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Midtown

General

Historic homes, new condominium high-rises and million-dollar estates are all found in this central Phoenix neighborhood. Many office towers line Central Avenue in the middle of this area, which is bisected by light rail. Locally owned restaurants and shops are the norm. A large community college and hospital can also be found here.

This neighborhood guide - like every one on Street Scout - was researched and written by experts from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. It's based on public records, census data and on-the-ground reporting. Our Emmy-winning photographers and videographers have brought images of each neighborhood to life. We know our neighborhoods. If you want to live here, you want to read this.

Transportation

Light rail runs through the middle of Midtown. Many rail stops are near large job hubs. The central Phoenix area has easy access to the Valley’s freeways.

School Map
Walk Score

Welcome to the Midtown neighborhoods

Explore the 3 Areas of Midtown

Phoenix College/Melrose: 85013

Phoenix College/Melrose is made up of a few historic neighborhoods, including Campus Vista, Woodlea and Pierson Place. Melrose is a district with eclectic shops and restaurants in the middle. Phoenix College and St. Joseph’s Hospital are on the southern end.

The Yard/Cheery Lynn: 85014

The Yard/Cheery Lynn area has one of Phoenix’s hip restaurant hubs with several eateries in renovated Midcentury buildings. The Phoenix Country Club and some million-dollar homes are located on the southern end. Historic Cheery Lynn neighborhood is near the middle.

Christown: 85015

Christown is home to one of Phoenix’s oldest shopping centers. The southern end of this area has historic homes. Affordable houses and townhomes are located in the center near the mall. Larger, ranch-style houses are on the northern end.

North Central: 85012

North Central is the most upscale area in Midtown, and it overlaps the Uptown neighborhood. It’s also the second priciest neighborhood in Phoenix. Mansions, large and mid-size ranch houses and smaller historic homes can be found here as well. The area is home to several popular local restaurants.

Housing

Housing

Midtown Phoenix is popular with residents who want to live closer in. Neighborhoods with brick houses and block houses on streets lined with palm and big shade trees are common. Many older homes are renovated. New homes with historic looks are going up on vacant lots. New condos with retro or brick facades can be found in the area. Bigger houses with higher prices are located on the northern end and around the Phoenix Country Club. New developments can be found along light rail.

The Market

Phoenix College/Melrose85013

The Yard/Cheery Lynn85014

Christown85015

  • Midtown has a range of housing, from historic homes to newer condos. Home prices in this area run from $150,000 to more than $1 million.

  • North Central is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in metro Phoenix. Christown is one of the most affordable.

  • The area is attracting first-time, move-up and investor buyers. Homes to rent are getting tougher to find, particularly as the area draws more young buyers and renters.

  • Home sales are climbing in Midtown as more people opt to live closer in. Prices are typically higher in the area’s historic neighborhoods.

  • A few new houses can be found in the area, built on longtime vacant parcels.

Living Here

Living here

Expect an urban lifestyle with smaller eclectic neighborhoods and a variety of home designs. Houses looks different block by block and typically aren’t stucco. New hip and ethnic restaurants can be found in this area that draws families, Baby Boomers, young professionals and college students. Jobs are aplenty in this centrally located area. Busy streets are the norm on weekdays as people commute to jobs. Light rail runs through the middle of this neighborhood.

Things To Do

Phoenix College/Melrose85013

The Yard/Cheery Lynn85014

Christown85015

Main attractions

Nearby Encanto Park is a central Phoenix jewel with brilliant views of downtown skylines. Golf courses, a lagoon for boating and fishing and Enchanted Island Amusement Park can also be found here. Phoenix College offers over 150 degree and certificate programs. Arizona State University’s satellite campus continues to expand nearby. Bustling downtown Phoenix, with its concert venues, sporting arenas, convention centers and award-winning restaurants, is just a short drive.

Out on the town

Between concerts, comedians, the Diamondbacks and the Suns, there’s always something happening in downtown Phoenix. Christown Spectrum Mall boasts the best of chain retail with a Costco, Target and Walmart Supercenter. A 14-screen movie theater can also be found there. And the area is packed with quality ethnic dining. There are many Mexican restaurants, pop-up taquerias, Thai restaurants and sushi joints.

Main attractions

Downtown Phoenix, with its concerts, comedians, sporting arenas and convention center, is just a short drive away. Phoenix College and Encanto Park, where you can enjoy golf and a lagoon for boating and fishing, are also nearby. For something a little fancier there’s Phoenix Country Club, a picturesque private golf and tennis spot.

Out on the town

There’s no excuse being bored when you live this close to hipster hangout the Yard. There you can play pingpong or Jenga before eating an incredible meal at Culinary Dropout or Little Cleo’s. The area is teeming with beloved neighborhood restaurants, including Dick’s Hideaway, Cherryblossom Noodle Cafe and Fuego Bistro. And if you’re feeling adventurous, check out an indie musician or local band at old-school concert club the Rhythm Room.

Main attractions

If you’re looking to send the kids to school or head back yourself, there are few neighborhoods that offer more options. There’s Phoenix College, one of the oldest community colleges in the country. Grand Canyon University, a private Christian college that boasts former Phoenix Suns shooting guard Dan Majerle as the men’s basketball coach, is also nearby. And Arizona State University’s rapidly expanding satellite campus is located in downtown Phoenix.

Out on the town

Downtown Phoenix, with its concerts, sporting arenas and destination dining, is just a short drive away. There’s tons of family fun at nearby Encanto Park, a central Phoenix jewel with a children’s amusement park and a lagoon for boating and fishing. Christown Spectrum Mall is home to the best of chain retail with a Costco, Target and Walmart Supercenter. A 14-screen movie theater can also be found at the mall.

Explore the Outdoors

Outdoors

Just to the northeast of Midtown, Piestewa Peak Park dominates the view and is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the Valley. It’s part of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve and its terrific hiking and mountain biking trails in the heart of the city. The Arizona Canal Trail’s multi-use path cuts directly through the area. Encanto and Steele Indian School parks offer multiple pathways, picnicking and other activities. The city’s Grid Bike Share has many kiosks in these neighborhoods, providing bike rentals to explore the area.

Stats & Facts

Phoenix College/Melrose85013

The Yard/Cheery Lynn85014

Christown85015

Who lives here

Lower household incomes, many rentals and renters help hold down homeownership in parts of the Midtown area. The housing stock is one of the oldest in the Valley. The North Central neighborhood (85012) is nearly average for income and attracts more college graduates than adjacent neighborhoods in the area.

5 Things To Know About Phoenix

It’s big.

Phoenix is the nation’s sixth-biggest city and it’s 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 redevelopment 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 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 is held on the first Friday of each month.