Warehouse District Phoenix, AZ

The Booker T. Washington neighborhood’s past parallels the history of the downtown Phoenix area. Pioneer Jack Swilling first encouraged farming and settlement in the Salt River Valley from the mid-19th century until the city was incorporated in 1868. Specific blocks became urban subdivisions after the introduction of the streetcar in the early 1900s. An architecturally varied and popular place to live, Booker T. Washington hosts special events during the year such as the historic tours of the Rosson House Museum, which is a large Victorian building dating to 1895. Special occasions in town often include a display of area-specific arts and crafts as well as local food and entertainment.

The neighborhood's name relates to the former Booker T. Washington School on East Jefferson Street and The Booker T. Washington Child Development Center on East Adams Street. Since its founding in 1967, the organization continues to educate children in low-income families.

Booker T. Washington's prime location puts it in proximity to several places to eat and sources of entertainment. For access to any destinations on the outskirts, hop onto nearby I-17 or I-10 to access the rest of the city's sprawling highway system.

A much-adored restaurant, and one with a large and loyal clientele, Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana makes some of the best pizza in the valley. Operating out of a surprisingly small building on North First Street, Pomo makes you feel as if you've just traveled to the bistros of old Europe and possibly back in time as well. Pomo's chef brings 30 years of experience to making homemade sourdough for authentic pizza bread. The house favorite, Regina Margherita, makes a great complement to just about every dish on the menu.

Another Italian eatery, The Strand Urban Italian, lies on East Jefferson Street. Go for a quick and affordable lunch or stop by later for happy hour, which runs from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., before heading over to a concert or a Phoenix Suns basketball game at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. From classics such as spaghetti and chicken parmigiana, to more adventurous dishes such as the quinoa plate, crab linguini and lobster macaroni and cheese, The Strand's meals more than satisfy folks who love pasta and fresh bread.

If you appreciate Japanese cuisine, be sure to check out Harumi Sushi on West Adams Street, or even get a meal delivered right to your home or motel room door. Many local residents consider this their go-to sushi bar thanks to the amazing personal service the staff delivers. Harumi's owner makes great recommendations from the menu and has been known to send complimentary appetizers to parties having a hard time deciding what to order. Take a chance on the "OMG" or "H3" rolls, especially with natural purple rice, which is a specialty of the house.

To enjoy sitting at a bar and chatting with locals, head up North Second Street just past East McKinley Street to Angel's Trumpet Ale House, which serves inventive comfort food and craft brews. Grab a high table or sit on the patio to sample a flight of beers while you look over the menu. Order a burger, if you're in the mood to play it safe, or try the spam sliders to live on the edge. Afterwards, order a homemade pop tart with seasonal toppings for dessert.

Mother Brunch Brewing, a microbrewery in the historic Garfield district building on North Seventh Street, serves local beers at its full bar. Go for brunch to get the full experience. The eggs Benedict-whether with turkey bacon or vegetarian-pairs well with the Sonoran White Chocolate Ale, which Mother Brunch keeps on tap.

Driving around Booker T. Washington does not require a lot of effort thanks to its grid-like layout and easy access to more than 25,000 parking spaces in downtown Phoenix.

Pedestrians can easily walk to area parks and public buildings, but if you're looking to travel farther than your feet can take you, the Valley Metro Bus provides reliable transportation that's handicapped-accessible and bike-friendly. Phoenix’s in-town light rail service also travels south on Central Avenue and east on either Washington or Jefferson Street. Visit Valley Metro's website to build a custom schedule for your trip.

Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport makes Booker T. Washington a convenient place to live for business travelers and people with family and friends scattered around the country. Lyft and Uber both serve the airport, as do regular taxis, though it's best to call ahead if you're in a hurry. Just call either company or download the companies' user-friendly apps on your smart phone.

Cyclists feel safe, comfortable, and encouraged on Booker T. Washington's smooth roads and well-established bike lanes. Phoenix drivers frequently see bikers on their commutes and generally respect the shared space.

There are several parks surrounding Booker T. Washington, each with its own unique personality. Verde Park, on the north side of the neighborhood, has basketball and sand volleyball courts as well as softball and soccer fields that light up for night games. The park also contains designated areas for playing horseshoes and picnicking, which include a shelter and grill. Southeast of Booker T. Washington, on East Jefferson Street, East Lake Park offers various sports facilities, a playground, amphitheater, and even a memorial to the American Civil Rights era. The onsite community center provides classes and programs that get people of all ages and cultural backgrounds together for family fun and educational enrichment.

Near East Lake Park, The Children’s Museum of Phoenix provides a play area that encourages children to develop their fine and gross motor skills. The museum itself, which was founded in 1998, maintains numerous hands-on exhibits that permit children to explore and learn about their world in an interactive and entertaining way. Right next door to the museum, the Heritage and Science Park holds the world-renowned Arizona Science Center and Rosson House Museum. Heritage Park hosts special events and festivals such as the annual Rainbow Festival and Street Fair. Public parking can be found in the Heritage Garage on 5th Street and Monroe Avenue. Make sure you let the attendant know that you’re visiting the park’s museum and restaurants to get a discounted rate.

The cost of living is reasonable in Booker T. Washington, especially considering its location in the heart of a bustling metropolis like Phoenix. Apartment rentals cost $762 per month on average.

Overall, the cost of living in Booker T. Washington hovers near that of the city that surrounds it. Gas prices stay about 10 percent lower in Phoenix than the national average and the bus fare to get to the center of the city has remained stable for years at only $2, with numerous discounts for young people, senior citizens and disabled passengers.

When it's time to head out for an evening, Mother Brunch Brewing Company sells pints of craft beer for $6.50 and knocks a dollar off during happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Booker T. Washington's boundaries do not contain a major shopping mall. A number of small complexes sit on the west side, which gives residents several options for retail shopping. Ideal for young professionals and college students, CityScape houses speciality stores like Charming Charlie, a much-adored boutique that showcases women's fashion accessories for reasonable prices and often on clearance. Avir Jewelry in the Arizona Center offers a wide selection of jewelry from their frequently updated inventory and also markets custom designs for premium customers.

The Phoenix Public market opens on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings and sells locally produced goods in a fun, family-friendly open-air marketplace. Selling farm fresh produce and baked treats, the market updates its inventory daily. The café located within the market is open daily and runs a food truck on Fridays.

For an authentically southwest grocery shopping experience, wheel a shopping cart into Los Altos Ranch Market on East Roosevelt Road. Try local specialties of the Southwest such as the horchata, menudo and buñuelos, which are all on offer at reasonable prices.