If you’re an Arizona State University (ASU for short) student, you’re probably wondering where all the best rental apartments are. And this guide is here to help. Here are the top neighborhoods in Tempe —the home of ASU— where students can find rental apartments. We spoke with Michael Martin, the Executive Vice President of the
Tempe Tourism Office and an ASU alum, who gave us the lowdown on the top ‘hoods for college kids.
Maple/Ash
Maple/Ash is a historic neighborhood within walking distance to Downtown Tempe and right beside ASU, according to Martin. If you’re the type that likes to walk or bike to class every day, this is the ‘hood for you. Martin says that many students will enjoy the plethora of restaurants that call this place home including
Casey Moore’s Oyster House, sandwich shop
the Perfect Pear, vegan eatery the
Loving Hut in addition to pizza shops
Oregano’s and
Fired Pie.
Apache
Apache refers to Apache Boulevard, a historic road that’s just south of campus. Perks of living on Apache? Access to the light rail—Phoenix’s easy-to-use mode of public transportation. Apache also features the “spice trail,” which refers to an abundance of affordable Vietnamese, Chinese, Pakistani, and Indian restaurants on that street. According to Martin, there’s also plenty of new housing in the area.
Papago Park
Papago Park is a public park in Phoenix and Tempe that gives active students access to outdoor hiking, biking and walking trails in a desert setting complete with red rocks and cactus. This neighborhood is a quick walk to Tempe Town Lake, a popular spot for recreational water sports like stand-up paddle boarding. Another perk? This neighborhood is in between both downtown Tempe and downtown Scottsdale —two areas noted for their thriving nightlives.
Downtown Tempe
If you want to be close to campus and hip restaurants and bars, consider living in downtown Tempe. This hood features Mill Avenue, the heart of Tempe that’s home to popular restaurants and bars. Downtown Tempe is also home to Tempe Town Lake, a popular outdoor recreation area and place to hang out.
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The Lakes
The Lakes is pretty far south in Tempe and not terribly close to campus, but Martin told us it’s a good area for restaurants like
Flo’s. Hangouts like
Doc & Eddy’s,
The Watershed, and
Pier 54. For those of you who are into healthy eating, The Lakes is also home to a Whole Foods. If you prefer to keep your home and school lives separate, this might be an ideal spot for you.
Happy apartment hunting! We hope you find your dream pad in Tempe. If you’re searching for a place to go hiking in
Phoenix, consider checking out these
top five trails in the area. 
