Want to Relocate to Bullhead City AZ (Tucson, Scottsdale: coupon, renting)

[Arizona Bound]

Hello, My wife and I are considering Bullhead city area. We are very tired of the cold and snow here in Indiana. I have done a ton of research as far as Home prices, newer areas vs. older areas, much reading your local paper on line.. doesn't mention much crime at all? I see where you have many 55 and older gated communities. Are they nice? Do they differ because of locations? Differ because of being a mobilehome community vs. a site built home community? I see that home prices differ quite a bit. The medium being around 300K. I have seen where they can go over a million, but don't look any better than a say a 500K home? Our main concern would of course be the crime, gangbangers. Do you HAVE to live in a gated community to preserve and protect what is yours? We are like many on a fixed income.. we are not in any way a snob, we like middle class types of restaurants and we shop at walmart. we are coupon shoppers as well lol! What i really want to know is.. like how much concern do you have to have about going to the local grocery store and getting robbed on the way to your car? Can you take a stroll down the street in the evening like say after dinner? What is the worst areas of city? Can you visit that big city park that is along the river without having to worry? How is the Area just North of Locust? I think they call it Sunridge area? Some of have posted on here on how high your cooling bill can be.. How high is high? Anyone know the costs difference between AC and a water cooling unit? From what I have seen in these postings, there is many good and bad replies concerning Bullheads living conditions. We just don't want to have to stay behind locked doors to enjoy the warmer weather. Thanks to all who can enlighten us.. Thanks..
I will check back for any helpful replies.. thanks again!
Arizona Bound.

[Huckleberry3911948]

Originally Posted by Arizona Bound

Hello, My wife and I are considering Bullhead city area. We are very tired of the cold and snow here in Indiana. I have done a ton of research as far as Home prices, newer areas vs. older areas, much reading your local paper on line.. doesn't mention much crime at all? I see where you have many 55 and older gated communities. Are they nice? Do they differ because of locations? Differ because of being a mobilehome community vs. a site built home community? I see that home prices differ quite a bit. The medium being around 300K. I have seen where they can go over a million, but don't look any better than a say a 500K home? Our main concern would of course be the crime, gangbangers. Do you HAVE to live in a gated community to preserve and protect what is yours? We are like many on a fixed income.. we are not in any way a snob, we like middle class types of restaurants and we shop at walmart. we are coupon shoppers as well lol! What i really want to know is.. like how much concern do you have to have about going to the local grocery store and getting robbed on the way to your car? Can you take a stroll down the street in the evening like say after dinner? What is the worst areas of city? Can you visit that big city park that is along the river without having to worry? How is the Area just North of Locust? I think they call it Sunridge area? Some of have posted on here on how high your cooling bill can be.. How high is high? Anyone know the costs difference between AC and a water cooling unit? From what I have seen in these postings, there is many good and bad replies concerning Bullheads living conditions. We just don't want to have to stay behind locked doors to enjoy the warmer weather. Thanks to all who can enlighten us.. Thanks..
I will check back for any helpful replies.. thanks again!
Arizona Bound.

every single person i know from bullhead, i liked.

[Havasu]

Its not a bad place. Laughlin might be a better choice though.

[ElizaTeal]

Originally Posted by Bunky39

every single person i know from bullhead, i liked.

Yeah but those married folk are the worst. Just kidding. My husband and I spend our winters in Mohave Valley. We have no complaints, love it here.

[Low Roller]

Hi,

I was planning on moving to a nice area of BHC until just recently - when I finally stopped trying to convince myself that I could tolerate the heat there, when down deep I knew I'd be miserable.

There ARE nice areas of BHC (from what I saw on a recent visit,) much of which is along the "Bullhead Parkway" - which reminded me of areas of Scottsdale.

But be warned that if you want to get out of the eastern cold, that BHC is certainly the place to do it - with a vengence!

Be prepared for six months of 90+ degree heat per year - and three months of 115 to 120+ degree heat.

That's the only reason that I'm now planning on moving to Prescott Valley, AZ. It's a lot more expensive there - but one is not living in a suburb of Hell much of the year.

Laughlin (just over a bridge) is terrific! Lots of casinos, shows and entertainment, great restaurants, boating on the river, etc., etc.... It's an adult Disneyland.

But I decided that it's SO cheap to visit there - if one does not gamble much (a very nice room being only $20-$30 a night,) that I'd rather live in cooler climes, and just visit Laughlin during the winter and spring months, when the heat is tolerable.

So the BHC/Laughlin area might be good for you, but just be warned that you had better like high heat, or you will likely be miserable there (or will have a $200-$300 electric bill most months of the year.

