Need Help from People Who Know Marley Park Surprise. (Phoenix: for sale, real estate)

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Hello All. I was down last week and looked at several areas in the Valley.

All things being equal, I learned I like newer areas and especially master planned areas. One of the two spots that I was impressed with was Marley Park Surprise. I loved all of the green parks and the feel of the neighborhood.

I know that Surprise is dinged for being "out there". But I don't have to commute and go to work. At the same token, if I want to go to other parts of the Valley, I am going to be driving. So I am trying to understand how the 303 will eventually help the commute times in area.

I'm trying to do my due diligence. I talked with the HOA. I feel comfortable with their viability. I talked with some neighbors and they all seem to love it.

I'm 45, married and soon to be an "empty nester". I like the fact that Marley Park isn't a retirement community. Does anybody who lives there know what the age make-up is?? Will it be a good fit for someone wanting to visit for 2-6 months a year???

I do like the feel of Surprise. I also love the current incredible value. Are there other community pool areas that I should be staring at in Surprise??? I find myself liking the nicer areas within a community.

Any and all info would be helpful.

[Ritchie_az]

Marley Park is nice. Surprise is nice. You really can't go wrong with that choice. The Loop 303 Freeway is still a few years off, but once it is complete it will help traffic significantly into and out of Surprise. It will also shape the growth in that area.

Also, if you like Marley Park, you may also like Verrado in Buckeye. Verrado Homes For Sale in Buckeye, Arizona | West Phoenix Real Estate

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Thanks for your post Ritchie. Buckeye is too disconnected for me but I have heard some great things about that community.

Are there any Marley Park forum members out there??

[lilsprstr]

I don't live in Marley Park, but it is a great community. If you're going to live in Surprise, that's the place to be. Our church meets at Marley Park Elementary School, so we're very familiar with the area. The community center is beautiful. We even considered buying an investment home there because houses are so cheap right now. The housing market in Surprise was one of the hardest hit, so now would be the time to buy.

[musicforme]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

I know that Surprise is dinged for being "out there". But I don't have to commute and go to work. At the same token, if I want to go to other parts of the Valley, I am going to be driving. So I am trying to understand how the 303 will eventually help the commute times in area.

I finally get to help you for once.

There is a .pdf document on the home page PALMVALLEY303.COM that you should check out. It does a good job graphically showing the stages of planned construction.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by musicforme

I finally get to help you for once.

There is a .pdf document on the home page PALMVALLEY303.COM that you should check out. It does a good job graphically showing the stages of planned construction.

Thanks for the link!

[snowbird2B]

We are also looking at Marley Park and have been wondering the same things as you! We also are looking into Vistancia..have you looked there at all? Thoughts? We will make our trip to "compare" in April. We currently live in WA.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by snowbird2B

We are also looking at Marley Park and have been wondering the same things as you! We also are looking into Vistancia..have you looked there at all? Thoughts? We will make our trip to "compare" in April. We currently live in WA.

Vistancia has some higherend areas (paver streets) and it is extremely nice. But I preferred the nicer paver sections and they are bigger $$'s. The issue is one fold. It's out there! Well two fold.... It's more $$'s than Marley Park and I prefer the Marley feel.

In Marley Park, I think the most expensive home is listed at $299K. There are three tiers. $100K-$120K (1700 sq foot) on a 5K-7K sq lot. $120K-$170K for the 2000 to 2500 sq foot home (those lots are generally larger around 6500-8000 sq feet. And then there is the 3100-3600 sq foot homes for $195-$299K (on 8000+ lots). Realistically the bigger ones hang around $200-$220K.

In Marley Park, the feel is completely different. Yes. It's closer to everything that you need but the difference is the "feel" of the neighborhoods. They put alleys in the smaller homes so they have a cute / quaint feel. It's green everywhere.

The neighborhood seems to have attracted extroverts that like to take walks.

The "sweet spot" in Marley Park is around that $140K range. You can get a nice 2500 sq footer if you snag a deal. 102 homes sold last year. The price per square foot seems to be consistent.

The down side for some is the HOA fee. It's $126. But that includes high speed Internet. I think the $1400 per year for an HOA weeds out the budget shopper. I didn't see any sun-faded beaters in the driveways or any 1996 deep smoked window 4x4's driving around.

[need_some_sun]

I may have to look here as well. Did you notice if most the neighborhoods have trails and parks? I may be working IN peoria. My husband in NW Phx. I am not sure what the commute time may be.

[snowbird2B]

Thank you for your insight! Like I mentioned, we haven't been there, yet, and will check them out. On a side note..it will be interesting to see how "out there" is defined by you..since we live on an Island now..and take a ferry to do any "real" shopping..or drive 45 minutes to a Wal-Mart....I guess it is all relative..lol. Seriously, you did give me some great input, and I have a feeling we will also prefer Marley Park. I'm excited to make the trip!