The Crest at Linton Hall
Bristow, Virginia
Surprise, Arizona
What It Is Like to Retire in Surprise
Surprise is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, with a population of 143,148 (2020 Census). Located in the Phoenix-Metro area, the Sonoran-desert town is surrounded by mountain park lands. The area became popular with retirees when Sun City Grand opened a resort style community, and now has over 9,000 homes. There are several other 55+ communities located here. Surprise also offers a year-round sunny climate and offers an abundance of outdoor activities.
Where to Retire in Surprise and Home Prices
You can choose from some large active adult communities. For example Sun City Grand is here, and the original Sun City and Sun City West are nearby. According to Zillow, the median home value was $421,336 in mid-2023.
What Is Special about Surprise
Surprise is located in a formerly unspoiled area of Arizona. The Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers both have their spring training at Surprise Stadium, and the city is host to national college baseball tournaments. As part of the city's Recreation Campus, Surprise is also home to the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex which is the largest in the Southwest, and host the national pickleball tournaments. The town is about 24 miles from Phoenix, where you can find any kind of big city cultural or sports event.
What Is Not Special about Surprise
Surprise is a community where you generally need your car to go anywhere, and it has very hot summers with average July temperatures in the 90's.
Who Will Like Retirement in Surprise
Those who want to retire to a warm and sunny spot, may like it here. There are several 55+ active adult communities, including Sun City Grand which offers a plethora of activities. There are lots of sporting events to attend.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Retirement and active adult communities, tourism
Climate and Physical Environment
Surprise is in the great Sonoran Desert, northwest of Phoenix in south central Arizona. It is dry and small mountains are prevalent. Very hot summers, most rain comes in the spring, winter temperatures in the 40's-60's, summer temperatures in the 90's.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
The city has a 10,562-square-foot Aquatics Center as well as Maricopa County's $5.5 million, 20,000-square-foot northwest regional library. For culture one would do best to go to Phoenix - unless you live in one of the Sun Cities. Those communities have non-stop cultural events.
Crime
Crime in Surprise is much lower than the national average.
Medical facilities
Other than Phoenix and its suburbs, closest medical facilities are in Sun City.
Transportation
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is about 30 miles and a major international airport. Surprise is not considered to be a walkable community.
Valuable Links
Surprise, AZ Arizona retirement guide Wikipedia for Surprise
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