Phoenix
Although surrounded by inhospitable desert, Phoenix is one of the largest cities in the United States, and the nation’s single largest state capital city. The area contains numerous galleries and museums, putting the people in contact with everything from the European masters to Native American craftsmanship to modern originals from Phoenix’s diverse artistic community. The Downtown cultural scene has developed into a top-notch feast of visual and performing arts, with symphony performances, live theater, and the popular First Friday exhibitions. Phoenix is also an excellent city for sports fans, being one of the few cities in America with local franchises in the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL. Several thousand students attend the two Arizona State University campuses in the city, as well as the over-50,000 who attend the main campus in neighboring Tempe. Rental rates for apartments average around $1000 per month, but numerous more affordable options are available all over the city, from quiet houses for rent in the suburbs to downtown efficiency apartments. Getting around Phoenix is typically done by car for most residents, but a light rail system makes it easy to get across town without a personal vehicle; Downtown and its surrounding areas are quite walkable as well.
Mesa
Less than 20 miles east of Phoenix, the city of Mesa is Arizona’s third-largest city and is home to nearly half a million residents. The low cost of living, affordable apartments, and family-friendly environment make Mesa a highly sought-after suburb in Arizona’s suburban desert. Although Mesa sits within a short distance of Phoenix – making it the ideal location for commuters – many residents work inside the city of Mesa itself for local employers in the medical, aerospace, and retail industries. Mesa locals take advantage of the city’s constant sunshine, whether they’re catching a Cactus League ball game at Hohokam Stadium or tubing down the Salt River. The surrounding desert landscape is extremely popular with mountain bikers, hikers, and campers. The scenery is truly unbeatable, especially in the sprawling Tonto National Forest to the northeast. This town is rather quiet, with a focus on community and local history, rather than a bustling nightlife scene. However, Mesa is home to an array of top-notch restaurants and shopping centers. After you find your affordable apartment in Mesa, be sure to check out the Arizona Museum of Natural History, Usery Mountain Regional Park, the Mesa Arts Center, and Golfland Sunsplash.
Denver
Established in the mid-1800s as a mining town during the Gold Rush, Denver embraces its Western heritage along with a forward-thinking mindset. Larimer Square is a testament to Denver’s balance of old and new, boasting rows of creative restaurants, independent shops, and vibrant nightlife spots in Victorian-era buildings downtown. Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is renowned for its great outdoor adventures. Residents enjoy more than 5,000 acres of parks, trails, golf courses, and playgrounds as well as convenience to Red Rocks Park and Cherry Creek State Park. Denver is proximate to world-class skiing and snowboarding opportunities just outside the city too. City center skyrises provide incredible views of the mountains to the west, while spacious suburbs with single-family rentals make for the perfect place to set down roots. Cultural amenities abound in Denver, including the Denver Botanic Gardens, Union Station, Ogden Theatre, Denver Zoo, Denver Art Museum, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Denver is also home to five major sports teams—the NFL’s Denver Broncos, MLB’s Colorado Rockies, NBA’s Denver Nuggets, NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, and MLS’s Colorado Rapids.
