Phoenix, Arizona
Photo by John-Morgan (Creative Flickr Commons)

If you’re looking for an apartment or house for rent in Phoenix that offers more than the basic utilities, you’re in luck. Save money and consolidate your bills by renting an apartment that includes perks such as high-speed Internet, cable with premium movie channels and free local phone service. Here are the top five apartment communities in the metro Phoenix area, with such exceptional utilities included that you’d think that you are renting a hotel room.

#5 The Dorsey Place Condos

1275 East University Drive
Tempe, AZ 85281
Price range: $1,400-$1,950

The Dorsey Place Condos makes the list of apartments with exceptional utilities because it has free Internet service. In addition to the included washer and dryer, this apartment community is popular with business travelers because of its short-term leases available.

Utilities included with rent: Water, sewer and trash; high-speed Internet; camera surveillance; washer and dryer

#4 Arboretum at South Mountain

15251 South 50th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85044
Price range: $664-$1,150

People who want a long-term residence with a resort-style feel will be right at home at the Arboretum at South Mountain. This apartment community goes beyond the necessities, providing residents with a video library, business center and fitness center.

Utilities included with rent: Water, sewer and trash; washer and dryer; wireless Internet; club house; business center; fitness center; video library

#3 Zazu Pannee Park Regent

1502 East Osborn Road
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Price range: $1,223-$2,100

At Zazu Pannee Park Regent, you rent covers high-speed internet and an 84-channel cable package with premium and movie channels included. You even get a 32-inch flat-screen television. This community is a hotel/apartment hybrid offering such perks as a wake-up call service.

Utilities included with rent: Water, sewer and trash; 84-channel Cox Cable, 12 premium channels; unlimited local phone calls; high-speed Internet; voicemail messaging; wake-up call service

#2 Capri On Camelback

5115 North 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Price range: $722-$1,650

Have you ever heard of an affordable apartment community that pays your heating and cooling bill? Capri on Camelback not only foots the bill for the basics such as water, sewage and trash, but your rent also includes luxuries such as a complimentary fluff and dry service.

Utilities Included with Rent: Water, sewer and trash; heating and cooling; barbecue grills, fluff and dry service, wireless Internet

#1 Scottsdale Park Suites

1251 North Miller Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Price range: $1,199 and up

Scottsdale Park Suites wins the prize for top apartment community with exceptional utilities in the Phoenix area. Its list of freebies such as free car washes and free food every day of the week seems too good to be true. Yet, this community is consistently rated as a favorite among residents. It’s not hard to understand why.

Utilities included with rent: Water, sewer and trash; heating and cooling; 74-channel cable plus HBO and ESPN Golf Channel; ice machines; hair dryers; local and long-distance phone service to the U.S. and Canada

In addition to these utilities, you get these things for free:
• Car washes
• Bowling every day
• Golf
• Private pass to LA Fitness every day
• Yoga classes
• Country burrito at Fiesta Burrito Mexican Food every Sunday
• Hamburger and fries at Dukes Sports Bar every Monday
• Tacos at Maria Maria La Cantina every Tuesday
• Enchilada plate at La Taverna every Tuesday
• Pizza at Streets of NY Pizza every Wednesday
• Pizza at Peter Piper Pizza every Wednesday
• Grand Slam Breakfast at Denny’s every Thursday
• Quesadilla at Maria Maria La Cantina every Friday
• Burger and fries at David’s Hamburgers & Mexican Food every Saturday
• Pot stickers at Cafe Forte every Saturday

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Does an evening of strolling art galleries in Downtown Phoenix interest you? Well you have the opportunity to do just that every month when you participate in Phoenix’s First Friday Art Walk. Best of all, this self-guided art tour is free!

a picture of First Friday Artwalk to get out of your Phoenix apartment
Photo By: Phxpma

Take the Shuttle
From your Phoenix apartment, head down to the Phoenix Art Museum on North Central Avenue. You can park here for free and jump on the shuttle.

What You’ll See
Print a First Friday map from Artlink and plan a route for your art gallery tour. Along the way, you can check out exhibits at interesting studios, galleries, and museums.

a picture of First Friday Artwalk musicians near your Phoenix apartment
Photo By: Pupkin

What You’ll Hear
Live music is also a First Friday staple. Featured outside some galleries are bands, soloists and more. Stop in the restaurants, cafes or coffeeshops along the way and enjoy your brew when you pause to listen to the sidewalk musicians.

First Fridays For Kids
Vendors along the streets of downtown Phoenix will have fun keepsakes, jewelry, and souvenirs your kids will love. But, at some venues and studios, there are hands on art activities especially for children. So, if your First Friday Art Walk includes the little ones, plan on an art walk kids detour.

Nothing to do on a Friday? No cash to spare for a night out? The First Friday Art Walk has you covered. Check it out from 6-9pm every month of the year and even on holidays.

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Quick and Easy Christmas Candy Recipes

by Sr. Editor on December 4, 2008

A holiday candy gift can be very simple to make and makes a fantastic Christmas gift. There are so many great candies you can make for your friends and family this Christmas. So have your kids join you in your Phoenix apartment kitchen for some wonderful homemade candy recipes. Here are some quick and easy Christmas candy recipes for the “sweet tooth” on your Christmas list.

Caution: Please remember when making homemade candy that one of the worst burns is a sugar burn. When you work with cooked sugar, have children away from the stove.

a picture of homemade peppermint bark

Photo by: Matthew Harvey

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