hiking, horseback riding and bird watching.

Glendale Schools

A number of different school districts, including unified, elementary and secondary districts, serve the public schools in Glendale. Many of the local public high schools have received recognition for top performance. You can also enroll your child in any one of the many private and charter schools in Glendale.

Glendale's main post-secondary institution is Glendale Community College, which provides two-year degrees in a variety of focus areas. A campus of Arizona State University is located just outside the city's boundaries.

Resources for Moving to Glendale

Here are a few quick resources that can help you with your move to Glendale:

• Utilities: Glendale has two main electricity providers, the Salt River Project (SRP) and Arizona Public Service (APS). The city manages water and sewer services.
• Garbage and Recycling: : The city provides curbside collection of trash and recyclables, and there are also days designated for bulk item pick-up.
  
• Transportation: If you're planning to use public transit in Glendale, you'll be able to choose between a network of bus routes and the city's light rail system. There are also a handful of park-and-ride facilities.

Glendale Housing

The median home and rent prices in Glendale are fairly even with the national average, and the city provides a wide variety of housing options ranging from multi-family apartment communities to large single-family homes. There are plenty of choices in the city's active housing market, so you'll be able to find something that fits your budget and needs.