Laughlin? (Las Vegas, Elko: rental car, sale, house)

[Low Roller]

Thanks hum!

Yes, that's more in my price range. Membership isn't too expensive, and those fees are reasonable.

Gonna have to get used to desert golf though - as those greens look more like the Sahara!

Thanks!

[Muhnay]

So Low Roller, you made it to Laughlin.. good for you!

Did you happen to look at houses for rent?

[Low Roller]

Muhnay,

Sorry, no. I cannot afford to buy right now, so I only looked at apartments.

There were a lot of nice looking houses - some being built - around the apartments I liked in BHC (off of Bullhead Parkway, south of central BHC.) It reminded me of Scottsdale out there - was a nice area. So you might find a good deal out there - especially with the housing market crashing.

Well, after all of my cheerleading for Laughlin/BHC area, I may now actually end up living in Prescott, AZ! This just happened - and I apologize to all those here who have given me such good info on the Laughlin area - but a freind of mine told me about an apartment complex in Prescott he heard of which is supposedly very nice, and in a nice area, but where a 2bm unit is only $688 a month. So I'm going to go check it out late next week, and if it's as nice as he related, I will probably move to Prescott instead of the Laughlin area.

I origionally gave up on Prescott because I thought apartments were so expensive there - at least they seemed to be, the ones I found online; but then my friend was told about this place, so I'm going to check it out.

I like Laughlin very much, and since Prescott is only about three hours away - and Laughlin is so cheap to visit (if one does not gamble) - I'll visit it often; but the closer it's gotten to my moving, the more shakey I've gotten about living in a place where it's 90+ temps about six months of the year - and 120+ temps two to three months of the year.

So I just think it will be better for me (assuming this place in Prescott is as good as I've heard - and has vacancies) to live where it's very much cooler, and just plan on visiting Laughlin a lot for the entertainment, jet skiing, etc.

So we'll see.

Again, I thank all those who have given me such good info on Laughlin - and I'll still use much of it, even if I only visit there instead of living there.

So will let you know what I finally decide upon, and thank you again.

[Muhnay]

I also don't think I will make it out there.. I am looking at Galveston TX, or a good friend of mine lives in Seattle has offered me a room at his place for a couple months while I look for a place to rent and a job and so forth there.. may take him up on that. Don't know yet.. part of me wants to be close to El Paso, because I still have Family here, and another part of me wants to get as far from here as I can. =)

Well LOW I wish you the best of luck where ever you end up.. let us know what happens amigo.

[Low Roller]

Thanks Muhney,

Yes, I'll post where I'm going when I decide. It will be Prescott if this apartment I'm going to look at is anywhere near decent. If it's not, then I might still be going to one of the nice apts in BHC - despite the heat. We'll see.

Seattle is the antithisis of Laughlin - about 360 days of overcast each year - and from cool to cold much of the time!

It's a nice town though - if you don't mind a lot of overcast and drizzle (I lived in the Portland, OR area for four years.)

Anyway, very good luck to you too.

[Card Shark 2]

Hello All,
I have been going to Laughlin for over 20 years and have some knowledge of the area.
Here is what I know:

Most homes there are 2nd homes
Crime rate is much lower than Bullhead city (they have gangs)
Economy is better in NV than AZ
Very hot in summer (June - Sept) can get up to 125 degrees, hotter than Vegas
Tourist Town - congestion, lots of traffic and long lines for anything you do.
Home Prices are higher than AZ (but well worth it)
Unless you gamble there is not much to do (small town)
Wind but rarely bad (no dust storms like Phoenix)
Car theft is rampant (#1 problem in the area) (#2 is Roberies)
Lack of Water (drought, always must conserve, dont get lawn)

Laughlin is always in danger of water shortages. If the Colorado river dries up or the water is diverted, Laughlin will die like Vegas. It can and will happen if changes are not made. So California has been stealing the water for years. Desert without water is unlivable. What would happen to the homes and the people living in these desert communites?
Laughlin is a small town and has the same small town problems as any town in USA. Continued growth is not possible as BLM and private entities own all the land you see (desert) around Laughlin choking it. That is good for no more big housing tracts but does it have a negative effect?

Laughlin is FAR better than Bullhead. Less crime, less poverty, older folks. But remember you are moving to a gambling town with problems generated from gambling (drinking, theft, abuse etc). But my recomendation is to stay on NV side. I live in Carson City and Nv is so much better.

By the way, have you checked out Carson City for retirement? This is a great retirement area and mostly persons over 50. We have several small casinos with 3 more being built. Lots of action, good hospital, active lifestyle, golf courses, shows, and so much more. And we are close to Reno for anything you wish (20-30 min). Carson City is the best secret in retirement and rents are low too.

We checked out Mesquite for last 10 years. Yes it is growing but too many problems.
We wanted to buy homes for an investment and a 2nd home for us, we changed our minds. We almost invested 3 times but are glad we did not.
Here are problems with Mesquite:
Predominately Mormon
Near by Mormon Polygamists (Colorado City, Scenic etc is just up the road)
Corupt City government
Casinos are Hokey tokey (you can get tossed out for just about anything) (all they care about is the bottom line not customer service)
Weekends get crowded on Gold Course as they offer Spa/Golf getaways to Vegas and Salt Lake City people.
Too isolated, not enough competition in services.
Most homes are furnished rentals or vacation rentals
Hot in summer (up to 110)
Crime is not bad but it does come in from Utah (theft, robbery, and a huge murder that was on national TV of two little girls)

So I hope this helps. We have long wanted a 2nd home in one of these areas but now we are leaning toward cool climates and less crime.

Good Luck

[scirocco22]

Not to get too off topic, I just wanted to add a few comments of my own to Card Shark's excellent post above.

Although Mesquite is a Mormon-founded area, it is no longer predominantly LDS. Because of the influx of folks from all over the country, especially retirees, Mesquite has become quite diverse in its demographics. Yes, there still is a strong LDS influence but I would not call it a "problem" as Card Shark subtlety refers to it.

The FLDS presence in town is another thing that I wouldn't necessarily consider a problem.

The so-called "corrupt" city government is now shifting a bit with a new mayor and continuing support from many of the new residents in town.

Summer temperatures in Mesquite can easily go over 110 degrees with 112-116 relatively common in July and August.

[Half-Fast Gambler]

Hi. I'm new to this forum. I will be visiting Laughlin on Saturday, with a group of us from Wisconsin. We'll be staying there a few days.

This will be my first visit to Laughlin. I appreciate your comments expressed in this forum. Any additional comments or suggestions about Laughlin are greatly appreciated. As we say in my house, celebrate life!

[Fern62]

Low Roller
Did you move to Bull Head City yet... Did you take the Stoneridge Apartment.

What to you think of it.

Fern62

[Low Roller]

Fern,

I've been away from this forum for awhile now - family emergancy (which is a lot better now.)

No, I moved to Prescott Valley, AZ some months ago.

I just didn't think I could take the summer heat of the Laughlin-BHC area.

So am sorry, but I can't give you a report.

I still plan to visit Laughlin in the cooler months - but just couldn't convince myself to live there. Just too hot for me.