Planning to relocate to Tempe? As a college town, this Phoenix suburb offers conveniently-located, affordable neighborhoods stocked with gorgeous housing options, spacious parks, tasty local restaurants, exciting nightlife, and more! If you’re a young professional looking to move to Tempe, here are five neighborhoods to keep in mind.
Cyprus Southwest
- Home Price: $298,300 median purchase price; $1,164 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 41% of Tempe neighborhoods
Located just ten minutes from Arizona State University‘s Tempe Campus and three minutes from Harrison Middleton University, Cyprus Southwest is a fantastic neighborhood for young professionals pursuing a degree. This community has a lower cost of living than Tempe at large, and a variety of affordable housing options—ranging from apartment buildings to ranch-style homes. Thanks to Tempe’s warm weather, residents can spend lots of time outdoors in green spaces like Hollis Park. In addition, Superstition Freeway borders Cyprus Southwest to the south, enabling quick travel around Tempe for work, school, and to enjoy the ample nightlife venues!
Things to Do in Cyprus Southwest
Participate in a NaNoWriMo group, book club, and more adult programming at the Tempe Public Library. Explore Tempe history through artifacts, exhibits, discussions, and collections like Tempe Signs, and Tempe: Distinct, Diverse, Dynamic at the Tempe History Museum. Embrace your creativity by signing up for visual arts classes in a variety of mediums at the Edna Vihel Arts Center—or participate in Arts in the Parks events throughout the year. Bring your friends for a game of basketball, a picnic, or a relaxing stroll at Joyce Park. Stop in for a pick-me-up like the Honey Vanilla Latte, Blackberry Matcha Twister, and a personal-sized Pepperoni Croissant Pizza at LGBTQ-owned Brick Road Coffee. Spoil yourself with authentic Indian cuisine like Tandoori Chicken, Tikka Masala, or Vegetable Korma served at India’s Flame. Dig in to Tempe Mexican food like the Del Rey Tortas, Hawaiianos Tacos, or the Asada Quesadillas De Harina cooked up at Los Reyes de la Torta. Ride your bike over to enjoy craft beers and scratch-made meals like the Salmon BLT, Carver Burger, or Veggie Street Tacos at the bike-themed bar and grill, Spokes on Southern.
Daley Park
- Home Price: $429,100 median purchase price; $1,148 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 67% of Tempe neighborhoods
Looking to settle down in a peaceful neighborhood that’s still close to the action in Downtown Tempe? Daley Park is less than a ten-minute drive away from both downtown and ASU’s campus, providing access to some of Tempe’s best bars, museums, hiking trails, and college sports arenas. This proximity also means there’s a variety of affordable apartments and homes in Daley Park—ideal for young professionals wanting a healthy work/play balance! Daley Park, the neighborhood’s namesake, is the centerpiece of the area and one of Tempe’s oldest parks, providing green space for outdoorsy residents to play basketball, volleyball, baseball, and even horseshoes.
Things to Do in Daley Park
Participate in interactive exhibits on the history of scientific exploration, learn about weather patterns, check out a replica of the Mars Curiosity Rover, and more at the Gallery of Scientific Exploration. See famous Broadway plays like Les Miserables, The Wiz, Jagged Little Pill, and more at ASU Gammage. Laugh until your sides hurt during comedy shows from big names like Marlon Wayans and Robyn Schall at Tempe Improv. Stop by ASU’s Vista del Sol complex to try signature coffee drinks like The 4.0, The Hangover Cold Brew, or The Raspberry Rose White Mocha at ASBrew Cafe. Fill up on delicious Asian cuisine like the Arizona Teriyaki Bowl, Peking Pork Chops, Korean Bulgogi, and more at Osaka Grill. Order Thai food like Pad Woonsen, Pineapple Fried Rice, and Green Curry at Smile Thai Cuisine. Watch the game with friends while trying specialty cocktails like Amber’s Juice, Mango Dulce, or Fear The Fork at Mill’s Modern Social. Or snack on shareables like the Loaded Plantains or Coconut Crusted Shrimp and sip a Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri or Malaysian Mule at The Golden Pineapple Craft Lounge.
Kyrene-Superstition
- Home Price: $220,200 median purchase price; $1,173 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 16% of Tempe neighborhoods
One of the safest, most affordable neighborhoods in Tempe, Kyrene-Superstition is a quiet, walkable area that’s perfect for young professionals who want a slower-paced lifestyle. However, this area also offers proximity to Superstition Freeway and S Mill Ave, making Downtown Tempe’s job opportunities, restaurants, bars, and shops easily accessible to residents! Additionally, Kyrene-Superstition is situated within a few minutes of several popular Tempe attractions—including Kiwanis Park, Tempe Diablo Stadium, and more—so you’ll never run out of fun things to do in Tempe.
