Scottsdale vs Tempe: Where ASU Students Actually Hang Out

Two Very Different Places That Are 10 Miles Apart

ASU's Tempe campus sits on the border of Tempe and Scottsdale — if you drive east on University Drive, you cross into Scottsdale within about three miles. But the two cities feel fundamentally different, serve different functions, and have very different relationships with the average ASU student's wallet.

Here's an honest comparison.

Tempe: Your Backyard

Tempe is where most ASU students actually live, and it earns that role. The city is built around university life without being sycophantic about it. Mill Avenue, the light rail corridor, the apartment neighborhoods around Apache Boulevard and University Drive — all of it creates a functional ecosystem for students.

What Tempe is genuinely good for:

Daily life: groceries, coffee, cheap food, getting around
The light rail connecting you to Phoenix and Mesa
Mill Avenue and Tempe Town Lake for casual hanging out
Student-priced apartments in the neighborhoods near campus
Events at ASU Gammage, the Tempe Center for the Arts, and Tempe Beach Park
Bars and restaurants that cater to people with student budgets

The vibe: Casual, mixed-income, energetic in a collegiate way. You'll see students, young professionals, longtime Tempe residents, and everything in between.

Scottsdale: Worth Visiting, Not for Daily Life

Scottsdale — particularly Old Town Scottsdale, which is the main entertainment district — is genuinely fun but it's priced for a different demographic. The average Old Town bar charges $14 for a cocktail. The restaurants run $25–$40 per person without much effort. The vibe is more polished, more aspirational, and significantly more expensive.

What Old Town Scottsdale is actually good for:

Going out for a special occasion
When family or parents are visiting and they want a nicer dinner
The AZ/88 club scene if nightclubs are your thing
Gallery walks and the Old Town arts district (genuinely interesting if that's your interest)
Restaurants that are legitimately excellent but priced accordingly

The vibe: Upscale casual to upscale. Heavy on tourists, Phoenix transplants, and older professionals. You'll feel welcome as a student as long as your card works.

Getting There: Transportation Reality

Tempe to Old Town Scottsdale is about 10 miles. There's no light rail connection — Scottsdale rejected the light rail extension years ago and has no current plans to reverse that. Your options:

Uber/Lyft: $15–$25 each way, more on weekends with surge pricing. A round trip out costs $30–$50 before you've spent anything in Scottsdale.
Driving: 20–25 minutes, but parking in Old Town Scottsdale is expensive or requires a walk from free areas.
Bike: Possible via the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt bike path. About 45 minutes of pleasant riding through parks and along canals. Only realistic in cooler months.

Tempe by contrast: you can walk, bike, or take the light rail almost anywhere relevant.

Where Students Actually Spend Time

Honestly? The data — measured in where you actually see groups of ASU students consistently — points to Tempe overwhelmingly. Mill Avenue on weekend nights is packed with students. The neighborhoods around campus are student-dominated. The light rail corridor serves student needs.

Scottsdale exists for specific occasions:

A club night when you're in the mood for that scene
A nice dinner when money isn't the constraint
Visiting the Fashion Square mall when you need something specific
Spring training baseball games at Salt River Fields (actually a great deal and very popular with students)

When Each Place Wins

Tempe wins for:

Any night where you're not planning to spend $100
Regular going out with a normal student budget
Getting places without a car
Meeting other ASU students
Day-to-day quality of life near campus

Scottsdale wins for:

Nicer meals when you want to treat yourself or someone else
A different scene when Tempe feels small
Spring training baseball
Parents' weekend restaurant choices

The Honest Bottom Line

If you're an ASU student with a car and an occasional entertainment budget, Scottsdale is a fun place to go a few times per semester. If you're trying to manage a student budget and not have every night out cost $100, Tempe is where you live your life and Scottsdale is where you go for specific reasons. The students who try to make Old Town Scottsdale their regular scene often find themselves broke faster than expected.