Gilbert • Chandler • Mesa • Tempe • Queen Creek
Moving to Arizona?
Real talk from someone who chose this place 20 years ago and helps families do the same thing every week. No tourism fluff. Just what life in Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, and Queen Creek actually looks like.
No pressure. No sales pitch. Just a real conversation. See what 2,670+ families say about working with Stewardship.
A Word From Nate
"Everyone who moves here says the same thing after about six months. 'I can't believe I waited this long.' I've heard it from families coming out of California, Washington, Illinois, Colorado. The community knocks them over. I've lived in the East Valley my whole life, and there's a reason I never left. This place is home, and I love helping new families make it theirs."
Why Families Keep Landing Here
This Isn't Just a Place to Live. It's a Place to Build.
Stewardship Realty is a real estate agency in Gilbert, Arizona that helps families move to the East Valley communities of Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, and Queen Creek. Stewardship has served East Valley families for 20 years and has earned more than 2,670 five-star reviews across its five companies, which handle real estate, home loans, insurance, estate planning, and wealth management under one relationship. Here's why families keep choosing this corner of Arizona.
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Built Around Families
Master-planned neighborhoods with parks, trails, and community events every weekend. The East Valley is not a suburb that happened. It was designed for families.
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2.5% Flat Income Tax
Arizona passed a flat 2.5% income tax, one of the lowest in the country. Coming from California (up to 13.3%) or Oregon (up to 9.9%), the difference in take-home pay is not subtle.
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Jobs Are Growing, Fast
Arizona secured over $34 billion in new investment in 2025 alone. The East Valley is home to Intel, Boeing, PayPal, Apple, and hundreds of companies hiring right now.
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Safety That Shows in the Rankings
Gilbert ranked #29 safest city in America in WalletHub's 2025 study, first in Arizona. Chandler came in at #40. Queen Creek saw year-over-year drops in property crime and reported zero murders. This is not a coincidence.
The Economy Behind the Sunshine
The East Valley Is Not a Bedroom Community Anymore.
Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert were once called sleepy suburbs. Today they're a national tech and aerospace corridor. Here's what's actually driving jobs here.
Semiconductors + Tech
Intel's Chandler fab is the city's largest employer. TSMC, Microchip Technology, Qualcomm, and Amkor all operate in the East Valley. Arizona is America's semiconductor capital.
$20B invested in East Valley chips aloneAerospace + Defense
Boeing, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon all have operations here. Arizona ranks 3rd nationally for aerospace and defense concentration, supporting over 52,000 direct jobs statewide.
3rd highest A&D concentration in the U.S.Finance + Banking
Wells Fargo, PayPal, State Farm, and Charles Schwab are all major employers. Chandler's Price Road Corridor is one of the most dense financial services employment zones in the Southwest.
Phoenix ranks Top 10 for corporate HQsHealthcare + Bioscience
Banner Health, Mayo Clinic, and Dignity Health operate major facilities across the East Valley. Arizona is home to one of the fastest-growing medtech and bioscience industries in the U.S.
One of the fastest-growing medtech hubs in U.S.Construction + Real Estate
With Arizona landing its 5th consecutive Gold Shovel award in 2025, commercial and residential construction shows no sign of slowing. Tradespeople are in high demand across every East Valley city.
5th consecutive Gold Shovel (Area Development Mag.)Remote Work + Headquarters
DoorDash, GoDaddy, and Axon (Scottsdale) have headquarters here. For remote workers, the East Valley offers high quality of life at a comparatively low cost. More companies are choosing Arizona for their second HQ.
9% projected tech job growth through 2028Sources: Arizona Commerce Authority 2025 Annual Report; Arizona Technology Council Q4 2024 Industry Impact Report; CBRE 2024 Scoring Tech Talent Report; AZ Big Media.
Education in the East Valley
It's Not Just "Good Schools." It's Real Choice.
Arizona has the largest school choice system in the country. A-rated district schools are your floor, not your ceiling. Here's what that actually means for your family.
District Public Schools
The East Valley's school districts are legitimately excellent. These aren't good "for a public school." They're just good.
