There aren’t many cities with a large resort-like community that dominates the place like the Sun 
City Grand. Restricted to residents aged 45 and up, this development makes up a good-sized percentage of the city’s population. This is a massive development of over 4,000 acres with 63 different neighborhoods, some tiny with just 50 homes, and some large with over 300 homes. Arizona has been a major older population and retirement destination for many years and Sun City Grand is a marquee example of what is possible here. 

**Here's a local on what living in Surprise is like:** 
*Overall we like it. The downside is you're far from downtown/east valley and all the cultural stuff that way (museums, zoo, restaurants, concert venues, etc) but you are relatively close to Westgate for Cardinals/Coyotes games, concerts, and some nightlife options. On the plus side it's relatively cheap, convenient to a lot of stores, and there's a surprisingly decent variety of restaurants. As far as outdoor stuff, Surprise aquatic center has a lot, and the community park is pretty nice, plus you're pretty close to the White Tanks and Lake Pleasant.*

For more reviews of what living in Surprise is like from locals check out: [**The Buzz**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/surprise?page=buzz)


Sun City Grand

Best Part About Surprise? 

As Surprise has grown it has built nearly identical subdivisions with seemingly identical homes. This blandness permeates the landscape and combined with a lack of culture, unique restaurants, or boutique shopping makes it a tough place to feel energy or vitality. Generally, you find lots of snowbirds who come down for a few months and chill, who don’t care about variety or local energy. They just want to be warm and golf and hang with friends. If that sounds good then this sameness may be just fine for you.

**Here's a comment from a local about Surprise if you aren't a family:** 
*If you guys are DINKS I don't see why you would move to a total bedroom community like Surprise. Save yourself a long commute and move to Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, etc. Maybe Glendale at the most west. Surprise is a good 10-15 years behind all those other cities I just mentioned.*

A Certain Sameness

Worst Part About Surprise 

Surprise has a beautiful Spring Training stadium called, you guessed it, “Surprise Stadium”. The Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals play here and so whether you’re a local or anywhere in the Phoenix area you get to see the big-leaguers play at an intimate ballpark. The other big attraction here is Surprise Community Park. A massive space with BBQ pits, fishing ponds and a major waterpark, it’s a big draw for families year round, in particular during the hot summer months. Given the lack of social scene locally, you’re generally heading into Phoenix/Scottsdale for going out. If you’re staying local it tends to be chains, the aforementioned Parks, or tons of golf courses. 

If you want to check out what happens in Surprise here is a calendar of events: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/az--surprise/events/

Lifestyle In Surprise

As with many heavily older-aged population cities, healthcare drives a lot of the local workforce. Banner Health and CVS are the two largest employers and given the need for elder care and a growing population you can expect these organizations to only grow. Other than the health space the jobs are either in the school district or in the chain service economy. Most don’t come here to work or they’re commuting to Phoenix/Scottsdale.  


Workstyle of Surprise

If you’re retiring, empty-nesting, or want to live near Phoenix/Scottsdale but at lower costs then Surprise is a good option. While it isn’t jumping socially it truly caters to the older populations that love the well-attended dedicated communities, low-crime rates, and extremely friendly tax rates. 


Dedicated, Affordable Communities

Why You Should Move Here Now?

Low prices, newer homes, decent schools and low crime rates pull young and more established families. There isn’t much to distinguish the neighborhoods best for younger from more established families except slight differences in home sizes, prices and the degree of history of the neighborhoods. Overall, relative to Arizona or national prices, young or established families will find value in Surprise neighborhoods.
- Stadium Village
- Cottage Park
- Northwest Ranch Community


Families

Stadium Village

In our opening we noted how much the older-age targeted development of Sun City Grand is a dream-come-true for those looking for a simple, all-inclusive environment that serves as a respite from a previous or northern winter experience. This is true both for Sun City Grand in particular and many of the neighborhoods in Surprise in general. 
- Sun City Grand
- Arizona Traditions


Retirees/Empty Nesters/Snowbirds

Surprise

**Do you live in Surprise???**

Maybe 3 degrees cooler at most than Downtown. Surprise is good for family life, since it’s a bit less of the busy life. With that said, it is growing a bit.

North of Bell Road and West of Reems Road, it’s a huge retirement home community. South and East of those roads are where the families generally are. There’s not really a middle ground here.

It has all the amenities of a normal suburban community. Like 2-3 Walmart’s, a wide variety of grocery stores, a movie theaters and bowling place, a lot of community parks. Closest hiking is about 20 mins out towards the White Tank Mountains.

There’s a few chain restaurants nearby, and a few local places for coffee/ mom and pop shops.

I previously lived closer to Central Phoenix and Tempe, so I quite enjoyed having a wide range of bars, concerts, sports teams, movie theaters, restaurants, night out, etc within close distance. Since this is about 35-60 mins from the city center, if you enjoy those things, you’re gonna be driving a lot.

Overall great if you’re 65+, or have a young family where you can settle down in a quiet area. Surprise was rated as one of the safest places to raise a family last year.

I can continue to answer anything specific I might’ve missed.

**Do you live in Surprise???**

I live Surprise adjacent in El Mirage, but I'm in Surprise all the time so I'll throw in my two cents. Overall we like it. The downside is you're far from downtown/east valley and all the cultural stuff that way (museums, zoo, restaurants, concert venues, etc) but you are relatively close to Westgate for Cardinals/Coyotes games, concerts, and some nightlife options. On the plus side it's relatively cheap, convenient to a lot of stores, and there's a surprisingly decent variety of restaurants. As far as outdoor stuff, Surprise aquatic center has a lot, and the community park is pretty nice, plus you're pretty close to the White Tanks and Lake Pleasant.

For your specific questions there are definitely a lot of families/kids. It may be a degree or two cooler than central Phoenix, but nothing really noticeable. If you get out beyond the 303 there is some decent star gazing but that would be wayyy out there.

**Do you live in Surprise???**

I have lived there for a little over 6 years. Sierra Montana neighborhood (Cotton between Waddell/Greenway). I have 2 kids, 6 year old boy, 4 year old girl. Our neighborhood is great! Lots of kids to hang with, and the city of Surprise has great rec programs (kids are currently in karate and soccer through the city, and they love it!). They always have local gatherings for the major holidays down at the park near the Stadium and in our neighborhood (Halloween decorating contest, Christmas decorating etc. Everyone hangs outside during Halloween handing out candy etc). The 303 is right there so you can dip out to North Phoenix or down to catch the 10 whenever you want. Restaurants aren't the greatest, but they are improving with time. Brand new Costco which is nice, and a Sams Club, too. Crime is very low, and there aren't many/any homeless or transients due to lack of public transportation (could be good or bad depending on how you look at it). Hot as everywhere else in Phoenix.

**Do you live in Surprise???**

I lived in Surprise for over 10 years. Here are my thoughts.

If you're working in North Phoenix, like Norterra area, you can look at the Asante community in Surprise since they are close to the North 303, which connects to the I17. You will also still be close to Glendale, too.

In that area (Asante) you have a lot of opportunity to experience the outdoors. There is even a small hike called Veteran's Way (I believe) that's around 5 minutes from it. There are plenty of space to bike, walk, and still have a peace of mind.

Stars, yes. If you plan to live in the homes that are a little further out of the Asante community, you can see more stars.

Surprise, Arizona

Boomtown

Looklyloo Score: 79

Stadium Village

Families

Sun City Grand

Retirees/Empty Nesters/Snowbirds