7 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Tempe, AZ
Every city has its quirks, complications, and picture-perfect zones– and variety is the spice of life, after all! But it's essential to know the "lay of the land" when moving to a new city, especially if you're moving in from out of state. One person's dream environment may be another person's nightmare!
So I'm here to give you the inside scope of Tempe. I've lived here for ten years and I'm a licensed realtor. I'll give you my take on Tempe as a local while giving some professional insight and what I've heard from my clients shopping in the area.
Let's dive into my top seven things to know!
Tempe has two distinct traffic zones
Tempe is unique in that it has two distinct zones, particularly regarding traffic patterns. Northern/downtown Tempe is home to Arizona State University (ASU) and includes most of the city's businesses and office spaces. South Tempe is far more residential. And that means that you'll have very different driving experiences depending on where you live or work.
North Tempe has much heavier rush-hour traffic. The proximity to ASU also means there are a lot of pedestrians, bikers, and people riding scooters. In addition, there are more bus routes and the Tempe Streetcar in the downtown area, so you'll also be sharing the road with public transportation.
For people who don't want to depend on a car, North Tempe is a great place to be! But for those who may be accident-prone, like more predictable traffic, or who get frustrated on dense streets, you'll be much more likely to enjoy living in South Tempe.
You'll find a professional culture mixed with college-town vibes
Tempe has a very professional flavor, with many thriving businesses and college students bringing a career-focused environment. Many businesses have recently moved to Tempe from California, including a few Fortune 500 companies. There's also a thriving entrepreneurial atmosphere!
ASU also brings a college-town feel to the North Tempe scene. Locals particularly love ASU football and basketball, with tailgate parties and crowded sports bars during the season. But ASU doesn't just bring college sports– its influence drives the city to invest in clean, modern amenities. And don't forget cultural hubs like the ASU Art Museum!
For those who like to be in the thick of business development and the rising generation, North Tempe will likely offer many activities and events you'll enjoy.
For those enjoying a more consistent neighborhood with more established families, South Tempe offers proximity to as many events as you'd like with enough distance to live in a quiet neighborhood.
Tempe offers many public transportation methods and favors pedestrians
After points one and two, this next section will be no surprise. Tempe has multiple, well-connected public transportation systems, including a light rail, streetcar route, and buses (including micro-bus routes that service only a few neighborhoods). It's not as robust as huge cities like New York. Still, compared to the nearest cities, Tempe has an excellent public transportation system.
Downtown Tempe also caters to pedestrian traffic, with many sidewalks and covered walkways to shield pedestrians from the summer sun. You'll also find a lot of bike and scooter commuters.
The public transportation also connects with some of Tempe's big city neighbors, like Phoenix and Mesa. I enjoy taking the light rail to Phoenix or Mesa for meetings and not worrying about navigating traffic.
However, if you're not into a city vibe or sharing the road with pedestrians, bikers, and buses, you'll probably enjoy South Tempe more. The light rail and streetcar don't service South Tempe, and the bus routes are less dense.
Nightlife is one of Tempe's main attractions
With a college and professional demographic, it's no surprise that Tempe is known for its thriving nightlife! Tempe has so many great restaurants, sports bars, events, and shopping options.
I'd describe the nightlife crowd as loud but casual– it's not a fancy clubbing scene, and people don't really dress up much. But there is a lot of music and entertainment, so you'll definitely hear the parties and events if you live close to ASU or downtown. And it's not just the college students going out either! There's always a diverse range of ages and cultures enjoying a night out.
Landlocked means a small area with high population density
Tempe is in the middle of several bigger cities, including Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert. This prime location is a very popular landing place for Arizonans, college students, and out-of-state relocators. Real estate is relatively less expensive in Tempe, with excellent access to all of these larger hubs.
That being said, people continue to move to Tempe without any land being added to the city limits. There are a few "repercussions" to being boxed in, including that new development is going vertical. We'll talk more about that in the next point.
And with the rise in condo and apartment building development, the population continues to increase in a closed area. Tempe will likely continue to be a popular destination for the foreseeable future, meaning it will have an increasingly dense population over time.
Most single-family homes were built in the 1980s
The landlocked situation means that the available land was developed decades ago– meaning that most single-family homes were built around the 80s. The new construction and development you'll see now in Tempe required the demolition of previous structures to make the new builds possible. And that's the case with new single-family homes.
So what does this mean to a home buyer looking for a single-family home? One is that these older homes contribute to Tempe's lower real estate prices relative to the neighboring cities. However, it usually also means that you'll need renovations or pay for repairs sooner than you'd have with a new build.
One thing I've noticed as a realtor is that many homeowners in Tempe have renovated the cosmetics of their 70s-era homes, making them more attractive listings when they sell. But they rarely update the home's systems, like electric, plumbing, HVAC, or roof. So that's one expectation I like to check with those shopping for older renovated homes in Tempe– make sure you clearly understand the invisible but essential systems to any prospective home.
Tempe has a thriving rental population
Tempe has a high renter population, with about 60% of people renting their residences in the city. While a significant portion of the renters includes students living by ASU, South Tempe also has many short and long-term rentals. Short-term rentals include Airbnbs, with long-term rentals covering those with a year lease or longer.
The rental popularity offers a few different viewpoints. Some people prefer to have a close relationship with their neighbors and community. That can be difficult when you have a handful of renters living on your street.
But it also offers an excellent opportunity to invest in real estate for a home now, then turn it into a rental later. Tempe has a very stable renter demand, so it's a great area to confidently expect to flip your home into rental income when you're ready to move.
Ready to Check Out Tempe with a Local Realtor?
My name is Stephanie Hernandez, licensed Realtor and Arizona native. I've lived in Tempe for several years and have absolutely loved getting to know the city. So if you're looking for a change, get a local's opinion for the perfect Tempe location for your needs!
Contact me today at realtor@stephaniehernandez.com
