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Moving to a new city is always challenging. And a large part of that challenge is looking for a place to live. There are so many things to consider when weighing your options-house styles, neighborhood safety, quality of schools, and the convenience of location-it all can be quite overwhelming.
Interested in living a little outside of Phoenix? Check out some of these cool cities: Glendale, Scottsdale, Surprise, or Tempe
That’s why we’ve researched the best up-and-coming neighborhoods in Phoenix for you, so you don’t have to. You’ve no doubt seen our guide on moving to Phoenix, which includes a short section on a few of Phoenix’s most popular neighborhoods.
This list is a more in-depth neighborhood guide meant to examine what it’s like living in each of these highlighted areas, with links to popular destinations, as well as available houses for sale and apartments for rent (and by the way of introduction, we’re Bellhop —Phoenix movers and beyond).
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A Little About Phoenix and its Neighborhoods
Phoenix draws new residents from across the country with its beautiful sunny weather, affordable housing, fantastic local grub, tasty craft brews, and outdoor activities that will lure anyone out of their slippers and into their Skechers.
But if you’re new to the area, you might not know where to start. Here’s a basic overview:
You might already know that Phoenix is Arizona’s capital and that it’s famous for its year-round warm and sunny climate and desert landscapes. The city acts as the central anchor of a sprawling, multicity metropolitan area aptly named the Valley of the Sun.
With over 1.6 million people, Phoenix is the fifth most populous city nationwide and the largest city in the state. And though it picks up on the arid climate passed on by the neighboring Sonoran Desert, Phoenix became popular as an agricultural community in 1867, dependent upon and thriving because of the area’s canal system. These irrigation canals were crafted by the Hohokam people, who lived in the area for over 2,000 years.
Other than the mountains in and around the city, Phoenix is generally flat, allowing the city’s main streets to run on a precise grid with wide, open-spaced roadways. The area is split generally between its south, central, and northern parts, with locals referring to these areas as simply “South Phoenix,” for example. Neighboring towns like Scottsdale and Mesa to the east and Glendale directly to the west of the city often get lumped into the area.
So now that you have an overview check out our list below. We’ve narrowed down the top up-and-coming neighborhoods in Phoenix so that you can pick your perfect new Phoenix home.
Roosevelt Row
This quirky, small-town spot is packed full of one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants and home of underground events that reflect the unique arts and culture of the community. It is located just a mile from downtown Phoenix. With over 100,000 new visitors each year, and more locals starting to peek in on what RoRo has to offer, this area is on track to be one of the best neighborhoods in the area, making it first on our list for the best up-and-coming neighborhoods in Phoenix.
What’s Happening in Roosevelt Row
RoRo’s biggest emphasis is on the arts (the neighborhood is technically considered an Artists’ District), and it puts special effort into supporting artists right from its backyard. Events like First Friday A.R.T.S. Market and Third Friday Art Walk feature these local artists in some of the nation’s largest, self-guided art walks. And numerous arts venues and galleries line RoRo’s mural-decked streets.
Sitting just off-center of downtown, this district offers all the tasty treats of center Phoenix’s restaurants, brewpubs and bars. Check out these amazing, close-by restaurants for a sample of the area’s finest: Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour, The Breadfruit & Rum Bar, and Taco Chelo.
Schools in Roosevelt Row
The schools in this area include Irene Lopez School, Cloves C Campbell Sr. Elementary School, and Valley View School, among others. The student-to-teacher ratio is usually 15 to 1.
Homes in Roosevelt Row
Because this area is still developing, there are many affordable houses. But as the area continues to grow, housing prices are certain to go up. The median price for a home in the area is $590,000. Rentals range from $1,625 to over $3,000 per month.
Garfield
Located about a mile and a half east of downtown, Garfield is a developing area. Built right into its historic agricultural tract, this scenic neighborhood is extremely walkable, and a myriad of restaurants and city destinations are easily accessible. And this little in between residential area is becoming more provoking by the moment, with shops, grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and outdoor activities a few steps from these houses’ doorsteps.
What’s Happening in Garfield
Phoenix has recently been gaining more attention from local entrepreneurs, and the city has opened numerous resources for startups, like many co-working spaces. One prominent business resource is just a few miles from Garfield – the small business job creation incubator, Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation.
Its excellent location makes Garfield easily walkable from downtown’s best restaurants and bars, and Roosevelt Row’s artsy events. But this little residential area has plenty of its own proud perks. Visit the local favorites, Welcome Diner, Gallo Blanco, Mariscos Playa Hermosa,, and Angel’s Trumpet Ale House.
Schools in Garfield
Schools in this neighborhood include Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary School, Garfield Elementary School, and Desert Thunder Elementary School, among others.
Homes in Garfield
Nearly 800 houses line this historic district, and many are bungalow-style homes. The area contains a number of pyramid cottages as well. Home prices average $489,990 while rentals are around $1,730 a month.
