Walkable, Entertainment, Urban, Arty and Diverse Neighborhoods In Phoenix (Chandler: for rent, condos)

[Java Jolt]

The Phoenix valley is almost all suburban but there are pockets of urbanity, even parts of the west valley have some of these features.

North Tempe is the best urban area imo along Mill. When everything can be accessed with ease by bus, bicycle, or walking that's a true urban area.

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by Obamanation

Oh and also, anyone with more pics of the Melrose area would be appreciated. Also:

1. Is the Wild Horse Casino any good?

2. Anything else in Tempe besides ASU and Mill; what about this Tempe Town Lake area?

Thanks again everyone.

the Wild Horse Casino just opened a big new hotel/casino off I-10 just south of town...haven't been, but they're trying to be a big deal, it looks like...

Tempe Town Lake is pretty much right next to Mill/downtown Tempe/ASU....there are several apartment complexes and a few condo things within a block or two of the lake, which is actually a pretty neat thing for the Phx area...yes, there's much more to Tempe than the ASU/downtown areas....away from ASU are many regular neighborhoods, mostly somewhat older....it's a very convenient town to all things in the valley....

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by fcorrales80

The "Esplanade" and Esplanade Center are different things BUT in the same location, LOL! The Esplanade doesn't have a website as it is not a single development from a single developer, or a single entity running the entire "neighborhood." The Esplanade WAS going to be a "one developer" project by former Gov. Fife Symington (interesting financial debacles and legal trouble/fall from grace). However, that was kaput and thus it became a more realistic and less "master planned" atmosphere where the Ritz Carlton sits right next to townhouses, condos, and mid-rise/high-rise lofts, office buildings, a movie theater, bars/clubs, and restaurants:

Picture of one condo building taken from another across the street:





Near Saks at the Biltmore (I've had this pic for many years so it is old but looks similar, upgrades have been made):



From a "green belt" with pedestrian trails and a golf course in the Biltmore Neighborhood looking south at the mid-rise buildings on Camelback and in the background, a section of downtown Phoenix with Chase Field and Bank of America Building most prominent in the shot. NOTE this is another old picture... new towers downtown are absent from the picture along with condo towers at the Esplanade near the Ritz and more office buildings (two currently under construction, near completion with interior work now ongoing):



Biltmore Resort Grounds; they let guests walk around as many of the trails, pedestrian courts, fountains, etc are not walled off but connected to the neighborhood (the fancy and gorgeous pools are not however, LOL):



What kind of nightclubs/spots most interest you? Are you looking for high energy dance floors, cool urban lounges, live music? An example at the Biltmore would be Crush, a.k.a the Crush Lounge:



A closer pic of the tunnel floor, beautiful glass tile mosaics and patterns in the tunnel:

Excellent photos! It should be noted that Biltmore is completely separate from the Esplanade area (which is really a part of Camelback East). The Biltmore neighborhood is bordered by 24th Street on the west, 32nd Street on the east, Camelback on the south, and Lincoln Drive on the north. Other than Paradise Valley, it is where you'll find multi million dollar mansions. Basically, it's Phoenix's Beverly Hills.

[losadair]

Hi everyone -

Looking for neighborhood advice. Half my family has moved to Phoenix (actually now Anthem, in the far north suburbs). I miss my family, I love boiling-hot weather, and I really want to believe there's someplace in Phoenix that might work for me and my husband.

We've lived in Austin TX (my favorite) and Durham NC - both small, progressive oasis cities surrounded by more conservative areas. My husband's an artist and I am (or will be) a nurse. Neither Austin nor Durham had great transit options overall, but we were able to find housing in little pockets of walkable, diverse, art- and restaurant-filled, fun neighborhoods. I'm hoping there are places like that in Phoenix. I love being able to walk to a farmer's market, a couple taquerias, laid-back local restaurants and bars. Proximity to an art scene & studio space would be perfect. We've lived in "transitional" neighborhoods and don't mind some urban grit.

My sisters' neighborhoods are lovely but the houses are too big and manicured, there's too much driving, and the neighborhood feels too lonely for folks like us. We don't have kids, so school districts are not a concern. We can be happy living in a small house, an apartment, or a condo - we don't really need more space than 1000 sq ft, so the neighborhood is more important than the housing particulars .

I've got to believe that there's a little bit funkiness somewhere in Phoenix...but where?'

[HX_Guy]

Downtown Phoenix. Specifically the Roosevelt neighborhood, it's exactly what it sounds like you're looking for.

[CodyW]

Roosevelt would work. It would be pushing it to find much else like that in Phoenix. A couple of worthwhile older neighborhoods, but not much in the way of a bohemian/artsy vibe.


A suggestion, that you may or may not want to consider. Do you need to be in Phoenix itself? If you're willing to head two hours south, Tucson has MUCH more of the environment you are looking for, and has a vibe very similar to Austin at times. You two would probably enjoy it quite a bit more than Phoenix and would be able to find something more your style.

[PoppySead]

Tempe by ASU is like that.

[AZJoeD]

I also like the North Central corridor. Some nice restuarants and pubs, good shopping, walkability and easy access to the Light Rail. As urban as you get around here.

You could also look at downtown Scottsdale, very trendy, many high end art galleries, and a couple of local playhouses. More expensive, but there are plenty of affordable apartments and condos, especially on the south end of town.

Also it is a zoo on Fri/Sat nites, but you won't be bored.

[VickyVicky]

I agree with the first comment on one of the ends of Roosevelt, the area where the First Fridays takes place, full of art galleries, musicians, little shops out of houses, painted murals on walls, organic shops, and then you have the light rail for getting around, a lot to do, museums, parksm restaurants and library in walking distance. Are you looking to rent or buy a place?

[PlainWhite]

You also might want to check out downtown Mesa.