- Higley Unified School District (Gilbert/Queen Creek)
- Gilbert Public Schools
- Chandler Unified School District
- Mesa Public Schools (largest in AZ)
- Tempe Elementary School District
Charter Schools
Arizona has over 500 public charter schools, all tuition-free and publicly funded. In 2024, 8 of the top 10 best high schools in Arizona were BASIS Charter Schools. Great Hearts Academies, Legacy Traditional Schools, and ALA are also consistently rated A+.
- BASIS Charter Schools (8 of top 10 in AZ, 2024)
- Great Hearts Academies (classical education)
- Legacy Traditional Schools (22 AZ campuses)
- Arizona Language Academy (dual immersion)
Private Schools
Over 450 private schools operate across Arizona. Many are faith-based. Average tuition for private elementary is around $9,600/year, and $13,700 for high school. Arizona has programs to help offset that cost.
- Faith-based options across all East Valley cities
- Montessori, classical, and project-based options
- Average elementary tuition ~$9,600/year
The Financial Case for Moving Here
If You're Coming From California, Washington, or Colorado...
You're not alone. The East Valley is full of transplants from high-tax states. Here's what the math looks like side by side.
California
Top Marginal Income Tax 13.3%The highest state income tax rate in the country. No estate tax, but combined with housing costs and cost of living, thousands of CA families are finding the East Valley gives them more for less.
Oregon
Top Marginal Income Tax 9.9%Oregon also has an estate tax starting at 10%, which is especially relevant for families building generational wealth. Arizona has no estate tax. That's a meaningful difference for wealth transfer.
Illinois
State Income Tax (Flat) 4.95%Illinois also has an estate tax with a low threshold. Midwest families trading brutal winters for 299 sunny days rarely look back.
Arizona
Flat State Income Tax 2.5%One of the lowest flat income taxes in the country. No estate tax. No inheritance tax. Property taxes are reasonable. Your financial advisor in Arizona has a lot more to work with.
Washington
Capital Gains + Payroll Taxes RisingWashington has no income tax but new capital gains and payroll taxes are increasing the total burden. For high earners, Arizona's 2.5% flat rate is increasingly competitive.
Colorado
State Income Tax 4.4%Colorado is beautiful. It's also getting expensive. Rising housing costs and higher income taxes are sending families east, and many of them end up in Gilbert or Queen Creek.
Cost of Living Comparison
Gilbert, AZ vs. comparable metros. Figures approximate; verify with current sources before making decisions.
| Category | Gilbert, AZ | Los Angeles, CA | Denver, CO | Portland, OR |
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| Median Home Price | ~$575K | ~$900K | ~$580K | ~$530K |
| State Income Tax (top rate) | 2.5% flat | 13.3% | 4.4% | 9.9% |
| Avg. Property Tax Rate | ~0.6% | ~0.7% | ~0.5% | ~0.9% |
| Estate / Inheritance Tax | None | None | None | Yes (10-16%) |
| Probate Threshold | $75K+ (simplified options available) | $166K+ | $64K | $275K |
Sources: State Department of Revenue websites; Tax Foundation; MLS and Redfin market data. East Valley home prices updated mid-2026; comparison metros approximate. Home prices vary by neighborhood and inventory. For estate and probate planning specific to your situation, our Stewardship Planning team builds Arizona estate plans for East Valley families, and our Stewardship Mortgage team in Gilbert can show you what your buying power looks like at Arizona rates.
Find Your East Valley City
Not Sure Where to Land?
Answer 4 quick questions and we'll point you in the right direction. These are the same questions we ask every family that comes in for a Discovery Trip.
Based on your answers, Gilbert checks most of your boxes. Top-rated schools, tight-knit community, walkable Heritage District, and neighborhoods designed for families. It's the most family-centric city in the East Valley and one of the safest large cities in the country.
See Gilbert on a Discovery Trip5 Cities, 5 Different Vibes
Your East Valley City Guide
Every family eventually becomes loyal to one city. Here's what each one actually feels like to live in.
Consistently ranked one of the safest large cities in America. A+ school districts, master-planned neighborhoods, Heritage District dining, and a community that feels unusually close for a town of 270,000.
- #1 safest city in Arizona (WalletHub 2025 study, #29 nationally)
- Higley Unified + Gilbert Public Schools (both A-rated)
- Heritage District, Riparian Preserve, SanTan Village
- Median home price: ~$575K (mid-2026)
A suburb that grew up. Chandler has its own job market, a walkable award-winning downtown, and neighborhoods that span from quiet subdivisions to luxury waterfront homes in Ocotillo.
