Would you rather live in Phoenix or Lake Havasu City? (Sun City: low crime, home)

[tonymanero]

if you had to pick one, and why?

[kdog]

Originally Posted by tonymanero

if you had to pick one, and why?

What an absurd question. The type of person who would live in a city with 1.5 million people couldn't be more different than somebody who wants to live in a resort town with 41,000 people.

[maverick974]

Originally Posted by kdog

What an absurd question. The type of person who would live in a city with 1.5 million people couldn't be more different than somebody who wants to live in a resort town with 41,000 people.

Sheesh! That was a little harsh, wasn't it? It's a legitimate question.
Me personally, I could live in both but prefer the phoenix area a little more for several reasons. Just more things to do around here. More bodies of water for me to explore and more outdoor opportunities although I must admit, living in a smaller town has it's perks as well.

[rambrush]

Well I for one have worked and lived in most every corner of the Phoenix Valley but preferred the Goodyear area I could Mountain bike at Estrella or White Tanks during the cooler months head to the White Mountains to the lakes or fish at Bartlett or Lake Pleasant. Everything I needed was in the area that I required for Shopping and never really needed to go East of 99th Ave and I-10.
Lake Havasu now is totally a different Animal, there are plenty of offroad trails to explore and hike during the winter. During the summer when I have a job there I get started at Sunup or earlier because it can be a real scorcher during the summer working outdoors.
Just like here in Kingman I wish the White Mountains were closer so I could do a weekend fishing trip but not really possible.
Havasu has some shopping but again it maybe a trip to Vegas or the Internet for most things required where in Phoenix its all available.
Summers in Havasu are HOT and Winter the Snowbirds flock to town causing congestion

[Riverock]

I agree with Kdog, apples and oranges question. Personally, I like oranges better.

[observer53]

It truly is apples and oranges. Havasu is a nice place to visit, but live there, no. Aside from the lack of enough amenities in Havasu, I like to see a little grass and a tree or two now and then. I've never been anywhere so devoid of both.

[Packard fan]

Originally Posted by observer53

It truly is apples and oranges. Havasu is a nice place to visit, but live there, no. Aside from the lack of enough amenities in Havasu, I like to see a little grass and a tree or two now and then. I've never been anywhere so devoid of both.

I've driven thru Havasu so I know what you mean; it's rough there with no decent shade trees. Even Bullhead is better.

[exitplan]

I have a second home in Havasu and love it! However, I would not be able to live here year round. I am looking at Wyoming when I retire. True enough that Havasu does not have any trees but hey, we are in the desert! I have a home there because I have a boat and I am on the water every chance I get. Havasu is great for what is is not. Is has a low crime rate, no traffic, no graffiti, no smog and a great sense of community - great for the retirement crowd. One huge drawback in Havasu is the level of healthcare. It is simply substandard. As opposed to Phoenix, it has great medical care, more restaurants,movie theaters,shopping etc. It also has a high crime rate, traffic, graffiti, smog and tons of people! So, for me its Havasu... Phoenix is too much like L.A.

[Riverock]

Less traffic in the summer maybe, during snowbird season traffic sucks and your better make a restaurant reservation. The 'birds also contribute to the healthcare level as they jam up the hospital and stretch the staffing beyond limits.

[observer53]

Havasu doesn't even have a significant number of desert trees- mesquite, Palo verde. There's desert, and then there's desert. Other than the mountains, the desert around Havasu is not much to look at. Within the city, I think there are so many part year residents that don't want to have much landscaping upkeep. I've even seen a few of those green gravel yards like you see in the old Sun City.