Chandler Meadows
(disregard the apt number from above, it wasn't mine) Since I've moved from this apartment complex several years ago, they have changed names and I hope management. But in the event things have not changed I would like to warn anyone against living here. I moved across country and arrived in July to find out that my apartment was not ready. They gave me the wrong key and then closed the office for a "break". I finally got in, but they had to put me up at a local hotel for a few days while they attempted to fix the a/c and planned to paint the interior, but didn't get that done. It was awful! The front door didn't completely lock, it rattled, just like the a/c. It took two weeks to get a working hot water heater in there and in the fall I discovered that the kitchen flooded when it rained and maintenance was incompetent. I left after 6 months. The only good things I can say is that it felt like a relatively safe place to live, they had a pool and several laundry areas that had working machines. Maybe I just had bad luck, but I wouldn't recommend it on the chance that it wasn't just my place that was a mess.
PROS: pool, locked mail area, laundry areas had working machines
CONS: maintenance and management help was almost non-existent
Fitness Forum
Fitness Forum is at a very convenient location for us, easy to stop by and work out. The staff is friendly and helpful. The cost is very reasonable and several employers have programs that will offset the cost for their employees who work out regularly. We really like their Sunday family swim program, where we can bring the kids to swim in the indoor lap pool on Sunday afternoons. It can be very busy at times and not so much at others, as is with most gyms. They have a smoothie bar and really nice, clean locker room facilities. There are steam rooms and tanning beds. You can take exercise classes, use the equipment, or free weights. They also have a child care area that is really entertaining for the little ones.
PROS: low cost, convenient location, has everything we need
CONS: not as large as some other fitness facilities
ASU East pool swim lessons
My sons had two sessions of swimming lessons here last summer and they loved it! At first the building was a little tricky to find, but it wasn't really hard to get there if you have a map of the campus. There was free visitor parking at the side of the pool, a short walk. They had various levels to enroll in, including a parent-tot class, and up to levels where the kids were very good swimmers and learned techniques in the lap swimming area. The sessions ran for two weeks and were only $30 for 8 30 minute lessons. It's got to be one of the best kept secrets on the east side! The instructors were great with the kids, patient, yet with high expectations. It was a very positive experience and we are sure to return next year for more lessons. The pool starts at 3 feet, but the first level for kids alone allows them to stay near the stairs area, so if your child is shorter than 3 feet, it's not a concern. You do not need to be a student or affiliated with the university to take these classes. Sign up early as spots will fill up when word of this program gets out!
PROS: low cost swim lessons, great instructors
CONS: location is best for people on the farther east side of town
Dragon Wok
My husband and I ordered take out from Dragon Wok when they first opened up. The location was very convenient for us. The restaurant looks very nice inside (dark), but we decided to just take it home anyway. The people who worked there were very friendly. The food was packaged well and it looked like quality ingredients were used. The taste was about average, we weren't really impressed. The vegetables with my meal were mostly celery and carrots, not much variety. With that in mind, we thought they were a bit overpriced. We'd be more likely to try another Chinese restaurant than to go back. It wasn't a bad experience, just nothing great.
PROS: quality food, they offer good coupons
CONS: average food
Arrow Pharmacy
This pharmacy is rather old, located at the corner of downtown Chandler. It carries a variety of convenience store items, pharmacy items, and is a location where you can rent items including wheelchairs. This is where my mother-in-law always goes when she comes to visit, as she needs to rent a wheelchair each time. I don't know, but it might be difficult to find places around here to rent items like that. I haven't looked into it that much. Parking is very limited. There are a few spots right out front for parallel parking, but more likely you'll have to park at the center lot and walk over. It is an old building so it doesn't have the generally nice and clean appearance of a lot of other pharmacy chains.
PROS: full service pharmacy, rentals
CONS: parking
Arzonia Mesquite Company
This shop is easy to miss, at the far west side of the downtown Chandler square, but it's worth finding and browsing through. The furnitue and furnishings are made out of mesquite, which evidently is one of the hardest woods. You can purchase items right at the store or have something custom built, and work with a designer to make your ideas come to life. The craftmanship is beautiful! I was truly amazed at what could be made out of a mesquite tree. The store is rather small, but filled with furniture. The prices are a bit high, but I'm sure they are reasonable considering the value of the wood and craftmanship. Stop by just to take a look and get a new perspective on the mesquite tree.
PROS: sturdy, unique furniture and furnishings
CONS: a little expensive
Dulvick, Roger J, DDS Dulvick Dentistry
Dr. Roger Dulvick is my husband's favorite dentist. He loves going there, as much as a person can enjoy going to the dentist. Dr. Roger and his wife Dr. Diana share the practice so you could see either one. Dr. Roger is extremely gentle and very concerned that he not cause any unnecessary pain to his patient. He has a warm, caring personality and does whatever he can to help his patient maintain a healthy set of teeth. He is obviously a very popular dentist and the downside is that it's difficult to get in to see him even in the case of an emergency. Cleanings definitely have to be scheduled way ahead. One other thing that may not be so great is that you have to pay on the spot even if your insurance will be billed. They usually do pretty well calculating what your insurance will cover, but in the case that your insurance then pays more, it might take a while for the dental office to reimburse.
PROS: great dentists, caring husband and wife team
CONS: have to wait for an appointment opening, could be weeks
Boy Scouts of America Chandler
My son joined the scouts last year and really seems to enjoy it. It opens up opportunities for him that he may not have had otherwise, especially regarding the camping trips. They do teach the boys a lot of essential survival skills as well as appropriate behavior, shaping them into responsible young men. The pack is pretty laid back, almost too much for my liking. The people are all very nice and don't pressure you to do everything. There's a welcome community spirit. However the biggest frustration is the lack of planning, organization, communication that went on last year and will probably continue. I don't like meetings being cancelled at the last minute and especially if everyone doesn't get informed in time before they leave the house. It really makes it tough to participate in other activities and schedule things, unless you're willing to miss out on some things.
PROS: boys have a fun time, especially camping
CONS: poor organization is frustrating
Young Rembrandts
My son participated in the Young Rembrandts drawing classes last fall and really loved it. The teacher was very professional and worked well with the youngsters. They met at school immediately after school once a week for several weeks. The fee worked out to be about $10 a session, which didn't seem too bad. Each week they did a different project. My son just loved it and proudly displayed his work. He learned a lot of artistic techniques as well, it wasn't just an "arts and crafts" time. The group of students were of mixed ages, but they were all able to equally participate so it was in no way a problem. The materials were all provided by Young Rembrandts.
PROS: fun, learning experience with art and drawing, held at school
CONS: none
AYSO Soccer Region 1046
This is my son's first year in the program, and he loves it so far. This program is nationwide and run by volunteers, mostly parents. Boys, girls, and kids with special needs can all play and have their own teams. The region does cover a pretty wide area and I'm finding we do have to drive a ways to get to the game location. Practices are near school. One thing I would have liked to know ahead of signing up was practice and game dates, times, locations. You just have to hope for the best. It seems like a great program and the people running it are very supportive and just want the kids to do their best and have fun. I have a feeling we'll be in this league for years to come.
PROS: reasonable cost, fun, team activity for boys and girls
CONS: locations for practices and games are a little far for me