Things to Do in Kyrene-Superstition
Head down under the sea to get up close to 250+ species of marine life like sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, and much more at SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium. Explore a monument of Tempe history with a guided tour through the beautifully-preserved Petersen House Museum, which once received the Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation. Spend a day shopping major retailers like Oakley Vault, American Eagle Outlet, Forever 21, and more at the Arizona Mills shopping mall. Stop in for a hearty brunch and order the 480 Ribeye Steak Skillet, Three Little Pigs Omelette, Portabello Benedict, and more at Netta Cheta’s. Savor delicious Tonkotsu Ramen and chef’s special rolls like the OYSHI Roll, Spicy Girl Roll, and Arizona Roll at Azusa Ramen & Sushi. Bring your friends to share a slice of Tempe pizza like the Bianco, Pesto Pizza, or Pitchfork Pizza at Venezia’s Pizzeria, whose pies were featured in hit show, Breaking Bad. Fill up on homemade Arizona-style Mexican dishes like the Charro Completo Burro, Machaca Tacos, and Fresh Caramel Flan from Casa Reynoso. Or pick up desserts like Espresso Cake with Ganache, Lemon Raspberry Cake, Classic Cherry Cheesecake, and more from Honey Moon Sweets Bakery in Tempe.
Mitchell Park West
- Home Price: $245,500 median purchase price; $1,363 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 0% of Tempe neighborhoods
Though Mitchell Park West is largely residential, its prime location—just minutes west of ASU’s campus and southwest of Downtown Tempe—makes it a fantastic option for singles and young professionals. Affordable ranch-style homes dot the area surrounding Mitchell Park, a large green space which gives residents opportunities to take advantage of the Arizona sun. Mitchell Park West is a walkable neighborhood and a biker’s dream, since the area’s grid-like layout is surrounded by bike paths. And with S Mill Ave being so close, you’re always just a short bike-ride away from great Tempe bars, shops, restaurants and nightlife hot spots!
Things to Do in Mitchell Park West
Take a walk, play a game of basketball, or bring your pup out for a day of socializing in the dog park at Mitchell Park. Explore Tempe’s culture and creativity through art exhibits like Crafting Resistance, Making Visible, and Contours: The Essential Form at the ASU Art Museum, which has free admission. Explore miles of hiking paths, have a picnic, or join annual marathons like IRONMAN Arizona at nearby Tempe Beach Park—one of the best parks in Tempe. See the creations of over 350 artists from across the nation while enjoying beer and wine, food truck fare, and live bluegrass music at the Tempe Festival of the Arts. Sip tasty drinks like the Brown Sugar Milk Tea or Thai Tea Smoothie with a side of Pan-Fried Gyoza at Mochi Fresh. Treat yourself to some classic American comfort food like the Perfectly Grilled Cheese, Paco’s Tacos, G-Ma’s Mac, and more from Perfect Bear Bistro. Sample delicious African flavors with the Lalibela Exclusive combination platter, Asa Wat, or Yawaze Tibs from Cafe Lalibela Ethiopian Cuisine. Dig in to the Wild West Charbroiled Black Angus Burger, Maximilian Sandwich, Toro’s BBQ Beef Sandwich, and more served fresh at Harlow’s Cafe.
University Heights
- Home Price: $187,500 median purchase price; $920 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 33% of Tempe neighborhoods
University Heights offers an ideal locale near ASU’s campus, which attracts young adults looking to further their education and brings a youthful energy to this peaceful neighborhood. University Heights’ high walkability and bike-friendliness, combined with its close proximity to major roadways like the Price Freeway, makes for convenient commutes—not to mention easy access to the many shops, restaurants, and entertainment options available nearby in Downtown Tempe! There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy in this Tempe neighborhood—while sports fans will love being just minutes away from ASU Sun Devils (D-I) games at Mountain America Stadium, nature lovers can take advantage of the many outdoor recreation opportunities at Tempe Town Lake and Papago Park.
Things to Do in University Heights
Soak up the Arizona sun or bring your furry friend for off-leash fun in the dog park at Creamery Park. De-stress after a long day with a little controlled destruction and paint splatter at the Simply Smashing Rage Release Room. Wander through a natural preserve where you can see gorgeous native plants and wildlife from the Chihuahua, Mojave, and Sonoran desert biomes at ASU’s Desert Arboretum Park. Get in a great workout or sign up for ongoing MMA, Muay Thai, or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes at Arizona Combat Sports. Devour Mediterranean and Eastern European plates like the Chicken Shawarma, Falafel, and Haji Baba Baklava at Haji-Baba. Try classic tavern fare with a Tempe twist like the Poor Man’s Tacos, Juan Pablo Burger, or The Griller Chicken Sandwich at Tempe Tavern. Fill up on the Pastrami Boom Boom Burger, Carne Asada Philly, or the Sun Devil Hot Chicken Sandwich at The Hudson Eatery & Bar. Or share appetizers like Garlic Cheese Beer Bread or Brickhouse Wings while sampling signature cocktails and beers like the Pomegranate Mule, Pumpkin Porter, and Xerocole Desert IPA at Four Peaks Brewing Company.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes.
