Surprise, Arizona (population
92,000) is a booming city is nestled next to the White Tank Mountains
on the northwestern outskirts of Phoenix and is home to a significant
number of retirees. In fact, of the population, 25% is age 45 to
64, and 25% is age 65 or better. The median age is 46, higher
than the national median. The average cost of living is
approximately 5% below the national average,
Originally founded in 1938 as a
development for agricultural workers, today Surprise is a great spot
for lots of recreational choices, a hot, dry climate and some great
housing deals. This has been a boom town, growing 180% in
the last 10 years, and 85% of its housing has been built since 1995.
Today, the median home price is $155,000, down nearly
25% within the last year and down roughly 50% since 2006.
The housing situation in Surprise
is a mixed bag. The city was overbuilt before the Great
Recession, and today foreclosures are a continuing problem.
Inventory in Surprise is starting to shrink, however, and whereas 12
months ago homes sat an average of 6 months before selling, today that
timeframe has dropped to 3 months. Most buyers are receiving the
final asking price. Prices are stabilizing but that is
partly because most home sales are short sales or foreclosures and these
prices have been factored into the market.
Homes selling for less than $200,000 are getting multiple offers, but
many of these buyers are investors. An area particularly
hard hit by foreclosures is the 85379 zip code on the southern end of
the city where close to 50% of the homes are in some state of
foreclosure.
The city is being pro-active when
it comes to vacant properties and has instituted an action plan that
includes working with lenders to keep owners in their homes.
While some cities seem resigned to letting vacant properties
destabilize neighborhoods, Surprise officials are taking action to
maintain the city's quality of life. This is important because
expectations are that Surprise's population may rival that of Phoenix
within 10 years.
Despite the iffy housing
situation, retirees (and others) continue to come here, and Sun
City Grand is a popular 55+ community within city limits (homes
start at $100,000). New infrastructure is being built to
accommodate the increasing population and includes a new 10,000 sq.
ft. aquatics center, a new state-of-the-art library, new museums and a
new city center with new government offices, movie theaters and retail
outlets planned. Shopping, movie theaters and restaurants are all in
good supply. The city has eight golf courses, four recreation
centers, a small lake and is home to Surprise Stadium where the Texas
Rangers and KC Royals hold spring practices. Even during these
rough economic times, residents talk about how well-kept the city is
(although some complain about the dust). The crime rate
meets the national average.
The Surprise Senior
Center, open Monday - Friday, is operated by the city and is the hub
of activities for citizens age 60+ and for disabled adults. The
fee is $10 per year. A fitness center, hot meals, classes and more are
available.
Banner Del E. Webb
Medical Center, a 404-bed facility, is just 5 minutes away and offers
acute medical and surgical care, critical care,
emergency care, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, heart care,
cancer care, obstetrics and gynecology, outpatient services,
rehabilitation services, stroke care and adult behavioral services.
Summer daytime
temperatures often exceed 100 degrees, but every building is air
conditioned. Winter temperatures are in the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Humidity is practically non-existent, and there is very little rain or
wind. Just lots of heat, sunny blue skies and some amazing
sunsets.
Surprise has its
drawbacks. The foreclosure situation may be stabilizing but
foreclosures are still a concern. Infrastructure is
keeping up with growth except when it comes to roads. There are
not many of them from Surprise to Phoenix, and commuting can be a
"nightmare." Luke Air Force Base is
not too far away, and noise from military jets rattles some residents.
The air quality is well below the national average.
