A Phoenix Expert's Relocation Guide: Best Neighborhoods to Rent Near Banner, ASU, & Amazon

Phoenix has long been one of the fastest-growing metros in the United States. When I think about how much I’ve seen it change over the years, it’s no wonder so many young professionals flock to the area every year. With sunny weather, lots of space, and a positive vibe, it’s just as popular for retirees and people of all ages in between.

Current Pricing for Apartments for Rent in Phoenix

If you’re looking at work in Phoenix, then you’ll need a place to stay, and I’m here to offer you some insights that can help. There is no shortage of massive employers in the city, but today, we’re going to look at four of the most prominent, and I’ll show you some of the best, closest neighborhoods to each of them.

Banner Health

Banner Health makes up one of the largest healthcare providers across the Phoenix metro. With locations all over, the largest is the University Medical Center Phoenix, near downtown. Along with a multiplex of specialty clinics and the nearby corporate center, you’ll find the largest concentration of Banner Health jobs between downtown and uptown.

If you want central living with great amenities and a short commute, consider these neighborhoods.

Encanto Village

Encanto Village makes up the urban neighborhood just north of downtown. Running right into I-10, it’s centrally located and one of the best areas for professionals who want to soak in the city life while still having a little room to breathe.

Within the Encanto neighborhood, you’ll find the Enchanted Island Amusement Park, Encanto Park, the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the Arizona State Fairgrounds, the Phoenix Art Museum, and more.

Many of these lively spots are within walking distance, and none are more than a short drive away.

Combined with easy access to downtown, countless places to eat, shop, and relax, and a wide range of living options, Encanto Village is one of the most desirable areas in Phoenix proper.

Coronado

Just east of Encanto, you’ll find Coronado, the other neighborhood nestled right on top of the largest cluster of Banner locations.

Coronado makes for one of the best places to find single-family homes that are still right on top of downtown Phoenix. It’s walking distance to many Banner locations, yet it offers competitive housing and rental prices.

It still sits outside of the skyscrapers of downtown, so you get a little more neighborhood with your home. Yet, it’s so close that you have extremely easy access to all of the most famous and active parts of Phoenix.

Garfield

Located south of I-10, Garfield is located in downtown Phoenix. As one of the oldest neighborhoods in Phoenix, you’ll find plenty of local history here. Despite its age, it remains one of the premier residential areas in downtown Phoenix.

Despite being in the absolute heart of the city, it’s a relatively short commute to many Banner locations, meaning you get to enjoy the best of what Phoenix has to offer without setting yourself up for a miserable daily commute.

Honeywell Aerospace

Headquartered at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Honeywell employs more than 100,000 people around the world. The largest location is right here in Phoenix, providing more than 40,000 professional jobs.

Honeywell competes in aerospace designs and innovations, and has led the way since the 1930s. Anyone looking for quality work will find a competitive employer with Honeywell, and anyone looking for convenient places to live should check out a few prime neighborhoods.

Central City

In the southeast corner of the greater downtown area, Central City nestles against I-17. An extremely urban area, it’s one of the closest neighborhoods to Sky Harbor. Being in the center of the city, it’s an amazing place to have fun. You can essentially walk to many of the biggest spots in downtown, including Chase Field.

You’ll never find a shortage of dining or entertainment options. If you want to soak in the thriving bustle of downtown Phoenix, this is one of the key neighborhoods to consider.

Montezuma Heights

Just north of the airport and on the eastern end of downtown, you will find Montezuma Heights. Still very much in the heart of downtown Phoenix, this neighborhood offers affordable housing prices compared to most of the area.

Despite those lower housing costs, income in the neighborhood is above average. This makes it a handful of neighborhoods that offer the very best experience possible if you want to pursue the full-impact life in downtown Phoenix.

Eastlake Park

Eastlake Park makes for a nice little getaway in the middle of Phoenix. The surrounding neighborhood is arguably the very closest to the Honeywell headquarters. A part of “historic” Phoenix, this neighborhood is right on top of the Children’s Museum of Phoenix and runs right into Chase Field.