- #40 safest city nationally (WalletHub 2025 study)
- Intel, PayPal, Wells Fargo, Microchip Technology
- Ocotillo waterfront, Chandler Fashion Center, vibrant downtown
- Median home price: ~$555K (mid-2026)
Arizona's third-largest city gives you the most home for your money in the East Valley. From historic neighborhoods near downtown to brand-new master-planned communities in East Mesa.
- Most affordable of the five cities, strong long-term value
- Saguaro Lake, Usery Mountain, Sloan Park (Cubs spring training)
- Apple's Mesa facility, XNRGY, Gulfstream all located here
- Median home price: ~$450K (mid-2026)
Where families go when they want more land and a town that still feels like a community. Newer homes, newer schools, San Tan Mountain in your backyard, and a culture that feels like the East Valley did 15 years ago.
- Year-over-year decrease in property crime, zero murders reported (SafeWise 2026)
- Larger lots and newer construction than neighboring cities
- San Tan Mountain Regional Park, Horseshoe Park, Schnepf Farms
- Median home price: ~$550K (mid-2026)
The most urban city in the East Valley. Home to ASU, Tempe Town Lake, and a dining and arts scene the other cities don't have. Closest to Sky Harbor. Best transit access. Different energy entirely.
- Tempe Town Lake for paddleboarding, running, live events
- DoorDash, State Farm regional offices, multiple HQs
- Best public transit in the East Valley (light rail)
- Median home price: ~$485K (mid-2026)
Life Outside Your Front Door
Arizona Wins You Over Outside.
You come for the sunshine. Then you find the trails, the rivers, the mountains, and the baseball. Six months in, you won't understand how you ever lived anywhere else.
Trails Within 15-30 Minutes
Usery Mountain, Superstition Wilderness, San Tan Mountain. Real hikes with real views, not nature walks.
Salt River
Kayaking, paddleboarding, and wild horses. 30 minutes from Gilbert. Unforgettable.
Riparian Preserve
Morning walks, bird watching, and Saturday community events. Right in Gilbert.
Cactus League Spring Training
15 MLB teams. 10 stadiums. February and March are baseball heaven. Sloan Park in Mesa hosts the Cubs.
Sedona in 2 Hours
Red rocks, world-class hiking, and some of the best food in the state. A go-to weekend reset.
Gilbert Regional Park
Splash pads, playgrounds, a future water park, and community events year-round. Family central.
Moving from California to Arizona was a huge step for us and to be honest we were pretty apprehensive. But Nate was recommended to us by our son in law and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. He was absolutely fantastic to work with. The entire process was seamless. From the very beginning stages of figuring out where we would look, to showing us several houses in one day as our time was limited, to negotiating the best deal for us, to stepping in and meeting with contractors when we couldn't be there. He went above and beyond and anyone would be blessed to have him on their side. You are not only our agent but now also our friend. We are forever grateful.
We transitioned from careers to grandparents and from lifelong residents of the Northwest to residents of Phoenix. Nate showed us multiple homes via FaceTime, met with inspectors on more than one home, and was in constant communication the entire time. While all of his hard work and knowledge was incredibly helpful, it was his servant's attitude and heart that brought us the most comfort and peace. We knew that he would do what was right and best for us in all circumstances. He was everything we could have asked for in a real estate agent.
20 Years. 2,670+ Families.
We're Not a Website. We're Your Team on the Ground.
When you work with Stewardship, you're not getting a national referral network. You're getting Nate, who will FaceTime you through houses when you can't be in Arizona, meet contractors on your behalf, and text you updates on a Sunday. That's what our team actually looks like.
Real estate, mortgage, insurance, and financial planning all under one roof. Twenty years of East Valley experience. One team that handles the whole move.
Honest Answers to Real Questions
What People Actually Ask Before Making the Move
Come See It for Yourself.
Our Discovery Trip is designed for out-of-state families who want to see the East Valley before committing to anything. We'll show you the neighborhoods, the schools, the commutes, and the restaurants you'll actually go to.
We've guided 2,670+ families through this process. We know what to show you and what questions to ask. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just a real look at life in the East Valley.
Plan My Free Discovery TripNo obligation. No sales pressure. Just a real look at East Valley life.
Or call us directly: 602-384-2604