Westside - Glendale, AZ

Originally desert wasteland, William John Murphy receives credit for developing the area known as Glendale. Along with Burgess Hadsell, Murphy brought 70 Brethern and River Brethern families to Glendale in 1891. As they formed a colony, many others became attracted to the region. Residential and business growth boomed after 1895. Culture shifted a bit in 1906 with the construction of the Beet Sugar Factory, which attracted immigrant and migrant settlers to the area. Several properties in Glendale have been deemed historical and appear in the National Register of Historic Places and the Glendale Arizona Historical Society. These properties act as museums and showcase the city's history, culture and arts scene.

Glendale showcases several annual events throughout the year. The Glendale Chocolate Festival, held every February, proves to be every chocolate lover's dream. Downtown Glendale puts on Glendale Glitters in December, providing resident with some Christmas spirit.

Glendale offers several restaurants for those who want to ditch a night of cooking and enjoy some scrumptious food. Locals love Ta'Carbon for authentic and affordable Mexican cuisine. The regulars rave about the carne asada tacos; they make mouths water and keep diners coming back for more. The caramelo serves as another tasty option for those who crave quesadillas; the filling consists of carne asada and just the right amount of cheese.

Those who have a taste for pizza must head out to La Piazza al Forno. Bring the family out for a homemade, brick oven pizza made with the finest ingredients. Topped with homemade mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes directly from Italy, you can truly taste the authenticity in every bite. However, be advised that the restaurant closes on Sundays and Mondays.

If you have a large appetite and can't wait to take down huge portions of German food, you will love Haus Murphy's, where women in authentic German dress serve up the best schnitzel in the area. The German fried potatoes make for a savory side dish, and customers also enjoy the beef roulade. If you save room for dessert, order the decadent sauerkraut chocolate cake. On a beautiful night, enjoy the evening breeze and ambiance by sitting outside on the patio.

Several pubs and wine bars make nightlife in Glendale truly enjoyable and accessible. Locals head out to Lucie's Sage and Sand Bar to sip on some cocktails while playing volleyball, basketball, and life size beer pong. Live bands also hit the stage at this venue. With reasonable drink prices and so many entertainment options, this sports and wine bar ranks high on the list among residents. Old Towne Glendale Wine and Beer Bar features a large selection of wine as well as 12 on-tap beer varieties. If you want a bite to eat, you can also choose from an assortment of appetizers.

When in need of public transportation, locals take advantage of the Glendale Dial-A-Ride transit service offered seven days a week. Hours of operation last from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Weekend and holiday rides are available by appointment only, and reservations must be made by noon on the previous working day.

Various bus routes run through the city. Hailing a cab is fairly easy and Uber services the area. Most enjoy walking or biking on bike paths when possible, and the safe streets make travel easy for bikers. Most residents prefer to drive their own vehicles, and easy access to Arizona State Route 101 makes travel to and from Phoenix an easy task.

Glendale offers so many different ways to get outside and enjoy nature. Several parks situate themselves throughout the city. Locals who enjoy hiking flock to Thunderbird Park. For an outstanding free workout, take a hike or jog on one of the well-maintained trails. Trips on the roundabout trails cover approximately three miles. Take in the breathtaking views of west valley and watch the sunset with a loved one. If you're in need of a break relax at one of the ramadas on the grounds. A good amount of free parking is available. The park does permit leashed dogs.

Another local recreation favorite, Victory Lane, provides fun for the entire family. With bating cages, six ball fields and sand volleyball courts on the premises, hours upon hours of recreation draw patrons of all ages to this amazing park. Fees apply for the batting cages, league volleyball and softball. The park hosts several sand volleyball and softball tournaments throughout the year. After working up an appetite, many stroll over to Jersey's Sports Bar, which sits right on the property. Enjoy an ice cold beer and a bite to eat in a sports bar atmosphere.

Glendale attracts many residents due to its affordability. The cost of living rates approximately five percent less than the average in Phoenix and five percent less than the national average. A one-way adult passenger ride on the Glendale Dial-A-Ride transit system costs a mere $2. Children five and younger ride for free. Seniors 65 years and older only pay $1.

Residents typically spend an average price of $850 per month to rent a one-bedroom residence. A beer at a local pub comes at a hefty price and will set you back $8; however, hit a dive bar and drink for half that price. Gas averages almost 1 percent less than the national average.

The major hub for shopping lies at Arrowhead Towne Center Mall. Here, customers find a variety of stores, movie, and dining options. Chain clothing stores such as Aeropostale, Buckle, Express, and Forever 21 have all of your wardrobe needs. High-scale stores include Coach and Macy's.

For boutiques and specialty stores, head outside the mall to Pink House Boutique. Here, find women's clothing both vintage and consignment as well as a variety of accessories. The cotton dresses, embellished leggings, and adorable skirts in the shop's inventory keep up with the trends. These unique items are different from the typical items found at the mall.

Another awesome boutique option, Roka Boutique, sells shoes as well as men's and women's clothing. Be sure to check for sales; the store often runs wonderful deals on designer jeans.

For groceries, you'll want to head to Safeway or Albertson's after moving to your Glendale apartment. If you prefer farmers markets, nearby Phoenix hosts the Capitol Farmers Market on Thursdays and neighboring Sun City hosts the Sun City Farmers Market, also on Thursdays. Another fantastic farmers' market, Sprouts Farmers Market, also serves as a grocery store. Organic produce, the meat and deli department, and vitamin selection draw locals in time and time again. Several gluten free options await to be bought as well. The liquor department stocked with beer, wine, and spirits make this store a one-stop wonder.