Good luck on your hunt.

[Mercedes2ajeep]

I'm in Bullhead City right now on vacation. I love it here so much that I am considering purchasing a home in the Fort Mohave area. There are "old" and "new" areas of Fort Mohave. From what everyone has told me... stick with the new communities. By the way, Fort Mohave is in Bullhead City.

I have been here in the 120 degree summer months; it's not fun. That's the time to travel to cooler areas with the money you save from not paying high electric bills.

The people here are friendly and helpful. The weather has been low to mid 80's the past two weeks. I think it will be a great place to call home!

[butte50]

I know a litte about the tri city area. My son moved down to Needles first, then my daughter and her family. I hope to follow. Housing prices are dropping in the area. A lot of LA people bought 2 nd homes and are now letting them go, so you can get some great deals. Most live in either AZ or CA and work in NV. There are still some jobs down there most pay lower than anyone is used to but costs of living is lower. No fancy restrauants unless you go over to Laughlin, the riverwalk is safe and fun. Shopping is mostly there with a smal outlet mall. BHC has a Super Walmart, a small Kmart, Home Depot Lowes and they are getting a new Target. It GOTS HOT but every where you live as a season that can be trying. Most just need to lower the AC and run a couple of fans, then it is nice and bearable without the hig energy bills. I lived in Tucson and set mine to 85 but then kept the air moving and I was never hot. I can't wait to get to BHC. Needles is a little to blighted. I think your safe in that area better than much larger areas. It is not the prettest part of the desert but it is desert and you either love it or hate. Try renting for one season, then deciding if you want to buy. Good Luck

[butte50]

PS you could also look at Kingman, it's growig. People need to learn about elavetion in the desert 2500 to 2800 is about the best weather on earth, light dusting of snow maybe and low 100's in summer. Tucson is like that, so is St George UT ( which I would not recommend after having lived there for almost 3 yrs) That's the average before people move out. Even if your Mormon from outside

[Arizona Bound]

Hey.. Thanks for the info!
We did live in Globe durring the early 1980's. And we have lived in vegas for about 5 years in the mid 1990's. We have been to the Bullhead city area a few times while living in Vegas. We liked the area and the people there seemed very friendly! All we need is a Wal-mart supercenter, a few medical places, a place to fish, a mom/pop style restaurant.. and were happy lol!
We have heard many different stories about bullhead.. some good, some bad. Some say a lot of big bugs all over the place, some say hardly any. Some people have said a lot of druggies live there, so there must be drug dealers who supply them the drugs.. I for one despise anyone who would sell drugs to our teenagers and young adults! they all should be shackled to a post and stone them to death.. but that's not politically correct, or human i know. but something MORE has to be done with these lowlife drug dealers. Sorry about the ranting.. just hate gangbanging drugdealers. Anyways.. if anyone else who lives in Bullhead City could post anymore info about Bullhead City.. like any info on some of the 55+ and older communities? maybe some info about some of the newer communities that have sprung up in the last couple of years? Some good places to eat? How about movie theatres? Thanks for any and all info folks!

[haymann]

Originally Posted by Arizona Bound

Hey.. Thanks for the info!
We did live in Globe durring the early 1980's. And we have lived in vegas for about 5 years in the mid 1990's. We have been to the Bullhead city area a few times while living in Vegas. We liked the area and the people there seemed very friendly! All we need is a Wal-mart supercenter, a few medical places, a place to fish, a mom/pop style restaurant.. and were happy lol!
We have heard many different stories about bullhead.. some good, some bad. Some say a lot of big bugs all over the place, some say hardly any. Some people have said a lot of druggies live there, so there must be drug dealers who supply them the drugs.. I for one despise anyone who would sell drugs to our teenagers and young adults! they all should be shackled to a post and stone them to death.. but that's not politically correct, or human i know. but something MORE has to be done with these lowlife drug dealers. Sorry about the ranting.. just hate gangbanging drugdealers. Anyways.. if anyone else who lives in Bullhead City could post anymore info about Bullhead City.. like any info on some of the 55+ and older communities? maybe some info about some of the newer communities that have sprung up in the last couple of years? Some good places to eat? How about movie theatres? Thanks for any and all info folks!

Ya , heard there's drugs, don't hang with them and you probable won't see them. You said you've lived in the heat, Vegas, but have you lived in Bullhead or been there. It's regularly 114 and gets to 120 often, this place id not like Vegas. I've lived in Vegas. BHC is very very hot all the time 3-4 mos. Some body on the AZ forum asked about airconditioning costs in BHC, try to find what I wrote them I think it may help you.