Bullhead City, Boulder City, or St George? (Phoenix: apartment, for rent)

[alicenevada]

We are very excited to say that we have started the ball rolling on our relocation to the west! We have sold part of our land so as to have funds to make improvements to our home before we sell...hopefully the housing mkt will pick up somewhat but that's another issue

Anyway, we have narrowed it down to three cities that seem to be what we're looking for. We love the weather in the Vegas area but wouldnt want to live inthe city, especially since we're coming from rural tennessee. We do like the quaint smaller towns but aren't tied to those.

I'm posting this entry on the Nv, ut, and Az forums to get feed back on the three cities we are interested in.

Things we like about Bullhead City: The weather seems perfect for us. The population is not too large. The proximity to Vegas is close enough for family and friends to visit there if they come see us but far enough to avoid the tourists.

What do you thing the job market will be like for my husband? He is a plumber/electrician that also has skills in pinstriping and experience in management. He wouldnt mind having something in maintenance if it payed well enough. What are the schools like? Shopping? I have three small boys (ages 8, 4, and 1) so I want them to have plenty to do and see. This move will also be a learning experience for them.

LEt me know anything you think would be of value.

[KNJO]

Boulder City & St George are LDS (Mormon) controlled communities, Boulder City is the only city in Nevada where gambling is illegal. If you are LDS you will fit right in, however if you are not, you and children should expect to be shunned by the LDS’s who run the place. Your husband should not expect any work as a plumber/electrician, a friend of ours who is a plumber by trade, made the mistake of moving to Boulder City because he thought it would be good for his kids without checking out the facts first. One way they get rid of outsiders is by starving them out by refusing to employ them or use their services; the guy’s boys were not allowed to play with their children either. In the end, he gave up and moved back to California, where at least his children could have some friends. Our LDS neighbors told us “non Mormons are not welcome in St. George” another friend of ours told us the same about Boulder City.

Bullhead City has LDS influence but not to the degree the other cities have, according to a sheriff who works the area is run by MS13 and is gang infested, for a city of its size; crime is very high. Job wise, you can expect very low pay, often below minimum wage. You can make more money at McDonald’s in Needles ($8an hour) than most high-level jobs in Bullhead City.

If you plan on moving to Bullhead City, make sure you have a letter of credit from each of your utilities, or you are going to get hammered with very high deposits in the $400 - $800 range per a utility. If you rent, you can count on the landlord stealing your deposit when you move, and it’s also very rare for the price advertised to be what you really pay for rent. There are the extra hidden charges for your children, dog, cat and don’t forget the senior surcharge the elderly get nailed for. One landlord we dealt with tried to tack on an extra $200 a month rent for a cat, and $50 per child. Sure it’s illegal, but in Arizona; it’s always the tenant’s fault for not knowing the law.

I know the places look very appealing on the outside, but be cautious; your children’s future depends on it. The Meth is everywhere, but it’s very visible in Bullhead City. 25-year-old women look like they are 60 with their teeth falling out, and ready for the grave.

I hate to be the spoiler, but it’s better to hear it first than be wiped out financially because of a bad move. Been there done that!

If you are LDS, I would go for Boulder City hands down, it’s a fairly clean town with few slums and its close to Las Vegas where your husband could find work in the trades.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by KNJO

Boulder City & St George are LDS (Mormon) controlled communities, Boulder City is the only city in Nevada where gambling is illegal. If you are LDS you will fit right in, however if you are not, you and children should expect to be shunned by the LDS’s who run the place. Your husband should not expect any work as a plumber/electrician, a friend of ours who is a plumber by trade, made the mistake of moving to Boulder City because he thought it would be good for his kids without checking out the facts first. One way they get rid of outsiders is by starving them out by refusing to employ them or use their services; the guy’s boys were not allowed to play with their children either. In the end, he gave up and moved back to California, where at least his children could have some friends. Our LDS neighbors told us “non Mormons are not welcome in St. George” another friend of ours told us the same about Boulder City.

Bullhead City has LDS influence but not to the degree the other cities have, according to a sheriff who works the area is run by MS13 and is gang infested, for a city of its size; crime is very high. Job wise, you can expect very low pay, often below minimum wage. You can make more money at McDonald’s in Needles ($8an hour) than most high-level jobs in Bullhead City.

If you plan on moving to Bullhead City, make sure you have a letter of credit from each of your utilities, or you are going to get hammered with very high deposits in the $400 - $800 range per a utility. If you rent, you can count on the landlord stealing your deposit when you move, and it’s also very rare for the price advertised to be what you really pay for rent. There are the extra hidden charges for your children, dog, cat and don’t forget the senior surcharge the elderly get nailed for. One landlord we dealt with tried to tack on an extra $200 a month rent for a cat, and $50 per child. Sure it’s illegal, but in Arizona; it’s always the tenant’s fault for not knowing the law.

I know the places look very appealing on the outside, but be cautious; your children’s future depends on it. The Meth is everywhere, but it’s very visible in Bullhead City. 25-year-old women look like they are 60 with their teeth falling out, and ready for the grave.

I hate to be the spoiler, but it’s better to hear it first than be wiped out financially because of a bad move. Been there done that!

If you are LDS, I would go for Boulder City hands down, it’s a fairly clean town with few slums and its close to Las Vegas where your husband could find work in the trades.

St George has a heavy LDS influence but; I have known of several people who were not Mormon who loved it there.

Boulder City: what I do like about the place is it felt 'clean'------nary a slot machine/casino within the town limits. Just cross 10 feet over the city line (Railroad Pass) and one has a casino.

Bullhead City and LDS?? That is a classic example of mixing water and gasoline. I worked at a tire shop doing automotive alignment work, etc. and made Phoenix money. BTW: when I rented an apartment there; I was not asked for any sort of security deposit for my phone/Internet service, admittedly, a FICO score of 700+ tends to work wonders

BTW: people think I am a Mormon (tall, Nordic White, non smoker, do not drink, etc).......trust me-------LDS I ain't

[esselcue]

Have you visited these cities? Boulder City is nice...some trees and near the lake (Mead). St George is a beautiful area...my older brother lives there (he smokes and drinks and has never attended church in his life and he gets along fine with his Mormon friends). But Bullhead City? Yuck. Hotter than Hell and not much to look at or do, really, unless you zip over to Laughlin.

You are looking at very hot, VERY dry places (St George not so much), and coming from Tennesse it could be a very big culture shock...just be sure you visit first (in July & August) before you make a move

[alicenevada]

I have visited Boulder City but I've only seen pictures of Bullhead and St George. St George is where my cousin's grandfather lives. He owns a development there and speaks very highly of it. He is Mormon but knows I'm a Jehovah's Witness and is very accepting of my faith. There is a congregation of my fellow believers in the city so we won't be outcasts, either way.

I am not worried about the heat. We have humid heat here in Tennessee and last year was record setting in that arena. It feels so different than the dry heat. We are naturally hot weather people and are willing to put up w/ the high heat if it means we get to give up the cold wet winters.

Regardless, we are only renting at first so if we decide it isnt for us, we can relocate again.

[AzDreamer]

I have only visited Boulder City once but the folks I met there were friendly.