Is Bullhead City a Dying Town and how do we save it? (Kingman: RV parks, 2014)

[ElizaTeal]

Originally Posted by Packard fan

1 thing I'm seeing a LOT of is looking at Bullhead City police reports is the crazy numbers of women being arrested for drugs, fighting and so on. Usually it's us dudes who act stupid and get picked up but the women seen to be getting busted more often than us.

I don't know where I'm going with this but; it gives me a sick feeling since most of these "ladies" ain't young, many are above 40 years old.

I was really surprised to see such a large meth problem in the older demographic. If you can't get your life together in the later years that is a big problem. I think it's the various drug addictions and lack of jobs that bring about the petty crime and domestic violence. I also think BHC is a getting a large share of California's ex convict population who are trying to fly under the radar in the desert, and are looking for a cheaper cost of living.

Another problem I see in Mohave County in general, is a large amount of backyard dog breeders. There are enough unwanted dogs in the area, no need to keep breeding just for profit.

[Packard fan]

Originally Posted by ElizaTeal

I was really surprised to see such a large meth problem in the older demographic. If you can't get your life together in the later years that is a big problem. I think it's the various drug addictions and lack of jobs that bring about the petty crime and domestic violence. I also think BHC is a getting a large share of California's ex convict population who are trying to fly under the radar in the desert, and are looking for a cheaper cost of living.

Another problem I see in Mohave County in general, is a large amount of backyard dog breeders. There are enough unwanted dogs in the area, no need to keep breeding just for profit.

IMHO the number 1 problem here is this is a "gambling" area and; with the Indian casinos by Phoenix and SoCal, we're not seeing as many of the weekenders as we are seeing the more hardcore people in 2015. What I'm trying to say is the hardcore kind also run hand in hand with tweakers, drunks and other kinds of party animals who are way too often are just trouble with a T.

[Chaindrive]

Trouble with a capital T and that rhymes with B and that stands for Bullhead City.

Sorry.

I'm not seeing very much change in my 'hood, good news is. But I'm far enough out that I don't really need to deal with anything except the high school maniacs that like to drive 90 down my dirt road. I'd like to string up a chain between my fence and my across the street neighbors - see how the kids like it then.

[magnum0417]

Bullhead City has no middle class and that is very apparent. McMansions or McMobiles with little in between. Better off getting a motorhome and paying $27 a day at Don Laughlin's RV Park across the river. Just use BHC to fill up on gas.

As an aside up in Golden Valley...what's up with all these adult bookstores ? Do the people not have internet and still use magazines and VHS tapes in Golden Valley? I find the area lovely from a scenic standpoint but it sure attracts a shady white trash vibe. Are there high levels of sex offenders in Golden Valley since it has such sleazy stores on the main drag to Laughlin/BHC ?

[ElizaTeal]

Originally Posted by magnum0417

Bullhead City has no middle class and that is very apparent. McMansions or McMobiles with little in between. Better off getting a motorhome and paying $27 a day at Don Laughlin's RV Park across the river. Just use BHC to fill up on gas.

As an aside up in Golden Valley...what's up with all these adult bookstores ? Do the people not have internet and still use magazines and VHS tapes in Golden Valley? I find the area lovely from a scenic standpoint but it sure attracts a shady white trash vibe. Are there high levels of sex offenders in Golden Valley since it has such sleazy stores on the main drag to Laughlin/BHC ?

Unincorporated areas seem to attract the adult book stores, lower taxes and less stringent laws. Dream Girls and the adult book store South of BHC is also outside the city limits.

I'm going off topic here, but does anyone know if there is another phone/Internet company besides Frontier that serves Mohave Valley?

[Packard fan]

Originally Posted by ElizaTeal

Unincorporated areas seem to attract the adult book stores, lower taxes and less stringent laws. Dream Girls and the adult book store South of BHC is also outside the city limits.

I'm going off topic here, but does anyone know if there is another phone/Internet company besides Frontier that serves Mohave Valley?

SuddenLink or you need to use your smartphone if it's ATT

[Valley Native]

I was in Laughlin last weekend, and we drove through Bullhead City on the way back ... which I'll never do again because of all the stoplights on 95. Drove for a long stretch in stop & go traffic, and it seemed like it took forever to get moving. We stopped for gas in Bullhead City, and I will say that I'm glad I filled up there instead of across the river in Needles where the fuel price was twice as much.

As far as Bullhead City being a dying town, I didn't really notice it. In fact, it seemed pretty busy for a medium sized town. One thing that has always been a factor is that Laughlin is the main tourist attraction in the area, but it doesn't have much of a population. Bullhead City is where most of the population is, and where a good share of the business is as well. Many people who live in Bullhead work in Laughlin at the hotels & casinos.

