Tell me about the cities/towns along the Colorado River in California? (Riverside: crime, incomes)

[Brandon Graves]

So... here's yet another area in California that I'm interested in: the Colorado River Area (California side).

I've done a bit of research on it, and here are all the cities/towns in this specific area that I can find: Blythe, Needles, Earp, Big River, Vidal, and Winterhaven.

Is that all of them that are on the California side of the Colorado River, or am I missing something? Do the CDPs of Palo Verde and East Blythe count in this area?

I had stopped in Blythe about maybe twice, or even three times. I actually quite liked it! Its quaint feel, its a surrounding agriculture, its large trees (for a desert area, and due to irrigation), its weather (yes, I love heat). Strangely, according to City Data, the crime statistics for Blythe seem a lot higher than the national average. Perhaps somebody can give an insight on why that is?

The California side of the Colorado River Area seems to be the kind of place ideal for some of the cheapest living in the State, and perhaps to just lay low and get away from it all.

So, if you don't mind, what can you tell me about the following cities/towns in this specific area: Blythe, Needles, Earp, Big River, Vidal, and Winterhaven? Are there any other towns in the California side of the Colorado River Area? Are there any differences whatsoever between each of them?

Any answers are greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

P.S.: Should I move this thread to the San Bernardino and Riverside Counties Forum? If so, how exactly do I do that?

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Snoopy's relative Spike lives in Needles.

[Brandon Graves]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

Snoopy's relative Spike lives in Needles.

Um... interesting...

[Brandon Graves]

I also have read somewhere that the poverty rates are quite a bit high in this area. Is this true?

[GSR13]

I've only been to Needles and Winterhaven, but there's not much to tell. Both are run-down towns that are compromised by the existence of Arizona towns across the river offering a better way of life for both residents and businesses. I suspect both Needles and Winterhaven exist because people want to live in the CRV (Colorado River Valley) without giving up their California residencies for whatever reason.

For example, Gas in Needles is two bucks a gallon more than gas across the river in AZ. Food is cheaper in AZ, there's less business regulation, AZ state taxes are less, etc.

Blythe appears to be a different story as it's in the middle of an agricultural area that is exclusively on the CA side of the river.

[Brandon Graves]

Originally Posted by GSR13

I've only been to Needles and Winterhaven, but there's not much to tell. Both are run-down towns that are compromised by the existence of Arizona towns across the river offering a better way of life for both residents and businesses. I suspect both Needles and Winterhaven exist because people want to live in the CRV (Colorado River Valley) without giving up their California residencies for whatever reason.

For example, Gas in Needles is two bucks a gallon more than gas across the river in AZ. Food is cheaper in AZ, there's less business regulation, AZ state taxes are less, etc.

Blythe appears to be a different story as it's in the middle of an agricultural area that is exclusively on the CA side of the river.

As someone who has been to Blythe several times and actually like the atmosphere of it, I say you're correct. My "educational" guess as to why the crime is high in Blythe is mainly due to meth.

[GSR13]

Originally Posted by Brandon Graves

As someone who has been to Blythe several times and actually like the atmosphere of it, I say you're correct. My "educational" guess as to why the crime is high in Blythe is mainly due to meth.

That, and I would say people below the poverty line on fixed incomes who moved to Blythe to cheap living.

[Brandon Graves]

Originally Posted by GSR13

That, and I would say people below the poverty line on fixed incomes who moved to Blythe to cheap living.

Yup.

[Brandon Graves]

Originally Posted by GSR13

I've only been to Needles and Winterhaven, but there's not much to tell. Both are run-down towns that are compromised by the existence of Arizona towns across the river offering a better way of life for both residents and businesses. I suspect both Needles and Winterhaven exist because people want to live in the CRV (Colorado River Valley) without giving up their California residencies for whatever reason.

For example, Gas in Needles is two bucks a gallon more than gas across the river in AZ. Food is cheaper in AZ, there's less business regulation, AZ state taxes are less, etc.

Any differences at all between Needles and Winterhaven, aside from them being in different counties? Oh wait... "There's not much to tell."

[GSR13]

Originally Posted by Brandon Graves

Any differences at all between Needles and Winterhaven, aside from them being in different counties? Oh wait... "There's not much to tell."

Needles is bigger, is closer to entertainment in Laughlin, and is closer to forested mountains. Winterhaven is closer to the sand dunes for winter recreation.