What is the difference between Surprise and Peoria? (Phoenix, Glendale: crime, houses)

[rosco917]

Which is closest to Lake Pleasant? Which has the most restaurants, shopping, and interesting options on things to do? Is there night life in either to speak of? Which has the nicer neighborhoods?

[Ritchie_az]

Surprise and Peoria are much different and yet much the same. Peoria is twice as old and twice as large (population). Peoria, Arizona - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Surprise, Arizona - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia But it's all still suburbs with similar houses and neighborhoods, stores and restaurants.
Peoria is (naturally) more developed (not to suggest that Surprise isn't developed, because that would be false), with the nicest areas being perhaps slightly (but not significantly) "nicer" than the nicest areas of Surprise, and the least nicest areas being slightly (but not significantly) "less nice" than the least nicest areas of Surprise (Peoria's "least nicest" area is much larger than Surprise's).
Both Peoria and Surprise have spring training baseball. Peoria is indeed closer than Surprise to Lake Pleasant; however, there are parts of Surprise that would be closer to the lake than some parts of Peoria. Peoria is right next to Glendale and closer to Phoenix or Scottsdale (if those are important to you). Surprise has a slightly lower crime rate.
I don't think you could go wrong either way. If commute is a concern, you might think about distances to and from work and let that help you decide.
City of Peoria, Arizona
Official Website - Surprise, Arizona

[MotleyCrew]

Peoria (north) is closest to the lake and the newer of the areas. They built a lot of new shopping centers with big box retailers and more and more restaurants are coming again. The area down on 83rd and Bell have what we call restaurant row with many different types of dining and at least one sports bar that I can think of right now. We also like Surprise, but it is a little smaller and not as many options, however it is also close to 83rd and Bell for dining. Both have their pro's and con's and one is the tax rate and Surprise is a little less than north Peoria. We live in Vistancia and I believe we are about 15 min from the lake.

[lilsprstr]

Peoria is very narrow east to west, but very spread out north to south. We live in North Peoria (just outside of Vistancia) and moved from El Mirage (just across the street from Surprise). I personally prefer Peoria, but Surprise is nice too. One of the main reasons for moving is that the Peoria School District had a much better reputation than the Dysart School District (in Surprise). We've been very happy here, and the schools as well.

[TOOHOTT2BESTOPPED]

I lived in both. Peoria is bigger and Surprise is newer.