10 reasons to love Tempe

Choosing a city to launch your career and build your life in is kind of a big deal. Luckily, the city the W. P. Carey School calls home has been ranked 16th among the 25 best cities and neighborhoods for young people, No. 43 in Livability’s Top 100 Best Places to Live, the 12th most magnetizing city for millennials, and the 5th best college town in the United States.

Choosing a city to launch your career and build your life in is kind of a big deal. Luckily, the city the W. P. Carey School calls home has been ranked 16th among the 25 best cities and neighborhoods for young people, No. 43 in Livability’s Top 100 Best Places to Live, the 12th most magnetizing city for millennials, and the 5th best college town in the United States.

Here are just a few reasons why Tempe — home of Arizona State University and the W. P. Carey School of Business — could be the right place for you.

10) Tempe is close to everything.

Few college towns are anything more than just that — many are undoubtedly great places to learn, but aren't great places to live and work. Tempe, on the other hand, is close to major industry hubs and surrounding suburbs: It's less than 10 minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport, and borders both Phoenix and Scottsdale.

9) Tempe is a great place to work.

Tempe dwellers are more likely to walk to work and enjoy a shorter commute time than the average American. The city has an unemployment rate below the national average, with rates of recent and projected job growth both exceeding the national average. And living in Tempe means you can tap into job growth in Phoenix —recently named the No. 4 best metro area for jobs by Forbes. Phoenix is ranked 18th among the top 34 high-tech markets in the U.S., with recent job growth in health care and a long-term record of growth across industries.

8) There's tons to do here.

Arizona landmarks like The Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Zoo, Tempe Improv, the Phoenix Rock Gym, and Papago Park are all close to campus. Tempe Beach Park is a great place to bike, jog, hang out, or even go out on the water. For art lovers, the Tempe Festival of the Arts ranks in the Top 200 art festivals in the United States. First Fridays is another fun way to get to know the Arizona art scene, by exploring art galleries, venues, and related spaces in Downtown Phoenix.

The Tempe Tourism Office is a tremendous resource for all things Tempe. Take in the sights on Instagram and be sure to snap some of your own when you visit — @tempetourism shares community favorites tagged #Tempe and #OurTempe, offering a real-time view of the best Tempe has to offer.

7) And tons to eat.

You can chow down every week at the ASU Food Truck Block Party, with everything from hot dogs and smoothies to BBQ ribs and quesadillas.

The Mill Avenue District is just a 10-minute walk from the business school, and offers more than 100 shops and restaurants, like the ever-popular Rúla Búla Irish Pub & Restaurant, The Chuck Box, and La Bocca urban pizzeria + wine bar — check out the fall 2014 issue of our alumni magazine for an extended list of places to get your grub on in the area.

6) Two words: Public transportation.

Unlike similar areas elsewhere in the state, Tempe residents have a variety of options for public transportation. The Metro Light Rail connecting Tempe to Downtown Phoenix and Mesa is the 12th busiest light rail system in the nation. City buses run seven days a week, and the Orbit bus is a free way for Tempe dwellers to access nearby residential areas.

5) Sports galore.

The Valley has been a major part of Major League Baseball since 1947, and today hosts 15 MLB teams for Cactus League spring training games. Fans flock to stadiums across the Valley to see their favorite teams, including the Diamondbacks, Giants, White Sox, Angels, and Royals. Phoenix is also home to the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the largest tournament on the PGA tour. Sometimes called the greatest show on the grass, the WM Phoenix Open is a favorite among new and longtime Tempe residents alike.

Regardless of the sports you’re into, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to watch pros or even get in the game yourself through City of Tempe adult leagues in everything from softball and soccer to flag football and basketball.

4) The music scene rocks.

New names and old favorites draw crowds at Marquee Theatre, Yucca Tap Room, the Big Fish Pub, Tempe Tavern, and nearby Rogue Bar. Tempe Beach Park hosts music festivals throughout the year, plus annual events like Oktoberfest, Tour de Fat, and the Great Arizona Beer Festival.

3) It's sunny all the time.

Tempe gets more sunny days in a season than Seattle gets in an entire year. More sun means more time to enjoy Tempe’s 50 parks, more than 175 miles of dedicated bikeways, and outdoor events.

2) Tempe is home to ASU.

When ASU was established as the Territorial Normal School in 1885, the city itself was barely six years old. Since then, it's gone from farm town, to college town, to thriving post-college city. And ASU has become the largest public university in the country, nationally recognized as a leading research institution.

1) And ASU is home to the W. P. Carey School of Business.

This is the place to launch your career, transition into a new field, or take the next step in what’s already been an amazing ride. It’s the place to build strong connections with industry leaders, and tap into a global network of likeminded professionals. It’s the place to get the skills and knowledge you need, to shape the future you want — while enjoying the sun, fun, and awesome you just can’t get anywhere else.

Explore opportunities to live, work, and learn with the W. P. Carey School of Business.