Located south of the city of Tempe and west of the town of Gilbert, the City of Chandler has excellent access to all other parts of the Valley of the Sun. Chandler continues to be a fast-growing city with a terrific location in the East Valley.
Chandler is 20 miles southeast of Phoenix and about the same distance north of the Gila River Indian Reservation. Residents of Chandler have a variety o means to get about the valley.
Traveling the four corners of the compass is taken care of by Interstate 10, which runs north and south, and Interstate 60, going east and west. The Loop 101 Freeway (or Price Freeway) goes from Chandler’s center from north to south.
You can choose your favorite route as you discover the area for yourself.
Climate
The climate is typical of the southwest. There is a mild winter that is balanced by a long hot, dry summer. Many have claimed that the dry, hot summer conditions have helped to relive many of their allergy symptoms.
Summer days are clear and spectacular and the temperatures are truly remarkable. Spring and autumn are mild transitions into the other seasons. There is a brief monsoon season that is truly extraordinary.
The Market
The spectacular amount of market activity in Arizona over the past decade has been well documented. People of all walks of life have been moving to Arizona, and particularly Phoenix, in numbers unmatched in recent memory.
Figures from 2000-2005 show nothing but increased construction, development, unit sales and unit sales prices in virtually every category of structure offered on the market.
The greatest degree of growth occurred during fiscal 2005, where previous growth statistics, impressive in their own rights, spiked sharply to even higher levels.
Of particular note to the residential home seller/buyer was the record appreciation in new and resale home values. These rates were up for new homes and resales, rentals and condominium units, the only difference being one of degree.
While it is true that not all Phoenix area real estate markets showed the same amount of increase it is true that the degree of growth for each area was proportional.
Then along came 2006 and equally well documented has been the decline in the rate of growth of some key market indicators. The greater Phoenix resale home market is showing marked decreases in sales figures for comparable periods last year across the valley and across most unit categories.
One interesting exception is the median price for resale units has risen slightly. This rising price accompanied by a decrease in sales seems to be more in keeping with normal market tendencies. One would expect spectacular growth to lead eventually to a degree of scarcity that would be reflected in higher prices. Could this indicate that the market has reached its peak?
Let’s look at another indicator to see what it may tell us.
Since 1985, the Arizona Real Estate Center has computed what it calls “affordability indexes” for the Greater Phoenix area and several nearby cities.
The index was invented as a guide to predict market activity. When the index value is 100, the typical home buyer (based on the current median resale price and household income) would be able to afford a median-priced home at the stated effective interest rate. A lower index value indicates less availability of affordable single-family homes.
The affordability index for the areas selected for study shows a significant reduction in the availability of that this type of housing within the means of the ordinary consumer.
Whether this data can be used as a reliable indicator for other groups and other types of housing is arguable, but it does beg the question “how much longer will the market be able to sustain a situation where both sellers and buyers can apparently benefit by getting involved in the market?
The short answer is that these conditions can remain so long as they are supported by the market.
So when we take a long look at the larger picture we must ask ourselves whether we can realistically expect to realize more potential gain or value now or at some time in the future and it is very reasonable to conclude that the best possible time to buy or sell Arizona really is now.
Chandler History:
In 1891, Dr. A.J. Chandler, the first veterinary surgeon in Arizona, settled on an 18,000-acre ranch in the area that is now called Chandler today. The doctor was wise and he used the things he learned from the irrigation system on his ranch to get in innovative ideas for irrigation and canals in the valley.
Finally, Dr. Chandler decided to subdivide his ranch and hired a planner to develop plans for a town. Then in 1912, Dr. Chandler began advertising his new town.
The first individuals interested in purchasing land headed out to the area on the rail. The Eastern Railroad had just been completed between Phoenix and Florence and it was used to transport prospective residents. On the very first day of sales, he sold $50,000 worth of land.
This dramatic sale boosted his optimism in the town and encouraged Dr. Chandler to build a beautiful hotel. The San Marcos Hotel opened one year later to host wealthy individuals, who were making their visit to Arizona Fred Astaire, Errol Flynn, and Joan Crawford is just some of the famous guests that came to the San Marcos Hotel.
In 1982, the hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places due in most part to its wonderful Mission Revival architecture. The hotel offers a golf course and a swimming pool and visitors can still enjoy one of Chandler’s great landmarks.
Even after the successful opening of the lots and the San Marcos Hotel, Chandler grew slowly. Ostrich ranches, were needed for women’s hats, also appeared as a solution to boosting the local economy and the town remained an agricultural town up until.
During World War II the government chose to build Williams Air Force Base in Chandler. This resulted in more people coming to Chandler to live. Chandler received the status of City in 1954.
