Want to live and work in Tempe?

Tempe is the youngest city in the Valley of the Sun. The median age hovers around 28, among the lowest in Arizona, driven by Arizona State University students. About 62% of residents are non-Hispanic white, 25% Hispanic (primarily Mexican), 7% Asian, and 5% African American. There is a considerable international community from China, India, South Korea, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia.

ASU is one of the U.S. universities with the highest number of international students (more than 13,000). This brings visible cultural diversity on campus and in nearby neighborhoods. Tempe has an active LGBTQ+ community, with bars and events downtown. There is also a strong presence of technology professionals (State Farm has a large campus in Tempe with more than 8,000 employees) and workers in media and marketing.

The Brazilian community in Tempe is small but present, connected to ASU students and researchers. Facebook groups exist, and Casa do Brasil organizes meetups. A few small Brazilian restaurants operate in the area, such as Brazilian Touch and some family churrascarias. Spanish is the second most commonly heard language.

Tempe offers housing for a range of profiles. Around ASU and Tempe Town Lake, new upscale buildings dominate (The Local, Mosaic, Hub on Campus, Union), featuring rooftop pools, gyms, and parking, targeting young professionals and higher-income students. Neighborhoods such as Maple-Ash, Borden Homes, and University Park feature charming 1950s ranch-style homes that are more affordable.

South Tempe (near Chandler) has newer subdivisions with single-story suburban homes. Lakes (near Kiwanis Park) is a traditional family neighborhood. McClintock Manor and Optimist Park have older homes that have undergone significant renovation in recent years. Student apartments are concentrated around Apache Boulevard and University Drive.

To rent, the standard American process applies: proof of income at 3x the rent, a credit check, and a deposit of roughly one month's rent. International students typically rent individual rooms in shared houses, often on a month-to-month basis. For families, homes in established neighborhoods go quickly. Platforms: Zillow, Apartments.com, Trulia, Facebook Marketplace.

Arizona State University (ASU) is Tempe's educational hub and one of the largest public universities in the United States, with around 75,000 on-campus students at the main campus and more than 100,000 including online enrollment. Strong programs in engineering, business (W. P. Carey School), journalism (Walter Cronkite), design (Herberger Institute), and sustainability. Tuition for international students runs approximately USD 35,000 to USD 40,000 per year at the undergraduate level.

Three school districts serve Tempe for K-12 education. Tempe Elementary covers the central-north area; Kyrene School District, in the south, is one of the highest-rated districts in Arizona; and Tempe Union High School District operates high schools including Marcos de Niza, McClintock, and Corona del Sol. Strong charter schools include Tempe Preparatory Academy.

International students need an F-1 visa, issued by the U.S. consulate before arrival. ASU has an English as a Second Language program (Global Launch) and dozens of international student organizations. CPT and OPT after graduation allow students to work. The Maricopa Community Colleges system (Mesa CC, Phoenix College) offers a pathway to a four-year university.

Tempe has a reasonable safety profile for a university city. Violent crime is low, especially in residential neighborhoods such as Maple-Ash, Kiwanis Park, and south Tempe. Mill Avenue at night, particularly on weekends and ASU game days, sees higher concentrations of excessive drinking, fights, and public disorder. Tempe PD maintains a strong presence there.

Bicycle theft is an endemic problem around ASU, with hundreds of thefts per year even with U-locks. A quality lock, campus bike registration, and storing the bike in a garage help reduce risk. Car theft and catalytic converter theft also occur, especially in parking areas near Tempe Town Lake and Apache Boulevard.

The Tempe Police Department (TPD) has a reasonable reputation, with a strong presence downtown and near campus. For emergencies, call 911. ASU has its own campus police force. Traffic warrants attention, especially around Mill and University Drive. Pedestrian collisions are the primary public safety concern, as throughout the Valley of the Sun.

Summer is long and severe, from May through September. High temperatures typically range between 100°F and 109°F, with peaks above 113°F in June and July. Humidity is low, but the July-to-September monsoon brings short storms, lightning, and haboobs. Industrial-grade air conditioning is essential at home, on campus, and in vehicles.

Winter is short and excellent, from December through February, with highs between 68°F and 73°F and lows between 43°F and 50°F. Isolated frosts occur on a few mornings and snow is nearly unheard of. It is the preferred season for tourists and baseball teams during spring training.

Annual rainfall averages around 8.7 inches. For residents, planning includes robust air conditioning, elevated energy bills in summer, constant hydration, and awareness of flash flooding during monsoon season.

Tempe is a college town in the most literal sense: Arizona State University, with around 80,000 students on campus, occupies the heart of the city. Mill Avenue, running parallel to campus, concentrates bars, cafes, bookstores, and the historic Hayden Flour Mill. The Tempe Center for the Arts, on the shores of Town Lake, is the main venue for music, dance, and theater.

Tempe Town Lake, created by damming the Salt River, has become a landmark: it offers kayak rentals, pedestrian bridges, a bike path, and evening lighting. In January, Ironman Arizona uses the lake for its swimming leg. In summer, the sunset at Tempe Beach Park draws families and students alike.

Papago Park, partially within Tempe, is home to Hole-in-the-Rock, the Phoenix Zoo (on the Phoenix side), and the Desert Botanical Garden. The ASU Art Museum, Sun Devil Stadium, and Mullett Arena, home to NCAA hockey, anchor the sports and cultural calendar throughout the academic year.