Avondale, AZ 167 Apartments for Rent

Originally established as a ranching, farming, and agricultural community, this Sun Valley city has been trying to find its identity for decades. Avondale is located about 15 miles west of Phoenix and is part of a fairly indistinguishable bundle of developing cities, including Buckeye, Surprise, Litchfield Park, Goodyear and Tolleson.

In fact, the superlative you'll see most when you begin your apartment search in Avondale is "developing." Almost everything in the city is under construction, and in fact, the main image on the city's website is of home construction. This can be both good and bad in terms of your apartment hunt. Newer homes means a larger variety of amenities, and generally, less maintenance in terms of comfort and convenience. But, because most of Avondale's neighborhoods have been newly developed, the city has a distinctly suburban feel.

Avondale was also subject to a lot of foreclosures during the subprime mortgage debacle of 2007. Because of this, the city is currently offering a lot of incentives for buying up these abandoned homes. Because there are several empty homes throughout most parts of Avondale, you’ll have to walk around the surrounding blocks to really get a feel for your new neighborhood.

Most of Avondale’s shopping, nightlife and activities are centered around that suburban lifestyle that dominates a lot of Sun Valley cities. Large strip malls and chain restaurants at the edges of town are where residents usually go for a good time. Additionally, Avondale is home to the Phoenix International Raceway, where several NASCAR and other automotive races are held every year.

Neighborhoods

I-10, serving as the main artery into and out of Avondale, also bisects the city and divides into two distinct regions.

North of I-10

Generally considered the most desirable portion of Avondale, neighborhoods north of I-10 are characterized by newer developments and large rental homes. Avondale north of I-10 blends into nearby Surprise and Goodyear, which are also highly desirable areas. Additionally, the northwestern portion of Avondale has a number of well-regarded neighborhoods.

Rental units are most common close to the shopping centers in north Avondale, where there are many condo, apartment and town house complexes that are newly constructed. These complexes also have a wide variety of amenities, including swimming pools, fitness centers and community spaces. Apartment rentals in north Avondale generally go for $500-600 for a two bedroom. Larger houses in this area can be found for $900-1050.

South of I-10

With the exception of a concentration of homes located in central Avondale along the Agua Fria River, most neighborhoods south of I-10 will be affordable, if slightly less well-regarded than their northern counterparts. Generally, when looking for a rental in south Avondale, try to stay east of the Agua Fria River.

However, many of southwest Avondale's neighborhoods have concentrations of those homes abandoned to foreclosure. Government incentives for repopulating these neighborhoods has also led to a number of affordable rentals in large suburban homes. Particularly in the southwestern neighborhoods bordering the town of Buckeye, you'll find a large amount of great, and super affordable rental homes. Entire four bedroom rental homes in this area can cost you as little as.

Rental Tips and Pricing

Because of Avondale's general inconsistency, pricing throughout the city is similarly scattered. Because apartments and rental homes north of I-10 tend to be larger and nicer, they also frequently cost more than southern homes. This is a theory more than a rule, however. Generally, cost will be determined by the quality of the rental, rather than the location.

If you are single or looking for a smaller rental, you might have some trouble finding something that suits your needs. Avondale was planned as a suburban community, so many of the rentals available are large, three or four bedroom homes, and the smaller, more affordable rentals tend to be trailers in less desirable portions of town. However, these three and four bedroom homes are generally rented at rates comparable to a smaller apartment in Phoenix proper.

Most rentals can be found without the aid of a real estate agent through online apartment searches and via management companies that own multiple rentals throughout the greater Avondale area. Application fees in Avondale generally range from $20-35, and deposits can cost up to two months rent.

Getting Around Town

As a suburban community, Avondale residents depend heavily on their cars. The city is mostly full of sprawling cul-de-sac planned communities and large strip malls. That said, many people also commute into the Phoenix for work, which means that rush hour can be crawling. Not only will you deal with traffic in Avondale, but also in Glendale and other western suburbs as you approach downtown Phoenix.

Avondale is serviced by Valley Metro which operates two fixed route buses throughout the city and into neighboring valley cities, as well as one express bus transporting Avondale residents to Phoenix.

Now that you have all the info you need about this "developing" city, it's time to find your Avondale apartment. Happy hunting!