The 10 Worst Things About Living in Gilbert, Arizona

(From Someone Who Actually Lives Here)

Gilbert, Arizona is an incredible place to live. I live here, I love it, and I’ll be the first to hype up the beautiful neighborhoods, safe streets, friendly people, and amazing community.

But let’s be honest, it’s not all sunshine, palm trees, and farmers markets.

There are some surprisingly frustrating things about living in Gilbert that no one warns you about until after you move here. Then suddenly you’re like, “Ohhh… this is what everyone didn’t mention.”

So here it is: the 10 worst things about living in Gilbert, not to scare you off, but so you can walk in with eyes wide open. And if you still love the place after all this… well, you’re my kind of person. Welcome to Gilbert.

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1. Gilbert Traffic: The Daily Humbling

If you’ve lived here longer than seven days, you already know: Gilbert traffic tests your soul.

The worst spots?

• The 202

• Val Vista

• Germann

• Queen Creek Road

• Power & Ray

• Lindsay & the 202 interchange

The moment the clock hits 4 p.m., everything slows down. Gilbert grew faster than its road systems ever could, and it shows.

Subdivisions, schools, new shopping centers, and endless left-turn intersections all funnel into the same major roads. What should be a 15-minute trip becomes a 40-minute crawl.

Driving from South Gilbert to downtown Chandler during rush hour? Expect to go 12 miles in 12 miles-per-hour.

And then there are the drivers.

People in Gilbert are friendly… until they get behind the wheel. On the freeway, it’s Talladega. On surface streets, it’s snowbird season all year.

One moment you’re being tailgated by someone going 90 mph.
The next, you’re stuck behind a retiree doing 10 under the speed limit.

Add construction zones that never end, and traffic becomes a character-building experience.

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2. HOAs: The Unofficial Rulers of Gilbert

If you move to Gilbert, you’re probably joining an HOA, whether you want to or not. They’re everywhere.

To be fair, HOAs do help keep neighborhoods beautiful, perfect landscaping, clean parks, matching home colors. You’ll never see a neon-purple house with astroturf and a trampoline in the front yard.

But the rules? Oh, they’re strict.

Expect violations for:

• Leaving trash bins out an hour too long

• Parking on the street overnight

• Having the “wrong shade of beige” on your garage

• Letting a plant grow a tiny bit too tall

Want to park a work truck, RV, or boat in your driveway?
Forget it. HOA says no.

Fees run anywhere from $60–$150 per month, and yes you are paying to be told what kind of bushes you’re allowed to grow.

For rule-followers, HOAs are great.
For independent spirits… good luck.

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3. It’s One of the Most Family Centered Cities in America

Gilbert is incredibly family-friendly. That means:

• Strollers everywhere

• Soccer practice traffic

• Moms with matching Stanley cups

• Kids biking in every direction

It’s wholesome and safe. But if you’re single, newly married, or just not in the kid phase yet, Gilbert can feel like you accidentally crashed a PTA meeting.

Even date nights feel like a competition for the last reservation between two birthday parties.

The vibe = suburban parent mode, 24/7.

If you want something more lively, you’ll be driving to Tempe, Chandler, or Old Town Scottsdale.

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4. Nightlife? What Nightlife?

Gilbert tries, but the nightlife is… limited.

Sure, you’ve got:

• OHSO

• Dierks

• The Porch

• Whiskey Row

• The Heritage District

 

But after a few weekends, it’s the same playlist, same crowd, same everything.

Outside the Heritage District?
Nothing. Closed. Dark. Silent.

Even Walmart closes at 11 p.m.

If you want rooftops, live music, comedy shows, or nightlife variety, expect a 20 - 30 minute drive to other cities.

Gilbert is built for sunrise yoga, not last call.

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5. Basically Zero Public Transportation

Gilbert’s public transit system is… your car.

There’s:

• No light rail

• Few bus routes

• Expensive Uber/Lyft trips outside main corridors

If you’re from big metros like NYC, Portland, or Chicago, this is going to feel like culture shock.

Everything is spread out, and most bus stops look like they haven’t been used since 2014. Without a car, you’re stranded.

Even going to the airport is a full production. You’re checking Google Maps, calculating gas, and planning the drive like an expedition.

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6. Every Neighborhood Looks the Same

Gilbert is beautiful but let’s be real: it’s copy-paste suburbia.

Nearly every neighborhood has:

• Tan stucco houses

• Gravel landscaping

• Two palm trees

• A community park

• A splash pad

• A retention basin disguised as a lake

It’s clean and safe, but lacks the character of older cities like Chandler or Tempe.

Drive five miles and you might pass through three subdivisions without realizing you left the first one.

There’s no quirky historic district or hidden architectural gems. Everything feels master-planned and… predictable.

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7. You Drive Everywhere

Gilbert isn’t walkable, not for errands, anyways.

To get:

• Coffee → drive

• Groceries → drive

• Gym → definitely drive

• A place half a mile away → still drive

There’s no shade. It’s too hot. Sidewalks are for leisure, not actual destination-hopping.

Everything is spread out:

• Huge retail centers

• Large parking lots

• Residential zones far from commercial zones

Quick errands easily become 30-minute round trips. Even grabbing a quick bite means multiple stoplights and parking lots.

Over time, you realize you spend more time in your car than your house.

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8. Construction: The Soundtrack of Gilbert

You’d think a fully built out suburb would quiet down eventually.

Nope.
Construction never ends in Gilbert.

It just moves.

New roads, widened streets, new luxury communities, new apartments, there is always something being paved, drilled, or jackhammered.

Live near a major intersection?
Enjoy the 6 a.m. wake-up call from concrete trucks.

Live near new development?
Say hello to nail guns all day.

Live anywhere in South Gilbert?
Prepare for orange cones as far as the eye can see.

It’s growth, which is good.
But it’s also loud, constant, and exhausting.

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9. Landscaping Noise: Leaf Blowers for Breakfast

Add to the construction chaos the daily landscaping crews.

Because of the heat, landscapers start early as in, sunrise early.

Every morning, it’s:

• Leaf blowers

• Hedge trimmers

• Lawn mowers

It echoes through every neighborhood, sometimes before 7 a.m.

If you crave peace and quiet, Gilbert will test your patience.

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10. Summer Electric Bills: The Only Thing Louder Than Construction

The transcript cuts off before the details, but we all know the truth:

Summer electric bills in Gilbert are brutal.

AC runs nonstop, especially in July and August. If you’re coming from a cooler climate, prepare for your energy bill to triple.

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Final Thoughts: Gilbert Isn’t Perfect, But It’s Worth It

Yes, Gilbert has traffic, HOAs, endless construction, predictable neighborhoods, and a nightlife that shuts down before 10.

But it also has:

• Top-rated schools

• Low crime

• Beautiful communities

• Friendly people

• Tons of parks

• A strong family culture

• A clean, safe environment

• Great amenities

For many people, that trade-off is more than worth it.

If you can handle the quirks, Gilbert truly is an incredible place to call home.

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For a full video guide, make sure to check out my YouTube Video Here

And if you are looking to buy or sell in Arizona, we would love to earn your business! 

Cole@whitelabelaz.com or text us directly at 602-350-5624

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