For those who love the unique beauty of the American Southwest, and want a city that is close to a major metropolitan area but still retains somewhat of a small-town feel, Glendale might make a wonderful place to call home. It is a diverse, welcoming area with a growing and thriving LGBTQ community, and it has so much to offer residents and visitors alike.
A Bit of Glendale History
The area that is now Glendale was first settled in 1892. Initially, the area attracted farming families because if its fertile land and canal-fed water supply. Shortly thereafter, in 1895, a railroad link to Phoenix was established in the area, causing Glendale to blossom and become one of the largest towns in the area. It was officially incorporated in 1910 and has continued to grow since that time. While Glendale is near Phoenix geographically, it is very much its own city, with a thriving arts and culture scene, entertainment district, business opportunities, and historical neighborhoods. Today, Glendale is well-known in its own right for its rich history, its diverse population, and its friendly and welcoming spirit. Truly, it would make a wonderful place to call home.
A Few Fun Facts About Glendale
Read more fun facts about Glendale here.
The LGBTQ Community in Glendale
Phoenix Pride LGBTQ Community Center
The Phoenix Pride LGBTQ Community Center is a community center serving the greater Phoenix and Glendale areas with the goal of uniting, educating, and engaging the city to support and empower the LGBTQ community and its allies.
Those who are part of the LGBTQ community in Glendale should know that the City of Glendale has designated a LGBTQ liaison to the City Manager to serve as a resource and support for the specific needs of the LGBTQ community. The goal of having a community is to elevate the voice of the LGBTQ community and to ensure that community concerns are being heard and addressed by executive city staff.
What’s the Weather Like in Glendale?
If you like plenty of sunshine and very little rain, Glendale may be for you. Year-round, Glendale is very sunny, receiving an average of 290 sunny days per year - which is significantly more than the United States average of 205 sunny days. On the flip side of the coin, Glendale only receives 9 inches of rain per year which is significantly lower than the United States average of 38 inches. The temperature in Glendale can be wide-ranging, with the average low in January around 44°F and the high in July topping out around 106°F. Typically, April, March and November are considered the most pleasant months in the Glendale area and are a great time to enjoy the area’s unique and scenic beauty.
The Best Events in Glendale
The Glendale Gay Pride Parade is an event that Glendale’s LGBTQ community looks forward to each year, and which always promises to be a fun time for everyone participating. For over 40 years, the Phoenix area has been celebrating pride, and the parade in Glendale is an important and can’t-miss part of that yearly celebration.
The Glendale Chocolate Affaire
The Glendale Chocolate Affaire is a unique event that has been held in Glendale for more than 25 years. It’s a celebration of arts, culture, and needless to say – chocolate! You don’t want to miss your chance to enjoy and sample chocolate delights of all kinds from the many vendors. Even better, while you’re enjoying the chocolate, you can enjoy performances and visual art from a wide variety of local artists and entertainers. It’s truly a can’t-miss event each year!
Where to Live in Glendale
Glendale is a city that blends beautiful historic homes with sleek new modern developments. Unlike some other cities, Glendale doesn’t have one particular “gayborhood” – but this doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of neighborhoods that would make great places to live. As the city is fairly spread out, the LGBTQ community tends to live in a wide variety of areas, and finding a neighborhood you’ll love will depend largely on your personality, preferences, and lifestyle needs. Finding the right realtor who knows and loves the area and who can help you find the perfect place will be an essential part of your home search. There are a wide variety of styles of homes and price ranges to choose from, depending upon your needs and your budget. The median sale price of homes currently listed in Glendale is $300,000.
Arts and Entertainment
Westgate Entertainment District
The Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale proudly advertises itself as one of the largest and best mixed-used urban developments in North America - and most visitors find out that this is indeed true. The selection of restaurants, shopping, and entertainment options are unparalleled in the area. There’s something for everyone to enjoy here.
The Brelby Theatre Company’s motto is: “Imagine. Create. Inspire.” It certainly manages to do all of those things, and it is a very popular community theatre known for its wide variety of inspiring and innovative shows. You’ll want to make sure to enjoy your chance to enjoy a show – or several – each season!
Parks and Recreation
The Glendale Xeriscape Botanical Gardens can be visited any day of the year for free. These unique gardens highlight the native beauty of the Glendale area and feature more than 1,000 varieties of desert plants for visitors to enjoy.
Sahuaro Ranch Park is a beautiful park that was originally created by William Henry Bartlett as Sahuaro Ranch in the late 1800s. At that time, the ranch was known for its beautiful vineyards and fruit orchards, and today, it remains well-known for its natural beauty, its rich history, and the opportunity to enjoy all sorts of recreational activities on its grounds throughout the year.
Glendale Nightlife
This LGBTQ-friendly nightclub is known for its unique Gothic architecture, its talented DJs, its karaoke nights, and its friendly crowds. It’s a great place to enjoy a drink, relax with friends, and have plenty of fun.
Though located a short drive away in Phoenix, Charlie’s is a staple of LGBTQ nightlife in the area, and a nightspot you'll want to be sure to check out. With a wide variety of theme nights, amazing drag shows, strong drinks, and a crowded, lively dance floor, a good time is practically guaranteed for all.
Contact a Glendale Realtor Today
If Glendale seems like the kind of community you’d like to call home, the first step toward finding the perfect place should be getting in touch with a realtor who knows the city well, and who can help you find a home that’s a great fit for you in a neighborhood that you’ll love. We would love to help you do that, and there’s no time like now to get started. Contact a Glendale gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
