Hi renters,
Welcome to Rent Check PHX. In today’s issue, we’re talking about one unique way to meet and connect with neighbors: picking up trash together.
I participate in a litter-lifting group in my neighborhood, and it’s been an awesome experience—which I detail below.
We’ll also talk about cool rentals I found, including one with a mural by a well-known local artist, and trash collection groups you can join.
The next edition of Rent Check PHX will be in your inbox on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Hope you learn something useful, and don’t forget to forward this to a fellow renter!
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The Garfield Litter Lifters pose for a photo during an event. (Courtesy of Gabriella Saavedra)
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After moving into my current neighborhood—the Garfield Historic District in downtown Phoenix—one of my first thoughts was, “How do I find community here?”
Gabriella Saavedra made it easy for me. Saavedra, who has lived in the neighborhood for nearly a decade, runs an Instagram account that pulls together all the goings-on of the area, including the Litter Lifters group she runs with her husband Andrew Raub and neighbor Raleigh Dombek.
The group meets every second Saturday morning of the month—at least when it’s not super hot out. The location rotates, with neighbors and local businesses taking turns volunteering to host. Neighbors arrive, pick up trash for about an hour with materials provided by Saavedra and Raub, then come back together for coffee, snacks, and socializing.
And maybe the best part: Everyone takes turns introducing themselves and sharing the most interesting piece of trash they found, like Pokémon cards, a Coach hangtag, or hair extensions. It’s a friendly competition for bragging rights and a spot on the group’s shared trophy.
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🚶 If you love taking walks: This rental is right off Murphy’s Bridle Path, a beautiful 5-mile walking trail along Central Avenue, and the Arizona Canal Trail. It’s a two-bed, two-bath, 903-square-foot condo in a complex of 24. It has community pool access and allows cats—and it’s available starting Thursday. It’s listed for $1,875 a month.
* I shared this rental on our website last week, but I wanted to share it again because (1) it was recommended by a reader who deserves a shoutout—thanks, Rick!—and (2) it’s still on the market.
👙 If a pool is a must: I don’t often see smaller homes coming with pools, so this 934-square-foot, two-bed, one-bath caught my eye. The residence near Seventh Street and Indian School Road also has a backyard shed for storage or extra workspace. Rent is $2,200 a month, and small dogs are allowed.
🎨 If you want an iconic mural: If/when I own a home, I’ve always thought it’d be so cool to have an artist paint a mural on it. Turns out, you can get that experience as a renter. This 420-square-foot space near 24th Street and McDowell Road bears a mural by Lalo Cota, who is behind this well-known Roosevelt mural and many others throughout the city and beyond. The guesthouse allows cats and dogs, comes fully furnished, and is listed for $1,750 a month.
If you come across any interesting, weird, or surprisingly affordable listings that you think should be featured here, please send them my way!
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Listings available as of Feb. 4. I’m not paid to share these listings, but that doesn’t mean I can personally vouch for them. Please do your research before applying and signing a lease!
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This is The Tenant’s Voice, a place where we can share our renting frustrations, helpful tips, and pressing questions.
Since we’re talking about meeting people by picking up trash together, I thought I’d share some other groups that share this mission.
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I’m sure there are a lot more, so if I’m missing one, please let me know! I’ll shout them out in the next newsletter.
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*Paywalled content noted with 🔒
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💸 Renting is currently cheaper than owning a home in all of the nation’s 100 largest metro areas. (Axios)
🤑 Over half of apartments in Phoenix are offering renters at least one month free, the highest percentage of any US metro. (Wall Street Journal, 🔒)
💰 An Arizona bill with bipartisan support would create a rental assistance fund that would help people stay in their homes. (KJZZ)
🏠 Phoenix is building a lot of new housing—but is it actually making things more affordable? (Phoenix New Times)
🐕 A once vacant lot owned by a Phoenix church is now a community dog park built and cared for by neighbors. (ABC 15)
👠 If you use your closet more than your kitchen … this shoe storage hack may be for you. (Apartment Therapy)
📦 I became friends with my neighbors to stop porch pirates. Here’s what happened next. (The Copper Courier)
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Would you recommend this newsletter to your neighbor?
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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Jessica Swarner and edited by Paula Solis.
Rent Check PHX is free for everyone. Your financial support makes that possible.
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