Considering moving to Gilbert? Referred to as Kindness USA, Gilbert is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. It’s also one of the best places to live in the Southwest thanks to its excellent jobs, beautiful outdoor spaces, and more. Here are 12 things to know about living in Gilbert!

Live Comfortably in a Top Phoenix Suburb

While living in Gilbert can be costly, the city’s panoramic desert views, excellent amenities, and status as one of the safest cities in America can make the higher price tag worth it for many. Though the cost of living in Gilbert is higher than the state and national averages, this top Phoenix suburb is still less expensive than other nearby Arizona cities such as Scottsdale and Queen Creek. And while Gilbert home prices are notably high, utilities and healthcare cost 2% less than the national average. The city also has several community resources to help save money on day-to-day expenses, such as affordable housing programs and down payment assistance for low-to-moderate-income residents.

Pursue Your Degree in AZ

Though Gilbert itself is home to just a couple colleges and universities, top colleges in Arizona can be found throughout the Greater Phoenix area. Pursue popular fields like biological sciences, engineering, and web development at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Find higher education in the heart of Gilbert’s Heritage District with graduate and undergraduate programs like business administration, information and computer science, and healthcare administration at Park University Gilbert. Take classes to earn your Veterinary Assistant Certificate or work toward an Associate’s Degree in Radiography at Pima Medical Institute’s East Valley Campus or Mesa Campus. Choose from accelerated online associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs at the University of Arizona Global Campus. Or drive less than 30 minutes to take advantage of hundreds of quality programs through Arizona State University’s Tempe Campus to the northwest or Polytechnic Campus to the east.

Discover Excellent Jobs in Gilbert

Gilbert boasts a low unemployment rate and a growing job market with key industries in life sciences, biotech and health services, aerospace, manufacturing, and more. Find employment in the medical field and assist in patients’ recovery at Haven Health, one of the largest employers in Gilbert. Design, install, and maintain fire safety equipment at one of the best companies in Gilbert, Benson Systems. Help match senior citizens with the care solutions that are right for them at CarePatrol of Chandler / Gilbert, part of a nationwide network dedicated to personalized service. Help to create a more sustainable future by working in materials science at plant-based startup Footprint—or in food and agricultural technology at microalgae developer Heliae. Get involved in Gilbert’s rapidly growing aerospace and aviation market—which is the fourth largest in the country and hosts over 1,200 Arizona aerospace companies—including Perform Air International and Airside MRO. Or commute to Phoenix and take advantage of job opportunities in this major metro just 30 minutes away!

Enjoy the Warm Arizona Weather

Similar to other Arizona cities, Gilbert’s weather features the state’s trademark high heat and desert-like conditions. The average temperature in Gilbert ranges from 82 to 105 degrees in July and 42 to 66 degrees in December. The city receives plenty of sunshine and just nine inches of rain on average per year, making Gilbert’s climate particularly dry. Heat can reach extreme levels, especially during warm seasons, so be sure to take the proper precautions to remain safe. This includes wearing light, loose-fitting clothing, limiting outdoor activity to early mornings and late evenings, and drinking plenty of water. Residents should also be aware of Arizona dust storms, known as “haboobs,” which involve large walls of dust and debris that make it necessary to stay inside and off the roads until storms have passed. But if you like hot weather and prepare accordingly, you can enjoy a year-round desert oasis in Gilbert!

Wander Along Gilbert Trails

A walkable city with over 60 miles of marked trails on an interactive bike map, Gilbert is a great place for explorers to get around. The town’s Central Trail System offers roughly 135 miles for outdoor enthusiasts to explore, with its four major trails—the Heritage Trail, Santan Vista Trail, Marathon Trail, and Western Powerline Trail—paralleling the valley’s canal system to connect several major attractions and Gilbert parks. You can also explore over 300 miles of Arizona trails by starting down at the Eastern end of Maricopa Trail. Or stroll along ponds and lakes at waterfront trails like the Desert Willow, Tiger Moth, and Cattail Crawl Loop or Water Ranch Lake Loop at Gilbert Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch.

