Apartments for Rent in Downtown Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ

For many years, the major selling point of Phoenix was the vast amount of available land. Millions of people flocked to this city in the Valley of the Sun for years and the city expanded outward. Today, young professionals and city planners alike are reversing the trend, creating a center of all the action in downtown Phoenix where you can live, work and play.

Transportation

• Driving
• Valley Metro public transit (light rail and buses)
• Walkable

Demographics

• Diverse
• College students
• Young professionals (mostly between 25-34)

Close to:

• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
• I-17
• Salt River

Contains:

• I-10
• Arizona State University
• University of Arizona

Downtown Phoenix in 3 Words: Evolving, Trendy, Fun

When you want palm trees, skyscrapers, and hip patio bars to enjoy a craft beer with friends, downtown Phoenix is the kind of place you’ll want to call home. It’s still transitioning from a car-dependent, business-oriented neighborhood to a developing hot spot with increased walkability.

Life in downtown Phoenix is never boring. Roosevelt Row—locals call it RoRo—is a little enclave on the edge of downtown that welcomes artists and creative types, who share their work with the community in the form of eclectic boutiques, art galleries, and trendy restaurants like The Breadfruit and Rum Bar.

You can enjoy upscale cocktails and dance ‘til dawn at Hanny’s, one of the chicest nightlife spots in downtown located in a converted department store. Challenge your friends to Pac-Man and other old-school video games at the Cobra Arcade Bar. Dance your night away on any of the three levels at Bar Smith.

Downtown Phoenix was once the definition of urban sprawl. Despite the heat, the city is pulling off a seemingly impossible transformation by creating a more walkable downtown area. Major investments in light rail have made it possible to get around downtown without a car, though many people still do drive downtown. Parking is abundant downtown—but make sure you bring your wallet, because parking is rarely free or cheap.

Downtown Phoenix is still an up-and-coming neighborhood with a lot of potential, but you definitely won’t be the first to discover hidden treasures here. Rent prices are steadily increasing as more people are realizing the value of being in a fun, lively area. The available housing ranges from lofts in converted old businesses to brand new condos and apartments in high-rise buildings.

A true community of renters is starting to take shape downtown. Renters will bump into their neighbors at the Open Air Market at the Phoenix Public Market or while letting their dogs enjoy the off-leash area at the Hance Dog Park. You can meet your friends or your date for Mexican food at La Santisima, then catch your favorite touring band at the Crescent Ballroom.

The housing market in all of Phoenix is hot and competitive, which means you should be prepared that you may not find a place the first time you look. Many potential homebuyers are facing so much competition in the real estate market that they are renting in the short-term—which means you may have a harder time finding an apartment for rent in downtown Phoenix than you might under different circumstances. Competition for units is only expected to increase as both the University of Arizona and Arizona State University complete planned expansions.

When you’re ready to choose an apartment for rent, your wish list and your budget are the only limitations because downtown Phoenix has a wide variety of available places for rent. Some apartment buildings offer luxury amenities such as outdoor kitchens with poolside TVs and lofts. Upgraded features like granite countertops and stainless steel appliances aren’t hard to find downtown. Many apartment buildings are also completely smoke-free, so you can breathe easier at home—though if you are a smoker, you’ll be happy to know that many bars allow smoking on their outdoor patios.

By all means, bring your furry friends! Most apartment buildings in downtown Phoenix will allow you to bring one or two cats or dogs. However, nearly all will require both a one-time pet deposit as well as an additional amount of pet rent per month. Make sure you come prepared with an income that’s at least three times the monthly rent, and plan to pay security deposit, first month’s rent, and your own utilities.

If you want to claim your stake in one of Phoenix’s most exciting neighborhoods, come see the progress being made in downtown.