Tempe. Arizona

Tempe is located in the southeast part of the Greater Phoenix area. It is one of the cities that are included in an area often referred to as the East Valley. The city offices of Tempe are about 5 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.  Scottsdale is to the north, Chandler is to the south, Mesa is to the east, and the Ahwatukee Foothills section of Phoenix is to the west.  Tempe is most commonly pronounced, temp-ee.  Tempe is unique in that its borders are all defined and have been since 1974; Tempe is landlocked. Growth is now occurring upward, with high rises being built to accommodate the growing population.

Tempe is a college town, home to Arizona State University and is considered a young city, with many young professionals.  Near the university in downtown Tempe, Mill Avenue is one of the nicest and most interesting walking neighborhoods in the Valley of the Sun, with restaurants, bars, coffee shops, retail and entertainment. Some of the largest festivals in the area - and in the Southwest - are held here, and Mill Avenue and the surrounding streets may be closed to vehicular traffic during these events.

Tempe Town Lake, also in downtown Tempe, takes up 220 acres, and was created as part of the Rio Salado Project. It was dedicated in 1999, along with an enlarged and remodeled Tempe Beach Park. Tempe Town Lake offers fishing and boating in the midst of an urban setting. Tempe Beach Park often hosts weekend festivals, many of which involve music/bands.