A spring training rental has to work beyond the listing photos. The drive to the complex, a quiet bedroom, space for family and a lease that fits your reporting dates all matter when you’re settling in for camp.
As a Scottsdale real estate agent with my fiancé in professional baseball, I know how quickly housing plans can shift. The search often involves more than choosing a neighborhood—especially when pets are coming along or the departure date is still uncertain.
For players and families arranging their own spring training housing in Arizona, this guide covers where to stay based on your training facility and what to confirm before committing to a furnished rental.
Where to Stay in Arizona for Spring Training
Where you train sets the geography of the search. From there, the decision is how you want to live during camp: close to the complex, near restaurants and coffee, or in a house with more space for family.
Scottsdale may be the preference even for someone training on the west side. Others would rather keep the drive short and look in Peoria, Glendale or Goodyear. I would compare the available rentals in each area against your budget, dates and priorities before narrowing the search.
Below are the areas I would consider around each spring training location, with a focus on the housing and everyday surroundings.
Scottsdale and Salt River Fields
For the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium, Old Town and nearby South Scottsdale are where I would begin. A condo near the restaurants and coffee shops offers a different setup from a detached house with a yard and room for visitors. Both belong in the search, depending on how you want to spend your time away from the field.
For the Diamondbacks and Rockies at Salt River Fields, I would look first at McCormick Ranch, Gainey Ranch and the surrounding central Scottsdale neighborhoods. For a household wanting more space, an extra bedroom and a usable outdoor area may be more valuable than being in the middle of the dining scene.
Kierland and North Scottsdale are also worth comparing if that is where you prefer to stay. I would weigh the available homes and the drive alongside the details that affect a longer stay: garage space, in-home laundry, a well-equipped kitchen and whether the property works for your pets.
Peoria and Surprise
For the Padres and Mariners in Peoria, I would compare rentals near the sports complex with options farther north, depending on the space and setting you want. A furnished condo may cover everything you need for camp; a detached home may make more sense with family, pets or visitors coming through.
For the Rangers and Royals in Surprise, I would keep Surprise and nearby west Valley neighborhoods in the initial search. If Scottsdale is your preference, we can compare that too—the question is whether the home and location are worth the additional time in the car.
In either area, I would focus on rentals available for your full stay and compare the total cost, including utilities, pet fees and pool heating where applicable. Those details can change how two otherwise similar homes stack up.
Glendale and Goodyear
For the Dodgers and White Sox at Camelback Ranch, I would include Glendale and nearby Avondale in the search. The city name alone tells you little about the drive; the property’s position relative to the complex matters more.
For the Reds and Guardians in Goodyear, I would compare homes in Goodyear and neighboring Litchfield Park. If you want a detached rental with outdoor space, these are areas I would explore before widening the search farther across the Valley.
With a larger furnished home, I would pay particular attention to what is included in the rate. Yard and pool maintenance, utility allowances and cleaning arrangements can affect both the cost and how much you have to manage during camp.
Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe
For the Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix, I would compare west Phoenix rentals with options farther east if you prefer to stay closer to Scottsdale. The choice comes down to the available home and how much driving you want to build into each day.
For the Cubs at Sloan Park and the Athletics at Hohokam, Mesa belongs in the initial search. Tempe and South Scottsdale are also areas I would compare for someone who wants more dining options near home, with the route evaluated for each property.
For the Angels at Tempe Diablo, I would begin with Tempe and nearby Phoenix neighborhoods, then widen the search based on what is available for your dates. Across these areas, a quieter residential setting and a condo closer to restaurants offer different ways to spend the weeks in Arizona.
What to Look for in a Furnished Spring Training Rental
“Furnished” can mean very different things from one property to the next. For a stay through camp, I would look beyond the furniture to the parts of the home you’ll use every day: a properly equipped kitchen, in-home laundry, comfortable beds and window coverings that keep the bedrooms dark.
If family is joining you, the layout deserves a closer look. An extra bedroom is useful, but so is enough separation for different sleep schedules, a place to work and storage that hasn’t been filled with the owner’s belongings.
For pets, I would confirm approval for the specific animals coming with you and look at whether the outdoor space is actually usable. A property described as pet friendly may still have restrictions or fees.
The smaller details are worth sorting out before arrival, too: garage access, reliable Wi-Fi, guest parking and who handles maintenance. A rental should be ready for the way you live, without a list of things to buy or resolve once you get there.
Lease Dates and Flexibility
An uncertain departure date can make the lease more important than the listing. Before committing, I would establish which dates are firm and where you may need flexibility, then look for an owner whose terms work with that timeline.
An extension is worth discussing upfront, including the rate and how much notice the owner needs. If the home is booked immediately after your stay, extending may not be an option.
The same applies if you leave earlier than expected. Any cancellation or early departure arrangement should be written into the agreement, with a clear understanding of what remains payable. I would rather resolve those details during the search than leave you negotiating them when plans change.
Comparing the Full Cost of Your Stay
Compare rentals by the total cost for your dates. The advertised monthly rate may leave out cleaning fees, pet charges or utilities above a set allowance. Separate refundable deposits from the costs you will actually spend.
For a home with a pool, confirm whether heating is included and how any additional charge is calculated. Housekeeping, yard care and pool maintenance should also be clear—both what is covered and who coordinates it.
I would request a complete breakdown before choosing between properties. A home with a higher monthly rate may compare differently once the extras are accounted for, especially if it comes ready with the services you want during camp.
Finding Your Spring Training Rental
If you’re arranging your own spring training housing in Arizona, I can help narrow the search around your facility, dates and how you want to live during camp.
Send me your budget, bedroom needs, any pets coming with you and the areas you prefer. If your dates are still taking shape, include that too. I can compare available rentals and help clarify the terms before you commit, working directly with you or your representative.
Reach out to begin your search.
Sofie Johnson
RETSY | Forbes Global Properties