Thinking about a move to Phoenix? Home to a growing job market, affordable housing, amazing nightlife, and plenty of great things to do, the capital of Arizona is a perfect city for singles and young professionals. Check out these five best neighborhoods in Phoenix!
Camelback East
Photo via @teamminik
- Home Price: $247,059 median purchase price; $884 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 33% of Phoenix neighborhoods
If you’re looking for a Phoenix neighborhood that’s close to the downtown action but far enough away to experience a welcoming, slower-paced community, Camelback East might be for you! Thanks to an abundance of affordable apartments and condos, Camelback East is one of the best places in the Valley of the Sun for singles and young professionals to live. On top of that, Camelback East is one of the best places to buy a home in Phoenix, with renovated ranches, along with Southwest and Neocolonial homes, dotting the desert landscape. And with amazing hiking spots like Piestewa Peak, a world-class zoo and botanical garden, and plenty of amazing bars, restaurants, and things to do in Phoenix, you’ll see why this area is one of the best neighborhoods in Phoenix for young professionals and singles!
Things to Do in Camelback East
Lace up your hiking boots and explore the trails at the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. Watch hyenas, jaguars, and more on the Africa Trail or Tropics Trail, and stick around for adult events like Roars and Pours at the Phoenix Zoo. Admire exotic cacti, trees, and flowers from the Desert Botanical Garden. Catch a Sun Devil’s (NCAA) baseball game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Sign up for a pottery, printmaking, or oil painting class at Shemer Art Center. Settle in for a three-hour dinner with more than 18 courses including Wagyu beef and caviar at Binkley’s Restaurant. Grab a Roma, Calabrian, or Salsiccia Pizza for some of the best pizza in Phoenix at The Parlor, a local favorite. Enjoy a night of vintage games, live music, and drinks at a popular dive bar in Phoenix, The Little Woody. Or sip cocktails like Unusual Times or Dude Bro during happy hour at The Bar.
Encanto
Photo via @historicphoenixhomes
- Home Price: $186,183 median purchase price; $784 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 13% of Phoenix neighborhoods
For a true “city” feel without the downtown price tag, give Encanto a shot! Bordering Downtown Phoenix, Encanto is a popular neighborhood because it has a mix of budget-friendly apartments, condos, and ranches, Spanish Colonial Revival, Southwest, or Arte Moderne homes. Encanto, Phoenix also has an abundance of jobs, especially in the healthcare field. For young professionals who work outside Encanto, this neighborhood offers a short commute into the city center, where you can find some of the best sports, nightlife, and museums in Phoenix.
Things to Do in Encanto
View the vast collection of Modern, European, and Asian works at Phoenix Art Museum. Head to Downtown Phoenix to cheer for the Phoenix Suns (NBA) at Footprint Center. Root for the Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB) at Chase Field. Gather your friends and take in the Arizona State Fair, featuring carnival rides, figure-8 racing, and funnel cakes. Grab your tickets for a show at The Phoenix Theatre Company. Explore the Melrose District, known affectionately as the “gayborhood,” with well-known establishments like Boycott Bar! Start your day with a Dark Chocolate Mocha Scone or The Original Breakfast Sammie at hip vegan coffee shop (and nighttime bar), Urban Beans. Pick up a Boston Cream, Rainbow Sprinkle, or Bear Claw donut from BoSa Donuts. Cut into The Humble T-Bone Steak or Slow-Roasted Prime Rib at Durant’s. Order Head Honcho Nachos or 2 Enchiladas at Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup. Or sing karaoke and participate in themed events like Ugly Sweater Night at retro dive-bar Rips Bar.
North Gateway
Photo via @tjz117
- Home Price: $260,769 median purchase price; $1,087 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 87% of Phoenix neighborhoods
A 30-minute drive north of Downtown Phoenix is North Gateway, one of the safest neighborhoods in Phoenix, with affordable apartments and Spanish Revival or Southwest homes drawing singles and young professionals to the area. Because North Gateway, Phoenix is an up-and-coming neighborhood, young adults can enjoy a quiet lifestyle while still having access to fun things to do and a variety of eateries. Nature lovers or those looking to make the most of the Phoenix climate will appreciate North Gateway for its mountain views, natural landmarks, and open spaces, like at nearby Lake Pleasant Regional Park.
