RELOCATING · BUYING GUIDE

Moving to South Tempe or South Chandler from out of state

The map makes every suburb look the same. It isn't. Here is how the two areas differ, how to shop from a distance, and what to check before you buy.

The one-paragraph version

South Tempe and South Chandler sit about 15 minutes apart in the East Valley, southeast of Phoenix. South Tempe is the older side: big lots, mature trees, custom homes from the 1970s to 2000s, horse property, and a lot of no-HOA streets, about 15 minutes from the airport. South Chandler is the newer side: lakes, golf, gated villages, homes from the 1990s to 2010s, and the Price Road tech corridor next door. Most relocating buyers I work with fit one side clearly once they have seen both in person.

Which side fits you

• Pick South Tempe if you want land, privacy, character and the shortest drive to Sky Harbor, ASU and downtown Phoenix. You are fine with an older home, often remodeled, and you may prefer no HOA. Read the South Tempe buying guide.
• Pick South Chandler if you want a newer home, water or golf out back, a gate, and a master-planned community with amenities. You are fine with an HOA and a smaller lot. Read the South Chandler buying guide.

Still not sure? Take the 90-second neighborhood quiz, or just book a call and tell me what your life looks like. I'll tell you which pockets to look at and which to skip.

How to shop from 1,500 miles away

• Start with the life, not the listing. Commute, schools, how you spend a Saturday, whether you want neighbors close or far. That narrows twenty neighborhoods to three before you ever open a listing app.
• Tour by video first. I walk the neighborhoods and the homes on camera with you on the phone. You will see the street, the traffic noise, the neighbor's RV, the things photos leave out.
• Plan one focused trip. Two or three days, a short list, in person. Most of my relocating buyers find the home on that trip because the sorting was already done.
• Be ready before you land. Lender letter or proof of funds in hand, wire logistics sorted, and a clear answer on whether you need to sell first. In small neighborhoods, ready matters more than fast.

Things that surprise people moving here

• Pools are standard, basements are rare. Almost every luxury home here has a pool. Basements exist in a few South Tempe pockets and almost nowhere else.
• Summer is real. June through September is hot. Shade, orientation, and a good air conditioner matter. The other eight months are the reason people move here.
• HOAs range from none to strict. South Tempe has whole neighborhoods with no HOA. South Chandler often has two. Decide what you want before you shop.
• Flood irrigation. Some South Tempe lots get flood irrigation on a schedule. It is why the trees are so big. It is also a system you should understand before you buy.
• Schools go by address, not neighborhood name. Kyrene and Tempe Union serve most of South Tempe. Chandler Unified serves South Chandler. Confirm the exact address every time.
• Comparable sales are thin at the top. Some streets see a few sales a year. Pricing takes local work, and the asking price is not always a good guide.

Drive times that actually matter

From South Tempe, off-peak: Sky Harbor about 15 minutes, ASU about 10, downtown Phoenix about 20, Old Town Scottsdale about 25, the Intel and TSMC corridor about 20. From South Chandler, add roughly 10 minutes to the airport and Phoenix numbers and subtract 10 from the tech corridor. Fifteen minutes each way, twice a day, is about 130 hours a year. Buyers shop by square footage. Locals shop by minutes.

Common questions

Should I rent first?

Sometimes, yes. If you have never spent time in the East Valley and you are not sure which side fits, a six-month rental can save you from moving twice. If you already know the area, it usually just costs you a move.

Can I buy without visiting?

People do, and I can make it work with video tours and inspections. I would still rather you see the street once. It is a lot of money to spend on a feeling you got from a photo.

How long does it take?

Relocating buyers usually find the home in one or two focused trips once the sorting is done. Closing in Arizona typically runs about 30 days after that.

Do I need to sell my current home first?

Not always. Many of my relocating buyers close here first and sell after. It depends on your lender and your comfort. We can talk through both paths on the call.

What do you charge?

We cover that on the first call, in plain terms, before you commit to anything.

Written by Ben Graham, REALTOR since 2011. 500+ homes sold. Page updated October 2026.