La-la land to Kingman or Bullhead City? (Phoenix, Tucson: to rent, home)

[RelocateMaybe]

I'm considering a position that would involve relocation from the Los Angeles Metro area to either Kingman or Bullhead City or somewhere else within driving distance. My husband thinks Death Valley in August is fun, so I think we are covered on the heat thing. I am wondering about the following:
* Are liberal Democrats shot on sight? Seriously, how intense do people get about politics?
* If I wanted to attend a reform Jewish service, how far would I have to go to the nearest synagogue?
* As far as I can tell, most living expenses are considerably lower than in the LA area and housing is WAY below LA costs, am I missing something?
* I'm used to top-quality medical care and veterinary care for my cats and birds, would I need to plan to travel to Phoenix, Tucson or Las Vegas for this or are there excellent professionals locally?
* What is the horse-keeping situation like? Are there good boarding facilities? Any dressage riders about (I hear ya laughin').
* Any issues with phone, satellite TV, cable, internet connectivity?
* How friendly is the feel of these towns, how welcoming to newcomers?

[kdog]

Ok, here are some answers.

Originally Posted by RelocateMaybe

I'm considering a position that would involve relocation from the Los Angeles Metro area to either Kingman or Bullhead City or somewhere else within driving distance. My husband thinks Death Valley in August is fun, so I think we are covered on the heat thing. I am wondering about the following:
* Are liberal Democrats shot on sight? Seriously, how intense do people get about politics?

Shot on sight? Do you have DEMOCRAT tattooed on your forehead or something? I would say the town is probably predominantly republican. But I did see a few Obama/Biden bumper stickers on cars around town and there were hardly any bullet holes on them at all. So don't sweat it. Really. Don't tell anyone but I tend to have a few left-leaning proclivities myself from time to time and never had any issues. But I don't go out of my way to have political debates with casual acquaintances.

* If I wanted to attend a reform Jewish service, how far would I have to go to the nearest synagogue?

Not too far actually depending on expectations. Kingman is home to the smallest reform congregation in the country. They used to rent space, but I understand they recently bought their own building. There's another small rag-tag congregation in Bullhead. Lake Havasu which is about an hour from both Kingman and Bullhead has the largest synagogue. None of these temples have a full-time rabbi. Havasu has a student rabbi who visits from the Yeshiva in LA.

* As far as I can tell, most living expenses are considerably lower than in the LA area and housing is WAY below LA costs, am I missing something?

No, that's correct. Coming from LA, you will feel wealthy in Kingman as long as you have a reasonable salary. Otherwise, keep in mind that the salaries are generally rock bottom in Kingman for unskilled work (which I'm assuming doesn't apply to you.)

* I'm used to top-quality medical care and veterinary care for my cats and birds, would I need to plan to travel to Phoenix, Tucson or Las Vegas for this or are there excellent professionals locally?

There are several good vets in town from what I understand, so I think you'd be ok.

* What is the horse-keeping situation like? Are there good boarding facilities? Any dressage riders about (I hear ya laughin').

We have friends with horses, our daughter took riding lessons, and there are loads of people with horses around. There are a couple of tack shops too. I don't think you'll have any issues.

* Any issues with phone, satellite TV, cable, internet connectivity?

No, the town is surprisingly well connected as long as you don't get too far out into the country.

* How friendly is the feel of these towns, how welcoming to newcomers?

Personally, we loved the feel of the town and made many lasting friendships in our 5 years there. There are tons of people from Cali there, so I can't help you if you don't like them.

Hope that helps. Feel free to keep asking question in this thread or direct message me.

[RelocateMaybe]

Thanks kdog, that's very helpful. The world's smallest reform congregation would be right about my speed. The salary I'd be looking at if I get an offer is about half what I'm making currently, but so are the housing costs.

[khuntrevor]

I would take BHC, with Laughlin across the river and free river taxis. The worst bar in Laughlin could easily be nicer than the best bar in Kingman. Bad meth problems in all three places. Lots of folks from SoCal in BHC.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by khuntrevor

Bad meth problems in all three places.

What kind of bad problems? Buying it? Selling it? Poor quality? We lived in Kingman for 5 years and knew half the town, and I don't know a single person whose life was affected by people doing meth. I see no evidence that it's worse in those three towns than any other desert town, or large city for that matter. But then again I didn't live in the slums either where it would be most noticeable. I simply don't see this as being particularly relevant for most people unless you intend to move into a poor neighborhood.

[khuntrevor]

Another red flag for me is the very low percentage of college graduates in Kingman. 10% is extraordinarily low for those over 25. We're at 25% in my ZIP and other posters have called it ghetto.

[kdog]

As somebody who lived there for 5 years, I find your uniformed comments to be off-topic and unhelpful. You have not answered a single question by the OP. Basically you are just taking pot-shots at some place in which you've never lived. I realize this is what you do for fun, but it's not helpful.

[khuntrevor]

Lived and owned property in Mohave County--also taught school in BHC (turned out the kid's gun was just a pellet pistol). I was using Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed.. The OP asked for BHC or Kingman......

[Elsinore]

No answers yet to his question about medical care. Also, does it take a long time to find a doctor that is taking new patients.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Elsinore

No answers yet to his question about medical care. Also, does it take a long time to find a doctor that is taking new patients.

Funny, I read the query as being about pet care, so that's the question I answered. I see now that it probably included human care as well, so I will answer that now and your question as well.

Being a town that's popular with retirees, health care is a big industry in the county. In Kingman it seems like there's a doctor's office or medical center of some sort on nearly every corner. Some docs will be good, and others probably not so good. It's always best to get a referral from someone you know. The main hospital in town, Kingman Regional Medical Center is an excellent facility with a good reputation. Bullhead hospital not as much I don't think. There will always be some medical specialties for which one might have to travel to a larger city (Las Vegas or Phoenix).