Are you new to Tempe?
Do you need help figuring out where to go and how to get the things you need? Here are a few tips about how to get around town, where to get furniture and household items as well as some other things that may be helpful to know when arriving in an unfamiliar city.
Used furniture, small appliances and housewares
A great way to save money on many of your basic furnishings like a bed, desk, table and chairs, couch, lamps, etc. is to find used items. A great source of these items are “thrift shops” or “second hand” stores. These are places where people donate items which they no longer need, which then make them available for sale at greatly reduced prices. Thrift shops also have small appliances, dishes, clothes and many other similar items.
Here are a few of the nearby thrift shops we recommend:
Gracies Thrift Store
http://graciesthriftstore.com/
1520 E. Apache Blvd. One block west of McClintock.
Goodwill
Check the web site for special sale days.
1546 E Southern Ave
1290 N Scottsdale Rd
Getting Around Town
Tempe has a free bus system for getting around town as well as a light rail system which extends to the neighboring cities for a nominal fee. For point-to-point trips there is also Uber and Lift – services which can be requested and paid for via smartphone apps.
Orbit Bus System
http://www.tempe.gov/city-hall/public-works/transportation/bus/orbit. They have several routes which run nearby and through campus. The Jupiter line goes right by the Bridges Clubhouse at 1519 S College Ave where we have our Bridges meetings.
Light Rail
The Valley Metro Light Rail is part of the valley wide transportation system which includes bus lines that go throughout the entire Phoenix area. The Light Rail runs along Apache Boulevard and through campus, as well as through the Phoenix city core and beyond. The cost is $2 for a one way trip, or $4 for an all day pass. Monthly passes are also available for those who want to make use of it on a more regular basis.
Nearby Shopping
Walmart
General shopping and groceries
Near campus
671 E Apache Blvd, on the south end of campus
Larger – off campus location
800 E Southern Ave. on the northwest corner of Southern Ave and Rural Rd
Discount store – everything is $1, or less. A good place for basic food and toiletries
790 E Southern Ave, Tempe, AZ 85282
African
Ako International Market
“AKO international market is a supermarket that sells authentic African goods, groceries, jewelry, clothing, etc. We’re located in Tempe, Arizona, walking distance from the Light Rail on S McClintock Dr and Apache Blvd, just south of the business on the corner. My family and I open the store Monday through Saturday, selling African groceries, African Clothing, and Fashion. A variety of African Herbs and Vitamins, African Spices and Condiments, African American cosmetics, Raw Shea Butter, Black Soap, Body Oils, Essential oils, and more”
1400 S McClintock Dr #14, Tempe, AZ 85281
Asian
Mekong Plaza
Large East Asian marketplace – 3 miles east of campus at Apache (Main) and Dobson. Take the light rail to the Sycamore / Main Street stop.
http://www.mekongplaza.com/ 66 S Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202
Bharat Bazaar
Specialty grocery market near campus offering Indian spices, grains, provisions & more.
933 E University Dr #114, Tempe, AZ 85288
H Mart
Asian grocery store chain supplying imported packaged foods & housewares plus ready-to-serve meals.
1919 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201
Mediterranean
Haji-Baba
No-frills counter-serve spot serving kebabs, shawarma, gyros & more inside a Middle Eastern grocery
1513 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281