UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
#7. Tempe
High-tech and innovative companies appear to have a magnetic attraction to Downtown Tempe, Ariz., an area constantly gaining new residents and businesses. In recent years a range of employers from small startups to major conglomerates like LifeLock, Waste Management and Silicon Valley Bank have added their names to the city’s skyline. These businesses are after the highly educated workforce Tempe has to offer, and an increasing number of workers opt to live in downtown. The area’s growth and housing options were a big factor in Tempe landing on the Top 10 Downtowns 2016.
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An influx of high-rise developments has created an expansive array of housing options across Downtown Tempe. Living downtown puts residents within close proximity to more than 100 restaurants, retailers and nightclubs. On any given day residents encounter authentic Southwestern cuisine, street performers who specialize in the wild and whimsical, and exercise enthusiasts jogging along Tempe Lake towards small green spaces and parks. Sidewalks and paths make walking in downtown Tempe a safe and easy choice.
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Finding things to do in Downtown Tempe is never difficult, thanks to the many entertainment venues and cultural centers. The Tempe Center for the Arts draws in art lovers with a series of live performance pieces that include symphony concerts, songwriters’ showcases, comedy shows and dances as well as a gallery with rotating exhibits. Restaurants and bars like Cornish Pastry Company, Casey Moore’s Oyster House and Cartel Coffee Lab satisfy most cravings. Mill Avenue’s mix of shops and restaurants makes it a popular spot for both tourists and locals looking for the latest fashions, great food and gifts. Sun Devil Stadium hosts Arizona State University football games and other school events.