What does everyone think of Surprise, AZ?

[SoCalCpl2]

I was Suprised......

[Dewey59]

Originally Posted by coffeebreakwhatever

We are retired and on limited income, but selling our house here in CA . What all can you tell me about houseing prices? 3/4 bedrooms 2 bath, 1/4-1/3 acres. I want some space between me and the neighbor! I am going to get a RE agent and I watch Zillow etc, but...I can't find things like how high are property taxes there? How are road access to drive into towns like Phoenix or Scottsdale? How long does it take?
Is there a "good" and "bad" side of town? One area better than the other? I am mainly looking at cost...being on limited income, I can't have any increases every year. We aren't party people but it'd be nice to be in an area/town with lots of community activities. I'd appreciate anything you can tell me about the town.. or if you know of another one in the area that is worthe checking into! Thanks so much!

Surprise is a fast growing city with mostly good urban planning. There are areas that are very nice (most of the newer areas). Finding a 1/4 to 1/3 acre lot will be VERY difficult in or near Surprise, and if you do, it will cost you dearly. If that is an important variable to you, then I would suggest looking in the areas west of the Loop 303... Especially around Wadell. But that would put you even further out from shopping, entertainment, etc.

If you are willing to sacrifice the lot size, I highly recommend Sun City West. Of course, I am biased because that is where I live! Very inexpensive to live here and lots and lots of entertainment, recreational activities, and sports / athletics. But most of the houses are about 12-20 feet from each other (like 90% of the metro Phoenix area)!

[Liveonce00]

Surprise is really far out west that there's not much to do out there or restaurants.

Tatum and Cactus is the best location as it is in the middle of 7 major shopping centers (PV Mall, Desert Ridge, Scottsdale 101, Scottsdale Promenade, Kierland, Tatum/Shea, 101/Frank Loyd Wright). Commuting to work is <30 minutes to the higher paying jobs from here.

As far as good/bad side of town, Surprise is the lower income in the valley. Desirable neighborhoods start at Tatum (48th street) and go east.

[JohnSoCal]

Originally Posted by Liveonce00

As far as good/bad side of town, Surprise is the lower income in the valley. Desirable neighborhoods start at Tatum (48th street) and go east.

The city stats don't support you. The median household income in Surprise is higher than most cities in the valley. It is 24% higher than Tempe for example.

[MrsMac]

Originally Posted by Liveonce00

Surprise is really far out west that there's not much to do out there or restaurants.

Tatum and Cactus is the best location as it is in the middle of 7 major shopping centers (PV Mall, Desert Ridge, Scottsdale 101, Scottsdale Promenade, Kierland, Tatum/Shea, 101/Frank Loyd Wright). Commuting to work is <30 minutes to the higher paying jobs from here.

As far as good/bad side of town, Surprise is the lower income in the valley. Desirable neighborhoods start at Tatum (48th street) and go east.

Have you ever been to Surprise? Your information is woefully out of date.

According to City Data the median income in Surprise in 2015 was $68,688 (as opposed to Phoenix, which averaged $48,452, Tempe at $51,688, Mesa at $49,177, and Chandler at $75,562). I would hardly call that figure "the lower income in the valley." If you mean homes are less expensive here, yes, they are. There are townhouse/condos for just under $100,000 and million dollars homes in Sun City Grand and everything in between. (The average listing price for a home in Surprise is $244,000, though.)

As for nothing to do here well, you are so wrong. Surprise has the stadium, an aquatic center, a pro-level tennis & racquet complex, a digiplex, a beautiful bowling alley, a pottery painting studio, tons of golf courses, two beautiful libraries (both are part of the Maricopa County Library System, which is excellent), the Western Valley Arts Headquarters (with exhibits and events) and the hiking trails of the White Tank mountains. There are four recreation centers and 13 public parks (plus 2 dog parks); the one in my community (Heritage Park) is 26 acres and includes a gazebo, two lighted ball fields, 5 armadas, 2 splash pads, play structures and barbecue facilities. Surprise is also home to lots of events and celebrations: Second Sundays feature free music in the park (at the Community Park, which has a lake in the middle of it), the 4th of July Celebration: Free (with a food donation) rookie league baseball game at the stadium, pool party at the aquatic center, and fireworks show after, the annual Taste of Surprise (wine and food) event...there is always something going on in town.

As for restaurants Surprise has everything you could want on a daily basis. Lots of chains, like all towns, including fast food (the usual suspects: Red Robin, Longhorn, Carraba's, Oregano's, Pei Wei, Panera, Salad and Go, Chik-fil-A, etc.) but also lots of great mom and pop places with all ethnicities of food. (We have two excellent Vietnamese restaurants, the Irish Wolfhound Pub, Mom's Fixin's (awesome southern food), Paradise Grill (mediterranean) plus another mediterranean place, Uni Steak & Sushi, Portofino's, Rosie's (both Italian), Vogue Bistro and Amuse Bouche (terrific French inspired menus). There are more, that's just a quick list based on where friends or I have gone recently!)

There are no "bad" neighborhoods in Surprise, just some areas that are less built out (west of the 303 Loop) but development is moving in there quickly now that the 303 is completed. There is the master planned neighborhood where I live (Marley Park) with pools and clubhouses, parks and greenery, signature events, with townhouses and single family homes on lots from 4,000 sq ft to 13,500 sq ft and a higher HOA ($106) and other nice neighborhoods (like Greer Ranch and Surprise Farms) with fewer amenities and lower HOA dues. There are older neighborhoods as well which I wouldn't hesitate to buy in. There are age restricted communities and areas like mine where you have a mix of retirees and younger families (often related).

There is a reason Surprise has seen such massive growth in the last decade; it's a great place to live. Anything we don't have here (my daughter really wishes we had a Cheesecake Factory and See's Candy store: I wish we had a Home Goods store! Oh, and a COSTCO rather than just Sam's Club, but rumor is that will come soon) are 15-20 minutes away in Glendale/Peoria. Sky Harbor Airport is a 40 minute drive unless you hit commute (but it still has never taken us too much more than an hour) and there is shuttle service.

Surprise is growing, and doing it well. I'm glad to be a part of it.