Tempe Arizona

Features in Tempe

Tempe is home to numerous public parks and recreational sites like Tempe Beach Park, Saleh Park and Daley Park. They offer playgrounds, dog parks, sports complexes and other amenities for public use.

Tempe also has one public library, located on South Rural Road. There are also a four university libraries to which residents have access as needed.

Tempe is served by several school districts like Tempe Elementary School District and Union High School District. There are also a number of private schools like Emmanuel Lutheran School for students.

Freeway Access in Tempe

Several major thoroughfares run through Tempe. Highway 202 runs just north of Tempe along its northernmost border. Interstate 10 runs along the westernmost edge of Tempe while Highway 101 runs along its eastern border.

State Highway 60 transects Central Tempe. The East Rio Salido Parkway runs through part of the city’s northern area. It connects to Highway 101, just south of the Highway 202 interchange.

Residential Communities

Tempe is home to dozens of residential communities. Many of them offer upscale living within gated neighborhoods.

Broadway Palms is a popular neighborhood in Tempe. It is close to the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo. Homes here can sell for as much as $425,000.

Another community is Temple Royal Estates. It is near Papago Park and the Heard Museum. It features primarily expansive single-family homes for sale.

Sunset is a residential community off West University Drive. It offers primarily upscale condos for sale and is close to the Phoenix Airport.

City of Tempe

Tempe has an ideal location. The city is surrounded by so many glorious Valleys in the Sun cities that you may never figure out where to start

Phoenix is 6 miles to the west, Scottsdale to the north, Mesa to the east, and Chandler to the south. So there you have it- a diamond of a city that seemingly stands out among its sister gemstones, all set in a stellar city setting. Wow! Now just ask yourself if you feel lucky- it’s all peaches and cream, oh what a dream! You’ll know from the sights, the sounds and the smells that you’re right in the middle of it all. So drink it all in and don’t be shy- you know you really earned it!

Tempe’s centralized location is easy to access the extensive freeway system that networks the Valley of the Sun. Tempe covers about 40 square miles. The city is ideal for those who want to get around.

Climate

The climate is typical of the southwest. There is a mild winter that is balanced by a long hot, dry summer. Many have claimed that the dry, hot summer conditions have helped to relive many of their allergy symptoms.

Summer days are clear and spectacular and the temperatures are truly remarkable. Spring and autumn are mild transitions into the other seasons. There is a brief monsoon season that is truly extraordinary.

Tempe Properties

Tempe properties are very much like those in the surrounding townships, but more. More affordability, more variety and even more retirement residents. Tempe and you; this could be the start of something big!

Tempe homes range in styles. Single family homes and expansive master planned communities for retirees are available. New home developments and mature neighborhoods are available. Condominiums and town homes are perfect living environments for those who want to move up while scaling back.

And there are plenty of commercial opportunities, too. Every type of business is found here, from education to small time operators who try to fill in the gaps that the big players can’t fit into.

Tempe will move you. It is a funky, friendly town where cross-culturalism and diversity reach their zenith and you’ll be amazed to find out all the things you never knew. Residents love this city for its strong cultural pride and sense of family with other less developed parts of the valley. And if you have the time, you can even go to school here. ASU is a nationally famous college that is very popular with students from American scholars from outside the state.

Shopping, recreational facilities, educational institutions, and cultural events are just some of the things lovingly thrust upon Tempe residents all year round. With all of this, it isn’t surprising that Tempe draws so many people. The city brings people in who are searching for the right place to live. Tempe has it all. Move yourself and your family to Tempe so you can get some, too.

The Market

The spectacular amount of market activity in Arizona over the past decade has been well documented. People of all walks of life have been moving to Arizona, and particularly Phoenix, in numbers unmatched in recent memory.

Figures from 2000-2005 show nothing but increased construction, development, unit sales and unit sales prices in virtually every category of structure offered on the market.

