254,500
Population
Sunny Days: 294
48100 Affordability
89100 Schools
60100 Diversity
77100 Safety
You know you’re from Arizona when you feed your chickens ice cubes to keep them from laying hard-boiled eggs.
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Glendale, Arizona
You Belong Here? Maybe
The Best Thing About Glendale?
Better Price Tag
Many of the advantages of Phoenix and Scottsdale without the price tag. And, they have lots and lots of antique shops. People are surprised when they visit and get a more historic vibe than much of the Phoenix area.
Here's a local's point of view on living here:
Glendale is a good town to be in, it has everything good and bad you need to experience life. If some body who’s renting in Scottsdale and leasing a bare bones bmw thinks there hotshit so be it. If some Mormon in Gilbert thinks there safer and more cultured then me cause they have a “downtown” then so be it. But everywhere you go in metro Phoenix area is pretty much the same except for street signs and area codes.
The Worst Thing About Glendale?
Desert Heat
Unemployment is high (but Phoenix is close-- 20 minutes). So let's go with the insufferable Arizona desert heat.
Here's a locals note on the heat:
Been living here since 1999. When I was at ASU I used to walk/bike to classes. Sure it kind of sucked, but it was bearable. You don't feel like you're being roasted alive. It's different now.
How You Living?
Glendale is part of the Phoenix Metro Area so you’ll be just outside of Phoenix..
North Glendale is home to what are considered the good neighborhoods. These are affluent, suburban neighborhoods near parks, shopping and job hubs that draw many families, business executives and professional athletes. It’s a higher-education hub as well. This neighborhood is centrally located on metro Phoenix’s west side. Freeway access is easy.
West Deer Valley, Union Hills Drive, College Park, North Litchfield, and West Augusta are some of the safest neighborhoods in the Glendale, AZ area.
Arrowhead Ranch, West Pinnacle Peak, and Sunset Vista are some of the best neighborhoods in Glendale for education.
Westgate, Arrowhead Ranch, and Arrowhead Lakes are considered prime locations and upscale. Westgate has some nightlife and is better for younger people. Arrowhead Ranch and Arrowhead Lakes are planned communities that are known for being family friendly. Arrowhead Ranch is one of the West Valley’s most sought-after addresses. Built on acres of orange groves, the community has million-dollar homes and a country club and golf courses. A large shopping center and hospital can be found here, too. Loop 101 runs through this area.
Westgate Entertainment District, is a bustling complex with casual restaurants and sports bars, plus open-air shopping at specialty stores. Rock concerts and NHL hockey games take place at Gila River Arena, while the neighboring State Farm Stadium hosts the Arizona Cardinals NFL team.
Hillcrest Ranch is sandwiched between two large preserve areas. Homes are newer here and on bigger lots. There’s still room for new development here.
There are complaints about Downtown seeing rising crime and homelessness but the historic districts, Old Town and Catlin Court are charming and popular areas where antique shops and boutiques are plentiful. Downtown Glendale also boasts a Broadway theater, space center, and botanical garden.
Why You Should Move Here Now?
The Schools
It's one of the more affordable places to live in Arizona and Phoenix is 9 miles away.
One of the reasons that so many people love living in Glendale is the school system. There are many high rated schools -- 10/10 on Greatschools.com. Some of the popular ones are Legend Springs, Sierra Verde, and Copper Creek, which are all elementary schools. For middle school, Hillcrest Middle is rated well. And for high school, Mountain Ridge High School is a popular one.
Living in Glendale
Neighborhoods in Glendale
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Downtown
Young Professionals
Old Town and Catlin Court are two of the historic districts in Downtown Glendale. Filled with antique shops, cool restaurants and home to the Broadway theater, space center and botanical garden, these are the spots to live if you’re looking for great walkscore neighborhoods. Westgate is another option, more upscale than the historic districts but also boasting nightlife for those who need a social scene within their neighborhood.
- Downtown (Old Town / Catlin Court)
- Westgate
Central Glendale
DINKs/SINKs
Central Glendale is an interesting option for those who are looking for both historic and modern housing options amidst colleges, sports venues and the bars and restaurants that surround them. Not as densely popular as Westgate or Downtown but a good alternative to those ready to keep one foot in the scene and one foot out.
- Central Glendale
North Glendale
Families
North Glendale holds many of the affluent, family-oriented neighborhoods in Glendale. Also called Arrowhead, the area includes neighborhoods like Arrowhead Ranch and Hillcrest Ranch, filled with beautiful homes including many up the mountain. The area includes Thunderbird Park, a massive hiking, walking, biking paradise and for those feeling fancy, Arrowhead Country Club is available for your golf, swim and tennis pleasure. Finally, and most importantly, you also have Deer Valley School District, one of the best in the state at your disposal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_-TXbNZh30
- North Glendale
- Arrowhead Ranch