Known for its master-planned communities and small-town feel, this town on the edge of the Sonoran Desert comes as a pleasant "surprise" even to those who know the area. For one thing, Surprise is a great place to grow up or start a business, with kid-friendly and business-friendly practices everywhere you turn. The winter holidays and the Fourth of July are the two main holidays here, with festivals to celebrate the season and even a "Surprise Party" each year around Christmas.

For another, as sports enthusiasts and outdoor recreation lovers will find out: this "quiet, family-friendly" town can actually be a great place to experience an adrenaline rush. This is the home of the SpeedWorld drag strip, after all.

Can't wait to get off work and put on your hiking boots? In Arizona you can indulge your passion for the great outdoors. You won't have to go far from home to find the wild, spectacular mountain views that made Arizona famous, either. White Tank Mountain Regional Park is right here in Surprise. At 30000 acres, it's the biggest park in the county-- which means more room to explore, more sights to see, and more time for you to relax and unwind.

Surprise is also part of the Cactus League. What on earth is a "cactus league," you may ask? Simply put, it's the MLB spring training program. In the springtime the Phoenix area serves as a second home to the MLB teams the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers. If you feel inspired by the professional athleticism on display, Surprise has facilities for amateur athletes like you too. Budding baseball, football, and soccer players will love Dream Catcher Park. The city caters to golf players, too, with 7 golf courses, such as the Great Eagle Course, and the many courses connected with Sun City developments.

With over 300 days of sunshine per year, Arizona locals can and do participate in every sport under the sun. That includes the game of love. At the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex, you can teach your kids to play a sport they'll enjoy for a lifetime, on the same clay as some of tennis' biggest names, such as MacEnroe or Navratilova. Arizona heat got you down? Cool off at the Aquatics Center--you can enroll the kids in a swim class while you sunbathe, or take classes yourself. For a quieter, more educational afternoon, there's always Wildlife World Zoo in nearby Litchfield Park.

While Surprise is definitely a safe place--known locally for low crime, its emphasis on family life and retirees, and immaculate neighborhoods-- it is by no means a sleepy town. There's an impressive breadth of local shopping in the form of Wal-Mart, Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, PetSmart, and OfficeMax.

And while Surprise bills itself as family-friendly, it isn't all about the little ones. This town takes great care of older children as well. It even provides a Teen Advisory Commission, so young people can get involved in the life and welfare of their city. It's a great lesson in political engagement and responsibility. The more informal "Teen Spot" hosts dance parties, swim classes, and other fun activities to keep your teenager busy through the summer.

New Home Source is excited to introduce you to the town of Surprise. Let us help you find the new home that best meets your needs.