For renters comparing apartments with easy access to Big Surf Waterpark, Oxford is located at 3777 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85008, with a practical route east toward north Tempe. Big Surf’s longtime site was at 1500 N McClintock Dr in Tempe, but the water park is not operating as a public attraction, so it is best understood today as a recognizable Tempe landmark area rather than a place to plan regular water-park visits.
That distinction matters if you are choosing an apartment based on lifestyle. Big Surf was a well-known Valley destination for decades, famous for its large wave pool and its place in Arizona recreation history, but renters should verify any current redevelopment or public-access status before making plans around it. If your real goal is easy access to north Tempe, Tempe Town Lake, Arizona State University, Papago Park, or the Phoenix airport corridor, Oxford’s east Phoenix location can still make sense.
From Oxford, McDowell Road is the everyday east-west corridor, while Loop 202 helps connect residents toward Tempe, Scottsdale, downtown Phoenix, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. McClintock Drive is one of the key north-south streets near the former Big Surf property, and Tempe Town Lake and the ASU area sit farther into Tempe. In practical terms, this is a driving location, not a “leave the car behind” location for most Tempe trips.
Oxford’s floor plans are useful for renters who want more than a studio-style setup while staying close to Phoenix and Tempe routes. The community offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts, with listed plans ranging from the A1 at 663 square feet to the C2 at 1,135 square feet. Current pricing, move-in dates, deposits, and specific availability change, so it is best to confirm those details directly with the leasing office before applying.
The amenities that matter most for this location are the ones that help you reset at home after being out in the Valley heat. Oxford has two resort-inspired pools with a spa, a 24-hour fitness center, a clubhouse and resident lounge with Wi-Fi, courtyards with a grilling area and fountain, and an on-site walking and biking trail. The community also includes a dog park, controlled-access gates, covered parking, detached garages when available, exterior storage options, and 24-hour emergency maintenance.
Inside the apartments, residents can expect features such as wood-like flooring, full-size washer and dryer included, spacious closets, oversized windows, ceiling fans, vertical blinds, and high-speed internet readiness. Private patios and balconies, French doors, track lighting, linen closets, and USB outlets are available in select homes, so it is worth asking the office which features are included in the exact apartment you tour.
The honest trade-off is that Oxford is not the right fit if your top priority is walking to an active water park or living directly in downtown Tempe. It is better suited to renters who want an east Phoenix home base with road access to Tempe, the airport area, Papago Park, and nearby employment or school destinations, while still having pools, fitness, parking options, and in-home laundry back at the community.
If Oxford sounds like the right starting point for your Phoenix and Tempe routine, schedule a tour or contact the leasing office to compare current floor plan availability and confirm the home features that matter most to you.