Explore Gilbert Parks & Pools

There are several beautiful green spaces where you can stay active in this Phoenix suburb! Go fishing in Gilbert, compete in sand volleyball and basketball games, or head to the skate park to practice kick-flips at Freestone Park. Play pickleball, rent out ramadas, or watch live performances at the event space amphitheater at Gilbert Regional Park. Watch your kids roam the wood chip playground, explore an obstacle course, or play on multi-use fields at Desert Sky Park. Cool off on the splash pad and enjoy a picnic in Downtown Gilbert under the town’s historic water tower at Water Tower Plaza. Let your pup run around a 17-acre field or play fetch at Cosmo Dog Park, which offers pet drinking fountains and dog washing stations. Or beat the summer heat at Gilbert public pools like the Mesquite Aquatic Center, Perry Pool, and Williams Field Pool.

Tee Off at Gilbert Golf Courses

Gilbert is the perfect place to tee up and practice your putting, chipping, and driving skills! Reserve a tee time to golf at a par 71 championship golf course at Power Ranch Golf Club. Enroll in golf clinics, hit the 18-hole green, or try out the lighted driving range at Greenfield Lakes Golf Course. Swing through beautiful fairways and Bermuda grass greens or hone your game at the practice bunker at Kokopelli Golf Club. Challenge yourself to a course with tough par 3s and more easygoing par 5s, or check out the renovated practice facility at Western Skies Golf Club. Take on top-rated putting greens at the stunning Gary Panks-designed 18-hole course at Seville Golf & Country Club. Or pick up your gear from Arizona’s premier golf retailer, Van’s Golf Shops, before training on golf simulations at Advanced Dynamic Golf Center.

Find Fun for the Entire Family

From play places to community hubs, there are plenty of family activities in Gilbert to enjoy. Knock down bowling pins in Thunder Alley, try out electrifying arcade games, or play rounds of GLOW Golf at Fat Cats Gilbert. Take a ride on the Sante Fe Style Engine, Allan Herschell Antique Carousel, or Mini Ferris Wheel at Freestone Park’s signature attraction, the Freestone Railroad. Pick up fresh fruits and veggies every Saturday while your kids play games of Cornhole, Jumbo Jenga, and Jumbo Connect Four at the Gilbert Farmers Market. Take a seat on the hay ride, explore Alexander’s Adventure Maze, or climb the Spider Web Crawl each fall at Mother Nature’s Farm. Grab your 3D glasses and putt on the 18-hole, glow-in-the-dark course lined with hand-painted murals at Imagine 3D Mini Golf. Or bring your family out to gaze at the stars every Friday and Saturday evening at the Gilbert Centennial Rotary Observatory.

Appreciate Gilbert’s Art & Culture

The city of Gilbert is a hidden gem for Phoenix arts and culture thanks to its many galleries, museums, theaters, and street art murals. Get a membership to take art classes in Gilbert and access the Photographic Arts Lab—a state-of-the-art photography facility featuring a film-developing darkroom—at Art Intersection. Learn about Gilbert’s history and experience the town’s past with themed exhibits about home life, farming, schooling, and more at the Gilbert Historical Museum in HD SOUTH. Celebrate the art of photography with rotating exhibitions like Picturing Resistance, With These Hands, and Honoring Martin Luther King at HD SOUTH’s Gallery 4. Browse vendors showcasing their skills in woodworking, photography, jewelry, painting, and other artistic mediums at the Gilbert Art Walk. Grab seats for events, shows, and concerts—including Herman’s Hermits, The Beat Goes On, and Gyspy Soul—at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts. See classic plays and musicals like Cinderella or A Christmas Carol, or get tickets for tribute shows of renowned musicians like Pink Floyd and Buck Owens at the Hale Centre Theatre. Or find murals around Gilbert and discover the artists’ inspiration behind them through the Gilbert art map.

