South Phoenix

South Phoenix Overview

This neighborhood next to South Mountain has a mix of new homes and older, affordable ones. Much of this area borders one of the biggest city parks in the U.S. The area has sprouted golf courses, new subdivisions and shopping centers on some former farmland. But orchards and farms can still be found in parts of south Phoenix. Office and industrial parks can be found on this neighborhood’s north and west sides.

Transportation

This area has easy access to Interstates 10 and 17 as well as the U.S. 60. The expansion of Loop 202 will run through part of this neighborhood.

Explore the 7 areas of South Phoenix

Downtown South: 85009

Downtown South is centrally located. Some historic neighborhoods can be found in the north and near Capitol Mall. Affordable neighborhoods are in the middle. Several business parks are situated near the freeways that run through it.

Broadway: 85040

Broadway is just south of Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport. Business and industrial parks are plentiful. On the southern end, new neighborhoods can be found.

South Mountain: 85041

The South Mountain area stretches to its namesake, South Mountain. Several new and affordable neighborhoods can be found in the middle of this area. Upscale homes are at the base of the mountain. Some farms are still located along Baseline Road.

Raven/Legacy: 85042

Raven/Legacy is home to two gated, golf-course communities and South Mountain Community College. New homes, shopping centers and apartments are typical for this area.

Southwest Papago: 85043

Southwest Papago has several industrial parks on its northern side running along Interstate 10. Affordable, newer communities can be found in the middle of this area.

Laveen: 85339

Laveen is a growing Phoenix suburb. New and larger houses on former farmland are popular here. And working farms are still located in the area.

Tolleson: 85353

Tolleson is an industrial hub where it borders I-10. Affordable new homes can be found in the middle of the area, which has land for future growth.

Housing

South Phoenix has a mix of newer neighborhoods with golf courses and older, affordable homes. There are a few historic neighborhoods on the north end of this area. Near South Mountain, the houses are newer, bigger and higher priced. Mansions can be found at the base of the mountain. Older condominiums, apartments and some newer Habitat for Humanity subdivisions can be found in the middle.

The Market

Home prices range greatly in this area. But overall, South Mountain is one of metro Phoenix’s more affordable neighborhoods.
South Mountain, Raven/Legacy and Laveen are where the area’s newest, biggest and higher-priced homes are located. But median prices in these areas are still below the Valley’s overall median.
Homes in Downtown South and Broadway are the oldest and most affordable in this neighborhood. The median home prices in these areas are less than half the Valley’s median.
Tolleson’s neighborhoods were some of the hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis. Investors purchased many of those houses from lenders and turned them into rentals.
New apartments can be found in South Mountain and Laveen. Rents are also affordable.

Living Here

Look for newer neighborhoods with golf courses near South Mountain. Former farmland has sprouted new subdivisions. But local organic farmers and dairies can still be found here. Many industrial and business parks are located in areas near the multiple freeways in and around this neighborhood. New shopping centers can be found near longtime, popular Mexican eateries. Living next to South Mountain, one of the biggest city parks in the country, is a big draw for many. Commutes can be easy. But crime rates are higher, particularly in the middle of this neighborhood. Sky Harbor International Airport nearby means easy travel access but also air traffic noise.

Things to do in Downtown South: 85009

Main attractions

Downtown Phoenix is nearby. And with it comes all of the perks of one of the largest cities in the U.S., including big-name concerts, sporting venues, destination dining, festivals, parades, museums, farmers markets and more. Each fall, the Arizona state fairgrounds comes to life with carnival rides, rodeos and live entertainment, while the annual concert series brings national acts to Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Out on the town

Nearby Encanto Park is a central Phoenix jewel, with brilliant views of downtown, golf courses, a lagoon for boating and fishing and Enchanted Island Amusement Park. For great Mexican food, this area is blessed with an abundance of taquerias and authentic hole-in-the-wall restaurants.

Outside

There’s Estrella Mountain Regional Park to the west, where activities include biking, camping, hiking and park-guided events such as moonlit hikes and scorpion hunts. This area flanks South Mountain Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the country. It offers great hiking, mountain biking and horseback-riding trails, but also some terrific road bicycling. The climb to the television towers up Summit Road is about 7 miles of quadriceps-burning work with a 360-degree view of the Valley at the summit.

Things to do in Broadway: 85040

Main attractions

It’s a quick drive to Downtown Phoenix and it’s may sporting and cultural events and destination dining. Nearby is also Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, one of the largest commercial airports in the world. Continue your education and engage in cultural and community events at South Mountain Community College.

Out on the town

Baseball fans are in luck come February and March. Nearby, Tempe Diablo Stadium is the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The more outdoorsy will find plenty to do at Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, 600-acre park space and urban nature education center in the historic Salt River corridor.

