Hailing from four-season hometowns - Shelly, originally from Livonia, Michigan, and Raj, from Greenville, South Carolina - our featured couple has embraced Chandler as their home, finding it the perfect place to raise their children, Maguire and Blakely. Shelly fondly recalls Michigan’s summers spent boating on lakes and fall visits to apple orchards and cider mills. Raj reflects on Greenville’s southern charm, the bustling downtown area of Reedy River, and lush greenery—a stark contrast to Arizona’s desert landscape. Though they cherish their roots, the Chands have come to love Chandler’s family-friendly atmosphere, central location, and vibrant community.

Among other benefits, Chandler’s proximity to Raj’s job in north Scottsdale and the airport made it an ideal choice. In just 20 minutes, they can be in several key areas of the Valley, which is really convenient for the family.

The Chands enjoy their neighborhood’s strong sense of community. Shelly shares a unique holiday tradition: “One super fun thing my neighborhood does is organize a progressive Christmas dinner. This is an adult-only event where each house supplies small bites and a specialty cocktail. It’s especially fun to see everyone’s decorated houses during the holidays!” She also enjoys regular walks around Centennial Park with friends, just half a mile from their homes.

Around Chandler, the family frequents local spots like Pita Jungle for healthy meals, Kodo Sushi, and Tryst Cafe for brunch. At High Tide, the parents savor seafood while the kids indulge in their favorite chicken nuggets in town. When Shelly and Raj head out for the evening, they love exploring Downtown Chandler, starting with appetizers at Black Sheep and enjoying live music at The Stillery. "I didn’t expect Chandler to grow at such a rapid rate! When we first moved to South Chandler, there wasn’t a ton out here. Since moving, they’ve already had to widen the roads, and traffic can be heavy! But we’ve gained a lot of new restaurants, so we really don’t need to leave the city for any reason," Shelly adds.

For their kids, Chandler is full of fun activities. Maguire and Blakely enjoy the trampoline park at Sky Zone, movies at Harkins Theatres, and camps at The Grove. Blakely, a passionate dancer, takes classes at Dance Connection 2, while Maguire plays baseball for Chandler National Little League.

Shelly encourages newcomers to explore Chandler’s festivals and farmers' markets. “Our weather is amazing seven months out of the year.  Get outside and enjoy it!” she advises. The family also loves staycations at The Westin Kierland Resort and Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, as well as winter trips up north, including The North Pole Experience in Flagstaff and the Polar Express in Williams. “As a couple, we had so much fun wine tasting in Cottonwood!”

When it came to opening her business, Shelly and her partner, Kendra Aragon, chose Chandler for its familiar and convenient location. "We are so easy to get to, no matter what direction you're coming from!" Shelly explains. "Kendra and I have always worked in Chandler.  We love the city and felt like the market needed a hair salon like ours! At Bronde, we don’t specialize in one area and are extremely well-rounded, making us a great fit for the diversity of Chandler." Bronde Blvd Salon has rapidly gained popularity among locals, with numerous neighbors of Shelly becoming not just clients but also cherished friends.