Laveen vs. Surprise (Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale: income, houses, crime)

[jco]

Originally Posted by instantclassic

Well i have never been to laveen but live in Surprise. Thank god I only have three more weeks to go until i go off to college. Anyway surprise is one of those over percieved nice areas. It has its fair share of crime justlike every other Phoenix suburbs. earlier tonight someone stole money from a cash register using a crowbar at Target. a few weeks ago someone opened fire in the Target parking lot. Thank god no one was hit. recently there was a stabbing after a dispute between construction workers, this I beleive happened across the street. So my suggestion is before you move into a community make sure it has what you're looking for and always be aware of your surroundings. Never assume your in a "nice city" because there is no such thing as a nice city.

What are you talking about? I haven't heard of any of these incidents! It's not that there isn't any crime at all, but Surprise is safer than any other city in the valley. Source: Official Website - Surprise, Arizona

[dmiller01]

I live in Surprise and have never heard about these instances either. <snip> I keep VERY up to date on what is going on in Surprise and would have known about these things if they were "true". If there is a shred of truth, I'm sure s/he blew them out of proportion.

The entire valley has its problems. I lived in North Scottsdale until last year and that is THE ONLY place where I ever felt unsafe and that was only in one instance when I was at a Village Inn at 101 and Shea and we were alomst robbed and car jacked. I grew up in Tempe and loved it, but our house was robbed and cars were broken into a few times due to its proximity to ASU. If you think crime is bad in Surprise Instantclassic, have fun in Tempe or Tucson living in a crappy off-campus apartment!

Really where one lives is a matter of personal perference and all areas have their advantages and disadvantages. Laveen is fine, as is Surprise, there are only a few areas that REALLY need to be avoided and all I can think of right now are parts of South Phoenix and Maryvale (and both of those areas are slowly being gentrified and will be safer within ten years).

[brownshoe]

I lived in Surprise before moving out of state a couple of years ago ( I remember when the Surprise Stadium was still orange groves). I worked in downtown Phoenix and back then I absolutely hated the commute. And I am sure it has gotten much worse since 2003.

Although my mother and quite a few friends still live in Surprise, we decided that if we move back to Arizona, it would definitely not be in Surprise. Now I do think the city is great and its wonderful (well I guess for some ) how much it has grown, but it is too far away for us. I'd like to be more centrally located (near downtown and the other cities and things to do) so we would probably choose Laveen over Surprise.

But to each his own!

[brownshoe]

Also forgot to add that the above poster is right, there are advantages and disadvantages to every place-with family in law enforcement, its amazing at the stuff that occurs everywhere!

[instantclassic]

<snip> My 11 year old brother has even read about the stabbing. here's a link.
Worker stabbed in dispute on construction site

As far as the incidents at work There is no press coverage that I am aware of. However they did happen no one was hurt or killed in these incidents so thats probably why. However, I don't think you are up to date on what goes on in surprise. Nor do I think you are an intelligent person for saying that I'm a stoned teenager. I did not tell anyone not move to surprise. I just simply said that surprise has many of the same problems that every other valley burb has.

[jco]

instantclassic, I still don't understand why you would say that Surprise has the same problems. A stabbing by construction workers, who probably don't even live in the city of Surprise, doesn't warrant a generalization like that. You are still entitled to your opinion... and thank you for providing the link.

I've lived all over the valley and Surprise is the safest place I've lived. We have isolated incidents like any other city, but we don't have the recurring problems some others areas experience.

[Valley Resident]

I am sure you are aware of the incidents in some surprise schools last year since you are so up to date! I agree problems can happen anywhere but believe me you are only kidding yourself if you think Surprise is safe! IMO feeling safe went out years ago!

[ibarrio]

I read about the construction worker incident, which happened at location and on the job.

but believe me you are only kidding yourself if you think Surprise is safe!

Back it up with data. Otherwise you just stated an opinion that has zero basis.
Someone already posted data showing Surprise is the safest...now provide your data.

[Rahele]

I don't recomend either.... unless you plan on working close by. Traffic is crazy, and the closest freeway is at least 30 minutes away without traffic!

[ibarrio]

I don't recomend either.... unless you plan on working close by. Traffic is crazy, and the closest freeway is at least 30 minutes away without traffic!

Not true!! I work near the 17 (near Metro Center) and it takes me a total of 35-40 mins to drive to work...not 30 mins alone to get out of surprise. I live west of Grand and North of Bell.

And I don't even have to take freeways to get to work.