North Gilbert - Gilbert, AZ

Named after William Gilbert, a property owner who allowed the construction of a railroad siding on his land, the Town of Gilbert was originally incorporated in 1920. With water increasingly available to the desert after the construction of Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River, the area prospered as an agricultural community for many years. It was not until the town council annexed 53 square miles of county land in the 1970s that Gilbert began to take its current form.

The only museum in the town is the Gilbert Historical Museum, which offers an interesting look through the changes experienced in the town's 100-plus years of existence. There is a local arts community and theater group, but the only annual event is the Gilbert Days celebration around Thanksgiving weekend. Featuring a parade, vendor booths, a rodeo and a dance, Gilbert Days provides a peek at life in the Old West.

Gilbert is in the midst of a transformation from old diners and cowboy bars to trendy taco shops, cool wine bars, and some of the best barbecue in the Phoenix area. With addition of restaurants such as Postino, the little cowboy town suddenly became cool. Famous for its bruschetta, Postino delivers four large slices of crusty bread topped with your choice of farm-fresh flavors. Prosciutto and fig represents a good choice for savory palates. Try the apple and brie for a sweet dessert selection. This popular restaurant has four Phoenix-area locations.

You cannot ignore the sumptuous smells of slow-cooked meat wafting from Joe's Real BBQ, a great local joint across the street from Postino. Local entrepreneur Joe Johnston saw the potential in a rundown 1929 building so he restored it in the mid-1990s, turning it into a thriving barbecue business. Locals love the barbecue sampler plate. Jumbo loaded baked potatoes stuffed with brisket, ribs, and hot links remain a popular dish. Try the blueberry bourbon cheesecake if you have room for dessert.

Joyride Taco House serves a modern take on Mexican food in the same block with Postino and Joe's. The Joyride experience starts with the outstanding guacamole, a bowl of tortilla soup, or the build-your-own burrito. Specialty plates include the Bandit, a combination of chicken tinga, carne asada, and cochinita pibil served with rice, black beans, and fresh tortillas. Wash it all down with a cucumber mint agua fresca.

As a member of the Valley Metro transportation system, Gilbert offers bus and Dial-a-Ride services, but most residents prefer to get around by car. There are only five bus routes in the entire town, but they do hook up with other Metro services like light rail. The Dial-a-Ride program offers discounted rates to persons with disabilities. Seniors and the disabled are also eligible for discount taxi coupons.

It is impossible to hail a cab in Gilbert, but several Phoenix metro cab services are available for phone reservations. Uber and Lyft both offer ride sharing services in Gilbert, but coverage can be spotty. Public parking is plentiful and free all over Gilbert.

Gilbert is so spread out it is not particularly friendly to pedestrians. There are many areas without sidewalks, which can be dangerous in times of heavy traffic. There are bike lanes on some major thoroughfares, but not on others. Most major streets are wide enough to safely accommodate bicycle traffic.

Gilbert has 17 major parks and a variety of smaller and specialty parks that cater to community residents. Freestone Park is an 88-acre facility that includes two lakes and four softball fields as well as tennis, basketball and volleyball courts. This park offers a little something for everyone, including the Freestone Railroad, a miniature replica that travels along a three-quarter-mile track. Although most of the activities are free, there is a charge for the railroad and the batting cages.

There are two off-leash dog parks in Gilbert. Cosmo Dog Park, in the southeastern portion of the city, offers a lake for swimming, a doggie shower, obstacles and even a secure area for less-confident pooches. Crossroads park, which also has an area for timid dogs, is located closer to the center of town.

Gilbert is known for nice houses and large lots, so the cost of living can be a little higher here than other parts of the Phoenix metro area. A one-way ticket on public transportation costs $2, which is good for a ride to downtown Phoenix. Discount passes are also available for frequent riders.

A one-bedroom apartment in Gilbert has an average rent of $775 per month. Local beer drinkers can expect to pay $4 for a pint of domestic brew and up to $6 for finer craft beers. The average price for local gasoline is about 14 percent lower than the nation.

The majority of shopping in Gilbert consists of national retailers in strip malls and standalone outlets. There are some small, independent stores that stand out, one of which is the Junky Trunk Boutique. Located on the north end of Gilbert near the border with Mesa, Junky Trunk has a legion of devoted shoppers who love the high-quality clothes and helpful salespeople. With a product line that includes tops, dresses, bottoms, and accessories, Junky Trunk provides seasonally appropriate fashion for the trendy buyer.

Gilbert residents have access to a wide variety of chain stores. SanTan Village, located in southeastern Gilbert, features top clothing stores like American Eagle Outfitters, Banana Republic, White House | Black Market, and Chicos. Accessory stores and boutiques like Charming Charlie provide a nice selection of unique clothes and jewelry. SanTan Village also houses an Apple Store and numerous dining options.

Safeway, Fry's Food, WinCo Foods, and Sprouts Farmers Market offer the benefits of large chain supermarkets. Gilbert Farmers Market opens on Saturdays under the water tower downtown. Along with local produce and fresh eggs, vendors bring meats, breads, cheeses, and many hand-crafted products.