Laughlin? (Reno, Carson City, Mesquite: apartment complex, rentals, crime rate)

[ElizaTeal]

Low Roller, how was your trip? What side of the river will you call home? We have a vacation place in Mohave Valley. We'll head out there at the end of the month. I can't wait! We like to dine and play at the Avi.

[Low Roller]

Hi all,

My trip was extended in AZ longer than anticipated, so I just got back last night. All in all, my time in Laughlin/BHC was very favorable.

I got there Tuesday afternoon, September 25th. It was about 95, but was a fairly dry heat, so although I didn't walk miles in it, I was comfortable enough during the time I was out in it.

The evenings were very pleasant - probably in the high 70s-low 80s. Still, I shuddered a "little" bit wondering what it must be like there when it's 125!

But it was nice enough while I was there.

I checked into the Golden Nugget. One of the smaller hotels - but very nice. It has a beautiful tropical entry way with waterfalls, etc. Everyone was very friendly from the desk staff to the room maids. I would recommend it highly to anyone for high quality and good value.

I got one night free for a three night stay - so my total bill was $72. However, I did use the "Twenty-dollar trick" at the desk to insure that I got a very nice room with a beautiful view overlooking the pool and the river - so my cost was actually $92. But considering that I'd spent Monday night in a rathole motel in Utah that cost $50, I was very happy with my room and it's price at the GN.

So it was all very pleasant there.

That night - while walking the Strip - I noticed the billboard for the Colorado Belle advertising a Tuesday, "Half-off all pizzas" special. So since I was very much in the mood for Italian, I thought I'd give it a try.

It was in their restaurant called, "The Boiler Room," and it was all excellent!
It's a microbrew pub, and it's pleasantly made to look like the engine room of a steamboat. Several tables have a nice view of the river, and it has pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salads, etc. - all very good to excellent.

So I had a pizza for $5 (usually $10,) a fresh dinner salad with very good blue cheese dressing, plus a couple of wonderful microbrews at $4 each (22 oz.) So it was a very pleasant dining experience, and is probably my favorite casual dining place in Laughlin (so far, anyway.)

On Thursdays their special is 75-cent microbrews (16 oz - regular $3.25) all day. So I went back for that special too! (Hic!)

Wednesday I went apartment hunting, starting with those in Laughlin. I must say that I was somewhat disappointed with the ones in Laughlin, as they were older - and while still "okay" (I would grade them with a "B",) they weren't on par with the one I am in now in Colorado Springs, which is what I was looking for.

I did check out Crown Point and The Vistas. They were not bad at all, were clean and well-kept, were in a very nice area, and there were many nice, normal, middle class-looking people walking around the grounds - but they were older apartments, and smaller than what I am used to.

I asked the gals showing me around about the drug problem I'd heard about, and they said they screened applicants thoroughly, and tried to be very careful in keeping the unsavory elements out. From the look of the complex, I would say they were nice enough places to live, but I was just hoping for something a little more upscale.

So all in all I was disappointed with Laughlin apartments, so I then crossed the river into BHC to look around.

I looked at some places in BH that had been recommended to me, and really liked two of them - which were on par with the place I am in now. One was called, "Canyon Walk," the other "Stoneridge."

While they're in BHC, they are at least 2-3 miles away from the bad areas - and where they were reminded me a lot of some areas of Scottsdale I've seen - with a lot of nice homes around, etc.

Canyon Walk is subsidized housing - which surprised me some, as it's a very nice complex in a very upscale-looking area. But maybe it caters to retirees - of which I am now one.

Their 2-bdrm apts were going for $690 - including an in-apt washer and dryer; so that's $200/mo less than I'm paying here in Colorado for a comperable place. So it's very tempting.

Stoneridge was actually a bit nicer, but it's apts start at about $750 - which is still reasonable - but don't have the washer/dryer in the apt.

So I will now see how soon I may be able to move, and then choose one or the other of those complexes when the time comes.

So all in all it was a succesful day.

I had lunch that day at a very nice Mexican restaurant at the Riverside Resort called (I believe it was) "Casa de Suarez" (or something close to that.) Very good Mexican food.

That evening I went to a steakhouse/BBQ place at the Edgewater called, "The Hickory Pit." I didn't enjoy this meal as much as the others, but I think it was more due to my personal tastes than to the quality of the restaurant (which was very good.) I had an excellent steak, but was not happy with the sides, salad or bread. But again, I think it was more just my personal tastes.

