The town of Queen Creek has grown exponentially since I visit visited about 20ish years ago. For…read moreexample, Ironwood used to be two single lanes in both directions and there was no target or plethora of businesses in the Rittenhouse area. Honestly, it amazes me how much this town has developed! Some great growth, and others haphazardly planned causing some infrastructure issues. My city has actually taken some of what occurred here in consideration for our very own growth. Periodically, I visit Queen Creek as they have a few businesses that aren't in Apache Junction/East Mesa. Such as, Torchy's Tacos and Portillo's. I've even ventured here for some great Yelp events. Overall, I think it is a great town to visit and if you have a desired business, take the drive!

5/28/25 Today we visited for shopping…read more Shopping 5/5 At the Queen Creek Market Place. My wife shopped Nordstrom Rack and Ulta. Nice Market with lots of popular stores and restaurants. Also close to one of our favorites San Tan Flat! Traffic 2/5 Is always challenging due to area growing pains. I'm sure it will payoff in the long run.

I had to take a trip to this office, as it was the closest BLM to me…read more The employees here are all very friendly and helpful. There was so much information available about the state of Arizona. It would be perfect for any child who had to do a school report and needed some brochures or books for their research and poster. I learned a few things I didn't know during my short visit here. One interesting thing I learned was that the state of Arizona is looking for homeowners who are willing to adopt desert tortoises who had to be removed from their natural habitats. That is pretty cool and is definitely something to consider if you live somewhere a tortoise could thrive! I will definitely pay the BLM a visit the next time I need some information on our wonderful state!

I went there the first time several years ago. A clerk was very friendly and informative;…read moreinstructing me what I needed to do to file a mining claim. Each time I visit the BLM in Phoenix the employees share their knowledge with a smile. Free parking in the basement of the building.

Quantitatively speaking...maps, maps, maps, yeah! There were a fair number of maps here and one…read moreeven made it to the side garage water heater, which is saying something, considering Mr. Garage Perfect (aka the hubby) is in charge out there. He doesn't put up just anything, so there, we do have a winner! In addition to maps, there are some three part brochures on local tourist attractions, a small (really small) selection of gifts (no vending section ie cold drinks/snacks), a few local magazines to peruse and some kiosks linked to Arizona visitor information websites. The couple times we visited here, Gloria was manning the desk and was as nice and helpful as could be. The space here is industrial and open and the picnic bench and campfire and Adirondack chairs and table are a nice touch. There is exercise equipment here? The weight machines, I tried these...and they're stiff. Somewhat and odd feature, but per Gloria, an individual in charge (I have forgotten this person's title) wanted them available to visitors, so there they are. More subjectively speaking...something's missing...what is it? Usually I'd award "five-stars" for "off the beaten path" but I think that's where you'd prefer a visitor center be located - somewhat on the beaten path. I think of other visitor's centers - Sedona, for example - and there's an energy there because you have other people coming and going more frequently. Also, the visitor's center there is in the heart of Sedona so you feel more of the energy of the place. It also has a certain vibe that this location lacks for me. This visitor center has been up here 18 months (having moved from downtown Phoenix.) It gets the job done but feels a little out of place.

Meh, it's county government.. nothing wonderful, nothing terrible. I would recommend calling first…read moreas the staff tend to be by the book and will find any reason to stop it prevent toy from completing your task. Take some patience and time to get through it. It will be alright...

What the !!@!$#@! about this freeway!??? The Mega Contractors first build their Business Parks…read moreand Housing Tracks, then the Department of Transportation reacts to build the freeway to meet the need---Sorta like having the cart before the horse...So Back-Asswards!... As I get off of work on Friday to go West towards Los Angeles, need I say the anxiety I feel knowing that the freeway expansion from about 43rd Avenue onwards is a nightmare! To go ten miles takes about 25 to 40 minutes, thanks to poor freeway developmental planing to meet the needs PRIOR to the flood of Capitalistic businesses and housing being built in the West Valley area!#@!$#@! Lovely! Just Lovely! Need I say anything about traveling South-East towards Tucson?..."NOT!" Two stars!---One for Kick-Ass Stereo Music to pass a LOT of time, and one for you to put up with me!

My daily commute takes me from Goodyear to downtown Phoenix…read more The distance is roughly 15-20 miles. With traffic, I can make this trip in about 30 minutes. Without traffic, only 15-20 minutes. I am a transplant from Washington State and have often made the 26 hour drive from up North, through Oregon, California, and back down to Arizona. Comparably speaking, Arizonans who use Interstate 10 (Papago Freeway) have a lot to be thankful for. First, drivers are free to use the carpool lane, except between the hours of 6-9 AM and 4-6 PM. In Washington State, single occupancy vehicles are restricted from using the HOV lane during all hours. I believe this is also the case in Oregon and California. Papago drivers also have more lane options than other states. For instance, Interstate 5 in Washington State only has 3-lanes in many of the areas that experience extremely heavy traffic congestion. In addition, during peak traffic hours on the Papago Freeway, vehicles have the ability to exit the highway and use side streets. Due to the grid-like road system in Arizona/Maricopa County, streets like McDowell and Van Buren run East-West for many miles. When traffic on the Papago Freeway comes to a crawl, I frequently exit and choose Van Buren street for a less congested option. In Washington State, there really are no other options. If traffic on Interstate 5 comes to a halt, then you're usually stuck there for hours. The Papago Freeway and grid system makes getting from point A to point B much less stressful than other major highway systems.

