Golden Valley or bust (Phoenix, Bullhead City: HOA, mobile home, safe neighborhoods) - Arizona (AZ) - City-Data Forum

spelldine50 · 02-12-2011, 02:44 PM

Hi, we have owned two acres in Golden Valley for ten years. We have been trying to move out there for the last two years. We have also looked at existing houses and found that we can either buy a gutted place for under 50k, or pay a whole lot more and get something decent, but there seems to be no houses in the prices in between. New double wides of 1500+ sq ft are too expensive, from the prices on the web. So we are down to looking for a used doublewide to put on our lot. I saw people ask about prices for set up, etc, a few years ago, but nothing recently. We will be out there in a few weeks to talk to dealers, but in the meantime, I just wanted to see if this is even feasible, financially. So just a ballpark ... what would it cost for a liveable used double wide, prep the land, set up on a pad, put in septic, etc, etc? Has anyone done this recently or know someone who has? Water and electric are in the street going by our property. Also, I have no idea what kinds of problems would come with buying a used double wide. Our dream of moving there is tearfully fading fast. We love everything good and bad about the area. Any advice? Thanks from a newbie!

rambrush · 02-12-2011, 04:32 PM

I would suggest a 30' + 5th wheel trailer for now if you can not swing what you need. Get a septic and water in place.
I take it you have been to the kingman daily miner newspaper website and been looking there? Craigs list?
This is a great area would hate to loose any newcomers because of a speed bump in the way.

themudpuppy · 02-12-2011, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spelldine50

We have also looked at existing houses and found that we can either buy a gutted place for under 50k, or pay a whole lot more and get something decent, but there seems to be no houses in the prices in between.

I've been wanting to move to either Kingman or Golden Valley, and I'm finding the same thing. Not much in my price range there unless I have thousands of $ more to do repairs. And then there's the water haul issue. A realtor told me to stay away from water haul. Every now and then I find what looks like a decent condition house in Golden Valley, but it's water haul. Or I'll find one that's not water haul but it's practically gutted. Found a few affordable homes in Kingman, but they're in the 2 areas I've been told to avoid: Birdland and Butler.

So it looks like I'm not going to get to move to my first 2 choices of Kingman or Golden Valley. Looking more at areas like Arizona City and Eloy now. For the price of a poor condition mobile home in Kingman or Golden Valley, I can get a site built house in decent condition in Arizona City. The tradeoff is that I wouldn't have the acreage I'd have in Golden Valley.

I wish someone would create a decent, safe, quiet low-income neighborhood. One with a low-cost HOA so that bad elements can't move in. Low-income always seems to be stereotyped as druggies and trashy neighbors, but we're not all like that. I'd make a great neighbor. I'm not into drugs or partying, I'm very quiet and don't blast my stereo or make other noise that would bother people. My home isn't trashy and neither is my yard. I think many of us are like that, but we get stuck in trashy, unsafe neighborhoods because of our income. Yes, I realize a low-income community with an HOA like I described is "only in my dreams", but it doesn't hurt to dream.

BillieHiser · 02-13-2011, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spelldine50

Hi, we have owned two acres in Golden Valley for ten years. We have been trying to move out there for the last two years. We have also looked at existing houses and found that we can either buy a gutted place for under 50k, or pay a whole lot more and get something decent, but there seems to be no houses in the prices in between. New double wides of 1500+ sq ft are too expensive, from the prices on the web. So we are down to looking for a used doublewide to put on our lot. I saw people ask about prices for set up, etc, a few years ago, but nothing recently. We will be out there in a few weeks to talk to dealers, but in the meantime, I just wanted to see if this is even feasible, financially. So just a ballpark ... what would it cost for a liveable used double wide, prep the land, set up on a pad, put in septic, etc, etc? Has anyone done this recently or know someone who has? Water and electric are in the street going by our property. Also, I have no idea what kinds of problems would come with buying a used double wide. Our dream of moving there is tearfully fading fast. We love everything good and bad about the area. Any advice? Thanks from a newbie!

Have you talked with a Realtor? I know that I've shown several places in Golden Valley last week that are under 50k that are move in ready or almost move in ready.

I'm not sure of set up prices but there are deals to be had.

jamies · 02-18-2011, 03:07 AM

You can buy houses in Bullhead City in the $40's and trailers as low as $15,000 that need work, not in the best areas. But BHC is right by the river and the casinos of Laughlin. I think the quality of life there is above Kingman or Golden Valley. In the summer GV is about 5-10 deg cooler.

kcaz1957 · 02-20-2011, 09:57 PM

i looked into putting a mobile on my land about a year ago. i think i would allow 10k for setting it up and utility hookup. used mobiles start around 15k for a large single at places on stockton hill... find someone that needs one moved off their property and you might pay 5

Irish4evr · 02-20-2011, 10:04 PM

I can't imagine sitting in a mobile home, in Golden Valley, during July and/or August. Just stick a fork in me dear....I'm done....!.....but it' a dry heat....kinda like stickin your head in the oven without the view....

kdog · 02-20-2011, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish4evr

I can't imagine sitting in a mobile home, in Golden Valley, during July and/or August. Just stick a fork in me dear....I'm done....!.....but it' a dry heat....kinda like stickin your head in the oven without the view....

That's an odd remark. They have air-conditioning you know. Not to mention GV is a heck of a lot cooler than other places like Bullhead, LHC or Phoenix.

Irish4evr · 02-20-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdog

That's an odd remark. They have air-conditioning you know. Not to mention GV is a heck of a lot cooler than other places like Bullhead, LHC or Phoenix.

Having spent over 30 years in the desert Southwest I am kinda familiar with air conditioning. The poster stated possibly purchasing an older mobile home....some of those lacked decent insulation....The difference between 110 and 125 my friend is moot.......Golden Valley gets mighty warm....

BillieHiser · 02-22-2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish4evr

I can't imagine sitting in a mobile home, in Golden Valley, during July and/or August. Just stick a fork in me dear....I'm done....!.....but it' a dry heat....kinda like stickin your head in the oven without the view....

Really, our dry heat isn't much more drastic than those silly people who live in snow up to their ears and have to spend an hour digging their car out of the snow before they can slide to work in the morning!

Besides, if it's that hot, you can always go to the city pool - if you don''t have your own - or run over the hill to Lake Mohave or the Colorado River and cool off!