The City of Surprise is located in the northwest part of the Valley and is the second fastest growing municipality in the greater Phoenix area. Ironically, the city was named Surprise because its founder, Flora Mae Statler, said she “would be surprised if the city ever amounted to much”. It has, and with a current population of 100,000 people! Residents love Surprise because it has modestly priced homes of all sizes and the lowest property taxes in the state.
Living in Surprise, you will never have a shortage of places to shop, dine and be entertained. A quick drive will get you to Park West Mall, Desert Sky Mall, Arrowhead Town Center, Metro Center and much more. For those of you that enjoy catching a movie, you will also find Harkins and AMC theaters nearby. Dining options are plentiful and convenient.
For those outdoor enthusiasts, you will not be disappointed with the many options for getting outside. Do you like to golf? Try one of several golf courses including Coldwater Golf Club, Palm Valley Golf Club and Pebble Creek Eagles Nest Golf Course. Are you an avid hiker? Try Skunk Creek Trail, and Salt River Trail. You can find miles of pristine desert trails where not only will you have a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and valleys, but also herds of wildlife including javelina, coyote, rabbits, owls and much more.
Surprise is committed to a growning a vibrant arts and cultural scene including Public Art in Surprise, Second Sundays in the Park at Surprise Community Park, and the brand new Valley Vista Performing Arts center located in Valley Vista High school. This 1,300 seat, state-of-the-art performing arts center plays host to a variety of arts and cultural events year round.
The city is the spring training home of the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers baseball teams. These MLB teams use Surprise Stadium for their activities. Surprise is also home to the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex.(STRC). Since its opening in August, the complex has received numerous awards. Most recently, it was named the Outstanding Facility of the year award by the USTA. The complex hosts various professional events throughout the year, including the Outback Champion Series tour, a USTA Pro Circuit event, and many USTA regional and sectional events.
Surprise is located in the Dysart Unified School District.