Attend Year-Round Festivals

With Gilbert festivals taking place all year round, you’ll always have something fun to do! Grab tickets to the parade, browse dozens of food trucks and vendors, and attend star-studded concerts at Gilbert Days. Explore multicultural vendors at the World Market, try delicious fare from Taste of Nations, or watch performers like Yellow Bird Productions and Dragonfly Arts Academy at Gilbert Global Village Festival. Get your BBQ fix, go line dancing, or sing along to country music in Gilbert—with performances from top artists like Rodney Atkins and Parker McCollum—at The Smoke Show BBQ & Country Music Roundup. Immerse yourself in Latin American culture with authentic food and live entertainment from groups like Yumi La Rosa Flamenco Dance, Ballet Folklorico Amistad, and Mariachi Estrella De Cobre at ¡Viva! A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage. Take your kiddos through a themed obstacle course with stops like Jokers Fun House, Frozone’s Foam Zone, and Juggernaut’s Jab at KAPOW! Superhero Adventure Run. Or cool off with thrilling water slides and dance along to live music at the family-friendly H2O Fest.

Taste Delicious Food in Gilbert

Foodies will enjoy sampling a variety of dishes at Gilbert’s best restaurants! Start your day with some of the best breakfast in Gilbert, including Susan’s Apple Pancakes, Warren’s Bacon Pancakes, or a Santa Fe Omelet at The Gilbert House. Wake up with a Spanish Latte or White Mocha while munching on Imperial Omelettes or the Rosa Breakfast Panini at The Coffee Shop. Dine on a farm-fresh Gilbert lunch featuring dishes like the Jumbo Fried Shrimp, Ahi Tuna Sandwich, and Baby Back Ribs at Joe’s Farm Grill. Stay cool in the Arizona heat with Prickly Pear Soft Serve at TOPO in downtown Gilbert. Stop in for a Smothered Breakfast Burrito, Jojo’s Crispy Chicken, or a wood-fired Margherita Pizza at the “all-day” Gilbert cafe, Liberty Market. Bite into modern Mexican-American meals like Cheese Quesadillas, Grilled Chicken Burritos, and Beef Rolled Tacos at New Mexican Grill. Or savor Eastern-style cuisine like Pig Face Dumplings, Chow Mein, and Pork Belly Steamed Buns from Clever Koi.

Experience Gilbert Nightlife

Gilbert is filled with great bars, breweries, and entertainment venues to keep you busy after dark. Sip a Black Album Julep, Riser Refresher, or Son of the Sun cocktail while listening to live country music at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row. Enjoy the Arizona Pinstripes IPA, Camp Light Lager, or Saddle Mountain Saison Farmhouse Ale at the outdoor-inspired Gilbert brewery, Arizona Wilderness Gilbert Brewpub. Chill out with a wide selection of wines and craft beers while playing classic games or trivia at The Whining Pig. Drink exotic cocktails like Dos Noches de Luna, Blue Hawaii, and Burn the Ships at relaxed Tiki bar UnderTow Gilbert. Order rotating drinks like the Sour Cherry Cider, Bowl Resin Pale Ale, and Cosmic Creatures IPA, or attend fun events like Paint Your Pet Wine Glass nights at a popular dog-friendly bar in Gilbert , Hair of the Dog. Grab a beer, wine, or hard seltzer before watching sidesplitting stand-up comedians like Pete George and Tom Clark at JP’s Comedy Club in Gilbert. Or strategize with friends to solve puzzles and escape challenging rooms like Casino Heist, Caskwerks & Capone, and The Collector at Paradox Escape Room.

***

Moving to Gilbert? Extra Space Storage has storage facilities located throughout the Phoenix metro to help with your transition. Find a Gilbert storage unit today!