Best 7 Phoenix Metro Neighborhoods

Phoenix is more than just a city in the Sonoran Desert. With the greater metro home to over five million residents, Phoenix has become a must-see metropolis and winter vacation destination, welcoming millions of visitors each year. It’s a hub for Spring training, a retirement haven, and spotted with golf courses. 

Those moving to Phoenix may struggle with choosing where to live. It is hard to decide where you will call home with so many options and the unique characteristics in the surrounding suburban cities.

Do you prefer access to lots of outdoor activities? What about a weekend football game? Or a neighborhood with plenty of shopping and dining options? We found a few of the best places to live in the Phoenix metro. Get to know these Phoenix metro neighborhoods. 

Tempe

Are you looking to live somewhere packed with local events and things to do? Tempe might be for you. Sitting east of Phoenix, locals describe Tempe as a neighborhood with “college-town vibes” but with an urban experience. Arizona State University is the largest college in the Phoenix metro, with thousands enrolled each year. Locals get the college town perks like a lively nightclub scene, sporting events, and progressive arts and culture right in the neighborhood they call home.

The job market has boomed. Some popular industries are healthcare, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, business, and tourism.

The most popular attractions in Tempe are for those who love the outdoors. Tempe Town Lake on the north side has an abundance of watersports and swimming activities. Surrounding the lake are several trails for walking, jogging, and cycling. The lake is a famous scenic spot, drawing over 2.4 million visitors annually. Many events occur in some open spaces, like concerts and festivals.

Downtown Tempe is a hotspot for entertainment, filled with restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops. Residents gather for the Tempe Festival of the Arts twice a year, with over 350 artists participating each time to showcase their work. Mill Avenue shuts down for 2nd Sundays, an outdoor market with live music, vendors, and food trucks. And on holidays, this is the place to be, with Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Halloween, Hanukkah, and Christmas celebrations on the calendar.

Real estate in Tempe mixes architectural styles between both Spanish and modern-styled homes. With the significant student presence, there is an abundance of apartments, condos, townhomes, and single-family homes.

Tempe had over 330 properties for sale as of October 2023. As of Q3 2023, the median sales price in Tempe is $570,000, an increase of 10% from the previous year.

Mesa

East of Tempe is Mesa, a neighborhood southwest of the Usery Mountain Regional Park. As Arizona’s third largest neighborhood, Mesa is the top choice for those who seek a slice of the Old West and access to desert trails.

Find an abundance of educational, cultural, and outdoor attractions in Mesa. Go back in time and visit one of the old west towns to submerge yourself in how life was back then. A popular trip runs up the Apache Trail and into the foothills of the Tonto National Forest. There, a replica of a mining camp, an old west stagecoach, and a ghost town shows what pioneer life was like.

Another popular thing to do is the Fresh Foodie Trail. No, there are no desert hikes here. Although the views of the Sonoran Desert will surround you, this trail is about finding the best local flavors. It trails to Mesa’s working olive mill, wineries, and farms. It ends with a breathtaking dining experience against a mountainous backdrop.

Properties in Mesa are predominantly bungalows, which reflect the style of homes from its initial inhabitants in the 1920s. You may see some revival, Tudor, and Pueblo-style homes. Newer homes are modern or contemporary styles.

A combination of condos, townhomes, and single-family homes dominates the real estate landscape in Mesa. Single-family homes sold in September 2023 were at a median sales price of $486,200, a 1.3% increase from 2022. Townhomes and condos had a median price of $290,000.

Chandler

Chandler dates back to the late 1800s. What was once known for farming and its successful implementation of a system of canals in a desert, Chandler is now a thoroughly modern city. Innovation is its hallmark, and Chandler is now a hub for pioneering technology and medical research.

Sitting south of Tempe, the Chandler area is known for its innovation, community, and unique annual Ostrich Festival.

Chandler’s appreciation for the arts is clear. Across the neighborhood are colorful murals painted by local and national artists. These murals reflect the expression of the local residents.

If you love history, there is plenty to learn about here. Learn about the railway at the Arizona Railway Museum, or visit one of the historical properties still standing with various architectural styles. In Chandler, you will see how the Spanish mission and southwestern-style construction influenced the buildings of the time.

The whole family will find something fun in Chandler. The local mall has one of the five Crayola Experience stores in the nation. The parks have splash pads on hot days, while the outdoor trails beckon in the mild winter. If they love nature, they can take an equestrian tour of the Sonoran Desert on horseback.

A Chandler single-family home in September 2023 sold at a median price of $558,000, with a slight decrease from the previous year. This decrease in sales is possibly due to reduced inventory on the market.

Gilbert

The modern neighborhood of Gilbert bursts with contemporary amenities while hinting at its past. Once called the “hay shipping capital of the world,” Gilbert grew into a robust neighborhood with almost 275,000 residents. It’s grown briskly from a small Phoenix metro neighborhood.

