Maryvale: Phoenix’s Cultural Epicenter

Named after developer John F. Long’s wife Mary, locals refer to southwest Phoenix Maryvale as the westside. This culturally rich neighborhood is home to Major League Baseball training facilities and Ak-Chin Pavilion, the largest entertainment venue in The Valley of the Sun. Established in the 1950s, Maryvale has grown to be one of the most populous areas of the city. So, if you are searching for a reasonably priced apartment for rent in Maryvale, its family-friendly community, bristling with culture, may be a great choice for you.

Location

Maryvale’s borders stretch from 35th Avenue to 87th Avenue, running east to west and I-10 to Glendale Avenue, running north to south. This sizable Phoenix neighborhood sits adjacent to Encanto, north of Estrella, and southwest of Alhambra.

<h3<History

Following World War II, the country was full of soldiers wanting to buy homes and start families. Unfortunately, the country was experiencing a housing shortage. Arizona developer John F. Long had a vision of building a real community rather than throwing up houses anywhere there was land. Long created Maryvale, the first “Master Planned Community” of Arizona.

In the 1980s, Maryvale experienced a horrific decline in its economy, affecting housing, businesses, and education. Maryvale began experiencing extremely high crime rates. The once beautiful community of Maryvale fell into disrepair. Fortunately, throughout the last decade, the City of Phoenix began cleaning up Maryvale in an attempt to recreate the once safe community. Since then, the neighborhood has experienced complete rejuvenation. As luck would have it, prices of rentals have stayed reasonable. In fact, Maryvale boasts some of the lowest rental rates in The Valley.

Lifestyle

Hispanics comprise over 75% of Maryvale’s population. With large numbers of local families immigrating from South America and Mexico, many locally owned businesses in the neighborhood are bi-lingual or Spanish-speaking only. The family-oriented vibe of Maryvale is seen in the many family-friendly attractions like their MLB Spring Training facility and Maryvale Community Center, along with a lack of any real nightlife.

What to Do in Maryvale

Whether it’s shopping, playing golf, attending a concert, or taking an art class, Maryvale has something for everyone.

Desert Sky Mall
Located between 75th Avenue and 79th Avenue just off Thomas Road, Desert Sky Mall is the most popular shopping destination in the west valley. Celebrating the deep Mexican-American roots of the community, Desert Sky Mall offers a fully bilingual shopping experience. The 273,000 square-foot shopping center features the marketplace Mercado De Los Cielos and is home to over 200 shops and restaurants.

Grand Canyon University Golf Course
Formally known as Maryvale Municipal Golf Course, the Grand Canyon University Golf Course is open year-round. Along with delightful Phoenix weather, it is no surprise this is a top-rated golf destination. Featuring over 7,000 yards of green turf, a 10,000 square-foot clubhouse, and popular restaurant The Lope House, the entirely redesigned golf course attracts golfers from all around the valley.

Ak-Chin Pavilion
Arguably the most popular concert venue in the state of Arizona, Ak-Chin Pavilion has the largest seating capacity in The Valley with enough space for over 30,000 concertgoers on the lawn and hillside, along with 8,000 seats under the pavilion roof. Ak-Chin has hosted hundreds of concerts by artists of all genres and is home to countless festivals such as Ozzfest and Lollapalooza.

Maryvale Community Center
Maryvale Community Center is a staple of the westside. The center features a large auditorium that comfortably seats 80 people, a state-of-the-art fitness center, several classrooms where community classes such as Indian beading and prehistoric pottery are held, two dance studios, and a gymnasium that includes a pool, a basketball court, and an elevated walking track.

MLB Spring Training
The American Family Fields of Phoenix, which is the Spring Training facility of the Milwaukee Brewers is the pride and joy of Maryvale. The newly renovated facility features a two-story clubhouse, an agility field, and ample parking. The park holds up to 10,000 fans on the green fields and in the stands.

Where to Eat & Drink

There are several tasty eateries to choose from in Maryvale, with the majority of them being genuine Mexican restaurants. El Rincon Sinaloense features authentic Northern Mexican dishes, and guests are treated to a live guitarist playing original Mexican music. La Poblanita is a cornerstone of the Maryvale community with its incredible Mexican cuisine and warm, friendly atmosphere.

 

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There isn’t much nightlife in Maryvale. There are no places to get dressed up in your best dress and paint the town red. Instead, you will find partygoers wearing jeans, tank-tops, and flip-flops, drinking cocktails, playing pool, and singing karaoke. Raider’s fans congregate at the 27th Avenue Bar and Grill. Not only is it a perfect place to spend your Sunday-Funday, but this spot also serves up some of the best bar food on the westside. Oasis Crossroads Bar and Grill is conveniently located near the ballpark and is a fabulous place to grab a drink after the game.

Real Estate Snapshot

If you’re searching for rentals in Maryvale, there are an infinite amount of apartments available. Many newer apartment communities are sprinkled throughout the westside. West Town Court on Thomas and 83rd Avenue and Stonybrook Apartments near McDowell and 67th Avenue are beautiful Maryvale complexes. Maryvale rentals are considerably lower than areas like downtown Phoenix, Paradise Valley, and Ahwatukee.

Transportation

Having a vehicle makes life much easier for Maryvale residents. However, for those who don’t own a car, there are several Valley Metro stops throughout the neighborhood. In addition to the many buses, the Valley Metro light rail runs through part of the community. Residents can catch the railway at 79th Avenue and McDowell.

Schools

Litchfield Elementary, Cartwright Elementary, and Phoenix Union High Schools District serve as Maryvale’s public school districts. Several public and charter schools are found throughout Maryvale. Charter school Great Hearts Maryvale Prepatory earned the title as one of the top three schools among surrounding districts.