Tempe
One of the popular hubs right outside of Phoenix is Tempe. This city offers a vast range of recreational activities, featuring the arts, culture, and history of the area, family events, sports, and outdoor activities. And if somehow this doesn’t satisfy your calendar, downtown Phoenix is just a short 10 miles away.
What’s Happening in Tempe
One of the popular hubs about 10 miles outside of Phoenix is Tempe. This city offers a vast range of recreational activities featuring the arts, culture, and history of the area, family events, sports, and outdoor activities. And if somehow this doesn’t satisfy your calendar, downtown Phoenix is just a short 10 miles away.
What’s Happening in Tempe
The striking Tempe Center for the Arts hosts regular concerts, dance and comedy shows. The close-by Tempe Town Lake is frequently visited by kayaks, pedal boats, and paddleboards. Hayden Butte is another outdoor marvel, with ancient rock art speckling the mountain. Residents and visitors gather for the Tempe Beach Park outdoor festivals. And locals love heading to the Wells Fargo Arena for sporting events and concerts.
For some of the best local eats and drinks, check out Four Peaks Brewery, Casey Moore’s Oyster House, and Chompie’s.
Schools in Tempe
The schools in Tempe include Fuller Elementary School and Broadmor School, which both received an A letter grade from the state’s school board, and Kyrene de la Mariposa School.
Homes in Tempe
The homes in Tempe range drastically in style, size, and price across this larger neighborhood-city, but tend to be quite affordable. The median sale price for a home in Tempe is $469,000. The average cost for a rental is $1,925 per month.
Chandler
This popular suburb-city sits about 23 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix. It’s gaining more attention due to its lower crime rates, plenteous parks, family-friendly events and destinations, and great schools. This city is already big (being the fourth largest in the state), but it’s growing fast. One reason for this growth spurt is that this area is in one of the fastest-growing innovation and technology centers in the country.
What’s Happening in Chandler
Chandler offers a number of noteworthy parks, including Veterans Oasis Park, Tumbleweed Park, and Desert Breeze Park which features vintage train rides along the railroad. Of course, there are plenty of places to grab a delicious bite to eat in Chandler as well. Check out the unique Paletas Betty with handmade, Mexican-style popsicles. Other local eateries and bars include Pokitrition, SanTan Brewing Company, and Roy’s.
Each March, the Ostrich Festival lights up the town with carnival rides, concerts, craft booths, and the infamous ostrich races. And the diverse cultures of the area are frequently celebrated throughout the city, like during Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, and the Celebration of Unity event.
Schools in Chandler
Some of the great schools in this area are in the top 10% of Arizona public schools, Knox Gifted Academy, Chandler Traditional Academy, Arizona College Prep Erie Campus, Great Hearts, and BASIS Chandler.
Homes in Chandler
Chandler offers a range of house styles, from modern houses to historic homes. Home prices for this area are $529,000. A rental will cost $1,805.
Mesa
Mesa sits slightly east of Phoenix, about 19 miles from downtown. The area’s small-town feel, lower crime rates, good schools, affordable homes, and convenient proximity to the city have made this area a great place to live, relax, and work. And more people are picking up on this. If you’re looking for a quieter space to raise a family or settle into a long-term home, Mesa should be on your list.
What’s Happening in Mesa
Not only can locals easily access all the action of downtown Phoenix, but they can also explore the many parks, arts and culture venues, festivals, community events, and outdoor activities of their own neighborhood. And Mesa’s downtown is full of boutiques, locally-owned shops, studios, restaurants, and bars.
Locals and visitors alike enjoy exploring the old and new cuisines packed into Mesa. Some of our favorites are Casa Romos II, Red White & Brew, and Aloha Kitchen.. And if you’re looking for our suggested Mesa activity, go salt river tubing down the Tonto National Forest’s river.
Schools in Mesa
Schools in the area include Franklin at Alma Elementary School, Mesa High School, and Franklin East Elementary School among others. Schools in Mesa rank in the top 30% of best public schools in Arizona.
Homes in Mesa
Many residents find very affordable homes in this area, and houses have a median value of around $433,000. A good portion of Mesa locals rent as well and often spend around $1,500 a month. .
There you have it: the best up and coming neighborhoods in Phoenix!
We hope this was helpful. As a reminder, we offer local Phoenix moves and long-distance moving services in Phoenix, and if you decide to take the plunge soon, don’t forget we provide last minute moving services in Phoenix! So don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends here at Bellhop.
Other Phoenix Guides
- Moving to Phoenix, AZ
- The best neighborhoods for families in Phoenix, AZ
- The Best Places to Live in Phoenix
- The Best Suburbs in Phoenix
- The Best Breweries in Phoenix
- Best Places to Live in Arizona
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