Surprise quality of life — am I missing something?
Anyone else feel this way? I'm originally from St. Louis and Homes are going for about $396,000 on average. Average temperature is around 74°F, so it's warm year-round. Poverty rate is 5.3%, which is pretty low. With a population of 150K, Surprise is a mid-size city. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Anyone in a similar situation? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
50 upvotes
15 Replies
George T.
not my experience at all
40 upvotes
Lydia G.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Springfield area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Kai James
lol so true
39 upvotes
Jean A.
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in East area are excellent. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
lake_ethan9
Moved here from Phoenix about 6 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to public transit but Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Ella Martinez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 31, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in The Heights and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
22 upvotes
Bennett Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 32, moved here 13 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in The Heights and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- North: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Baltimore, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
21 upvotes
Jack Murphy
I work in real estate here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is tough. Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Wesley Smith
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Ezekiel Morales
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Jacob Taylor
honestly same experience here
9 upvotes
Lauren H.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Cedar Grove area are improving. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
Ryan Y.
noted, appreciate it
8 upvotes
Melanie M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
philly_alexander
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (South) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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