Things to Do in North Gateway
Update your work wardrobe at the Outlets at Anthem. Explore over 36 miles of trails at the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve. Check out one of the best panoramic views of the city on the Palisade Trail at Deem Hills Recreation Area. Jump into Phoenix’s history and experience the Wild West by dressing up in historically-accurate clothing at the Pioneer Living History Museum. Bite into a Chili Size Burger or BLT at the no-frills bar and restaurant, Wild Horse West. Dine at one of the best Mexican restaurants in Phoenix on Margarita Monday, Taco Tuesday, or Sangria Saturday at Limón Urban Kitchen. Enjoy live music or root for your favorite team while eating Authentic Fish & Chips at Azool Grill, or take Green Tea or Birthday Cake shots with friends at Connolly’s Sports Grill. Or invite new friends over and decorate cookies or sign up for a Cookie of the Month subscription at Cookie Wednesday!
Paradise Valley Village
Photo via @greenspointatparadisevalley
- Home Price: $252,702 median purchase price; $1,127 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 67% of Phoenix neighborhoods
Located north of Old Town Scottsdale, the area of Paradise Valley Village is a great Phoenix neighborhood for young adults, with nearby Paradise Valley Community College and a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars. Residents who love the outdoors will be happy to call this area home because of its proximity to the Mummy Mountain Loop, Indian Bend Wash Path, and plenty of other hiking and biking trails. Plus, with its affordable Southwest, Contemporary, and Spanish Revival-style homes, as well as rentable townhomes and apartments, Paradise Valley Village is a budget-friendly area for singles and young professionals in Phoenix.
Things to Do in Paradise Valley Village
Fill up on baked goods and purchase hand-crafted items or local produce at the Roadrunner Park Farmers Market. Tee up and enjoy the Arizona sun at Orange Tree Golf Resort or Camelback Golf Club. Tour the gorgeous studio or find a new bronze and ceramic windbell, bowl, or planter to add to your home collection from Cosanti. Take cooking classes for date night at Sur la Table when visiting Kierland Commons or try eateries like The Buzz Eatery & Treats. Chow down on breakfast delicacies like Crispy Carnitas & Avocado Omelette, Linguica and Cheddar Scramble, or Key Lime Pie Pancakes at Original Breakfast House. Savor mouthwatering eats like Fazzoletti, Meatball Ferris Wheels, or Chicken Parmigiana at The Sicilian Butcher. Sit down for Wood Fried Edamame, Baked Spicy Crab signature rolls, or Shaking Beef at Mexican-Asian fusion kitchen SumoMaya. Or finish your night with drinks like the Tipsy Palmer, Mountainside Mojito, or Sycamore Lane at O.H.S.O Brewery.
South Mountain
Photo via @frankmartin_jr
- Home Price: $107,310 median purchase price; $839 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 27% of Phoenix neighborhoods
Nestled between the Salt River and South Mountain Park & Preserve is South Mountain, a neighborhood that offers some of the finest views of the Phoenix skyline. South Mountain’s low cost of living marks this area as one of the best neighborhoods in Phoenix for singles and young professionals. The plethora of Modern apartments, condos, and affordable Ranch-style homes makes South Mountain great for both renters and buyers. Whether you want to spend a day out hiking or grabbing drinks with friends, South Mountain has plenty to offer with its beautiful desert landscape, trendy restaurants, and vibrant bars. And the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is just minutes away, making this neighborhood in Phoenix great for young adults who travel.
Things to Do in South Mountain
Wander through Mystery Castle, an internationally-known architectural wonder located in the foothills of South Mountain Park. Take a stroll in the sunshine while snacking on fresh fruits at Summers Fruit Barn. Play 18 holes at one of the best public golf courses in Phoenix at The Legacy Golf Club. Fill up on Adovada Soft Tacos or NM Red Chile Tamales from Los Dos Molinos. Order farm-to-table dishes like Griller Ribeye and Apple Mascarpone Cannoli at Quiessence At The Farm. Bust out your dance moves at El Rancho Bar. Crack open brews, pick at Loaded Potato Bites or Buffalo Chicken Flat Bread, and cheer on your team at Gallagher’s Sports Grill. Or pick up a pool cue and a Summer Shandy during happy hour at The Silver Pony.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