Thursday was just "goof-off" day - which I did with a vengence!

I again took advantage of the special at The Boiler Room, and also had a great chicken breast sandwich there, then staggered up and down the Strip to the various casinos, did a little gambling (lost on penny slots, as I usually do,) sat around the pool, and just enjoyed the day.

That night I ate at the "Saltgrass Steak House" at the Golden Nugget - and it was excellent! I highly recommend it!

I was planning to rent a jet ski and give it a try that day - but at $80 per hour plus gas, I decided against it. But I still plan to buy one if I move to the area. There were some going up and down the river almost constantly while I was there. Actually more jet skis than boats. It looked like a lot of fun.

Friday I needed to press on to Phoenix, but had lunch at Harrah's buffet before leaving. This was the most "so-so" meal I had in Laughlin.

While the decor was very nice, the food was only par - and some dishes sub-par (they being only luke warm and some looking like they had been sitting there for hours.)

I had had an excellent buffet at the Edgewater when I briefly visited Laughlin in June, but this one was only average. So I wouldn't recommend Harrah's buffet to anyone - but would recommend Edgewater's (though it's decor is not nearly as nice.)

I then left Laughlin about 1:30.

One thing that happened Friday was that the wind had come up - severely - and it was blowing at about 40-50 mph at the time.

Wind and dust are a major concern for me, as I have a damaged eye that doesn't tear - so if I get dust in it it's in there for the entire day and night, hurting like Hell.

But I was very happy to see that even with the wind blowing up a storm, that there were no clouds of dust or sand being blown around as in, "Lawrence of Arabia."

So that's one concern I had about the area that i don't think I have to worry about anymore.

So that was my trip to Laughlin, and for the most part it was very good and favorable.

So I'm now planning on moving there soon, if circumstances permit me to.

If anyone has any questions about the area that I might be able to answer, please feel free to ask.

All for now, but I'll check back later for any questions/comments.

Rich

[jfkIII]

Thanks, Rich, for the report. I've been to that microbrew at The Belle...and fully agree...good food, good beer and great atmosphere.

Is The Pioneer still there? Always liked that place, too...but never stayed there.

Good luck in your move there.

[Low Roller]

Hi.

Yes, the Pioneer is between the Golden Nugget and the Belle.

I didn't spend too much time there, but did walk through it, and it was as busy as most of the other casinos in town.

It seemed like a nice place - but more rustic and "cowboy" than the other casinos in town.

[humboldtrat]

Low Rider, you mentioned golf and I just got back from Laughlin where I had a good time (97 degrees according to a therometer on a bank building in BHC - which didn't bother me that much).
Go to Avi Resort and Casino and check out this golf course. It's next to Avi Indian casino which is about 15 minutes south of Laughlin and it's on the river.

[humboldtrat]

Sorry, I meant Low Roller, not Low Rider - whatever.

[Low Roller]

hum,

Thanks for that!

I did check out the Avi briefly while apartment hunting, and it seemed very nice.

Can you tell me what a round costs there?

Laughlin seems to be very good for golf (or in my case, "flog,") so I'm excited about that aspect of it also.

Thanks for the info.

Rich

[humboldtrat]

The rates are on that website. You have to click to another website. Anyways, the rates run from $54 in July-August (I can see the vultures circleing around you already) up to $99 in Jan-Feb. Oh well, I guess that's more than the $75 you mentioned in a previous post - but the pictures look good!
I plan to visit Laughlin again in Jan. I usually go to Quartzsite, south of Laughlin, for the flea market and RV/car show and the rock & gem show. If you've never heard of this, check out The Quartzsite Sports, Vacation and RV Show, Quartzsite Hobby, Craft and Gem, Rock and the Quartzsite Roll Classic Car Show at Quartzsite, Arizona. It's a huge swap meet.

[Low Roller]

Hi,

I didn't see the link - only, "call for rates and times."

Yeah, that seems a little steep. Maybe there'll be a cheaper course or two somewhere close.

Mesquite has a "Two night stay, two rounds of golf" special at one of the resorts, so I plan to give that a try when I get a chance.

Thanks for the other info also.

Rich

[humboldtrat]

Low Roller, go to Chaparral Golf and Country Club Bullhead City AZ. $20 for 9 holes, $30 for 18 holes. I think you have to become a member first.