Situated Southeast of Phoenix, Gilbert has grown into one of the state’s fastest-growing towns.
The small city’s history began in 1902 when William Gilbert donated land to the Arizona Eastern Railway to build a rail link connecting Phoenix and Florence.
In this list, we’ll rank Gilbert, Arizona’s main pros and cons to help determine whether you want to make Gilbert your home.
Read on to learn more about the town and why you should live there or not.
Contents
Pros of Living in Gilbert
Here are a few reasons to consider when thinking of moving to Gilbert:
1. Conducive environment to start a family
Whether you have children or not, you want to live in a town with less crime, so you don’t have to stress about your well-being.
Thankfully, Gilbert is safe for everyone.
With thirteen offenses per 1000 residents, Gilbert’s crime rate is about typical for a city of this size.
This town’s theft and burglary rate is less than half the national average.
You don’t need to be scared when your kids are outside playing.
2. No natural disasters
Huge parts of the United States are susceptible to climatic calamities, and Arizona primarily encounters droughts and heatwaves as its natural disasters.
It’s a blessing and curse because this town doesn’t endure nearly as many earthquakes as the adjacent states.
Wildfires are also quite a challenge in Arizona. During their bustling season, Arizona’s state parks can witness massive fires that consume everything they encounter.
Gilbert has few fires because it is far from the nearest forest.
3. Close Proximity to Phoenix
Gilbert is not too far from Phoenix, the biggest city in Arizona.
Thirty minutes or less by car and you’ve arrived.
There are many things to do in Phoenix, Arizona, such as better shopping and busier nightlife than in Gilbert.
Moving to Gilbert allows you to experience the peace in a small town and still conveniently switch to the hassle and bustle of Phoenix.
4. Beautiful Scenery
Gilbert is home to many beautiful hills and mountains.
From the Silly Mountain and Prospector Park to Siphon Draw, you can enjoy a beautiful and relaxed environment while hiking any time you want.
You can also drive up the desert to view Bulldog Canyon Gate if you want to go further.
Gilbert is where you need to be for people that love nature because there are endless options for you.
5. Plenty of Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities
Arizona’s beautiful scenery and comfortable climate make it a sanctuary for anyone who enjoys being outside.
The Water Ranch’s Riparian Preserve is the most popular place to enjoy outdoor activities with your loved ones.
With 4.5 miles of trails and crystal clear water features, the reserve will allow you to create many memories with your loved ones.
You can also visit the heritage district, freestone district park, Gilbert’s Farmer’s market, or see Gilbert the Gilbert Museum.
6. Low crime rate
Gilbert strives to provide a community that is as safe and crime-free as possible.
The national violent crime in the town is ranked at 10.4 compared to the national average of 22.7, and property crime at 23.1 compared to the national average of 35.4.
Gilbert is by far among the safest towns in the United States.
You can work long hours and still ensure your loved ones are safe at home.
7. The effective public school system
It’s uncommon to find a city that receives an A or higher in school rankings.
On the other hand, Gilbert breaks this assumption and earns a high A.
The town’s quality educational system that cares deeply for its students can be attributed to this.
Over 70 of the more than 90 public schools in the area get an above A-.
The public school systems undoubtedly offer holistic education, solidifying that raising a family in Gilbert develops a strong foundation.
8. Ideal weather
Gilbert can experience very hot summers, but the rest of the year is typically nice.
The weather is usually hot, bright, and windy, with a yearly rainfall of only 9 inches and no snow.
This small city also boasts over 300 days of sunshine annually.
It is one of Gilbert, Arizona’s greatest advantages and disadvantages.
If you’re looking to move away from places that experience snow, Gilbert is perfect.
Cons of Living in Gilbert
Living in Gilbert is not all glitz and glamour.
The town also has its downsides.
These include:
1. High cost of living
With the expansion of the metropolis, living expense has also risen.
Living expenses in Gilbert are alarmingly 44% more than those nationwide, but housing costs are only about 16% more.
The cost of living in Gilbert is significantly greater than in a typical small town in the United States.
Compared to the national average, Gilbert’s worth of a living index score is more than 16 points higher at 116.3.
2. Heavy traffic during rush hour
Gilbert may be accessed from Phoenix in around 30 minutes by automobile, and it can take an hour and a half if there is a lot of traffic.
Like in any suburb, there are a lot of commuters during rush hour.
A disastrous backup could ruin your morning on the road caused by this.
