Surprise growth (Glendale, Chandler, Peoria: work, housing, retire)

[funyon]

Just wondering if anyone knows what the future growth of Surprise will be in the next 10 years (population; population density). Thinking of moving there from Colorado. It appears from Goggle Earth that Surprise is packed in like sardines (hope that's not the case). Do you know what kind of plans the city has for open space? Any info. greatly appreciated. Also, do you have any concerns about the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant or any facts regarding the plant? Thanks.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

With 100,000 people and growing the city may end up with 200,000 or more in 10 years. That is if the housing boom takes off again. In 2000 the city had 30,848 and by 2006 they had 85,914. By June they will have 8 more people living there as that is when we will officially be part of Surprise. There is still a lot of land around surprise. Not sure what you are interested in for housing. A majority of homesites that I have seen are small, abour 100' x 50' is normal in the trackts that we were looking in. There are other tracks that have 1 acre lots. Just depends what you want I guess. Also there are aome areas that are near open areas.

I am not to affraid of Palo Verde blowing up. Besides sounds like it would be a quick death anyway.

[Ponderosa]

Surprise is the epitome of the drive-till-you-qualify town that got caught up in the housing price boom. It owes its growth to the willingness of people to trade convenience for lower cost housing. It is now stagnating somewhat and struggling with falling asset values. When housing prices come back into line with the realities of the location, growth will accelerate. But the future is bright. Surprise will eventually come to be thought of as a somewhat "close-in" community as growth moves further out toward Wickenburg. All of the west valley cities are on the upswing side of the growth and decline curve right now.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Ponderosa is correct. That is one of the reasons that we like it. The place is affordable. When my parents moved there 5 years ago it had 36,000 or so people. They arived before the days of the housing lottery and the price increases. We are buying after the fact and prices have declined. I like the area though, and for me, a Californian, the drive to most places isn't that bad. Just depends what you are used to I guess. There is a lot more in the area than there was in the past. There is more planned for the area as well. I would prefer to work in the area if I could. For me that is a possiblility. My parents on the other hand are retired and don't leave the area too much to shop.

Also it is next to parts of Glendale and Peoria. Those places are more established than Surprise and have more places to work and have some fun. I am confident that within the next decade the place will have the ability to retain workers. Just going to take some time.

[funyon]

Thanks for all of the info. We'll be out there in March and I guess I'll see for myself if it's somewhere we would like to live. However, I always appreciate info. from people who know more about the area than I do--do not want to go into it blindly.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Originally Posted by funyon

Thanks for all of the info. We'll be out there in March and I guess I'll see for myself if it's somewhere we would like to live. However, I always appreciate info. from people who know more about the area than I do--do not want to go into it blindly.

I don't live there as of yet. We have visited the area over the past 5 years though and have come to love Surprise. Our home probably won't be finished till September or October. That is alright with me though, especially when I read that prices are projected to decline further this year. Not sure if the downword slide is going to continue in Surprise or if that is it for now. We have seen the price decline just before we signed for the home and again this past December. Our only problem is with getting the kids in the school that is closest to our home when we do move there. I have often said that there will be a time when prices will be low and interest rates will be low. At that time is the optimum time to purchase a home, and the conditions are near the perfect situation as far as I can see.

[California Yanqui]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Surprise is the epitome of the drive-till-you-qualify town that got caught up in the housing price boom. It owes its growth to the willingness of people to trade convenience for lower cost housing. It is now stagnating somewhat and struggling with falling asset values. When housing prices come back into line with the realities of the location, growth will accelerate. But the future is bright. Surprise will eventually come to be thought of as a somewhat "close-in" community as growth moves further out toward Wickenburg. All of the west valley cities are on the upswing side of the growth and decline curve right now.

ponderosa, what do you think of the Cortessa communities gaining 5% in appreciation over the next year? Or what do you think in general about it. I'm out here for at least 5 years so it doesn't bother me that much. I realize prasada and the freeway will be near done by 2014.

[hts]

Forget Surprise and look at Anthem instead!

[Bar-L]

Anyone living in the Surprise area that has experience with the jets from Luke AFB? Looked at the 2005,2006 flight patterns and noise complaints and not much real feelings info. Luke was there first and just don't want to have the jets shake the house from 10pm-6am. I know some say you get used to it, but after living in Mexico for over 9 years even the locals "never" got used to the humidity and neither did we.

[funyon]

Again, back to the population in Surprise, are most of the communities "cookie-cutter" types of neighborhoods? What community would be the least cookie-cutter like? I don't mind having neighbors close by, but prefer not to have them right in my back yard either. Also, my sister-in-law use to live in Chandler and had a real problem with scorpions. Are scorpions a valley wide problem or mainly in the east valley? According to her, once you get them, you can't get rid of them. With that said, I'm pretty much willing to put up with anything to get out of the Colorado climate--it's awful and getting worse every year. I have to believe that extreme heat is easier to handle than extreme cold and wind, but would appreciate anyone's input on this.