Super Mario World

Chris,

Well - if you like having the big city amenities very close -than being actually "in the metroplex" as Chandler is may be better....and yes they have good schools. But Casa Grande schools are not BAD....even using Great Schools, the 2 charter schools get an 8 rating and MANY good reviews...and even a couple of the public elementary schools are rated with a 7.... so much of schooling is dependent upon parent involvement - but anyway, there are good school options here if needed and getting better all the time as the city grows.

We do have a full service mall (Kolhls, Target, Movie theatres, Ross, Staples, petsmart etc. and lots of smaller stores and restaraunts....), a 24 super walmart, both Home Depot and Lowes, so basically all the biggies are here.

We do currently lack a more "high end" restaraunt base - steak houses etc...we got stopped in our tracks during the housing crunch - BUT, I think that is starting to change now - DR Horton just bought 300 lots from incomplete subdivisions in town and will start building on those soon - as well as groundbreaking on the "Phoenix Mart" project (google it or see my other posts here) which will bring in several thousand jobs - all of this will bring in more of a need for a little more variety of shopping/eating options...

Finally, although as others have said - the CG to Chandler (or in your case reversed) is not a bad drive - it still has a cost - and you will get QUITE A BIT more house for your money here in CG than you will in Chandler...as well as the daily gas costs and most important family time costs by checking if you can find something you like in CG....

And it is only 45 mins into downtown Phoenix for D-backs games and all that offers etc...and then an hour down to Tucson for those amenities.... Plus a straight shot into San Diego along I 8 when its too hot in the summer...

Just some considerations....if you have any specific questions please let me know....