kingman, az questions (relocating, maintenance, motel)

[313girl]

Hi all.

Prior to reading posts on this board about Kingman, I was kind of excited about the prospect of relocating there from Detroit. But now, I don't know....

I'm under 40, no kids, single, and a well-educated black woman, who'll be interviewing there in a couple of weeks for what I think is a good career opportunity. Is Kingman really that bad? It seems to have a reputation that's worse than Detroit's! However, at least in Detroit, I have entertainment, shopping, healthcare, and housing options. If I decide to take the job, where are nice places to live that are within commuting distance? Can I expect to be racially harassed?

Thank you for your insight and advice!

[Trump]

Having lived in Detroit most of my earlier life and visited Kingman frequently over the past year my hunch is that you will eventually regret making the move. Kingman is a relatively small town somewhat stuck in the past for the time being. It will take some getting used to on your part and don't be surprised to experience some tension because of your ethnicity. I think there are a number of people that move there because of the demographics you described. I'm not making a case against the move. Why not spend a week there and get a sense of the community beforehand. I think that will give you a good idea what to expect.

[shariv]

Kingman is a small town, so there really is no "commute". There has been an unbelievable amount of building in the last two years. Which means you will have a choice of hundreds of homes to rent, many brand new. There is a lack of restaurants and shopping, but Las Vegas is a little over a hundred miles away and has everything you might want. We order a lot of things on line. Laughlin and the river is about 40 miles away. We have met nothing but kind, friendly people since we moved here. The town is mostly white, but I can't see you being harassed. I think you would have to spend a few days here to see if you felt comfortable or not. I have a Mexican daughter in law who visits us, who is very sensitive to how she is treated. She likes it here and has not felt uncomfortable, there are several So Cal cities that she stays away from.

[tuscantreasures]

I know a few black professional people in the area and they don't feel uncomfortable here. Many have lived in the area for a long time. I would recommend a small community about 14 miles out Route 66 called Valle Vista. Golf Course , swimming pool,cafe. I live in the community, you can hear the coyote as night, watch the sun go down. It is surrounded by the Majestic Music mountains and the Wallapai Mountains. Drove up to the Wallapia Park a couple days ago and there were 7 young elk feeding in someones back yard. Gets winding in the spring but it livable. Go to Bullhead to shop more of the big store places, Laughlin across the river has a factory outlet. But every day stuff can be found locally. If you come to visit get a motel that is not on the railroad tracks or you might not get any sleep. Hope you come And I would love to introduce you to my friends.

[sekaihouseikun]

Originally Posted by 313girl

Hi all.

Prior to reading posts on this board about Kingman, I was kind of excited about the prospect of relocating there from Detroit. But now, I don't know....

I'm under 40, no kids, single, and a well-educated black woman, who'll be interviewing there in a couple of weeks for what I think is a good career opportunity. Is Kingman really that bad? It seems to have a reputation that's worse than Detroit's! However, at least in Detroit, I have entertainment, shopping, healthcare, and housing options. If I decide to take the job, where are nice places to live that are within commuting distance? Can I expect to be racially harassed?

Thank you for your insight and advice!

You are asking for it if you are Black and moving to Kingman. This place is [everything]-ist/phobic. If you had a family I would say that it could be a good place, but as a single educated Black woman you will most likely become frustrated with what goes on here... and the way people stare and whisper. And there are about 4 or 5 Black folks in town and 6 or 7 Asian people.

Look, if you are up for a challenge, come on out. It's a 1960s revival up in this piece, and it seems like for every year and a half, the community grows up about one decade. But there are a handful of people that are VERY warm and welcoming [viz. underground railroad], most of them older or from out of town--the rest are straight up evil and have no shame about it.

[Trisher]

Originally Posted by shariv

Kingman is a small town, so there really is no "commute". There has been an unbelievable amount of building in the last two years. Which means you will have a choice of hundreds of homes to rent, many brand new. There is a lack of restaurants and shopping, but Las Vegas is a little over a hundred miles away and has everything you might want. We order a lot of things on line. Laughlin and the river is about 40 miles away. We have met nothing but kind, friendly people since we moved here. The town is mostly white, but I can't see you being harassed. I think you would have to spend a few days here to see if you felt comfortable or not. I have a Mexican daughter in law who visits us, who is very sensitive to how she is treated. She likes it here and has not felt uncomfortable, there are several So Cal cities that she stays away from.

Shariv, I was reading your post with interest. We are extremely interested in Kingman - it just sounds like us. We like small town life, but want the convenience of big city stuff within reach. We don't care for prejudice (we are white - but more than that - we're just people) and I'm glad to see you respond that would not be a problem. I think above weather, critters, anything else, we would not want to be in a place that is hugely prejudicial against any one or any race. I believe - unfortunately - people will find some measure of prejudice everywhere, but there are some places worse than others. I sure hope Kingman is not, for our hearts are already longing for the move.

