Surprise vs. Peoria (Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale: sales, 2014, house)

[smapua]

I remember Tucson had these monster green frogs. Does the Surprise area have them? Does anyone know what I am talking about

[observer53]

Originally Posted by smapua

I remember Tucson had these monster green frogs. Does the Surprise area have them? Does anyone know what I am talking about

I think you mean toads, not frogs (and they are not green). Toads are seen in variious areas, I assume Surprise is not immune to them, but they aren't that common in built up areas.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by smapua

I remember Tucson had these monster green frogs. Does the Surprise area have them? Does anyone know what I am talking about

I winter in Surprise. I've never seen a toad, frog, scorpion, snake, or Gila monster. I'm sure they are here but I am not looking for them. I have seen several black widows around the house until I started to spray myself. A few times I watched a coyote walk down the street.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by ijamez

Peoria gives you a range of environments from urban to suburban to rural in the North...Surprise gives you a bunch of the same boom-time houses imprisoned in HOAs within the exact same environment until you hit the White Tanks...Peoria will get you closer to the freeway and far more diversity in home designs...Surprise was only built because people were willing to "drive til they qualify" for a mortgage which pushed developments waaay out to the area where traditionally only bodies and trash were dumped...

Surprise contains Sun City Grand Sun City Grand - Sun City Grand Community Association Home Page, Copper Canyon Ranch Copper Canyon Ranch - Welcome to the Copper Canyon Ranch Website , Marley Park (Homes in Surprise, AZ | Surprise, Arizona Real Estate | Marley Park and other communities that are anything but "the same boom town houses".

Because Surprise is newer, it was one of the epicenters during the foreclosure crisis. The "drive til they qualify" has been replaced (post foreclosure) by new tele-commuters, 2nd home buyers, cash buyers, and some "drive til they qualify". This 122,000 town of Surprise lays claim to the 2nd safest community in Arizona after Gilbert (see http://www.azcentral.com/community/s...y-arizona.html ).

Next, go study the demographics and income levels. Most of the current Surprise residents could easily afford homes in Gilbert, Mesa, or Phoenix. They want to be in the fringe newer developments. Newer areas are safer.

I also like the newer nicer areas in Peoria as well. I could live in either area.

[Ponderosa]

Some of the best living in the valley is in Peoria around and north of about Happy Valley and along Lake Pleasant Parkway. It's fairly upscale - not millionaire but definitely affluent.

[aurelejean]

I think Peoria, Arizona is better than the rest of Arizona it is a nicer place to live and not dirty at all. It is so beautiful and you have a lot of nice people that lived in the area.

[HX_Guy]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Some of the best living in the valley is in Peoria around and north of about Happy Valley and along Lake Pleasant Parkway. It's fairly upscale - not millionaire but definitely affluent.

And we don't have a freaking grocery store!! Someone needs to build something or nice into the old Best Buy spot, though traditional stores like Frys and Safeway don't typically go into shopping centers...but something like a Whole Foods would work and would be awesome, there isn't one anywhere remotely close.

[reddesertfox]

Originally Posted by ijamez

Peoria gives you a range of environments from urban to suburban to rural in the North...Surprise gives you a bunch of the same boom-time houses imprisoned in HOAs within the exact same environment until you hit the White Tanks...Peoria will get you closer to the freeway and far more diversity in home designs...Surprise was only built because people were willing to "drive til they qualify" for a mortgage which pushed developments waaay out to the area where traditionally only bodies and trash were dumped...

Enjoyed your flippant,well thought,written posting my friend.

[Marv101]

Is there a particular reason why homes in Surprise are so inexpensive, since there are a ton of homes for under $175K on the realtor.com website?

I know that there are some retirement communities a short distance away, but is Surprise (or Peoria for that matter) nice cities in which to live in or perhaps retire?

[Marv101]

Also, would an 'art-house' movie theatre similar to the apparently-soon-to-be-closing Camelview 5 Theatres in Scottsdale make sense in a city such as Surprise or Peoria given the income and/or demographics of both communities?

I'm considering moving from LA to either Phoenix or Tucson, and having such a theatre is important to me, although I know that recent Oscar winning films such as 'The Queen', 'The Hurt Locker' and 'No Country For Old Men' will eventually wind up in various movieplexes from time to time.

Thanks!