Havasu - The Land of Opportunity

[Sportin' Wood]

Open at 7am, for old guys that cant sleep in. Close at 8pm, no reason to stay open later.

7am is 3 hours too late. It could close at 6pm.

 

[EarpRider]

You're joking, right?

Either that, or you need to get out and explore more often.

In case you hadn't noticed...

Havasu City has been tweaker town for ages.

Someone needs to find the thread about the village out past the airport?

Scary shit!!!

Ok, yes, every town has a shit area.

But I'm still curious as to what Arizona town has cheaper rent, groceries, gas, etc...

 

[hallett21]

Ok, yes, every town has a shit area.

But I'm still curious as to what Arizona town has cheaper rent, groceries, gas, etc...

Kingman.

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

Havasu needs a 'political pub'. So all the locals can sit and talk politics all day. Instead of bringing it up when its not even in the conversation to begin with.
All politics. TVs with all the news channels at once. One of those punching bags games and a few whack-a-moles. Even Bud Light on draft to keep that conversation going.
Axe throwing with Joe and Kama faces on the targets. Only Caucasian comfort food, so anything in a crock pot.
Open at 7am, for old guys that cant sleep in. Close at 8pm, no reason to stay open later.

lol there’s about 4 of these bars in town

 

[rivermobster]

Ok, yes, every town has a shit area.

But I'm still curious as to what Arizona town has cheaper rent, groceries, gas, etc...

I'm sure you are. Road trips are a great way to find out.

 

[rivermobster]

lol there’s about 4 of these bars in town

Bullshit.

There has to be Way more than that!

 

[riverroyal]

Elks Lodge lol

100%. I've been to that elks dozens of times when my mom was alive.
It's so miserable even i can't hang

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

Bullshit.

There has to be Way more than that!

I meant there’s 4 that aren’t

 

[rivermobster]

I’ve got to ask, when was the last time you were in Havasu? where are all these tweakers you speak of? must be all the retired LE/FD from California.

Last time I was in town was last spring?

The tweakers own the areas on both sides of town. I think the area by the airport is the worst.

I think you have Havasu City confused with Eagle Idaho? Although we just had a going away party for my retired sheriff friend, who left for Meridian.

Havasu City? Yeah, no so much...

California retirees flocking to small Idaho town, prompting concerns about 'liberal baggage': 'Wait a minute'

Retirees in California are flocking to Idaho, raising concerns among some residents who fear they are bringing a brand of conservatism not aligned with Idaho residents.

www.foxnews.com

 

[DRYHEAT]

Last time I was in town was last spring?

The tweakers own the areas on both sides of town. I think the area by the airport is the worst.

I think you have Havasu City confused with Eagle Idaho? Although we just had a going away party for my retired sheriff friend, who left for Meridian.

Havasu City? Yeah, no so much...

California retirees flocking to small Idaho town, prompting concerns about 'liberal baggage': 'Wait a minute'

Retirees in California are flocking to Idaho, raising concerns among some residents who fear they are bringing a brand of conservatism not aligned with Idaho residents.

www.foxnews.com

Just another suburb of Boise and Meridian, plenty of trash in that area too. Unfortunately I’ve spent plenty of time in that area working. Great if you like frigid cold winters.

 

[rivermobster]

Just another suburb of Boise and Meridian, plenty of trash in that area too. Unfortunately I’ve spent plenty of time in that area working. Great if you like frigid cold winters.

Right?

It's definitely not a place I would move to. But 90k cops and hose draggers are taking over that place!

Lake Havasu City has a total population of just shy of 60k!

 

[was thatguy]

Ok, yes, every town has a shit area.

But I'm still curious as to what Arizona town has cheaper rent, groceries, gas, etc...

Um….
I moved 48 miles from Havasu (after renting a very nice 3/3/ boat garage in N Havasu for 4 years, rent escalated to $1800 and was still a great deal in Havasu) and I bought a brand new stick build, small house for my bachelor self for about half of what a similar 20 year old house in Havasu would have cost me. My entire street is new builds or less than 4 year old builds. All single family, absolutely no rentals or STR in sight. That was almost 2 years ago and the new builds around me at >$550K would be a million plus in Havasu. I’m closer to Kingman, Vegas (airport), and time wise even closer to Pleasant and Peoria if not Phoenix proper than I was in Havasu, and can still be in Havasu in 45 minutes.
I’ve got Laughlin across the river, better eats than Havasu, and boat launches up and down the river from Topock to Laughlin. Not even counting Mohave.


