MESA
Mesa is the second most populous city in the valley after Phoenix. Located just to the east of Tempe, it is largely suburban but also has a vibrant downtown area surrounding some of the original homes built in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Mesa also has a large population of 55+ communities and is a popular retirement destination due to its low cost of living compared to other areas of the valley.
QUICK STATS
AVG. PRICE: $418,000
POPULATION: 501,600
HOUSEHOLDS: 187,111
PROS
- Diverse communities and home styles
- Quick access to local lakes and hiking
- Easier commutes with N202 traffic mostly coming from Mesa residents
- Close to the center parts of town
CONS
- Mesa has a negative reputation among locals
- Newer homes tend to be located in inferior locations, much further out from the center of town