Laughlin, Bullhead City

Would anyone have any info on those two places for retirement. Rick and I have been debating where to get a winter place. We think Vegas is a great place to visit, but not to live there. My sister lives in Phoenix North and we like that area but it is a little to close for comfort.

We reached a comprimise and that the Laughlin/Bullhead City would be 1/2 way between both more or less. I have been looking at some retirement places and think we have found a couple but just wondering what other folks have for information.

Thanks in advance...


Karen

I think it would get boring there really fast. Bullhead is a tiny town with not much in the way of community events or activities....and Laughlin is just a handful of shabby casinos.

Why not Henderson, NV? It is rated in the top 10 safest towns in the country (ironic given its proximity to Vegas which is closer to the other end of the scale). Its far enough away from the circus of Vegas but still has plenty of good shopping, eating, golf.

Flagstaff, AZ would be the only other metropolitan area in your geographical parameters. Thats a different climate altogether - snow ! But I'd take the amenities and culture of Flagstaff over Bullhead City in a heartbeat.

Spend a few weeks there in summer, Karen, when it's 120+. And try a few weeks in the winter when its 30 and the wind is blowing 40 mph. It's a pretty godforsaken part of the world from the perspective of living. We've been to the area dozens and dozens of times, all times of the year, and had family there. Yuck. If you gotta hafta do it, check out Kingman. Personally, I'd look in Prescott or the Cottonwood area. Or somewhere around Tucson, which I realize is the "wrong" direction for you. Like PJ suggests, Flag's a helluva cool town for its size. Winters are cold (not North Dakota cold, but cold for out here) and they get a lot of wind up there. Gorgeous setting.

Just remember. There are no personal state income taxes in Nevada.

Laughlin wouldn't be a bad place to live. It depends on what you want out of life. Laughlin has the river and it's nice living near the water. You also have the casino to keep you happy and in action. You also have an easy trip to Vegas should you have the craving. Just like Vegas, you have the 300 days a year where it doesn't rain. temperatures are moderate in the winter to spring, but VERY HOT when you near the summer months. Usually 10 degrees hotter than Vegas.

Some VERY easy poker pickings in Laughlin - if that is your thing!

Have you considered the Lake Havasu area?

Karen,
You're probably never going to find a perfect place to live,
and since you are already familiar and do like the "Phoenix North" area, it might be the your best choice.

Otherwise, everywhere else is an unknown gamble.

Rick

You mentioned a winter place, not a year round place, so that eliminates 120 degree days in the summer. Between Bullhead City and Laughlin, I vote for Bullhead City. Many small AZ towns have a strong sense of community and activities available geared to locals. Bullhead City is about 3 to 3 1/2 hours from the Anthem area of Phoenix.

Have you considered Maricopa located SW of Phoenix in Pinal County? It's about 50 minutes from the 101 and 51 freeways. Add 10 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic, to get to Anthem. It's far enough away to be "Not too close" yet close enough for when you want to get together. My mom and her hubby moved there close to 3 years ago and love it. They enjoy living in a smaller community, made friends, and have a social life.

I have friends who recently moved to Henderson and really enjoy living there.

And for Lisa, suitably close to ... Harrah's!!!

Lotta Phoenixes in Phoenix, indeed. If we ever were to head over that way, we'd go up toward Cave Creek, or maybe out to Gold Canyon. There's just something cool about being next to the mountains rather than the former cotton field flats of the Sonoran. Wickenburg is really cool, too.