If you want to avoid these jams, go to Phoenix outside peak hours.
If not, you’ll be driving more frequently than you’d like.
3. Hectic transport system
There are incredibly few buses in Gilbert.
Sadly, Gilbert is too small to accommodate a wider transportation system, such as the metro.
The Phoenix Light Rail is perhaps one of Arizona’s greatest transit options.
However, it just halts in Mesa and Tempe.
If you wish to take the Light Rail, you must drive to a station in one of these towns and park there.
4. Gilbert’s air quality can be subpar
If you lived in the desert, you might imagine the air quality would be great.
Not in Gilbert or other Arizona cities, dust storms can result in a severe fall in air quality.
Gilbert is particularly prone to ozone pollution due to its exposure to sunlight and hot weather.
Drought and climate change contribute to poor air quality and worsening matters.
5. It can get very hot
If you don’t like the intense heat, living in Gilbert might not be the easiest.
The temperature routinely rises above 100 degrees Fahrenheit from May through September.
You’ll find air conditioning anywhere, and it’s hard to accomplish anything outside.
Many locals shop and finish their activities in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.
Once the heat decreases, there’s normally a lot of commotion outside since everyone is hurrying to get things done.
6. Small communities might get boring after a while.
Being a young person in Gilbert might get boring.
The city has many fantastic kid-friendly daytime activities, but the party scene isn’t quite flourishing.
Most partying occurs in Phoenix or another college town outside the city, where all the bars close at midnight.
If you like to get crazy after dark, you’ll certainly find yourself bored in Gilbert most of the time.
But you could still take a stroll in the desert and enjoy the view.
7. The houses are too many
Gilbert used to have an old-west vibe, but that has changed with the increase of suburban homes and kids.
Now, much of what you can see from your lawn is the back of someone else’s house rather than a gorgeous desert mesa.
There are several miles of residential-only streets in Gilbert.
There will certainly be kids around to play with, but there won’t be much to look at from your car window.
8. Some parts may have a bad odor
Gilbert is not far from numerous livestock farms.
As a result, some residents have expressed their displeasure with a certain stench.
A few people on the city-date discussion board reported a heavy smell of cow poop while you were walking around the city, although this was by no means a common occurrence.
Pros and Cons of Living in Gilbert, AZ – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Gilbert | Cons of Living in Gilbert |
|---|---|
| 1. Conducive environment to start a family | 1. High cost of living |
| 2. No natural disasters | 2. Heavy traffic during rush hour |
| 3. Close Proximity to Phoenix | 3. Hectic transport system |
| 4. Beautiful Scenery | 4. Gilbert's air quality can be subpar |
| 5. Plenty of Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities | 5. It can get very hot |
| 6. Low crime rate | 6. Small communities might get boring after a while. |
| 7. The effective public school system | 7. The houses are too many |
| 8. Ideal weather | 8. Some parts may have a bad odor |
Gilbert Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Gilbert Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places are best to live in Gilbert?
Where you want to live depends on what you want and your lifestyle.
Val Vista Lake, Power Ranch, Seville, The Islands, and Gilbert Finley Farms are your best options.
What are the humidity levels in Gilbert?
Gilbert receives about 80.24 % annual humidity.
Is living in Gilbert expensive?
Gilbert’s housing costs are 66% higher than the national average, while its utility costs are 6% higher.
Transportation costs are 3% higher than the national average, including bus fares and gas prices, and Gilbert’s grocery costs are 1% cheaper than the national average.
What is the Gilbert, Arizona, property tax rate?
The rate is $0.99 per $100 of evaluated property value.
Since 1995, Gilbert’s rate has been progressively declining.
The value of your home may have increased despite the reduction in the tax rate.
Also, when there a significant expansion occurs in the neighborhood.
Is Gilbert, Arizona, an excellent place to live?
Gilbert is one of the top cities in which to reside in the US.
The town offers you a lot of tranquility and is both little and powerful.
Gilbert will see that your family thrives, especially those who desire to start families.
It is ideal for you if you wish to avoid the cold weather.
The town is also good for establishing a business and is bursting with outdoor activities.
Which is the safest neighborhood in Gilbert?
Ashland Ranch is one of the safest neighborhoods, while Seville is among the richest places in Gilbert.
Gilbert, Arizona has a lot of pros such as a low crime rate, beautiful scenery, and family-friendly outdoor activities, but it also has cons like a high cost of living and heavy traffic during rush hour.