Living in Tempe
Tempe sits in Maricopa County within the greater Phoenix area and is best known as the home of Arizona State University. The campus anchors the area around downtown, where the Mill Avenue District, Tempe Town Lake and the desert buttes of Papago Park all meet within a short walk of each other. That mix of a university campus, a walkable downtown and open desert parkland gives Tempe a more urban feel than many of its East Valley neighbors, with a street grid that stretches south into established residential neighborhoods.
CENTURY 21 Arizona Foothills works with clients across Tempe and the surrounding East Valley, bringing local knowledge to every search, whether the goal is a first home near downtown or a move from out of state.
What Is There to Do in Tempe?
Tempe Town Lake and Papago Park
Tempe Town Lake sits on the edge of downtown, with wide concrete paths along both shores that are connected by the Mill Avenue bridges. The paths are open for walking, running and cycling. Nearby, the City of Tempe manages its portion of Papago Park, a large desert park with trails, ball diamonds, basketball courts and open space.
Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue
Downtown Tempe centers on Mill Avenue, a corridor of restaurants, shops and gathering spots that runs from the lake south toward the university. The district is home to the Tempe Festival of the Arts, an outdoor art festival held in downtown Tempe, and the lakefront parks host events through the year.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University shapes much of the city's calendar, and the campus sits beside the Mill Avenue District and Tempe Town Lake, which keeps the downtown streets active through much of the year.
What Is It Like to Live in Tempe?
Daily life in Tempe moves between two distinct settings. Near downtown and the university, the city is compact and walkable, with apartments, condominiums and townhomes set close to shops, transit stops and the lake paths. Away from downtown, the pattern shifts to residential streets, neighborhood parks and shopping centers spaced along the major arterials. Both settings share easy access to the rest of the Valley, which is a large part of what keeps people in Tempe once they arrive.
Getting Around Tempe
Tempe has one of the most complete transit networks in the Valley. Valley Metro light rail runs through downtown with a stop at Mill Avenue and Third Street, and the Tempe Streetcar, the first modern streetcar line in the region, connects downtown with nearby neighborhoods and business centers. Local buses and circulators fill in the rest of the city, and the bike and pedestrian paths around Tempe Town Lake link into the broader trail network.
Tempe Real Estate
Homes in Tempe range from condominiums and townhomes near downtown and the university to established neighborhoods of detached homes farther from the university. Housing near the light rail line and the lake leans toward multi-unit buildings, while the outlying neighborhoods are mostly detached homes on suburban lots. To see what is available now, browse Tempe homes for sale, or narrow the search to townhomes and condos in Tempe and Chandler.
Schools in Tempe
Tempe is served by three public school districts: Tempe Elementary School District, Kyrene School District and Tempe Union High School District. District boundaries vary by address, so confirm the assigned schools for any specific property.
Connect With an Agent in Tempe
Every property in Tempe comes with its own details, from HOA rules in some communities to utility setup and parking arrangements near downtown. An agent from the CENTURY 21 Arizona Foothills Gilbert office can walk through what matters for any listing. Call 480-776-0001 to start the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tempe
Tempe is in Maricopa County within the greater Phoenix area, with Arizona State University and downtown Tempe at its center.
Tempe is home to the main campus of Arizona State University, the Mill Avenue District in downtown Tempe and Tempe Town Lake.
Yes. Valley Metro light rail runs through downtown Tempe, and the Tempe Streetcar connects downtown with surrounding neighborhoods and business centers. Local bus routes serve the rest of the city.
Tempe has condominiums and townhomes near downtown and the university, along with established neighborhoods of detached homes across the rest of the city.
Tempe Elementary School District, Kyrene School District and Tempe Union High School District serve the city. Assigned schools depend on the address.
The paths around Tempe Town Lake and the trails and buttes of Papago Park are both a short distance from Mill Avenue.
Find Your Place in Tempe
When Tempe is on the list, start with current Tempe homes for sale and compare nearby markets in the Chandler community guide and the Mesa community guide. The guide to buying a home in Arizona covers each step of the process, and you can create a free account to save searches and get updates on new listings. To talk with an agent who knows the East Valley, call 480-776-0001 and move forward with confidence.
Social Links