Living in Gilbert
Gilbert sits in the Southeast Valley, bordered by Mesa, Chandler and Queen Creek, and it remains an incorporated town rather than a city. It began as a rail siding on land owned by William "Bobby" Gilbert along the Arizona Eastern Railway line between Phoenix and Florence, and irrigation from the Eastern and Consolidated Canals turned the surrounding fields into farmland. For a stretch of its early history the town was known as the "Hay Capital of the World." That agricultural grid of canals and section-line roads still organizes Gilbert, now filled in with master-planned neighborhoods, parks and a revived downtown.
What Is There to Do in Gilbert?
The Heritage District
Downtown Gilbert, known locally as the Heritage District, has turned its historic buildings into restaurants, coffee houses and gathering spaces, with open-air patios lining the blocks along Gilbert Road. Outdoor concerts and seasonal events bring crowds downtown through the cooler months.
Parks and Preserves
The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch covers 110 acres off Guadalupe Road, with seven ponds, a floating boardwalk and multi-use trails through cottonwood and mesquite habitat. The preserve is known for birding, with more than 300 species recorded, and it also recharges water back into the ground. After dark, the Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory opens the preserve to stargazing. On Ray Road, Cosmo Dog Park pairs a lake and dog beach with walking paths, ramadas and a basketball court.
Shopping and Dining
SanTan Village, an open-air center in south Gilbert, gathers shopping, a movie theater and a long list of restaurants in one district, a counterpoint to the independent spots in the Heritage District.
What Is It Like to Live in Gilbert?
Day-to-day life in Gilbert is organized around neighborhoods. Most homes sit within master-planned communities that include their own parks, greenbelts, pools and walking paths, and the town's parks system fills in the gaps with larger regional parks like the Riparian Preserve. Errands typically run along the major arterials, where shopping centers anchor each square mile, while the Heritage District and SanTan Village serve as the town's two main destinations for dining out.
Getting Around Gilbert
Gilbert connects to the Valley freeway system, putting Mesa, Chandler and Tempe within a short drive. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, in neighboring Mesa, offers commercial flights from the Southeast Valley, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is reachable by freeway.
Gilbert Real Estate
Gilbert's housing is primarily detached homes in master-planned communities, typically finished in stucco with tile roofs and set along curving streets around shared open space. Older neighborhoods closer to the Heritage District sit on more traditional grids, while the south end of town holds much of the newer construction, with builders offering a range of floor plans. To see homes from builders, browse Gilbert new construction homes. Many communities have homeowners associations with their own amenities and rules. For the full picture across every neighborhood, explore all Gilbert homes for sale.
Schools in Gilbert
Most of Gilbert is served by Gilbert Public Schools, and parts of town are zoned to the Higley Unified School District, the Chandler Unified School District and Mesa Public Schools. Confirm the assigned district for any address.
Connect With an Agent in Gilbert
HOA rules, community amenities and utility setup vary from one Gilbert neighborhood to the next. The Gilbert office of CENTURY 21 Arizona Foothills can walk through what matters for any listing. Call 480-776-0001.
Gilbert FAQ
Gilbert is an incorporated town in Maricopa County, in the Southeast Valley of Greater Phoenix.
Canal irrigation made Gilbert a major farming area, and it was known as the "Hay Capital of the World" during its early decades.
The Heritage District is downtown Gilbert, where historic buildings along Gilbert Road now hold restaurants, patios and event spaces.
The 110-acre preserve has seven ponds, a floating boardwalk, multi-use trails, bird-watching and the Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory.
Gilbert Public Schools serves most of the town, with some areas zoned to Higley Unified, Chandler Unified and Mesa Public Schools.
Builder listings appear in parts of Gilbert, particularly the south end of town, and the Gilbert new construction search gathers them in one place.
Find Your Home in Gilbert
CENTURY 21 Arizona Foothills brings local knowledge and personal attention to every move in the East Valley. Browse Gilbert homes for sale, compare neighboring Chandler and Mesa, or check financing resources before starting a search. To save searches and get new listings, create a free account, or call the Gilbert office at 480-776-0001 to move forward with confidence.
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