Updated October 2026. The Islands is a west Gilbert lake community from the mid-1980s, built around three interconnected man-made lakes where residents can boat and fish and many backyards open onto the water. It sits right on the Chandler line, which makes it one of the easiest Gilbert neighborhoods to commute from toward Chandler, Tempe and Phoenix.
The Islands at a glance
The Islands is south of Guadalupe Road on Gilbert’s western edge, around McQueen Road, about five minutes southwest of downtown Gilbert. The Islands Village shopping center anchors the corner of McQueen and Warner roads. The first homes went up in 1986 and building continued in phases. Aerial-mapping publisher Over-View counts 2,633 homes plus 272 apartments and 26 commercial properties.
- Location: west Gilbert, south of Guadalupe Road around McQueen Road, at the Chandler line
- ZIP: 85233
- Built: mid-1980s onward; first homes 1986
- Lakes: three interconnected man-made lakes
- HOA: The Islands Community Association
- School district: mostly Gilbert Public Schools; some addresses in Chandler Unified
- Age-restricted: no
Homes in The Islands
Serpentine coves bring the water to the back of many lots, and Phoenix Magazine counts about 400 waterfront homes. They range from single-family homes to condos and gated custom builds. Streets carry nautical names such as Lobster Trap, Port A Sail and Seawynds. Townhomes and patio homes fill many interior streets.
The community is made up of smaller sub-neighborhoods with their own names and, sometimes, their own associations, such as Windhaven in the Islands, Costain at the Islands and Mirada at the Islands. Most single-family homes date to the late 1980s and 1990s.
Lake life and nearby amenities
Residents use the lakes for boating and fishing, and some lakefront homes have private docks. Shared amenities include a community pool and spa, tennis courts, walking and biking paths, and Islands Park. The park has a community lake dock, basketball and sand volleyball courts, a bocce court, a playground and grills.
Downtown Gilbert’s Heritage District and the Gilbert Farmers Market are a few minutes east, and Val Vista Lakes is a short drive beyond. Chandler’s San Marcos Golf Course is nearby, and the town’s McQueen District Park is just north of Elliot Road. US 60 is to the north, the Loop 101 to the west and the Loop 202 to the south. Chandler Regional Medical Center and Banner Desert Medical Center are the closest hospitals.
Schools serving The Islands
Most of The Islands is in Gilbert Public Schools. Islands Elementary is on McQueen Road, and students commonly continue to Mesquite Junior High and Mesquite High School. Some addresses fall in Chandler Unified, so check the specific home with the GPS school finder or CUSD’s boundary tool.
HOA and rental rules for landlords
The Islands Community Association is the master association; public HOA records list FirstService Residential as its manager. Many homes also belong to a sub-association. Condo associations here typically cover items such as insurance, exterior and roof maintenance, so dues vary widely. We didn’t find a published rental policy, so read both sets of documents for minimum lease terms and rules on tenant use of the lakes, docks and boats.
Under A.R.S. 33-1806.01, owners may rent unless the declaration prohibits it, subject to the declaration’s rental time-period limits. An HOA may require only adult occupants’ names and contact information, lease dates and tenant vehicle details, and it can charge no more than $25 per new tenancy. We submit that information to every association involved, so tenants get pool and park access without delay.
Renting out a home in The Islands
Renters come for water views at a lower entry price than many lake communities, and for the location. Chandler’s tech and manufacturing corridor, Tempe and Sky Harbor are an easy drive, and the Heritage District is minutes away. Lakefront homes appeal to renters who want to paddle or fish from the backyard. Off-lake homes and condos attract commuters who want the setting at a lower rent.
For a lakefront rental, spell out in the lease who maintains the dock and what watercraft use is allowed. Our Property Plus plan adds landlord protection for tenant damage, which owners of higher-value lake homes often want. Compare plans on our pricing page, see our Gilbert property management overview, or request a free rental analysis.
Buying a rental in The Islands
Most homes here are 30 to 40 years old. Plan for AC replacements, water heaters, roof work and, in some homes, older plumbing and electrical. On lakefront lots, inspect docks and the lake edge and read what the HOA versus the owner maintains. For condos, review the association’s reserves and insurance; low dues sometimes mean a special assessment is coming.
Waterfront homes cost noticeably more than off-lake homes, so test whether the rent premium covers it. Then register the rental with the Maricopa County Assessor under A.R.S. 33-1902. Our overview of Arizona landlord-tenant laws covers the rest of the basics.
Homes for sale in The Islands
Live MLS listings in The Islands, updated daily. Open the full The Islands search or see our homes for rent.
Other Gilbert communities we know well
The Islands FAQ
On Gilbert’s western edge, south of Guadalupe Road around McQueen Road, along the Chandler line in ZIP 85233. It is about five minutes southwest of downtown Gilbert.
Yes. Residents can boat and fish on the three interconnected lakes, and some lakefront homes have private docks. Check the HOA’s lake rules for what watercraft are allowed.
Building started in the mid-1980s, with the first homes in 1986, and continued in phases. Most single-family homes date to the late 1980s and 1990s.
Aerial-mapping publisher Over-View counts 2,633 homes plus 272 apartments. Phoenix Magazine counts about 400 of the homes as waterfront.
Mostly Gilbert Public Schools, including Islands Elementary on McQueen Road and Mesquite Junior High and Mesquite High. Some addresses are in Chandler Unified, so confirm by address.
It is the community’s park, with a lake dock, basketball and sand volleyball courts, a bocce court, a playground and grills.
Arizona law lets owners lease unless the CC&Rs prohibit it, subject to any rental time limits. Check both the master association and any sub-association documents before listing.