Guadalupe - Tempe, AZ Area Guide

Tempe Royal Estates is part of the city of Tempe which was called Hayden’s Ferry in the territorial times of Arizona. Hayden’s Ferry dates back to the 1860s when settlers made camp on the west side of Hayden Butte near the ferry that provided service across the Salt River. The name Tempe was adopted in 1879 after pioneer Darrell Duppa compared the valley to the Vale of Tempe in Greece. The City of Tempe supports the Tempe Center for the Arts. Every year thousands of valley residents attend gallery showings, symphonies, dance performances and concerts at the architecturally stunning building overlooking Tempe Town Lake and Papago Mountain. Tempe Town Lake hosts events throughout the year such as Ironman Arizona and Oktoberfest.

The Tempe Royal Estates neighborhood contains no commercial properties, so shopping and dining in the small neighborhood is not possible. However, dining options can be located in adjacent neighborhoods. Located 2 miles away on the corner of Elliot Road and Rural Road, the Crepe Bar serves artisan-style, made-to-order breakfast and lunch dishes. Crowds gather here quickly, so come early or make a reservation. If you go with a friend, order something from the savory menu and something from the sweets menu to share. A popular choice from the savory menu, the Papa K combines local ham, mushroom ragout, pepper jack cheese and baby spinach. Pair it with a favorite from the sweets menu, perhaps a fresh-made crepe filled with Nutella and banana brulée. Also 2 miles away on Elliot Road, Tortilla Fish Taco Bar serves fresh fish and shrimp tacos straight from the family recipe book. The fish machaca includes steamed fish, vegetables and a special blend of spices, and the free salsa bar offers a wide variety of homemade salsas so you can dress your taco any way you want. Hidden in the Albertsons shopping center on the corner of Rural and Guadalupe Roads, Andrews BBQ remains one of Tempe’s best-kept secrets. Generous portions of ribs, brisket and chicken, all smothered with Andrew’s signature BBQ sauce, will make your mouth water. Start with an order of fried okra or pickles, and move on to the BBQ sampler plate. Choose the green chile macaroni and cheese and garlic mashed potatoes for your sides. You'll leave stuffed, but still wanting more. You'll find a handful of bars, such as Dos Gringos, and Skip and Jan’s Sports Bar, along Priest Drive near Elliot. If you are looking to dance the night away, try heading to Downtown Tempe for venues such as Rooftop Lounge and Patio and School of Rock.

Tempe Royal Estates residents enjoy wide sidewalks on both sides of neighborhood streets, making the area very walkable and bicycle-friendly. All major thoroughfares contain dedicated bike lanes, and miles of biking trails can be found along the Western Canal. Tempe Royal Estates dwellers rely on their personal vehicles and use them frequently to commute around the valley. You can access Interstate 10 only 1 mile east with U.S. Route 60 just 2 miles north. Bus stations along Kyrene Road and Guadalupe help relieve some of the daily commuting hassles for those who don’t want to use their cars. If you find yourself needing a ride, consider calling one of the local cab companies or use your smartphone to request an Uber or Lyft ride. Residential areas in Tempe Royal Estates have private parking. Commercial areas and business complexes in Tempe provide ample free parking, as do the park and recreation areas.

Tempe Royal Estates contains a small neighborhood park called Celaya park. Celaya Park features basketball courts, picnic tables and a playground; however, most residents walk a little further to go to the Kiwanis Park and Recreation Center. The 125-acre park contains pathways for walking, skating and biking, a large man-made lake suitable for fishing, and several athletic fields and courts. The 54,000-square-foot recreation center houses an indoor wave pool, fitness center and a 15-court tennis center. Movie night at the park allows families and friends to have a picnic dinner and enjoy a movie for free every Friday night in the spring and fall. Both parks are dog-friendly, but your pet must remain on a leash. The closest dog park can be found just over 2 miles away at the Tempe Sports Complex.

The cost of living in Tempe Royal Estates runs 2 percent lower than Tempe itself. A one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood costs around $800 per month. If you're traveling to downtown Phoenix by public transportation, expect a commute time of approximately 1.5 hours and a one-way fare of approximately $4. Gas prices in Tempe normally land approximately 9 percent lower than the national average. Depending on the venue, you can expect to pay around $5 for a pint of beer.

You can do all your everyday shopping close to Tempe Royal Estates, where a nearby Albertson’s and Walmart Supercenter cover most of the basics. Farmers markets can be found at Arizona State University along the Orange Mall on alternating Tuesdays or in neighboring Ahwatukee every Sunday. Just under 3 miles away, Changing Hands Bookstore provides book lovers with new and used books in a way only a neighborhood bookstore can. The shop offers beer, wine and food for patrons who stop by to browse or attend a book reading by their favorite author. Events occur daily, including book clubs, story time for children and author signings. If you are looking for a great deal, check out Thriftiques with its unparalleled combination of thrift items and antiques and its spot-on prices. When looking for a new pair of Jimmy Choo’s or the latest design from DKNY, head towards Scottsdale Fashion Center. In addition to small designer shops, the mall contains department stores such as Barney’s New York and Neiman Marcus.