Named after the first veterinary surgeon in the Arizona Territory, Dr. Alexander Chandler, this city is situated to the southeast of downtown Phoenix, bordered by Mesa to the north, Phoenix and Tempe to the west, and Gilbert to the east. One of Arizona’s oldest schools, Chandler High School, was opened in 1914, just a few short years after Dr. Chandler acquired the land that would later become the city.
Boasting a greater-than-eightfold growth since 1980, Chandler has become a tech hub in the Phoenix area, and is a professional home to companies such as Intel, Motorola, Microchip, InfusionSoft, and Orbital ATK among many others. For individuals working in this sector of the economy, Chandler remains a desirable place to live—and one that is far more affordable than many other tech-heavy parts of the country. After all, who wouldn’t love to move from a small home in the Bay Area to a beautiful, spacious property in sunny Chandler?
Chandler parents will have plenty of options when it comes to seeking the right educational fit for their school-aged children. Public schools are operated primarily by Chandler Unified School District, with some being operated by a number of neighboring districts. Alternatives are also numerous, with plenty of options for charter, traditional, or private education. Private and parochial options include St. Mary-Basha for students in Kindergarten through eights grade, Tri-City Christian Academy for students from K-12, and Seton Catholic Preparatory and Valley Christian for high schoolers. Continuing education is also easily acquired in Chandler, with nearby Arizona State University joined by Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Mesa Community College.
Chandler has been recognized as a “Playful City USA” for the eleventh straight year in 2017, one of just 12 founding cities in the United States to receive this distinction since it was started. A dedication to play, recreation, outdoor entertainment, and specifically parks and recreation has pushed Chandler toward this goal. Chandler’s Tumbleweed Park hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including the annual Ostrich Festival, the Fourth of July Fireworks Festival, and the annual Day of Play.