Moving to Bullhead City vs Laughlin?? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: apartments, for rent, insurance)

[LoriRN]

I live in Ft Mohave - basically, BHC. I would seriously consider your move, you weren't clear on your situation...do you have kids in school? If you do, DO NOT take them to Az, go to Laughlin. You will experience a major culture shock when you move here so.....brace yourself! All around I think Laughlin is your best bet. It is much nicer than BHC - the schools are better and there are a lot more "adjusted adults" on the Laughlin side than the BHC side. ( if you are retired ) Laughlin offers a lot of things to do for retired individuals. If I had it to do all over again - without a doubt I would go to Laughlin no matter how old I was.

[Low Roller]

Hi Lori,

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate your candor.

I am 58, single and forcibly retired (Intel fired me and is sending my job to Vietnam.) I shouldn't have to worry about a job, as I believe I have sufficient savings to live decently on for the next several years (and if I'm wrong, I can always get a casino job to fill the gap.)

No worries about schools and such.

I just want a place to live that has reasonable rents, some nightlife - at least on weekends, good restaurants and buffets, and lots of things to do and places to go (unicorns would be nice too.)

Also, I want to be reasonably close to my mother and brother in Show Low (she's 93 and failing health,) and several friends in Phoenix.

So far the Laughlin/BHC area fits that bill more than any other I've found - though the heat will be daunting. I did live in Phoenix for several summers, however, so "think" I can stand the weather in L/BHC - especially if I do some traveling in July and August.

Since Laughlin and BHC are within just a few miles of each other, I didn't think there would be that much difference - though from the beginning I have been leaning towards Laughlin, it being the party town.

I do plan to make a 2-3 day trip to the area in September (having briefly visited it in June) to see where there are good rentals in nice areas. That's the main consideration for me now.

I am still leaning towards Laughlin, but if I can find a nice rental in a nice area near Laughlin, I would also consider it.

So thank you, and if I've said anything that's blatantly wrong or I am misunderstanding something, please let me know.

Thanks.

[LoriRN]

Low roller -
Your very welcome for the input. I wish you all the luck in the world. My family relocated here from the Midwest and although we gain the weather - we lose the lifestyle and the normalcy of the Midwest. No matter where you go it is a giant leap of faith! Be sure to do your homework on anything and everything major you do. That is the best advice I can give to you in this situation. ( in your best interest I must stress though, STICK WITH LAUGHLIN ) What ever route you choose - good luck with your new endeavor!

[Candice - Next Wave]

Not laughing at all, Low Roller. It's doable. In fact my folks have a 1600 SF 4 bd on an acre for 825 available for rent now (FM). There should be some 2/2s in the 700s.
I got zapped for putting Trish's info up, sorry did not realize.

[ArizonaBear]

One big thing against Laughlin is the dearth of shopping over there. There is Agapos (sp) groceries and that is about it.

Either cross the River to BHC or drive all the way to Vegas (which is not a bad run).

[Candice - Next Wave]

LOL, you are right AZ Bear -- Aldape's is brutal especially since you have to go past poker machines to get thru.

Soon, a Target and a Wal Mart SC in FM, both close to Aztec and 95. So you can go from Laughlin down Needles Hwy to Aha Macav, past the Avi and over the bridge.

One thing I missed a lot when I came from LA was Trader Joe's. You can zip up to Henderson pretty fast to get to one.

[Low Roller]

It's my understanding that while there is little or no shopping in Laughling, the other markets and such are only 10-20 miles away - so I wouldn't consider that a major problem for a Laughlin resident unless he/she is one of those who always has to run to the market for a loaf of bread, etc.

Right now I drive 50 miles to Denver to Costco (none here in Colorado Springs yet) every few weeks to stock up on most things, then go to the local markets for whatever else I need in between. I could easily do shopping at those markets once a week, and a Costco run to Vegas once a month.

So I don't forsee any problem there.

Lori,

Thanks again for the good advice and well wishes. Yes, I will plan on Laughlin if I can find a nice rental there.

Thanks again for the advice and info.

[ElizaTeal]

Low Roller, there is a Sam's Club, Smart and Final and an Odd Lots in Bull Head City/Fort Mohave. No need to run to Vegas, you can shop locally and still save money.

[Low Roller]

zona,

Thanks. Yes, I read about "Sam's" being there. So I'll probably get both a Sam's and a Costco card - as I do think Costco is a little better. But it will be nice having a Sam's nearby!

Something I just thought of asking about, sitting here watching my HDTV:

Does anyone out there have HDTV in the Laughlin/BHC area - and can one get signals via aerial - or can one get it on cable?

If cable, how much is it per month for HDTV?

Thanks.

[mombase]

We have arrived...about a month ago. We are staying at the BHC Best WEstern while waiting for a house to become available in Laughlin...should be ready September 1st. Originally I thought we would live in BHC because of the shopping situation. It did not take long to change our minds, though. I would not let our 13 year old daughter go anywhere alone here - there are many scary and tweaked out looking people here and with Hwy 95 running through here, it seems like criminal activity could happen with the criminals moving out very quickly. It creeps me out a little bit. While there may be a little bit of crime in Laughlin, a criminal would really have to go out of his or her way to get up to the housing areas unless they lived there. I know that most of the people who live in Laughlin are fiercely proud of the town and have little tolerance for crime. We are definitely happy to be here - my daughter has met some kids in Laughlin and the JS/HS school is VERY nice. My husband and I are in heaven with the entertainment at the casinos...the Outlaws are going to be here on the 1st, so how bad can it be? Doobie Brothers are coming, too...what isn't coming here will be an easy hour away in Vegas!!