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
Mesa combines suburban living with city conveniences as Arizona's third-largest city. Spanning 143 square miles across the Sonoran Desert, the city features both established neighborhoods and newer developments. At its heart, downtown Mesa hosts the Mesa Arts Center, offering year-round performances and exhibits. The rental market shows average rates from $1,117 for studios to $2,585 for four-bedroom homes, with recent decreases between 0.8% to 2.5% year-over-year. Notable areas include Dobson Ranch with its golf course and lakes, the Las Sendas area near Red Mountain, and the developing Gateway district by Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. The city's heritage includes ancient Hohokam canals that still shape Mesa's water infrastructure today. Residents enjoy Red Mountain Park's 1,146 acres of recreational space, spring baseball at Sloan Park (home to Chicago Cubs training), and educational opportunities at Mesa Community College and ASU's Polytechnic campus. The Superstition Mountains provide hiking trails and outdoor recreation, while the Salt River offers water activities. Mesa Public Schools serves the community's educational needs. The area around Falcon Field Airport, home to Boeing's operations, continues to expand with technology companies, while local farmers' markets maintain the city's agricultural traditions.
Tempe
Resting along the Salt River, Tempe’s major claim to fame is the main campus of Arizona State University. More than fifty thousand students attend classes here, and the university’s impact on the local culture cannot be overstated. In addition to being the city’s largest employer, ASU serves as the cultural hub for Tempe, hosting guest speakers, art and history exhibits, concerts, and other events that draw students and non-students alike. In addition to ASU Sun Devil sports, Tempe is also home to the spring training facilities for the Los Angeles Angels and the Legoland Discovery Center Arizona. Most of the nightlife and entertainment options in town are clustered near the ASU campus on the north side of town, with the areas further south mostly occupied by quiet suburban neighborhoods. Along with the impressive campus of ASU, Tempe house beautiful green spaces. A few miles from the Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe Beach Park offers gorgeous views of the city via the Tempe Town Lake Bridge along with a splash pad and athletic fields. Tempe Beach Park is also home to Tempe Center for the Arts and the Scottsdale Musical Theater Company. Just across the river from campus sits the massive Papago Park, a sprawling facility that provides access to the rugged beauty of the desert via hiking and bike trails, plus popular golf courses, a zoo, and a cultural center. Partly due to the high population of college students, apartments in Tempe tend to be very affordable, making it an attractive community for commuters in the Phoenix area. Take the time to discover your next apartment in Tempe — it’ll certainly be worth it.