The greatest degree of growth occurred during fiscal 2005, where previous growth statistics, impressive in their own rights, spiked sharply to even higher levels.

Of particular note to the residential home seller/buyer was the record appreciation in new and resale home values. These rates were up for new homes and resales, rentals and condominium units, the only difference being one of degree.

While it is true that not all Phoenix area real estate markets showed the same amount of increase it is true that the degree of growth for each area was roughly proportional.

Then along came 2006 and equally well documented has been the decline in the rate of growth of some key market indicators. The greater Phoenix resale home market is showing marked decreases in sales figures for comparable periods last year across the valley and across most unit categories.

One interesting exception is median price for resale units has risen slightly. This rising price accompanied by a decrease in sales seems to be more in keeping with normal market tendencies. One would expect spectacular growth to lead eventually to a degree of scarcity that would be reflected in higher prices. Could this indicate that the market has reached its peak?

Let’s look at another indicator to see what it may tell us.

Since 1985, the Arizona Real Estate Center has computed what it calls “affordability indexes” for the Greater Phoenix area and several nearby cities.

The index was invented as a guide to predict market activity. When the index value is 100, the typical home buyer (based on the current median resale price and household income) would be able to afford a median-priced home at the stated effective interest rate. A lower index value indicates less availability of affordable single-family homes.

The affordability index for the areas selected for study shows significant reduction in the availability of that this type of housing within the means of the ordinary consumer.

Whether this data can be used as a reliable indicator for other groups and other types of housing is arguable, but it does beg the question “how much longer will the market be able to sustain a situation where both sellers and buyers can apparently benefit by getting involved in the market?

The short answer is that these conditions can remain so long as they are supported by the market.

So when we take a long look at the larger picture we must ask ourselves whether we can realistically expect to realize more potential gain or value now or at some time in the future and it is very reasonable to conclude that the best possible time to buy or sell Arizona really is now.

Tempe History

The story of Tempe is the story of one man, and that brave man was it was in 1869, while Hayden was on a trip from Florence to Prescott that he discovered the area that came to be Tempe.

Hayden decided to wait a couple of days before crossing the Salt River because it was running too quickly at the time. During his wait, he hiked up the butte and noticed the potential of the surrounding area. Soon afterward he filed a homestead of 160 acres near the butte.

He also joined in with a group to file claim to receive water from the Salt River for a new business venture called the Hayden Milling and Farm Ditch Company.

In 1858, Hayden was appointed federal judge in Tucson. Hayden opened a store and flourmill along the Salt River in 1872. He worked on building a canal along the base of the butte to bring water to the mill for grinding.

Then in 1873, he started construction of an adobe style home and built a cable operated ferry across the river. Later on, Hayden moved his freighting operation from Tucson up to this area. Eventually, a blacksmith shop, store, orchard and vineyard sprang up.

As time passed, more settlers arrived from Tucson and southern Arizona to help build canals in the area.

When the mill was completed in 1874, the area began to grow again. Hayden persuaded the new community to join him. It is believed that the name Tempe came from Darrell Duppa.

Duppa had looked out on the land and remarked that it resembled the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Try it yourself and see what you think.

The construction of the Maricopa and Phoenix Railroad crossing at the Salt River encouraged more growth. Tempe began to grow by becoming cattle shipping point, a railroad junction and main agricultural place. By the 1890’s there were farms growing dates and citrus. Although, the wheat, barley and oats crops helped the mill continue its business.

When the Roosevelt Dam was finished in 1911, irrigation became easier and the town grew again.

In 1929 the normal school became the Arizona State Teachers College. Later in 1945, the school changed its name again, this time to Arizona State College. Finally, in 1958 the school became Arizona State University.

When most people think of the city of Tempe, they think of Arizona State University. It is hard to imagine that this university began in 1885 on a donated five acre cow pasture. Today, the campus covers an amazing 700 acres and is located in the center of Tempe.