What I noticed about the area was it seemed to attract a lot of older people, mainly retirement age. There also seem to be a fair share of motorcycle dudes who frequent the area, mostly the ex hippie looking types in their 50s & 60s. Other than that, not too many shady people that we ran across in Laughlin. Sorry to hear that Bullhead City is a haven for the lower class types ... but then again, we didn't notice it all that much just driving through.

Here's one thing I was surprised to learn: Bullhead and Laughlin are summer destinations. I couldn't believe this knowing how hot it can be there in the summer months ... but several workers in Laughlin confirmed this. It's a boating destination because of the Colorado River, so I guess being on the water when it's 115 degrees wouldn't seem all that bad. But still, it's no place I'd want to be during the summer!

If you want to talk about a dying town, all you have to do is go for a few miles into Needles, CA. That place is dead! Lots of dilapidated, vacant buildings on the main drag, and hardly any cars or pedestrians around. It literally looked like a ghost town. Compared to Needles, Bullhead City seemed pretty bustling to me.

[Packard fan]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

I was in Laughlin last weekend, and we drove through Bullhead City on the way back ... which I'll never do again because of all the stoplights on 95. Drove for a long stretch in stop & go traffic, and it seemed like it took forever to get moving. We stopped for gas in Bullhead City, and I will say that I'm glad I filled up there instead of across the river in Needles where the fuel price was twice as much.

As far as Bullhead City being a dying town, I didn't really notice it. In fact, it seemed pretty busy for a medium sized town. One thing that has always been a factor is that Laughlin is the main tourist attraction in the area, but it doesn't have much of a population. Bullhead City is where most of the population is, and where a good share of the business is as well. Many people who live in Bullhead work in Laughlin at the hotels & casinos.

What I noticed about the area was it seemed to attract a lot of older people, mainly retirement age. There also seem to be a fair share of motorcycle dudes who frequent the area, mostly the ex hippie looking types in their 50s & 60s. Other than that, not too many shady people that we ran across in Laughlin. Sorry to hear that Bullhead City is a haven for the lower class types ... but then again, we didn't notice it all that much just driving through.

Here's one thing I was surprised to learn: Bullhead and Laughlin are summer destinations. I couldn't believe this knowing how hot it can be there in the summer months ... but several workers in Laughlin confirmed this. It's a boating destination because of the Colorado River, so I guess being on the water when it's 115 degrees wouldn't seem all that bad. But still, it's no place I'd want to be during the summer!

If you want to talk about a dying town, all you have to do is go for a few miles into Needles, CA. That place is dead! Lots of dilapidated, vacant buildings on the main drag, and hardly any cars or pedestrians around. It literally looked like a ghost town. Compared to Needles, Bullhead City seemed pretty bustling to me.

The traffic is def nuts on Hwy 95. That makes it even worse because the wages here are low, VERY low. Tho the commercial vacancy rate looks about 25 percent on that highway here in Bullhead. Not good.

[Bruce Jackpot]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

If you want to talk about a dying town, all you have to do is go for a few miles into Needles, CA. That place is dead! Lots of dilapidated, vacant buildings on the main drag, and hardly any cars or pedestrians around. It literally looked like a ghost town. Compared to Needles, Bullhead City seemed pretty bustling to me.

Needles kinda had an eery vibe when I drove through. Just a strange place and so remote in San Bernardino County.

The backdrop of Bullhead City with the hilly barren desert, river, and Laughlin "skyline" I really like. Sucks that there aren't more jobs there.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Bruce Jackpot

Needles kinda had an eery vibe when I drove through. Just a strange place and so remote in San Bernardino County.

The backdrop of Bullhead City with the hilly barren desert, river, and Laughlin "skyline" I really like. Sucks that there aren't more jobs there.

You know, several years ago I was hearing reports about a possible Needles secession from California, and being part of Nevada or Arizona. In a way, I can see why this would could happen ... mainly the cost of doing business. Gas was well over $4 per gallon in Needles, and the gas stations there were practically empty (except for the Dairy Queen inside one of the stations). Why bother to purchase gas in Needles when it can be bought for half of the price across the border in AZ or NV?

As far as Bullhead & Laughlin, I guess there wouldn't be too much there as far as good paying jobs. It's a heavily service oriented area with the chain stores in Bullhead, and the casinos in Laughlin ... lots of low wage positions in those kinds of places. Still, somebody has to do the jobs, and at least the area has jobs available, even as low paying as they are.