5 Reasons Glendale AZ is a Great Place to Live In 

Glendale AZ got its start in 1891 when former executives of the Arizona Canal Company brought 70 Anabaptist families to the area. An offshoot of the Mennonites, the Anabaptist settlers did not drink alcohol or smoke tobacco. As a temperance colony, soon, more Anabaptist settlers flocked to the area.

 

The Anabaptists were farmers, and by 1906, crops of sugar beets were being processed in Glendale. The railroad also made a stop in town, providing the settlers with a way to transport goods in and out of Glendale. In addition to sugar beets, the farmers also established citrus orchards and grew a wide variety of crops.

 

World War II brought big changes to the sleepy, little farming community, with the construction of Luke Air Field and Thunderbird Field. Thousands of servicemen and their families moved to the area, prompting the first big building boom for Glendale.

 

As both Glendale and the West Valley grew, farm fields gave way to subdivisions and shopping centers. Today, Glendale's rural past is just a dusty memory. Since then, Glendale has grown into a vibrant city of a quarter of a million people.

 

Glendale AZ real estate is desirable for its wide price range and variety. If you're wondering what life has to offer here, keep reading for the inside scoop.

 

Home to Arizona's Major Sports Teams and Stadiums

 

If you love football, you'll feel right at home here. State Farm Stadium in Glendale is home to the Phoenix Cardinals and hosts the annual Fiesta Bowl. The enclosed, 65,000-seat State Farm Stadium is not only a comfortable place to watch the game but is also plays host to major concerts and other events.

 

Next door to the State Farm Stadium is the Gila River Arena, home to the state's hockey team, the Arizona Coyotes. The 17,125-seat Gila River Arena also doubles as a venue for major concerts.

 

Just down the road in neighboring Peoria, you can watch the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres spring training games at the Peoria Sports Complex.

 

If you like watching major league sports, living in Glendale puts you at the center of the action. You'll be close to live NFL, NHL, and MLB games year-round.

 

The Westgate Entertainment District and More

 

Adjacent to the Gila River Arena is the massive Westgate Entertainment District. It's a wonderland of fountains, dozens of restaurants, boutique shopping, and entertainment. There is even a splash park for the kids.

 

The 8,000,000-square-foot complex sees more than 22-million visitors every year. It's a place to eat and grab a beer before and after the game, as well as see a movie. Westgate sponsors different events year-round, such as live music, car shows, fitness classes, open mic nights, and holiday events.

 

 

 

The Arrowhead Towne Center is a beautifully landscaped, upscale shopping mall with 180 shops and restaurants. You could spend an entire day here window shopping, and browsing the wide variety of merchandise. Arrowhead Towne Center also hosts holiday events, outdoor concerts, and even craft fairs, and a farmer's market.

 

Glendale hasn't completely abandoned its past; the historic Old Towne and Catlin Court feature 10-square blocks of well-maintained, tree-lined streets full of antique and gift shops. Housed in historic homes, you'll feel what it was like to live in Glendale back in the day.

 

Living in Glendale AZ means you will never get bored. At the very least, there are great places to get out of the house and spend a few hours people-watching.

 

Nature Beckons

 

If crowds of people are not your thing, there are places to escape around Glendale. First on the list is Thunderbird Conservation Park. This 1,185-acre park is dedicated to preserving the natural Sonoran desert environment. You'll find hiking trails for all fitness levels, from easy to difficult. Climbing to the top of the hills, you'll get a panoramic view of Phoenix. There are also plenty of picnic areas and restrooms at the park.

 

If you're willing to take a bit of a drive, there are other great escapes close to Glendale. For example, the 10,000-acre Lake Pleasant Regional Park features a 7,500-acre lake, campsites, a marina, and pristine desert scenery. Glendale residents have been going to Lake Pleasant for decades, to swim, fish, boat, and camp. 

 

Also not far away is the West Wing Mountain Preserve. There are many trails through the park, where you can appreciate the incredible Sonoran desert. You'll also love going to nearby Sunrise Mountain Preserve.

 

If you really want to get away, go west to the 30,000-acre White Tank Mountain Regional Park. Here, you can truly lose yourself and leave the city behind in the beautiful mountains and wild desert scenery.

 

The West Valley is Booming

 

Glendale experienced massive growth post-WWII, and the recent Millenium has brought renewed growth to Glendale. In addition to the sports stadiums, entertainment, and shopping centers, the economy and job market have been growing. 

 

High-tech firms like Microsoft and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company have moved operations to the West Valley, as well as others. This provides good-paying jobs to people across the West Valley, including Glendale residents. 

 

This economic growth trend shows no signs of slowing down, so the job market in and around Glendale should continue to improve. Over the next two decades, experts predict that at least 43% of Maricopa County's growth will be in the West Valley. 

 

It wasn't too long ago that the West Valley was filled with farm fields and orchards as far as the eye could see. Today, agriculture has given way to cultural centers, sports stadiums, and high-tech industries. This makes Glendale a good place to invest in real estate, and settle down for a career.

 

Affordable Glendale AZ Real Estate

 

Compared to other communities in the West Valley, Glendale AZ real estate is relatively affordable. From nice mobile homes, condos, and single-family homes, to luxurious, multi-million dollar estates, Glendale has it all. 

 

If you're looking for a fun place with plenty of things to do near Phoenix, Glendale may be for you. You're never far from everything you need, whether that's groceries, medical care, or even live, major league sports.

 

5 Reasons Glendale AZ is a Great Place to Live In