Gilbert, AZ Housing Market & City Data

I've lived in the Phoenix Metro area since 1991 and in **Gilbert, Arizona since 2004**, so I've had the opportunity to watch Gilbert evolve firsthand while also helping buyers and sellers here as a local Realtor® and Associate Broker. For someone considering moving to Gilbert, my first advice is: **don't think of Gilbert as one single housing market.** Different neighborhoods can offer very different lifestyles, home styles, lot sizes, HOA structures, amenities, schools, commute patterns, and price points. Choosing the right part of Gilbert can be just as important as choosing the right house. ### What I like most about living in Gilbert One of Gilbert's biggest advantages is its combination of a **suburban, community-oriented lifestyle with easy access to shopping, restaurants, recreation, healthcare, employment centers, and the rest of the Phoenix metropolitan area**. Gilbert has excellent recreational options, neighborhood parks and open space, and a very active community lifestyle. The Town of Gilbert currently maintains more than 600 acres of open space and numerous parks and recreational facilities. The **Heritage District in Downtown Gilbert** has become a major dining and entertainment destination, while the SanTan Village area provides extensive shopping, restaurants, entertainment and nearby employment. Gilbert also has significant healthcare and business employers, including Banner Health, Dignity Health, Deloitte and other major organizations. Families moving to Gilbert also frequently ask me about schools. School boundaries should always be researched for the specific property, but Gilbert offers several public, charter and private-school options. Gilbert Public Schools currently reports an "A"� district grade from the Arizona Department of Education for the 2024"“25 school year. ### The pros of living in Gilbert **Location is a major advantage.** Gilbert provides relatively convenient access to Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, Tempe, Scottsdale and Phoenix through the Loop 202 and surrounding freeway system. **There is a wide variety of housing.** Buyers can find everything from established neighborhoods with mature landscaping to newer master-planned communities, golf-course homes, larger lots, gated communities, luxury properties and newer construction. **Gilbert offers a strong sense of community.** This is one of the reasons I have personally continued to live here for more than two decades. **Restaurants, shopping and entertainment have improved tremendously.** Buyers relocating from another state are sometimes surprised by how much is available within Gilbert and the surrounding East Valley. **Outdoor living is a major part of the lifestyle.** Pools, patios, golf, walking and biking paths, parks and Arizona's year-round outdoor opportunities are important considerations when choosing a home here. ### What are the downsides of Gilbert? No community is perfect, and I believe buyers deserve to hear the disadvantages as well. **The summers are hot.** There is no getting around that. Your air-conditioning system, insulation, windows, orientation of the house, pool and outdoor living areas can therefore matter more in Arizona than buyers coming from cooler climates may initially realize. **Gilbert has grown considerably.** With growth comes more traffic and development. Where you live in relation to your workplace, schools and everyday activities can make a significant difference in your experience. **Home prices can vary substantially between neighborhoods.** Gilbert is no longer the inexpensive small farming community it once was, so buyers should compare neighborhoods carefully rather than assuming every Gilbert property offers the same value. **HOAs are common.** Some buyers appreciate the community standards and amenities; others prefer fewer restrictions. I always recommend reviewing HOA fees, rules, rental restrictions and community documents before purchasing. Another issue buyers sometimes overlook is **property orientation and Arizona-specific features**. A west-facing backyard, older air-conditioning system, lack of shade, pool condition, landscaping requirements and energy efficiency can have a noticeable effect on comfort and ownership costs in our climate. ### My advice to someone relocating to Gilbert Before buying, spend some time experiencing the different parts of Gilbert rather than choosing a home based entirely on internet photos or an online ranking. Drive the neighborhood during different times of day. Look at traffic patterns, nearby development, schools, shopping, parks, freeway access and what surrounds the property. Then consider how that location fits **your particular lifestyle and long-term plans**. Having lived in Gilbert since 2004 and worked in Arizona real estate for more than 22 years, I can provide buyers with something that an online home search cannot: **local perspective based on actually living, working and selling real estate here.** Whether you are relocating to Gilbert, buying your first Arizona home, moving up, downsizing, purchasing a luxury property or investing in the East Valley, my goal is to help you understand not only **which home to buy, but where in Gilbert it makes the most sense for you to buy it.** **Christian Bissing, Associate Broker & Realtor®** Rating: 5 of 5