Queen Creek or Surprise? (Glendale, Gilbert: rent, mortgage, buying a home)

[tancee]

My family will be relocating to Arizona early next year. We have six children and trying to decide which city would be best. I plan to visit next month but, would like to hear the pros and cons between the two from you. Thank You

[ibarrio]

Surprise...

Pros:
1. I live in surprise (biased)
2. Surprise is more developed (plenty of restaurants and shopping)
3. Surprise is very safe. Gilbert and Surprise are the two safest areas in Arizona.
4. Stadium Village in Surprise (spring training) and within 15 min. of Peoria, and Glendale spring training.
5. Close to Arrowhead Mall
6. 15-20 min. to UOP stadium and Westgate
7. Close to Lake Pleasant
8. 1-2 hours off you travel time if you like going to Vegas

Cons:
1. Tons of old people (Sun City West, Sun City Grand, Sun Village)
2. Traffic (However, I think traffic is a bigger issue in Queen Creek). If you come from an area with heavy traffic (L.A.) then traffic is really not that bad.
3. Still growing so tons of construction still going on...

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by tancee

My family will be relocating to Arizona early next year. We have six children and trying to decide which city would be best. I plan to visit next month but, would like to hear the pros and cons between the two from you. Thank You

They're about 75 miles apart, and neither is particularly close to major employment centers. Maybe where you'll be working should have a role in your decision-making.

[thegirlinaz]

They are very, very far away from each other. I would base it on where you will be working. And I advise you to move here AFTER you find a job here.

[tancee]

Thank You, we understand the importance of finding employment before relocating. I know that one is in the east valley while the other is in the west. I was just looking for the pros and cons between the two as far as living standard. We are aware of the commute times and live far out now. We are an hour and 10 minutes away from our major city now with no traffic. So can deal with that.

[LocoAZnative]

Originally Posted by tancee

Thank You, we understand the importance of finding employment before relocating. I know that one is in the east valley while the other is in the west. I was just looking for the pros and cons between the two as far as living standard. We are aware of the commute times and live far out now. We are an hour and 10 minutes away from our major city now with no traffic. So can deal with that.

but why deal with it if you don't have to. These 2 cities are at the extemes of the valley.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Wish i would have had a job before we bought our home. Used to think everyone in the world would want to hire me. I have the right education, the right background, the work history. No one wants to pay me what my current employer pays me in California. I know it sounds like I am complaining. Just want to interject a little warning into the mix. Get a job secured before you move. We will soon have 2 mortgages to pay. Lucky me I have the income for it. Already paying rent in California and a mortgage in Arizona. Lucky for us we bought in Surprise a place that we love. Also my Parents live in the area, along with a couple sisters and a brother. Also three former co-workers live in Surprise. For us it works well. It isn't easy but it works. Eventually we will be full timers, but for now that isn't the case.

What I like about Surpise is that as a community it does have employment opportunities for the right field. My thoughts are that the area will eventually become self sufficient. The motto is Work, Live, Play in Surprise. What a concept, to be able to work and live in the same city. Prices may be nice in both areas, but if you are traveling an hour or two to work each day, doesn't seem like much of a life.

[jim53]

Considered buying a home in Queen Creek two years ago before the housing bust. Looked at them and said:

1. It's too #$% far out.
2. Roads were not developed.
3. Schools were not that great.

Am glad now we didn't decide on there. From what I have seen the bust has really hit there hard.

Of the two I would take Surprise.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by tancee

My family will be relocating to Arizona early next year. We have six children and trying to decide which city would be best. I plan to visit next month but, would like to hear the pros and cons between the two from you. Thank You

Taking out the commute factor I would probably choose Surprise for the same reasons Ibarrio did except I don't live in Surprise.

[azcater]

I think either one is fine, but if you haven't been out to Queen Creek lately, you should really check it out. The bottom has supposedly already hit and prices are starting to increase and development is happening like crazy. It's very different than 2-3 years ago. I used to say I would NEVER consider living in Queen Creek (and still wouldn't because I love being in Gilbert) but it's not as bad as it used to be. If you take Ironwood off of US 60- you can be in Queen Creek in 16 min.