Outside

Things to do in South Mountain: 85041

Main attractions

Sprawling South Mountain to the south is home to one of the nation’s largest municipal parks. It’s a great spot for hiking, biking, horseback riding and plenty more. It’s also a short drive to Downtown Phoenix and always bustling sports, concert and comedy venues. Continue your education and engage in cultural and community events at nearby South Mountain Community College.

Out on the town

Life south of the Salt River is scenic thanks to beautiful South Mountain. Enjoy some time outdoors with a round of golf at Aguila Golf Course, or hone your marksman skills at a local shooting range. And the area is full of authentic hole-in-the-wall restaurants, from savory barbecue joints to tasty taquerias.

Outside

Things to do in Raven/Legacy: 85042

Main attractions

Sprawling South Mountain, home to one of the nation’s largest municipal parks, makes for a stunning backdrop for a day of leisure. Try a round or two at Raven Golf Club or Legacy Golf Resort. Or sign up for a full day of pampering at Arizona Grand Resort & Spa. Continuing your education and connections with your community is made easy at South Mountain Community College.

Out on the town

One of the Valley’s prettiest venues is the Farm at South Mountain. Enjoy agricultural shopping and farm-to-table dining at one of several restaurants, including upscale, award-winning Quiessence. For a taste of the mainstream, there’s Arizona Mills, a large indoor outlet mall that’s home to a breathtaking Imax screen and GameWorks, a pub-style arcade. Come February and March, Tempe Diablo Stadium is the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Outside

Things to do in Southwest Papago: 85043

Main attractions

Right in your backyard is Ak-Chin Pavillion, the Valley’s top outdoor concert venue that hosts huge national touring acts. A short drive north takes you to Westgate Entertainment District, Gila River Arena and University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.

Out on the town

Easy access to the Valley’s major freeways means downtown Phoenix with its sports and entertainment venues, convention center and world-class dining is nearby. Indoor shopping center Desert Sky Mall hosts a movie theater and dozens of retail stores.

Outside

Things to do in Laveen: 85339

Main attractions

There’s a lot of beautiful, wide-open desert and gorgeous vistas in the area sandwiched between South and Estrella mountains. That means plenty of year-round outdoor activities and from hiking and biking to horseback riding and sharpshooting. Need something more refined? Try a round of golf at Aguila Golf Course. The studious can sign up for classes at Estrella Mountain Community College.

Out on the town

Come spring training time, baseball fans can rejoice at Goodyear Ballpark, home to the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds. Enjoy high-octane fun at Phoenix International Raceway, home to two annual NASCAR race weekends. Nearby Gateway shopping centers offer a huge selection of dining, retail, and entertainment options, including a state-of-the-art movie theatre.

Outside

Things to do in Tolleson: 85353

Main attractions

Come February and March, baseball fans can rejoice at being so close to two spring training facilities. There’s Goodyear Ballpark, home to the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds. And Camelback Ranch is home to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. Right down the street is Ak-Chin Pavillion, one of the Valley’s premiere concert venues.

Out on the town

Enjoy high-octane fun at Phoenix International Raceway, home to two annual NASCAR race weekends. For a fancier affair, treat yourself to a night at the elegant Wigwam Resort and its high-class cuisine, golf and spa services. Gateway shopping centers offer a huge selection of dining, retail and entertainment options, including a state-of-the-art movie theater.

Outside

Who lives here

South Phoenix is the most populous of the Valley’s 35 neighborhoods. It’s also one of the most diverse, with the area’s more financially comfortable living near some of the most economically distressed. The Downtown South neighborhood (85009) has one of the region’s lowest median incomes. More than half its residents are high school dropouts. Laveen (85339) has above-average incomes, and nearly all its houses have been built since 2000.

5 things to know about Phoenix

It’s big: Phoenix is the nation’s sixth biggest city and its population is still growing faster than many other U.S. cities. The city was named in the mid-1800s by settlers who compared their new home to the mythical bird that burned and rose from the ashes.
It’s a great place to hike: National Geographic ranked Phoenix as one of America’s 15 best hiking cities. The city has a vast network of desert preserves and hiking trails, including iconic summits like Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak. You’ll find trail maps and descriptions online.
It has a reputation for being a well-run city: Phoenix has received various awards for good governance and has the highest credit rating of the nation’s six largest cities. But the city has struggled to get its fiscal problems in order since the Great Recession. City Council members regularly have coffee meetings open to all residents.
It is focusing on urban growth and transportation: Phoenix’s general plan focuses heavily on infill development along the light-rail corridor. Light rail will continue to be one of Phoenix’s key development tools, with city leaders hoping to triple its miles of track by 2050.
It has a thriving cultural scene: The Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Opera and Ballet Arizona all perform in the city’s Symphony Hall located downtown. The Orpheum Theatre, Herberger Theater Center and Valley Youth Theater are all nearby. Also located in the central city are the Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Capitol Museum, Children’s Museum, Arizona Science Center and Heard Museum. A popular monthly art walk to a growing number of downtown galleries is called First Fridays and held on the first of each month.