I do have what may sound to you a funny question - I've been reading some of the local papers, perusing the classifieds, etc....what in the world is a "swamp cooler" and how well do they work?:

[shariv]

Originally Posted by Trisher

Shariv, I was reading your post with interest. We are extremely interested in Kingman - it just sounds like us. We like small town life, but want the convenience of big city stuff within reach. We don't care for prejudice (we are white - but more than that - we're just people) and I'm glad to see you respond that would not be a problem. I think above weather, critters, anything else, we would not want to be in a place that is hugely prejudicial against any one or any race. I believe - unfortunately - people will find some measure of prejudice everywhere, but there are some places worse than others. I sure hope Kingman is not, for our hearts are already longing for the move.

I do have what may sound to you a funny question - I've been reading some of the local papers, perusing the classifieds, etc....what in the world is a "swamp cooler" and how well do they work?:

I'm probably not the best person to describe a swamp cooler ( an evaporative cooler), although I did have one in a warehouse we leased for one of our businesses. They are supposed to be really good at cooling in dry climates, and heaven knows Arizona qualifies for dry. They are supposed to be more economical than central air. You need to leave something partially open (window/door) so that the air can circulate. I was quilty of not doing that in my warehouse, but it was a huge building with probably 20 foot ceilings.

Someone else who has one will probably jump in with some better info.

[rambrush]

Swamp coolers are just as Shariv explained, They generally work great until the dew point comes up with the humidity and then they are not so great.
There are swamp coolers then there are units made by master cool that you can put a pre cooler on and they work very effecintly.
They will increase the humidity in the house and doors and windows may swell and stick a bit.
They tend to require a fair amount of maintenance pumps belts and cleaning the crud out the bottom pan. Draining and winterizing things. My Neighbor runs his whole 2 story house on a swamp cooler only so it can be done.
We took ours off here and went with a ac unit and it is nicer in my opinion than swamp coolers.
The key ingredient here is that it may get close to a hundred lately by 6 pm or so you can feel it cooling down and you can open the doors and windows and let the breeze blow through. Just use screen doors as the little red racer snakes can be small and slither in as a uninvited guest.
Just take a tour of the hospital Doctors from all parts of the world on staff so come on down and enjoy life.

[Trisher]

Originally Posted by rambrush

Swamp coolers are just as Shariv explained, They generally work great until the dew point comes up with the humidity and then they are not so great.
There are swamp coolers then there are units made by master cool that you can put a pre cooler on and they work very effecintly.
They will increase the humidity in the house and doors and windows may swell and stick a bit.
They tend to require a fair amount of maintenance pumps belts and cleaning the crud out the bottom pan. Draining and winterizing things. My Neighbor runs his whole 2 story house on a swamp cooler only so it can be done.
We took ours off here and went with a ac unit and it is nicer in my opinion than swamp coolers.
The key ingredient here is that it may get close to a hundred lately by 6 pm or so you can feel it cooling down and you can open the doors and windows and let the breeze blow through. Just use screen doors as the little red racer snakes can be small and slither in as a uninvited guest.
Just take a tour of the hospital Doctors from all parts of the world on staff so come on down and enjoy life.

Thanks, Rambush and Shariv, for your info. I googled the swamp coolers and with your descriptions have a pretty clear view, I think anyway. I'm not quite sure how that might work with asthma, since we're moving specifically FOR the drier climate, but I'll explore that with my doc as time gets closer. We've put ourselves on a strong push for 1 year, maybe 1 1/2 if we have to wait that long. In fact, we're even considering getting part time jobs to help us get there faster - that's how much we are looking forward to this. You guys have been great and we really appreciate your advice. My husband is reading all this with me and if we could, we'd leave today. We will definitely be visiting within the next year, hopefully we'll be ready to look at property at that time, and maybe even be able to do some job interviews. I think that's the scariest part - leaving jobs with good benefits - chucking it all in at 52 and 54 is kinda scary, but also exciting. But we both have good skills, and based on what I've seen in your classifieds, I think we'll be fine.

Thanks again - perhaps one day before too awful long we can shake hands as we join your community!

[LHCBOOKLADY]

Originally Posted by 313girl

Hi all.

Prior to reading posts on this board about Kingman, I was kind of excited about the prospect of relocating there from Detroit. But now, I don't know....

I'm under 40, no kids, single, and a well-educated black woman, who'll be interviewing there in a couple of weeks for what I think is a good career opportunity. Is Kingman really that bad? It seems to have a reputation that's worse than Detroit's! However, at least in Detroit, I have entertainment, shopping, healthcare, and housing options. If I decide to take the job, where are nice places to live that are within commuting distance? Can I expect to be racially harassed?

Thank you for your insight and advice!

anyone from a major metropolitan area would probably be happier somewhere like Vegas. I like 60 miles from Kingman in Lake Havasu and would dread moving to Kingman.