One Of Arizona's Most Affordable Suburbs Is A Hidden Gem With A Vibrant Community And Prime Location

Phoenix is Arizona's capital city, ranking as the fifth largest U.S. city by population, and home to a greater regional population of just over 5 million people across an area of 2,000 square miles. The vast network of suburbs around Phoenix offer a wide variety of experiences for visitors in the Valley of the Sun. Just east, you have Tempe, a vibrant college suburb that blends lakefront fun and nightlife, while to the southeast, you have the underrated suburb and family-friendly tech hub with a vibrant art scene of Chandler. And in a prime location right between Tempe and Phoenix is a Valley hidden gem — Guadalupe, known for its affordability and vibrant community.

You'll find Guadalupe nestled near the 16,000-acre South Mountain Park and Preserve. The town dates back to 1907, when it was founded by Pascua Yaqui Native Americans, who migrated from Mexico to the Salt River Valley for work and safety following the Mexican Revolution. It was incorporated in 1975 and named after the patron saint of Mexico, the Virgin of Guadalupe. Today, the town of about 5,300 residents, consists of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo populations intermingled throughout its one square mile.

Guadalupe is just seven miles from Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport, which is known for its mile-long indoor fitness trail. From the airport, the fastest way to Guadalupe is by car or taxi, but there is one bus line connecting the two locations. The closest Amtrak station is in Maricopa, Arizona, which is approximately 30 miles away.

Guadalupe is one of the most affordable suburbs in Arizona. With a median home value of $233,500 (compared to the national average of $303,400) and a median monthly rent of $783 (compared to the national average of $1,348), it was ranked No. 6 for suburbs with the lowest cost of living in Arizona. The median household income in the town is $58,507, lower than the national average of $78,538.  With approximately 22% of Guadalupe residents living under the federal poverty level, the town's nonprofit Community Development Corporation is committed to creating affordable housing in the community with grants from the American Rescue Plan Act and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

At the center of the vibrant community are the rich and colorful traditions of the three resident communities: Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo. Visitors are welcome to learn more about Native American traditions by observing a traditional Yaqui ceremony, with the ones around Lent and Easter being the most prominent. The Yaqui community allows the public to attend these events, provided they are respectful and do not take photos or videos while the ceremonies are taking place. Other notable events are the Fiesta de La Virgen de Guadalupe, a December event celebrating Mexican and Yaqui culture with traditional foods, music, and dance, and the free Guadalupe Car Show in April, featuring lowriders, live music, and performances honoring the community's Mexican heritage.

Despite its small size, Guadalupe still offers many things to do, especially given its prime location in the Valley of the Sun. You can start your visit with a historical and inspirational trip to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, the closest thing the town has to an official landmark. Next, the El Mercado de Guadalupe, housed in a brightly colored building on the corner of Guadalupe Road and Avenida del Yaqui, houses over a dozen local businesses, including several restaurants. Follow that up with another Guadalupe shopping experience at Mercado Mexico, which sells souvenirs like Talavera pottery and copper trinkets.

A must-do for outdoor recreation is exploring one of the most popular parks in the state, South Mountain Park and Preserve, which receives more than 1 million visitors annually. The park boasts 58 miles of multi-use desert trails, suitable for hikers, bikers, and equestrians, as well as an educational center, where you can learn about the plants and animals that live in the park.  The 2,330-foot highest accessible point in the park is Dobbins Lookout, where scenic views of the valley await at an overlook. You can access the Lookout via a challenging 5-mile (round-trip) hike on the Holbert Trail or by car along the 5.5-mile Summit Road. And don't miss visiting the park's Mystery Castle, a delightfully whimsical 18-room, three-story, Southwest-style castle offering tours from October to May.

You won't find accommodations within Guadalupe's town boundaries, but neighboring Tempe, Phoenix, and Mesa have a bevy of options to suit anyone's preferences, such as the budget-friendly Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tempe and the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa in Phoenix, a large resort with a water park. For those on RV or camping adventures, there are also many options in the Valley, including the Desert's Edge RV Park right in Phoenix.