I went by the Chamber to grab some information on Phoenix and it's attractions. I was expecting to…read moresee a wall full of information and what I found was an extremely nice office. There wasn't anyone at the front desk so I couldn't ask if they had these things. It's on the 27th floor so I'm guessing it's not like the other Chambers I have visited and they don't. Maybe the tourism department will have them.

Everyone seems to diss on the light rail but I am a fan. Now with that said, I know it is slow and…read moredoes not go to all the places I need to go so it is not enough to give up my car like I would, say, if I moved back to NYC. Sadly, one cannot rely on this system really to get around fully but it is great to the airport and venues downtown, especially Chase Field for a baseball game. It takes you right into Chase. ( 1-2 bucks versus 20 to 60 bucks so a good money saver) As of 1/25 it starts/end at Metro Center and ends in east mesa so you can get to Downtown Phoenix, ASU, and other points in-between. It is cheap and if you are senior even cheaper. Buck a ride for Seniors. I think 2 or 2.50 if not a senior. Airport shuttle is close to a hundred so definitely a great deal. The only down thing on the airport is our system does not have overnight parking for your car like other cities have. You will have to be able to walk or get dropped off at one of the train statins. For me, luckily I live right across the street from one Light rail station so it is nice to get me to Skyharbor. I can walk to and from. If you do not park overnight no worries there are plenty of park and ride places to catch the train. Just a tip be careful your concert or special event does not get out until late around 11pm or so and you miss the midnight last train and you get stranded. Found that out the hard way one time on my birthday. lol I was sad to see the city of Glendale stop the project because at one time it was suppose to go to State Farm Arena but no more. I work PT there and would love to take the train to work. I never understand why the 5th largest city in the USA does not have a better public transportation system. A lot of folks say the train is unsafe. Hogwash. I have never had an issue but homeless people do not bother me at all. I am not a person who is afraid of my own shadow. Sometimes on the train I have seen something new as of fall 2024 people are selling things on it. I believe that might be illegal but no one ever bothers me. That is weird and probably should not be allowed but like I said they do not bother me and i have other battles in life to worry about. Besides I am used to all that in my travels especially on the NY subways. In Mn I saw a buck or is it butt ( lol) naked guy on the train in the middle of Winter. lol and a Pick Pocket in Madrid. The adventures in travel series. I could write a book. I think the last time a woman was selling herbs or oils and perfume. Shrugs shoulders. We all gotta survive. I myself would not buy anything, especially anything edible from a stranger, but some folks were. She did not even ask me though. She just walks through announcing her wares. It did take me by surprise at first but only because that was new to me in PHX. Common in other places. I had never seen that before here locally. I am sure it might be a rare thing since security is usually tight on the train system platform, especially on big event or game days. i do not take the train often but I know people who take it daily and have zero problems with it. It is a good service if you live centralized. I wish it went to more places.

Used to take the light rail to ASU almost every day. There was a security guard who one time stood…read morenext to me during the ride and ranted about his ex wife. A few weeks later he groped me and whispered in my ear before stepping off the train. When I tried to tell the other security guards, one of them said "Well no one's ever said that about him before..." and the other one said "Man, you can't even flirt without getting in trouble these days." When I made a report on the app, there was never a follow up. I still had to see him several times a week, so he clearly wasn't fired or anything. Very disappointing and unsafe.

What a great experience!! Called the Water Conservation dept…read moreand first spoke to Litzy, she was so patient, friendly & knowledgeable! My 94 yr old dad had 2 water saving toilets installed last year but we recently heard about the rebate program because he got a flyer in the mail so he asked me to call. I had so much going on helping him move out of his house of 37 years in Glendale into an Independent Living Community in Glendale. Litzy was soo accommodating letting me drop off the W-9 form before the Library opened, that was a huge help! Then I got the email from Joanne Toms letting us know that his application was accepted! Her wording was soo kind, they are all customer focused for sure!! Thank you COG for serving my dad for all these years!! God bless you all!! I encourage everyone to read COG's website to see what benefits they have to offer!

I am currently taking a class offered by the city, and it is called Glendale University. I have…read morebeen a resident of Glendale for most of my life, but I have not been involved with the city government at all. This class is offered yearly and it really lets you see how the city government works. You get to have class at different businesses that the city government deals with, and you usually end each class with a tour. I doubt I would ever have visited this place if not for the class, but I definitely recommend getting to know your officials. It is great to get involved with your community and learn how the city works.