North Chandler Chandler, AZ

In 1891, Arizona’s first veterinary surgeon, Dr. Alexander John Chandler bought a tract of land south of Mesa. By 1900, he'd acquired 18,000 acres and began drawing up plans for a town site. The office for the town site opened in 1912, the same year that Chandler High School was established.

Chandler has an active art scene in the downtown region, approximately four miles south of Shawnee Park. The Chandler Center of the Arts contains three theatres and a 2,000-square-foot exhibition gallery. Chandler also supports the Chandler Historical Museum and the Arizona Railway Museum.

Shawnee Park doesn't hold any annual events, but Chandler holds an annual Ostrich Festival, a three-day event that features live music, carnival rides and specialty shows.

Shawnee Park contains a mixture of residential homes and commercial properties, so finding a place to eat or shop won’t be a problem. Major shopping centers with grocery stores, pharmacies and diners occupy the corners of each major thoroughfare in the area.

Three former California Pizza Kitchen owners looking to change people’s perception of pizza established the Fired Pie. Located on the corner of Ray Road and the Loop 101, the pizza parlor serves made-to-order salads and pizzas with fresh ingredients and cutting-edge techniques. Invent your own pizza pie creation, or choose from any of the creations on the menu. Try the steak and blue pizza with oil and garlic sauce, mozzarella, thin sliced steak, mushrooms, peppers, onions and gorgonzola. If you prefer a salad, take steak and blue on fresh romaine.

Located at the corner of Ray Road and Alma School Road, Chou’s Kitchen presents Chinese food in a new way. Watch the potstickers and dumplings being made in-house before they're served to your table. Mongolian beef and sweet and sour pork serve as house staples, and generous portions of house special fried noodles comprise another local favorite.The little restaurant doesn't take reservations and can fill up quickly, so make sure to get there early.

When you want to have a great meal and give back to your community, eat at Social Box Neighborhood Eatery. The restaurant donates a portion of its monthly revenue to local nonprofits that support hungry kids, veterans and others. Start with a kale salad before feasting on the house favorite chicken and waffles. You can also help support the community with happy hour served Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Major intersections in the neighborhood also feature bars such as Dos Gringos and Fibber Magees. If you want to meet with friends in a more upscale social setting, try the restaurants and bars near the Chandler Fashion Center, located only four miles away on Chandler Boulevard and the Loop 101.

Shawnee Park residents enjoy streets filled with mature trees and wide sidewalks, making the neighborhood very walkable and bicycle friendly. All major thoroughfares contain dedicated bike lanes.

Chandler commuters love their personal vehicles, and Shawnee Park residents are no exception. Access to Loop 101 can be found less than two miles west of Shawnee Park. Loop 101 gives commuters access to all of the other major freeways in the city, but can often become congested. Consider using a park and ride to help alleviate any traffic burdens.

Bus stops along Alma School Road and Elliot can help relieve some of the daily commuting hassles for those who don’t mind public transportation. On those days and nights you don’t want to drive, consider calling one of the local cab companies or use your smartphone to request an Uber or Lyft ride.

Residential areas in Shawnee Park have private driveways for parking and on-street parking provides spaces as well. Commercial areas and business complexes in Shawnee Park supply ample free parking as does the park and recreation areas.

Located in the middle of the neighborhood, Shawnee Park takes its name for the neighborhood it resides in. The park contains multiuse fields, a baseball field and a playground. A neighborhood favorite, the park backs up to the Pomeroy Elementary school. The park also houses one of Chandler’s four dog parks, which comes equipped with a double-entry gate, doggie water fountain and benches for the humans. The park doesn't host any annual events, but local churches often hold community events here.

The cost of living in Chandler lands approximately 5 percent higher than the Arizona and national average, but rises 9 percent higher than Phoenix. Expect a one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood to cost around $770.

If traveling to downtown Phoenix by public transportation, expect a commute time of approximately two hours, including light rail travel. One-way fare costs approximately $4. Gas prices in Chandler normally land approximately 9.2 percent lower than the national average. Depending on the venue, you can expect to pay around $5 for a pint of beer.

Everyday shopping can be done within the neighborhood at the intersections of major thoroughfares. Fry’s and Wal-Mart can be found here, making grocery shopping simple. A farmers market opens for business five miles south at Dr. A. J. Chandler Park every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from October through May.

When looking for that one-of-a-kind piece, put Merchant Square Antique Marketplace on your list of must-visit stores. With over 250 merchants to choose from, you can find just the right piece to complement your style. If you didn't find what you need there, check out the White Dove Thrift Shoppe. When you shop here, you support the Hospice of the Valley as all of its sale proceeds go to the large nonprofit organization.

Less than two miles away, the Chandler Fashion Center contains shops such as Sephora and Coach. When looking for an exclusive Michael Kors or Carolina Herrera handbag, head to Scottsdale Fashion Center. In addition to small designer shops, the mall contains department stores Nordstrom, Macy's, Sears, and Dillard's.