The West Valley is comprised of five distinct cities: Buckeye, Litchfield Park, Surprise, Goodyear and Avondale. Each of these cities has something different to offer. Buckeye is a 600 square mile city located 30 miles west of Phoenix, in the foothills of the White Tank Mountains. Buckeye caters to families with its festivals such as Pioneer Days and Oktoberfest as well as its six city parks, the Buckeye Community Center and the Buckeye Aquatic Center. The Buckeye Hills Regional Park is a mecca for nature lovers who can enjoy biking, hiking and camping.
A small residential community near Luke Air Force Base, Litchfield Park is located just 16 miles west of central Phoenix and is just 2 miles north of the I-10 freeway. This city features miles of pathways and multiple public spaces within its 3.3 square miles, as well as ten different parks offering a 4.5 acre lake, athletic fields and playgrounds. The Litchfield Park Recreation Center has on site and off site recreational programs for both adults and children, including tennis, basketball, swimming and soccer.
Surprise is a larger city, with 85 square miles, and is 20 miles northwest of central Phoenix. Surprise has a large Aquatics Center, and is home to Maricopa County’s northwest regional library, which are popular amenities with the many families who live in Surprise. Given its proximity to the original Sun City development, Surprise is also popular with retirees, who are drawn to the modestly-priced homes as well as the lower property taxes.
Goodyear, named after the Goodyear Tire Company when the company had farmland to grow cotton for their tires, is a city located 17 miles west of downtown Phoenix. The Gila River winds through Goodyear, and the city is home to the 20,000 acre Estrella Mountain Regional Park. There are 47 miles of multi-use paved trails as well as equestrian unpaved trails, for outdoor enthusiasts. Over a third of the residents in Goodyear are families with children, and Goodyear is home to many national companies such as Lockheed-Martin, Sub-Zero, as well as Banner Health.
Finally, Avondale, a major bedroom suburb for Phoenix, is located just 15 miles west of downtown Phoenix. With several subdivisions built on former farmland, as well as 10 parks, and a parks and recreation department which offers sports opportunities for both children and adults, Avondale is home to many families who appreciate its many amenities. Home to Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale holds two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as well as two Nationwide Series each year.
