Hi renters,

Welcome to Rent Check PHX. In today’s issue we’re talking about ways to get a sense of a neighborhood before signing a new lease—because the area around your apartment can make or break it.

I know this can be tough to do, especially if you’re moving to an area that’s totally new to you, but I’ve developed some strategies over the years that I think you’ll find helpful.

Beyond that, we’ve got some interesting apartment listings and fun community events coming up.

Hope you enjoy! I’ll be back in your inbox next Wednesday. If you know any Phoenix renters who may benefit from this newsletter, please forward it their way!

Jessica Swarner

Newsletter Editor, Rent Check PHX

*Paywalled content noted with 🔒

🔑 A 21-story high-rise with 320 apartments off of Roosevelt Row received preliminary approval from the city. (Phoenix Business Journal, 🔒)

🏠 The Mayo Clinic wants to build over 100 single-family, for-sale homes behind its Scottsdale campus. (Scottsdale Progress)

💸 Arizona ranks 26th in the nation for wage increases over the last five years—barely keeping pace with inflation. (Phoenix New Times)

💰 Apartments in Phoenix are more likely to offer perks like free months of rent to prospective tenants than in other US cities. (NPR)

☕️ Ray Phoenix, a downtown high-rise with 400 apartments, plans to add a small grocer, cafe, and gallery to its ground floor. (The Copper Courier)

⛺️ A downtown Phoenix campground for unhoused people that serves nearly 300 people nightly looks set to remain open. (The Copper Courier)

💡 Check out these renter-friendly upgrades one creative person made, including stick-on kitchen tiles and a paper lantern. (Instagram)

5 ways to evaluate a neighborhood before signing a lease in Phoenix

street level view of a city intersection

High-rises and office buildings in the city skyline with cars on the street in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. (Marcus E Jones/Shutterstock)

Here’s a common renter dilemma: You find a listing for an apartment that checks all the right boxes, but before signing a lease, you’re left with one big question: What about the neighborhood?

After moving into my first apartment after college in central Phoenix, I realized the area around it was a huge bummer. Sure, the rent was low and the pool was nice, but the complex was next to the freeway and a street where a bunch of tractor trailers parked overnight. There weren’t any nearby businesses worth visiting, and even if there were, I wouldn’t have felt safe walking to them. As someone who loves to go for a stroll, I felt really stuck.

It can be tough to get a sense for an apartment’s surroundings based on a complex’s website or a Zillow link, but the local area can make a big difference when it comes to whether or not your rental will feel like home.

There’s no surefire way to make sure a neighborhood is a good fit for you before moving in, but here are some strategies that may help you in your decision-making.

Read the full story

🩶 If you like moody wall paint: Most of the rentals I see are all about bright, white paint, but this home offers some dark gray walls—plus some cool shower doors. The three-bed, two-bath near 36th Street and Thunderbird Road is listed for $2,000 a month. The 1,064-square-foot home also has a fenced-in backyard, storage room, covered patio, one-car garage, and RV gate with a slab for parking. Tenants rent directly from the owners and are responsible for utilities and landscaping costs. Small dogs are allowed.

🛏️ If you want a truly unique loft: Normally I don’t share listings with undisclosed addresses, but the photos for this one were worth it. This 440-square-foot loft guesthouse in downtown Phoenix is in the backyard of a 1929 Spanish colonial home, along with a second guest house. Residents share a shaded patio, grills, and laundry. It’s listed for $1,555 a month, and dogs are allowed. The owner is offering a summer special through Sept. 1 that waives the $250 one-time cleaning fee and $100 off first month’s rent.

⛳️ If you want putt putt in your backyard: For $13,500 a month, you can rent this 4,000-square-foot home near 44th Street and Camelback Road that comes with a backyard putt-putt course, a pool, a hot tub, a huge walk-in closet, a basketball court, and more. The rent has dropped since it was first listed in February at $15,000 a month—so this is a steal, right? The home has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, and pets are allowed.

If you come across any interesting, weird, or surprisingly affordable listings that you think should be featured here, please send them my way!

Email here

Listings available as of June 16. 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!

This is a space to share events that are focused on connecting with community and spending time with neighbors.

If you have an event you’d like to submit, reply to this email or email me!

Here’s what’s coming up:

Downtown Core Neighborhood Weekly Hang

When: Every Friday, 7-9 a.m.

Where: Cactus Cloud Cafe

“The best way to build a neighborhood is by having a third space like @cactuscloudcafe to meet at weekly! Join us every Friday from 7AM to 9AM, before the workday begins, even if it’s just to stop by and say hi to neighbors. No pressure if you can’t make it!”

Coronado Happy Hour

When: June 17, 5-7 p.m.

Where: AZ Wilderness Miracle Mile

“Stop by to mingle with neighbors next Wednesday, June 17th at @azwildernessmm.”

Coronado Plant It Forward Meeting

When: June 20, 11 a.m. to noon

Where: Firecreek Coffee

“Join us for our first Plant It Forward meeting this Saturday, June 20, 11am-noon at Firecreek Coffee on McDowell. Please bring your ideas about how to grow, propagate, and distribute plants throughout Coronado. Whether you’re a Master Gardener or just plant-curious, all skill levels are welcome!”