Rounding out the leading neighborhoods for life in downtown Phoenix, Eastlake offers a combination of upscale and affordable living options.

Arizona State University

When talking about the biggest employers in Phoenix, it’s difficult to overlook ASU. With one of the largest campuses and one of the largest in-person student populations in the country, ASU is jam-packed with people, jobs, and opportunities.

From research and teaching positions to administration and groundskeeping, the range of work is wide, and every member of the team can take pride in being a part of the Sun Devil team.

ASU sprawls, but if you want to live close to the main campus, you’ll be browsing neighborhoods in Tempe.

Riverside

Riverside sits on the west edge of the main ASU campus and runs north into the Salt River. A very popular location for students, if you want to feel the pulse of ASU, this is a great place to be.

Naturally, many staff members of ASU also live in the neighborhood, making it a great place for ASU employees of all stations. Riverside particularly shines for starter homes. While you can find houses in the millions of dollars, you can also find far more affordable living options here, allowing you to stay close to work without killing your budget on housing.

Lindon Park

A little farther to the west, Lindon Park is just past the edge of downtown Tempe. Giving you a little more room to breathe and sprawl, you can find spacious, quality apartments throughout the neighborhood. With plenty of access to food, fun, and everything else you need, you’re still close enough to campus that everything is Sun Devil themed.

Jen Tilly Terrace

Still in Tempe, Jen Tilly Terrace gets a little farther away from the center of ASU. You’re still able to get to your side of campus in just a few minutes, but you’re getting into some of the prettier, more upscale parts of Tempe.

Almost an oasis nestled into the middle of Tempe, Jen Tilly Terrace is walkable, friendly, filled with amenities, and downright charming.

Amazon

A company that needs no introduction, Amazon has plenty of locations and jobs throughout the Phoenix metro area. Rather than overwhelm you with so many different spots and neighborhoods, I’ll focus on the biggest fulfillment center in the region: SAZ1.

It’s not the catchiest name, but it sits south of the Salt River, just outside of downtown. Still in Phoenix proper, this fulfillment center has tons of workers and plenty of nearby housing.

South Mountain Village

One of the larger neighborhoods in southern Phoenix, South Mountain Village gives you the very best access to SAZ1. The village stretches from South Mountain Park to the Salt River. Packed with smaller neighborhoods that cater to different styles, tastes, and living desires, the totality of South Mountain Village has something for everyone.

You can find upscale living options, competitively affordable apartments, and everything in between. There’s no shortage of amenities, and with the South Mountain Park so close, you can actually get out of the city and into nature whenever you like.

Overall, you’re looking at commutes that range from walking distance to roughly a 15-minute drive (depending on traffic), keeping you close but giving you enough room to find a place you really like.

Laveen

West of South Mountain Village, Laveen Village offers a little more commuting time to the Amazon center with a few perks to compensate. Being even farther from downtown, you get closer to a suburban environment with a number of parks and recreational areas. Laveen still has easy access to South Mountain, but you have a number of even closer getaways like Cesar Chavez Park.

Laveen also sits on the edge of Phoenix, making it easy to truly get out of the city when the mood strikes. Meanwhile, much of Laveen is still within 20 minutes of the fulfillment center, and the village has its own vibe. From Anderson Farms to Dobbins Ranch, you can find fresh foods, entertainment centers, and everything else you could want for daily life.

Central City South

Just across the river from the fulfillment center, Central City South sits inside of downtown Phoenix. If you’re looking for more of that high-energy city life to accompany your Amazon career, this is a good spot to consider.

Central City South is a little removed from the very busiest and most crowded parts of downtown Phoenix, but you’re still centrally located with easy access to everything the middle of the city has to offer.

It’s also one of the most affordable neighborhoods in downtown Phoenix.

That covers some of the largest and promising employers in the Phoenix area, but it really just scratches the surface. The truth is that Phoenix has been a fast-growing city for a long time for a lot of good reasons. Opportunity abounds. When you find work, searching for the right neighborhood gets a lot easier, and I’ll keep making guides to help you find a great place to live.