The Heritage District is in the heart of downtown, filled with bars, shops, and flavorful eats. There is a whole day’s worth of activities and spots at the Heritage District. Visitors start their day at Bergies Coffee Roastery, spend hours at the Gilbert Historical Museum, and take the kids to cool off at the Water Tower Plaza splash pads.

If you’re looking for outdoor activities, Gilbert has many for residents to do. Residents cycle over 135 miles of bike trails, explore the Riparian Preserve’s 110 acres, or experience natural wildlife. The Gilbert Farmer’s Market opens every Saturday with locally grown produce, food trucks, and entertainment.

As a testament to the old Wild West, Gilbert’s recent construction displays multiple architectural styles, like the modern Spanish and Southwestern Mission. Single-family homes sold in Gilbert at $590,000, and condos and townhomes sold for $416,436 at the end of Q3 2023. Both ended the quarter positively with a median increase in sales of 2.6% and 2.1%, respectively, from the prior quarter.

Peoria

In 1954, Peoria incorporated with 2,500 residents, setting the foundation for one of the fastest-growing communities in the US. Today, the population is growing to 197,000 residents. North of Phoenix, Peoria is laid out in a long rectangle with most of the dense city development to the south and the untouched desert to the north. 

Peoria’s settlers first arrived in the early 1880s to irrigate agriculture in the area. Throughout the years, settlers of Peoria built towns and homes, some of which still exist today. Some examples are the historic Gothic revival First Presbyterian Church, the Peoria Jailhouse, and homes ordered through catalogs.

Peoria might be for you if you want a place that supports local businesses and entrepreneurship. It is a known business-friendly hub with a lower cost of living and doing business. 

Locals shop at the West Shopping Center and relax at the Cibola Vista Resort and Spa. Or they take the day and play a game of golf at Quintero. For a relaxing outdoor time, locals head to Lake Pleasant with its many on- and off-water activities.

Ranch styles predominate Peoria homes, but there are other influences like Spanish Mission, Pueblo, and Colonials. Single-family homes sold in September 2023 at a median price of $540,000, with 213 units entering the market that month.

Glendale

Football fans might be more inclined to move to Glendale as it is home to the Arizona Cardinals. In addition, the State Farm Stadium has hosted two Super Bowl events, putting this area on the map for future NFL events.

Established in 1910, about 260,000 residents live here just west in the Phoenix metro neighborhoods. With so many residents, Glendale has something for the entire family to do, whether shopping, parks, attractions, dining, or events promoting arts and culture.

The Westgate Entertainment District is a modern 8-million-square-foot outdoor facility with restaurants, walking space, and top-notch shopping options, like Just Sports, Retail Therapy, and La Lady Boutique. This mixed-use facility is one of North America’s most significant urban developments. Each year, it hosts concerts and events and has a built-in hotel and residential section.

Glendale’s thriving culture scene is evident with cool museums like the Neon Museum and historic buildings such as the Doctor’s House. Locals visit the West Valley Symphony or the Arizona Broadway Theater for a show or visit historical areas to learn more about Glendale’s journey to become what it is today.

The Arrowhead Towne Center Mall is the focal point of the local shopping experience. Large retailers like Macy’s and JCPenney and luxury brands like Coach are open for the ultimate shopping experience. 

The area’s most popular architectural style is ranch-style homes. Median sale prices for townhouses, condos, and single-family homes ended positively at the end of the third quarter, with percentage changes up to 4.6% and 8.4%, respectively. Median prices were $454,000 for single-family homes and $277,500 for townhomes and condos.

Scottsdale

If taking a swing at a golf course excites you, Scottsdale might be the right place for your next real estate purchase. It is known as one of the “World’s Finest Golf Destinations,” and players test their skills in one of the over 200 different golf courses.

Still, Scottsdale is not all about golf. Known for its perks, Scottsdale is one of the top places to live, work, and play, with a mix of outdoor activities and high-end shopping. The Scottsdale Fashion Square hosts some of the most luxurious brands within its walls, with stores like Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. 

Locals visit world-class art galleries, fine dining, bars, or one of the six wineries right on the foothills of the mountainside. A favorite among the locals is the Citizen Public House. Patrons munch on their notable short ribs, juicy filet mignon, and delectable seafood options. Wine lovers have six local wine-tasting rooms, with regional options from one of the Scottsdale-based three wineries. The Ardius Wine Company, Carlson Creek Vinyard, and Salvatore Vinyards are popular options.

Median sale prices in Scottsdale are much higher than in other areas. At the end of September 2023, single-family homes had a median sales price of $999,500, and condos and townhomes were priced at $502,000.

Phoenix’s best neighborhoods

Whether you are into football, outdoor activities, a history lover, or just looking for a sunny place to call home, there is a Phoenix metro neighborhood for you. As you move forward with your home search, keep in mind the neighborhood traits that matter most to you. Contact your local real estate agent to help you find the right place in Phoenix to call home.