The real estate market is hot in Phoenix, and in an article by the Phoenix Business Journal, a CoreLogic report shows that the city’s prices climbed by 7.7 percent in June. With so many new apartments being built in the city, some are hesitant to buy a home in Phoenix.

The great news is that there are plenty of suburbs in the Valley offering not only affordability and convenience, but also a much different vibe than Phoenix. If you are planning to move to the Valley and don’t want to break the bank, check out these six affordable suburbs.

Apache Junction

Aerial view of Apache Junction, AZ and the Superstition Mountains / Shutterstock

Located 40 miles east of Downtown Phoenix and situated against the backdrop of the Superstition Mountains, Apache Junction takes pride in its wild west history, legends, and movies. Known for its many attractions along the Apache Trail, which happens to be one of the most scenic drives in the country and helped put Arizona on the map, the area is full of opportunities to fulfill adventurous feats through hiking, biking, water sports, and golf. Residents get their year-round community involvement through events like Lost Dutchman Days and the nearby Renaissance Festival. History buffs will enjoy investigating the many sites and folklore of early settlers,  while families will appreciate the high-ranking schools from both the Queen Creek and Apache Junction School Districts. Homebuyers can find various home styles from condos and townhomes to single-family homes on large lots mixed within residential communities. With about 200 listings in Apache Junction at publication, buyers are sure to find an affordable home in neighborhoods like Palm Springs, Arizona Grande, Sunrise Canyon, and Renaissance Park.

Guadalupe

Planned-community in Guadalupe, AZ / Shutterstock

Ideally situated along Interstate 10 and Route 60, Guadalupe hosts about 5,500 residents and maintains a strong cultural identity with roots going back to the Yaqui Indians around the turn of the 20th century. The area is anchored in traditions and ceremonies that can be experienced throughout the year. El Mercado de Guadalupe is a major social hub and indoor/outdoor market that features produce from local farms. And when not hosting shoppers at the boutiques, the establishment hosts parties and festivals in the Central Plaza. For major shopping and entertainment, a quick drive north to Tempe and the Arizona Mills mall opens up a variety of options. Guadalupe features small neighborhoods of mostly single-family homes with median home prices in the $100s.

Mesa

Pond and outdoor patio in Mesa's Eastmark community

One of the larger suburbs flanked by Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Tempe, Mesa is sprawling with natural attractions and outdoor amenities. Cyclists will enjoy 40 miles of bike lanes in the city proper, with numerous trails extending into wilderness areas of the desert and mountains. Baseball fans will enjoy living in the heart of Arizona's Cactus League for spring training at Sloan Park, and for a day at the museum, there are several options including the Arizona Museum of Natural History and the Idea Museum. Mesa offers a variety of condos, townhomes, and single-family residences as well as some of the Valley’s most sought-after master-planned communities, like Eastmark, where buyers can find homes priced from the mid $200s to low $600s. Some of the most affordable condo communities in Mesa include La Casa Mesa Condominiums, Mateo Villa Condominiums, and Desert Wind Condominiums, while the most affordable single-family home neighborhoods currently include Superstition Country and Suntree.

Avondale

Suburban neighborhood in Avondale, AZ / Photo by IIP Photo Archive / CC BY

Once a farming community, the suburb of Avondale has evolved into a modern suburb with major residential communities and shopping centers. Avondale was recently honored with an All-America City Award by the National Civic League. Bordered by Estrella Mountain Regional Park, locals enjoy hiking some of the most scenic trails in the area. NASCAR enlivens the town when in season at the ISM Racetrack. Avondale is bordered by Goodyear, Tolleson, and Litchfield Park, which provide additional amenities. Commuters will appreciate Interstate 10 and the 101 just minutes away, making commutes a breeze. Popular neighborhoods in Avondale include Rancho Santa Fe, Garden Lakes, and Corte Sierra, and some of the more affordable neighborhoods include Casa Lomas and Del Monte Homes with a median sale price in the low to mid $100s.

Glendale

Aerial of Glendale, Peoria, and Chandler / Shutterstock

Located about nine miles from Downtown Phoenix, Glendale was named as one of America’s emerging travel destinations thanks to its numerous attractions, yearly festivals, and sports teams like the Phoenix Coyotes and Arizona Cardinals. When not enjoying the entertainment district brimming with shops, restaurants, theaters, and museums, residents can hike or bike any part of the 40 miles of trails in town. Glendale also has dozens of popular neighborhoods with price tags that won’t make you cringe. North Canyon Ranch, Deerview, and Maryvale Terrace have homes ranging from the low to mid $200s, while Olive Glen Condominiums, West Plaza Townhouses, and The Pines have homes priced in the mid $100s.

San Tan Valley

Circle Cross Ranch in San Tan Valley, AZ

Named for the San Tan Mountain region that offers its residents over 10,000 acres of desert with hiking and biking trails and a wildlife exhibit center, San Tan Valley is home to approximately 80,000 people, yet retains a small-town feel without skimping on the big-city attractions. Offering a variety of golf communities, age-restricted communities, and family-friendly neighborhoods, homebuyers will find the most popular neighborhoods with listings between the low $200s to high $300s in Copper Basin, San Tan Heights, and Circle Cross Ranch.