Apache - Tempe, AZ

As part of the City of Tempe, the Alegre community shares the rich history that ranges from Hohokam Indian reservations to the Territorial Normal School, which later became Arizona State University. Many historic buildings can still be seen along the banks of the Salt Rive, which run just north of the Alegre Community.

Alegre Community doesn’t host any annual events held in the neighborhood, but Tempe Town Lake and Tempe Beach Park hosts some of the largest events in the state.

Because of the college crowd, the Alegre Community contains numerous dining options, most of which cater to busy students on the go. The area houses a concentrated number of restaurants, which feature foods from different ethnicities, making it so the students can try food from another country frequently.

One favorite, The Dhaba, steeps itself in the tradition of real Punjabi food. Along Indian and Pakistani highways, dhabas provide local cuisine and serve as truck stops. As the dhabas became more popular eateries, they began to infuse the dishes from the travelers along the road, including Persia, Afghanistan and Central Asia. Start with the gobi pakore, then move on to the kashmiri chicken tikka masala. Don’t forget the garlic naan; you need it to soak up all the flavorful curries. The Dhaba opens seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

One block north, you can find Sunny’s Diner, a delightful restaurant serving fresh American and Greek dishes. Owned by the Papamatheakis family, the diner offers a breakfast and lunch menu. When you visit for breakfast, try the gyro skillet, or for lunch, try the Sunny’s Delight sandwich, gyro meat on rye bread with grilled onions and melted American cheese.

Haji-Baba boasts of the best Middle Eastern dishes in the area. Generous plates of chicken shawarma combined with hummus and tabouli make for a truly authentic meal. If you feel like doing some Middle Eastern Cooking yourself, a grocery attached to the store carries everything you need.

Downtown Tempe and Downtown Scottsdale prove to be the places to go to enjoy local nightlife. Both areas offer several popular choices. When determined to stay in the area, and within walking distance, check out the Tempe Tavern on the corner of South McClintock Drive and Apache Boulevard. Housed in the unique building of a 1918 dairy barn converted to local tavern, the bar features live music four nights a week and daily drink specials.

Algre Community features sidewalks on all the neighborhood streets, making the area both walkable and bike-friendly. Dim streets in some areas make walking at night dodgy at times, so be sure to walk with a partner after the sun sets.

Most commuters in the Alegre Community enjoy their close proximity to Phoenix Metro Light Rail. Stations along Apache Boulevard ensure residents have direct access to the easiest way around town. Still, other commuters prefer their personal vehicles. Located just east of the Loop 101, commuters can easily drive to any area within the valley. When needing to use a taxi cab for transportation, consider calling one of the local cab companies in advance for pickup, or use your smartphone to request an Uber or Lyft ride.

All homes, town homes and apartments in the neighborhood come with private parking. Community areas are equipped with free public parking, and parking remains permitted along most streets. Commercial areas also hold ample free parking.

The neighborhood maintains the Alegre Park on East Don Carlos Avenue. The park features a large sandy playground and a large soccer practice field. The park provides a safe place for children to play and people to walk their on-leash dogs. Just across South McClintock Drive, dogs and their owners are allowed to have off-leash fun in one of the city’s five dog parks.

To the northeast, Tempe Beach Park provides recreational activities for all kinds. The park connects with over 5 miles of pathways that surround Tempe Town Lake and give pedestrians and bicyclists easy access to Tempe Marketplace, Mill Avenue and Papago Park near the Phoenix Zoo. A splash pad playground provides respite from the summer sun, and the lake allows fishing and boating. Tempe Beach Park and Tempe Town Lake hosts Ironman Arizona, the Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade, Oktoberfest and Arizona’s largest Independence Day celebration annually.

The cost of living in Tempe rises about 2 percent higher than the national average, but living in the Alegre Community falls to 15 percent lower than the Tempe average. This is accounted for by the lower housing costs in the neighborhood. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Alegre Community runs around $697 a month.

If traveling to downtown Phoenix by public transportation, expect a commute time between 1.5 and 2 hours. One-way fare should cost approximately $4. Gas prices normally carry approximately 8.2 percent lower than the national average. Expect to pay around $4 for a pint of beer.

Food City sits less than a mile to the west of Alegre Community, and Safeway lies less than two miles to the southwest. Tempe Market Place is just over one mile directly north, making it within walking distance for some locals.

DevaSkation, located just north of Alegre Community on University, carries everything for the Roller Derby enthusiast. In addition to top-of-the-line derby gear, the shop has a large selection of in-line skates, quad skates, skateboards, decks, and accessories. Owned and operated by Skip Clinton, a world-champion artistic skater, this shop is a must-visit destination.

If bicycles are more your thing, stop by State Bicycle Co. on Cedar Street for premier quality bicycles at affordable prices. Owned by three Arizona-loving bicycling nuts, this shop is the place to get cycles and cycling advice. Exclusive shops, such as Neiman Marcus and Carolina Herrera, can be found at the Scottsdale Fashion Square.