Is Bullhead City a Dying Town and how do we save it? (Phoenix: low income, violent crime)

[Chaindrive]

Originally Posted by Packard fan

Best Buy? Is it that "Mexican" place on 95 near Laguna? I thought it was "Ranch Market" or something like that.

That's the one. Best carne asada ever. Sign still says Best Buy and has said it for the 20+ years I've lived here.

[jamies]

My gun is illegal in CA, so I stay on our side of the river.

Some good comments. One problem with both office stores closing is in getting printer cartridges. Have to order ahead online now. I used to use Off Max for copies, but we are doing it in house now. Just our copier is a lot slower.

I just don't see an end to this trend. If we lose Lowes or Target that's going to be a big deal. Yet there is never a word from the companies that own these big centers and what they are doing to attract tenants.

[Packard fan]

Originally Posted by Bruce Jackpot

Well at least you're able to be self-sufficient there on a menial income. So the COL is a good value. Glass half full!

Outside of back to school time, Staples are pretty much empty everywhere these days. Losing them shouldn't cause much alarmism or concern. Needless felt sorta depressing and dead. Bullhead City did not have that feeling.

Agreed. I'd probably make less money in Phoenix in 2015 plus the traffic there is just crazy. Def not worth it to me.

[Bruce Jackpot]

Originally Posted by Packard fan

Agreed. I'd probably make less money in Phoenix in 2015 plus the traffic there is just crazy. Def not worth it to me.

Yeah I like the Valley a lot but do tire of the big city crowds sometimes. That's why Bullhead intrigues me a bit if I ever choose to leave here. With the river, other outdoor activities nearby, casino entertainment, all the big box stores etc. From an outsiders perspective, I'd say the area punches above it's weight in some ways given the population size. And if you wanna get away you got Vegas about 90 min and I-40 out of Needles gets you to Southern California.

The job situation there is very concerning but no place is perfect. Hopefully the city/county gov't is working towards improving that in some capacity.

[jamies]

^^^ This is what perplexes and concerns me. Bullhead is pretty, in a rugged sort of way. When the afternoon light is on the cragged peaks of the mountains it is beautiful. Not many places have 5-6,000 foot mountains right outside the town. If we had pine trees this place would match Jackson Hole for scenery. Many places in the country have no scenery.

Also, we have the river, probably the grandest resource in the southwest, but we aren't getting the people.

Sure it's hot in the summer, but frankly I'll take a 120 here over 105 and 95% humidity in Texas, and no mountains.

And no (few) bugs! That is why I think we should be doing better, but we aren't. Or maybe it is a misconception. The car dealers seem to turn inventory, as are the rv dealers. Wal Mart is busy. The traffic on the highway this season seems to be busier, maybe the sky isn't falling. Sometimes I feel a vibrancy, but then we lose business after business. I'm perplexed.

What really concerns me, as a property owner is the long term outlook. Especially if the west "dries up." Or if the local economy here doesn't recover. The river and scenery doesn't seem enough to sustain the region. And if a couple of casinos close, oh boy we'll be in trouble. I'm trying to figure out if it's time to double down or fold the tent and find greener pastures, but I don't want to end up knee deep in cow poo either way!

[Oldwestgambler]

I have a vacation home in Bullhead City and I've been coming to Laughlin / Bullhead City for the last 24 years as a tourist and a fan of the beautiful town and area. It's so sad to see the current economic condition of the Laughlin casinos, Bullhead City and of course the big drop in tourism. I also have a place near Palm Springs California and I see a lot in common with the two cities in terms of history and tourism.

Palm Springs was the place to be years ago until the town squashed its tourism by stopping all the fun to please the older population that lived there full time ( Thanks Sonny Bono). Tourism stopped, businesses closed and home values crashed to record lows. Laughlin has to evolve as a place where people 20-40 want to visit again and again by providing younger venues, entertainment and fun things to do. We also need to attract people with money for high end shopping, dining and big name entertainment. Palm Springs figured that out and is coming back big and returning as a cool place to visit, shop and enjoy again. Laughin right now is known for cheap rooms, cheap buffets and older snowbirds from back East or Canada. The entertainers that come to Laughlin are mostly, not all, are has-been or low level entertainers. It's not helping the town's image at all.

Laughlin already has the beautiful hotels, scenery, lake and Colorado river and just needs a vision of the future to bring the town back to profitability, popularity and thriving with younger tourist. Laughlin needs to become the place college kids, young adults and young at heart people go to party in the Spring and Summer. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, because all you do is copy Las Vegas. Rebuild the pools at Harrah's like the pool at Drais Las Vegas, get big name DJ's and just focus on the younger crowd and you'll build a tourism base with people that will visit Laughlin for the next 20-40 years. Have fun things for 30 year olds, 40 year olds and just make the town fun again. Why not have big concerts and festivals like Coachella or Vegas does? Why not trade shows??? Offer great deals to attract these events and the hotels will fill up again.

I respect and appreciate the older tourist and snowbirds that come to Laughlin NV. The question is does Laughlin want to be a retirement gambling town with cheap rooms, cheap buffets & and older people on fixed incomes looking for nickel machines or do they want to bring in the people willing to spend big money to visit a popular and cool place?

