Moving to Chandler
from California.
You can work from anywhere now. So why pay California prices for a smaller house? Here's what the move really looks like, from someone who has helped Californians make it. Straight answers, no pressure.
Is moving from California to Chandler worth it?
For most people I help, yes. You trade the ocean for more house, more yard, and a lower cost of living. You give up mild summers. Summer here is real. Here's how hot it actually gets.
The people who love it come for the space and stay for how easy daily life is. Short drives. Good schools. An airport you can actually get to.
Mary and Rob traded Huntington Beach for 5,000 square feet
Mary and Rob Avellino lived in Huntington Beach. Both worked from home. Rob works in tech. Mary is a CPA. Their jobs could go anywhere, so they asked a simple question: why are we paying this much for this little?
They sold their California home first. Then they drove to Arizona, rented a place, and toured homes in person. No rush. No two mortgages.
They landed in Arden Park, a gated neighborhood in the Ocotillo area of South Chandler. About 5,000 square feet. We closed in August 2021.
What surprised them most? How much house about $1M bought here. What sold them on the area? Shopping and dining close by, and a quick drive to Sky Harbor.
Where should you start your neighborhood search?
Start with how you want to live, not with listings. Most people from California are choosing between two areas.
Newer homes, lakes and golf
Ocotillo, Fulton Ranch and Arden Park. Master-planned streets, gated pockets, and newer builds. Close to shopping, dining and the 202. South Chandler neighborhoods
Bigger lots, more character
Custom homes, horse properties, big trees and room for the RV. Closer to ASU and downtown Phoenix. South Tempe guide
Compare the two
Schools, lot sizes, drive times and what surprises people. Read the relocation guide
Take the 2 minute quiz
Answer a few questions and get pointed at the neighborhoods that fit. Find your fit
What changes in your budget when you leave California?
Your price per square foot goes down. A few other line items change too. Know them before you shop.
- Property tax works differently here. California vs. Arizona property tax
- Homeowners insurance is its own line item. What it costs here
- Two HOA fees are common in South Chandler. Why that happens
- Summer power bills are real. Solar can help. Buying a home with solar
I don't post price ranges here because they change. On a call, I'll tell you what your budget buys this month.
What about commutes and the airport?
If you work from home like Mary and Rob, your commute is the hallway. When you travel, Sky Harbor is roughly 25 to 30 minutes from most of South Chandler, and closer from South Tempe.
If you go into an office, the Chandler tech corridor is close to South Chandler. ASU and downtown Phoenix are closer to South Tempe. Full drive times are in the relocation guide.
How do you buy if you can't visit every weekend?
There are three ways to do it. Pick the one that fits your money and your nerves.
Sell, move, rent, then buy
Mary and Rob's path. You shop with cash in hand and no deadline. Best if you want to feel the area before you commit.
Shop by video, fly in once
I tour homes for you on live video. You fly in for a short trip to see the finalists. How Rob and Jan did it
Buy here before you sell there
Works if you can carry both homes or write a contingent offer. How to time it
Questions Californians ask about moving to Chandler
Is Chandler cheaper than California?
Usually, yes, for the same size house. Most people moving from California get more home and more yard for the money. Property tax and insurance work differently, so compare the whole monthly cost, not just the price.
How hot does it really get?
Hot. Plan on triple digits for a good part of the summer. Most people say spring, fall and winter make up for it. More on summer here.
Should I rent before I buy?
If you can, it's a smart move. Mary and Rob rented first and bought once they knew which area fit. You trade a little time for a lot of certainty.
Do I need to fly in for every showing?
No. I can tour homes on live video and narrow the list. Most people still want to walk the final one or two in person.
Which part of Chandler is best for people moving from California?
It depends on what you want more of. Newer homes, lakes and golf point to South Chandler. Land, trees and custom homes point to South Tempe. The neighborhood quiz can help you narrow it down.
Thinking about leaving California? Let's talk it through.
Text me or book a 15 minute call. I'll tell you what your budget buys here right now. If it's not the right move, I'll say so.
Ben Graham, REALTOR since 2011, eXp Realty. South Tempe and South Chandler.