Today the base has become Williams Gateway Airport. The facility provides space for a variety of aircraft, including corporate, cargo, general aviation, and military. The goal of Williams Gateway Airport is to develop as an international aerospace center with aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, modification, testing, and pilot training. It is a prime location for global-minded companies.
In the 1980’s, Chandler’s government decided to put into action a plan to improve the infrastructure of roads and utilities. The town also annexed some land south of Chandler to prepare for the anticipated increase in population.
Today, the city of Chandler is working hard to preserve the city’s rich history and at the same time develop the roots for new residents living in the community.
The goal is to transform Chandler from a small farm town into one of the largest urban cities in the West.
Recently the town has acquired the nickname “Silicon Desert”. There are numerous high-tech businesses that have made Chandler their home. Chandler is a town of great expanses of land filled with crops to the industrial high tech business drawn to the futuristic town. It is a town of diversity.
Chandler Entertainment
Chandler features world-class golf facilities, outstanding resorts, terrific restaurants, premier shopping and lots of recreational activities.
Downtown storefronts have been restored to their quaint turn of the century look and the central plaza has been completely renovated. Chandler is creating an exciting future. It is the place that many Valley of the Sun’s newcomers chose to be their new home.
Chandler has culture. The Chandler Center for the Arts is a 64,000 square foot center of top-flight art and theater that produces some of the most memorable shows in the Valley.
The bizarre “turntable” design of the auditorium has visitors talking from the moment they enter the building. The radical design allows for some rather unusual seating configurations. Some seating in the rear of the main auditorium can rotate 180 degrees to face two more intimate stages. The walls also move with the seating areas to prevent conflicting sounds and allow three events to perform simultaneously.
The Chandler Center for the Arts is a showcase of acoustics, with a variety of turntable configurations providing for numerous options for sound transfer. This peculiar place to the performing arts is a jewel of the city.
Shopping in the City of Chandler stands out as among the best in The Valley. The Chandler Fashion Center Mall is one of the newer shopping destinations in the East Valley. Combined with Casa Paloma, Chandler Pavilions, and Historic Downtown, the City of Chandler provides its residents with a variety of shopping options. Chandler is a shopper’s paradise.
Chandler Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor fun is part of living in Chandler. The old-time charm of city’s past can still be found. The Desert Breeze Railroad Park offers residents a chance to ride the rails around a gorgeous park setting. Children delight when taking a spin on old-fashioned amusement rides.
The Chandler Ostrich Festival is another unique attraction that shows off Chandler’s small-town quality. The festival includes ostrich races and other fun activities that area residents enjoy seeing each year.
The city also provides the Chandler Concerts in the Park. This series of performances include a range from jazz to Brazilian music groups. The concerts are held all over the city at various city parks. Chandler residents sample a variety of cultures and spend time outside. Taking time to experience the outdoors and spend time with the community is what makes the City of Chandler special.
Visit
Chandler Arizona Fashion Square – Chandler
The Chandler Arizona Fashion Square is located at 3111 West Chandler Boulevard (near Chandler Boulevard and Price Road Expressway-Loop 101). The hours are Monday through Saturday 10:00 to 9:00 and Sunday 11:00 to 6:00. Shoppers can enjoy the blend of both the indoor and outdoor environments. Nordstrom, Robinson-May, Dillard’s, and Sears are the large stores anchoring the mall. There are over 180 shops and restaurants to keep you going. This upscale mall also has a Harkins Theater available, after your feet wear out. Go to http://chandlermall.westcor.com/controller/site and learn more.
Chandler Real Estate
Chandler features home seekers a variety of affordable housing. The area’s character is like that of similar areas that one tends to associate with their hometown.
Landscaped neighborhoods with broad roadways they invite to travel to bring many people to the city. Single-family homes, custom properties, condominiums, patio homes, and townhouses can all be found in Chandler.
There are a variety of high-quality homes available is accompanied by a number of fine area schools and ready freeway access. These are just some of the reasons that make living in Chandler a wise choice.
There was a time when the city of Chandler was based on agriculture and tourism but today Chandler is a fast becoming a magnet for both residential communities and high-tech manufacturing.
Businesses have recently begun locating in Chandler in number and this has made the city is a leader in the computer technology area. In fact, Chandler has been referred to by civic handlers as the “Silicon Desert.” It is a city on the cutting edge, with a vision of developing a diverse community where a high quality of life can be realized by all of its residents.
This is a new city with changes occurring on an almost daily basis. Chandler’s affordable housing and hometown appeal, combined with an abundance of new opportunities, draw people to this part of the East Valley.