[Bruce Jackpot]

Originally Posted by jamies

^^^ This is what perplexes and concerns me. Bullhead is pretty, in a rugged sort of way. When the afternoon light is on the cragged peaks of the mountains it is beautiful. Not many places have 5-6,000 foot mountains right outside the town. If we had pine trees this place would match Jackson Hole for scenery. Many places in the country have no scenery.

Also, we have the river, probably the grandest resource in the southwest, but we aren't getting the people.

Sure it's hot in the summer, but frankly I'll take a 120 here over 105 and 95% humidity in Texas, and no mountains.

And no (few) bugs! That is why I think we should be doing better, but we aren't. Or maybe it is a misconception. The car dealers seem to turn inventory, as are the rv dealers. Wal Mart is busy. The traffic on the highway this season seems to be busier, maybe the sky isn't falling. Sometimes I feel a vibrancy, but then we lose business after business. I'm perplexed.

What really concerns me, as a property owner is the long term outlook. Especially if the west "dries up." Or if the local economy here doesn't recover. The river and scenery doesn't seem enough to sustain the region. And if a couple of casinos close, oh boy we'll be in trouble. I'm trying to figure out if it's time to double down or fold the tent and find greener pastures, but I don't want to end up knee deep in cow poo either way!

It just depends on what people are looking for-and what they want out of life. No one person can stop a dying town. If you're self-sufficient and happy in your day-to-day life then losing a few retail stores, casino etc should not change that.

As a property owner, I could see some concern. But just keep your eyes peeled on the market. If you're starting to see a gradual dip, maybe sell and rent. I'm sure there's ton of reasonably priced rentals.

[Bruce Jackpot]

Originally Posted by Oldwestgambler

I have a vacation home in Bullhead City and I've been coming to Laughlin / Bullhead City for the last 24 years as a tourist and a fan of the beautiful town and area. It's so sad to see the current economic condition of the Laughlin casinos, Bullhead City and of course the big drop in tourism. I also have a place near Palm Springs California and I see a lot in common with the two cities in terms of history and tourism.

Palm Springs was the place to be years ago until the town squashed its tourism by stopping all the fun to please the older population that lived there full time ( Thanks Sonny Bono). Tourism stopped, businesses closed and home values crashed to record lows. Laughlin has to evolve as a place where people 20-40 want to visit again and again by providing younger venues, entertainment and fun things to do. We also need to attract people with money for high end shopping, dining and big name entertainment. Palm Springs figured that out and is coming back big and returning as a cool place to visit, shop and enjoy again. Laughin right now is known for cheap rooms, cheap buffets and older snowbirds from back East or Canada. The entertainers that come to Laughlin are mostly, not all, are has-been or low level entertainers. It's not helping the town's image at all.

Laughlin already has the beautiful hotels, scenery, lake and Colorado river and just needs a vision of the future to bring the town back to profitability, popularity and thriving with younger tourist. Laughlin needs to become the place college kids, young adults and young at heart people go to party in the Spring and Summer. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, because all you do is copy Las Vegas. Rebuild the pools at Harrah's like the pool at Drais Las Vegas, get big name DJ's and just focus on the younger crowd and you'll build a tourism base with people that will visit Laughlin for the next 20-40 years. Have fun things for 30 year olds, 40 year olds and just make the town fun again. Why not have big concerts and festivals like Coachella or Vegas does? Why not trade shows??? Offer great deals to attract these events and the hotels will fill up again.

I respect and appreciate the older tourist and snowbirds that come to Laughlin NV. The question is does Laughlin want to be Leisure World with cheap rooms, cheap buffets & and older people on fixed incomes looking for nickel machines or do they want to bring in the people willing to spend big money to visit a popular and cool place? If Laughlin comes back, so will Bullhead City in terms of economic growth and businesses reopening. I would love to see Laughlin packed with tourist again. That would be beautiful.

For the younger crowd to pass Vegas 90 minutes away for Laughlin is dreaming. That would mean for many people flying into Vegas and driving 90 minutes south to visit Laughlin instead. Not gonna happen. And for Laughlin to even attempt to draw that crowd would take an ENORMOUS investment. They'd have to completely re-invent their casinos and change the whole dynamic of the town. And unless they can expect Vegas tourists to come and spend $ they'd be relaying on the small local population who are often cash strapped due to a depressed local economy. Laughlin is at no place to challenge Las Vegas for tourists. Their best selling point is cheap rooms, cheap food, and a view of the Colorado River. A peaceful and affordable getaway for your everyday person.

I like your ideas but the real world practicality of them I'm not so sure. I wouldn't bank on Laughlin to revive the area... just appreciate it for what it is (cheap rooms, food, entertainment etc.) and hope Bullhead gets something going. If Bullhead's economy improves, you know that will affect Laughlin positively as well. People will have more discretionary income which may spur new hiring etc at the casinos. Maybe BHC could try to get some manufacturing/distribution stuff going. Not a bad location with Vegas, LA, and Phoenix all within striking distance.

[Ivory Lee Spurlock]

With so many other states now have casino gambling, I'd imagine the Laughlin/Bullhead City area has took quite a big hit, kinda like Tunica, MS did.

[Hawk J]

Over the years I've caught & released some nice Striped Bass, there in the Colorado River........We've spent many happy times at Avi & in Laughlin/Bullhead City/Fort Mohave.