Does anyone live in Marley Park, Surprise (Phoenix, Scottsdale: appointed, short sales)

[ImAndy]

Im planning on purchasing a property in the NW Phoenix area and one area I am considering is Marley Park in Surprise
I will obviously visit the area when I get down to Arizona but on the face of it the community seemed to have plenty of plus points
However, their website does not look as though it has been updated for a couple of years and the do not reply to emails.
I was just wondering whether the community has lost its vibrancy. Has the downturn particularly affected this area. I see a couple of the builders there have gone under

[AZJoeD]

I do not believe that there is any new building going on in Marley Park.

There are currently approx 45 homes in some state of Active in Marley Park. Most are short sales or foreclosures. Like most of Surprise it was hit pretty hard by the downturn. Having said that, it is also a great place to pick up a bargain. Homes that sold for $250K in 2006 are now $120K. This is great for the Buyer.

This down economy will not last forever (I hope). If you want to live there you can certainly pick up a bargain. Marley Park is pretty far west so if you are planning a commute, be sure the try the commute a few times just to make sure you can deal with it.

If you plan to purchase a Short Sale or Foreclosure be sure to get a Buyer's Agent. These types of deals are very complicated. I do not want to see you back here complaining about how you got ripped off going it alone. (If you don't believe just do a search).

Here is some info on the HOA, they may be able to answer questions you have.

Marley Park HOA
Marley Park Community Association, Inc.
13118 Founder's Park Blvd.
Suprise, AZ
Phone: (623) 466-8820

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

My parents live in the Rancho Gabriella neighborhood not to far from Marley Park. It is a very nice place to be with a very cool neighborhood clubhouse area. I read recently that builders will be coming back to the area. Richmond American is one builder that will be building there, maybe it will be a little time before any additional building happens. The lots are not large, but many of the homes currently there are nicely put together and have some great floor plans and ammenities. Out of all the communities that we looked at in Surprise, Marley Park seemed to offer the most. The HOA was more costly than in other neighborhoods, but they offered a lot for the price. Not sure what it cost now.

[ImAndy]

Thanks guys
I`m not going to commute so am happy to live out of center and am looking at this general area for easy access to spring training and other professional sports
Vistancia and Verrado are other communities I`m considering for a family friendly environment where it will be easy to meet new people.

It is just strange that marleypark.com does not reply to emails

I`d certainly take professional advice, particularly as I am from Canada

BTW soon2bnsurprise is that
CHFM Cockroach Hall of Fame Museum (Plano, Texas)

[Ritchie_az]

"Vistancia and Verrado are other communities I`m considering for a family friendly environment where it will be easy to meet new people."

Check out Estrella in Goodyear, as well. It's very close to the ballpark in Goodyear (Reds and Indians), NASCAR (if you're into that), top-notch golf courses, etc.

www.lifeinestrella.com

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Originally Posted by ImAndy

Thanks guys
BTW soon2bnsurprise is that
CHFM Cockroach Hall of Fame Museum (Plano, Texas)

I am a facility manager. The CHFM stands for Certified Hospital Facilities Manager

[conferc]

I live in Marley Park and I assure you the community is still vibrant and growing. Richmond American has just put up two brand new model homes and Scott Communities is slated to be coming back soon too. We have new residents moving in almost everyday. We move here from Illinois for the built in community feel, warm neighborhood feel, community events, community groups and clubs, abundance of green parks right within our own community (we have over 10) and not only have we not been disappointed we have grown to love our community more and more each year. It would be worth it for you to check us out. It is ranked pretty high on our families "best decisions we every made". For more information on the community itself you can contact our COA office at 623-466-8831

[ean2010]

I am familiar with the area. Marley Park is very nice community - very nice. The problem as usual is only one - distance to downtown and businesses. Susprise is amazing city, and if there are more business buildings, it will be one of the best places to live in USA.

[yeahisaidit]

I have found that there is a clique of residents who tend to stick together. Over the last year or so, it seems like the community has become less "neighborly". The group that wants to "be in charge" of everything tend to look out for their own and don't seem very interested in helping others. The message board is looking more like Facebook conversations than people trying to form the "perfect community". I've lived here for over 3 years and I rarely see a new name on the boards. People complain about every little thing like they expected MP to be a subdivision of Scottsdale, not Surprise. My husband I were excited when we first moved in because of all the events but were soon disappointed.

Surprise is a very nice town. If you don't care about the amenities, save yourself some money and buy in a different neighborhood.

[TiJa]

I do think Marley Park is a lovely neighborhood in terms of parks, recreation and amenities...but like the poster above has pointed out---I'm not feeling the neighborly love either. There are a lot of shallow and cliquish people in this community. They pretty much run everything, and if you are not "in" with them, your opinions won't matter at all...I choose to keep to myself for the most part and I have been able to live in peace, but this is really a community for social butterflies (and gossips).
That's one reason why I plan to rent out my house in the next couple of years and move on.