After the Move: Your Fun Guide to Living in Gilbert, AZ
- Derrick Mullins
- 2 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Published by Mullins Moving | mullins-moving.com | Serving Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler & the East Valley
So the boxes are (mostly) unpacked. The couch is in the right spot. You found the coffee maker. And now you're standing in your new Gilbert, Arizona home thinking... now what?
First of all, welcome to one of the best cities in the East Valley. We've helped a lot of families move to Gilbert over the years, and we can tell you this: you made a great choice. Gilbert is one of those places that surprises people. What used to be a small farming town has turned into a thriving, family-friendly community with great schools, amazing food, and more things to do than you'd ever expect.
We're Mullins Moving, a family-owned moving company based right here in Mesa, AZ. We've been helping families settle into the Valley for over 23 years. And because we care about more than just getting your stuff from Point A to Point B, we put together this little guide to help you hit the ground running in your new city.
Let's get into it.
Why People Love Living in Gilbert, AZ
Gilbert consistently ranks as one of the safest and most livable cities in Arizona, and honestly, in the entire country. It has top-rated schools through the Gilbert Unified, Higley, and Chandler Unified school districts, a booming local restaurant scene, beautiful parks, and that small-town feel with big-city amenities. It's no wonder families from all over the Phoenix metro area are making the move here.
If you just relocated to Gilbert for work, family, or a fresh start, you're in good company. The city has been one of the fastest-growing communities in the U.S. for over a decade, and people who move here tend to stay.
Fun Things to Do in Gilbert, AZ with Your Family
Alright, here's the part you've been waiting for. Gilbert has no shortage of fun for families. Whether your kids are toddlers, tweens, or somewhere in between, there's something here that'll make them forget they ever had to move in the first place.
This place is massive, and your kids will love it. Freestone District Park has a full splash pad, a skate park, tennis and pickleball courts, a fishing lake, and one of the best playgrounds in the East Valley. Bring snacks, sunscreen, and a whole afternoon. You'll need it.
Pro tip: The splash pad is free, and it runs from spring through early fall. It's a lifesaver on those 110-degree summer afternoons.
If your family is even slightly into nature, this place is a hidden gem. The Riparian Preserve is a 110-acre wildlife sanctuary with walking paths, ponds, and an observatory. Kids go wild spotting birds, turtles, and all kinds of wildlife. It's peaceful, it's free, and it's one of those places that makes you feel like you live somewhere pretty special.
One of the newest and biggest parks in the Valley, Gilbert Regional Park is basically a wonderland for active families. We're talking a massive adventure playground, splash pad, sand volleyball courts, bocce ball, and open green space that goes on forever. The park is built for people who like to be outside, which in Gilbert, is just about everyone.
Okay, this one is for the whole family, and it might be the best-kept secret in Gilbert. Hale Centre Theatre puts on Broadway-quality shows in an intimate setting. The theater is in the round, meaning there's not a bad seat in the house. Grab tickets for a family show and make it a night out. You'll walk away impressed.
Yes, this is a pizza restaurant. Yes, it also has a massive pipe organ. Yes, it is exactly as fun as it sounds. Organ Stop Pizza has been a Valley staple since 1972 and it's one of those uniquely Arizona experiences your kids will talk about for years. The organist plays live music while you eat, the vibe is loud and wild, and the pizza is solid. It's a family dinner and a show all in one.
A real, working dairy farm right in the East Valley, Superstition Farm in Mesa (just minutes from Gilbert) offers tours where your kids can meet cows, learn how milk is made, and get up close with farm animals. They also have a farm store with ice cream. Enough said.
When the kids have energy to burn and the summer heat is punishing, SkyZone is your answer. Trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball, and more. It's the kind of place where the kids are absolutely worn out by the time you leave, which is a win by any parent's definition.
Downtown Gilbert, also known as the Heritage District, has turned into one of the best walkable neighborhoods in the Phoenix area. Great restaurants, local coffee shops, boutique shopping, and events throughout the year. On weekends it's buzzing. It's worth spending a Saturday morning wandering through with the family and trying somewhere new for brunch.
If you've got thrill-seekers in the family, put iFLY on the list. Indoor skydiving is one of those bucket list experiences that's way more accessible than it sounds, and kids absolutely love it. Worth the short drive.
Another underrated gem near Gilbert, Veterans Oasis Park in Chandler has a nature center, multiple trails, ponds with ducks, and educational programs about the Sonoran Desert. It's calm, beautiful, and a great way to spend a weekday morning if you work from home or have little ones at home.
Tips for Settling Into Gilbert Life
Beyond the fun stuff, here are a few practical things we tell every family after they move to the Gilbert area:
Get your AZ driver's license updated within 30 days. The MVD can get busy, so book an appointment online at servicearizona.com.
Set up your Gilbert utilities early. Gilbert Water and SRP (Salt River Project) are the main providers for most of the city.
Find your nearest Barro's Pizza or Luci's At The Orchard. You'll thank us later.
Join a few local Facebook groups and Nextdoor communities. Gilbert residents are genuinely friendly and helpful. Great way to find a dentist, a handyman, or the best taco spot.
Get used to waving. People in Gilbert are neighborly in a way that a lot of cities have lost. Lean into it.
Stock up on sunscreen before summer hits. Arizona sun is not playing around, and Gilbert is no exception.
Just Moving to Gilbert? Let Mullins Moving Help
If you're in the middle of planning your move to Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, or anywhere in the East Valley, give us a call. We're Mullins Moving, and this is what we do. We've helped hundreds of families move into the Gilbert area, and we treat every move like it's our own family's.
We're a local, family-owned company with over 23 years of experience. We offer full-service moving, labor-only moving, packing services, specialty item moves, and more. Our crew is professional, careful, and genuinely good people.
Call or text us: 480-408-7444
Visit us online: mullins-moving.com
Top-Tier Moving. Driven With Heart.
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