But that’s what happed. And that same cow pasture lies at the very heart of this noble institution that helps feed the fertile minds of the new generation of mostly Americans. With all this, is not the future assured- your welfare secured? Tempe, It’s a great place where you can help yourself but even a better place for getting the good feeling that you’ve helped someone else, somewhere.

Tempe Entertainment

Tempe is the cultural center of this state. There are any number of theatres and halls that sponsor plays, concerts and the like- many times of top-level performers.

There are also a number of outdoor festivals, most attached to some holidays, that draw folks from far and wide to see what all the commotion is about.

These events are so numerous that it is best to go to the city website at http://www.tempe.gov/ and find out what’s going on.

The Tempe library tries to provide its patrons with the best in available entertainment media. Print and digital media resources seekers will be happy to see a broad selection of items. And Spanish speakers will also be pleased to note the increased awareness of diversity and its major role in the strength of Tempe as reflected in the increased budget devoted to Spanish language acquisitions. Que bueno!

The Tempe Historical Museum sees their facility as a hallowed ground where the community can join together happily to celebrate all the good things that Tempe got in the past and ponder the uncertain future. The whole idea behind the exhibits and everything is just to get people to give up their past so we can all get a different future. And isn’t that what it’s all about?

Outdoor Activities

The area is unexcelled for hiking climbing, camping and horseback riding. You can also get to the nearby Salt River and raft the day away.

There are also a wide variety of parks for all purposes and interests that cater to the members of the coddled community. Don’t you want to be among the selected few- or to just feel like you are? That special feeling is largely what Tempe is all about!

And don’t miss the thought-provoking Double Butte Cemetery. Do you know why it is called Double Butte? Well you must visit to find out!

Don’t forget about Diablo Stadium- the Home of the Sun devils! This college stadium actually hosted the Arizona Cardinal NFL franchise for several years before the area could come up with the funding for a separate professional sports facility like they do in NY, LA, CHI, SD, well, you get the picture. And the picture is popping, as Tempe- much like the rest of Arizona, scrambles for a seat at the 21st-century dinner table.

Good luck!

Tempe Golf Courses

Practice your golf swing in Tempe, Arizona.

There are many golf courses available. Take a moment to locate the next golf course for you to play in Tempe or the surrounding area. There is a course out there that will help improve your golf game.

Use the following list to help you decide which golf course is right for you. Be sure to contact the course to find out prices and times.

It is time to get out and play a round of golf today in Tempe, Arizona!

Ahwatukee Country Club – Semi-Private

12432 South 48th Street

Phoenix, Arizona 85044

ASU Karsten Golf Course – Public

1125 East Rio Salado Parkway

Tempe, Arizona 85281

Dobson Ranch Golf Course – Public

2155 South Dobson Road

Mesa, Arizona 85202

Ken McDonald Golf Course – Public

800 East Divot Drive

Tempe, Arizona 85283

Lakes At Ahwatukee Golf Course – Executive

13431 South 44th Street

Phoenix, Arizona 85044

Pepperwood Golf Course – Public

647 West Baseline Road

Tempe, Arizona 85283

Phantom Horse Golf Club – Resort

7777 South Pointe Parkway

Phoenix, Arizona 85044

Raven Golf Club at South Mountain – Public

3636 East Baseline Road

Phoenix, Arizona 85040

Rio Salado Golf Course – Executive

1490 East Weber Drive

Tempe, Arizona 85281

Rolling Hills Golf Course – Executive

1415 North Mill Avenue

Tempe, Arizona 85281

Shalimar Country Club – Executive

2032 East Golf Avenue

Tempe, Arizona 85282

Thunderbird Country Club – Public

701 East Thunderbird Trail

Phoenix, Arizona 85040

Tempe New Home Developments

Tempe new home developments are found, on the southeastern border of Phoenix. Arizona State University is one of the biggest draws to living in Tempe. However, the culture and entertainment offer