Your Guide to Buying a Home in Surprise, AZ

Buying a Home in Surprise, Arizona

Surprise is located in Maricopa County

The City of Surprise offers its residents a unique blend of urban and rural living. The proximity to Phoenix and other Valley of the Sun cities gives Surprise residents convenient and quick access to urban centers. While residents are able to reap the benefits of nearby urban centers, they are also insulated from many of the problems faced by residents in larger cities.

Situated on the edge of one of the state’s major agricultural areas, Surprise offers its residents the relaxed lifestyle of rural living.

A variety of recreational amenities, a solid educational system, nearby work centers and diverse neighborhoods help create a sense of community in Surprise and an unequaled quality of life.

The City of Surprise is primarily located in the Dysart Unified School District. The district contains five elementary schools and a high school. A sixth elementary school is scheduled to open in August 2001. Construction of a second high school is expected to begin within two years. Several new elementary schools will be built over the next five years. In 2000, the district reports an enrollment of approximately 5,600 students. Also serving the city is the Paradise Education Center, a K-8 charter school, located at 15533 W. Paradise Lane. In 2000, PEC reports an enrollment of 605 students. In 2001, PEC expects to serve more than 900 students.

Surprise has the perfect year-round climate that enhances cultural and recreational activities without regard to season. Within a short distance of Surprise is Lake Pleasant, which offers boating, sailing, water skiing, swimming, camping and scenic boat tours offering food and beverages. Quiet desert settings encourage hiking, rock hounding, horseback riding or picnicking.

Golf is a year-round recreational activity in the area, and the City of Surprise offers seven beautiful public golf courses. There are many other golf courses within a 30-minute drive, some being hosts to PGA and LPGA events. Cultural opportunities abound in the area. The ASU Sundome Center for the Performing Arts is located in Sun City West - about a five minute drive. The Sundome is host to well known, popular entertainers, as well as national and international traveling shows. The Sun Bowl in Sun City is about a 10-minute drive and provides a beautiful outdoor setting for concerts. The amphitheater hosts performances by international and local performers. The West Valley Art Museum is located in the city and exhibits the work of national, international and local artists as well as a variety of collections.