I’m not sure where else you’ve been in AZ, but if you think Havasu is the deal to be had you should listen to mobster and get out a little more.

 

[Orange Juice]

Needles commercial real estate took off with cheap utilities, and the ability to grow weed.

Havasu needs an industry with growth, other than Bitcoin.

 

[was thatguy]

Needles commercial real estate took off with cheap utilities, and the ability to grow weed.

Havasu needs an industry with growth, other than Bitcoin.

Needles is mostly on the wrong side of the bridge.

 

[lbhsbz]

Needles is mostly on the wrong side of the bridge.

Needles is called Needles because nobody there could spell Syringe

 

[Havasu blue label]

Needles is called Needles because nobody there could spell Syringe

That’s a good one

 

[EarpRider]

Um….
I moved 48 miles from Havasu (after renting a very nice 3/3/ boat garage in N Havasu for 4 years, rent escalated to $1800 and was still a great deal in Havasu) and I bought a brand new stick build, small house for my bachelor self for about half of what a similar 20 year old house in Havasu would have cost me. My entire street is new builds or less than 4 year old builds. All single family, absolutely no rentals or STR in sight. That was almost 2 years ago and the new builds around me at >$550K would be a million plus in Havasu. I’m closer to Kingman, Vegas (airport), and time wise even closer to Pleasant and Peoria if not Phoenix proper than I was in Havasu, and can still be in Havasu in 45 minutes.
I’ve got Laughlin across the river, better eats than Havasu, and boat launches up and down the river from Topock to Laughlin. Not even counting Mohave.


I’m not sure where else you’ve been in AZ, but if you think Havasu is the deal to be had you should listen to mobster and get out a little more.

Um….
I moved 48 miles from Havasu (after renting a very nice 3/3/ boat garage in N Havasu for 4 years, rent escalated to $1800 and was still a great deal in Havasu) and I bought a brand new stick build, small house for my bachelor self for about half of what a similar 20 year old house in Havasu would have cost me. My entire street is new builds or less than 4 year old builds. All single family, absolutely no rentals or STR in sight. That was almost 2 years ago and the new builds around me at >$550K would be a million plus in Havasu. I’m closer to Kingman, Vegas (airport), and time wise even closer to Pleasant and Peoria if not Phoenix proper than I was in Havasu, and can still be in Havasu in 45 minutes.
I’ve got Laughlin across the river, better eats than Havasu, and boat launches up and down the river from Topock to Laughlin. Not even counting Mohave.


I’m not sure where else you’ve been in AZ, but if you think Havasu is the deal to be had you should listen to mobster and get out a little more.

Sooo your in Fort Mohave Valley area?
I'm not starting a fight, I get out plenty. One of the pervious posters said groceries, gas, etc.. was cheaper in other parts of AZ.
Obviously you can find a new home purchase in some parts of AZ cheaper than Havasu, but where is this magical city where day to day expensive are cheaper????
And is food in Laughlin really "better?"

 

[rivermobster]

Needles is called Needles because nobody there could spell Syringe

YOU win the Internet today!!!

 

[rivermobster]

Sooo your in Fort Mohave Valley area?
I'm not starting a fight, I get out plenty. One of the pervious posters said groceries, gas, etc.. was cheaper in other parts of AZ.
Obviously you can find a new home purchase in some parts of AZ cheaper than Havasu, but where is this magical city where day to day expensive are cheaper????
And is food in Laughlin really "better?"

Apparently...

You just don't get out enough.



P.S. Some of us know better than to post Everything we know on the interwebs.

 

[was thatguy]

Sooo your in Fort Mohave Valley area?
I'm not starting a fight, I get out plenty. One of the pervious posters said groceries, gas, etc.. was cheaper in other parts of AZ.
Obviously you can find a new home purchase in some parts of AZ cheaper than Havasu, but where is this magical city where day to day expensive are cheaper????
And is food in Laughlin really "better?"

I can’t speak to the “pervious” angle.
But if you mean “previous” then yes.
All my day to day cost and annual living expenses are cheaper than Havasu was/ is.
That’s real life experience living in both areas.
Further east, we can easily stack Casa Grande or even Queen Creek/ Apache Junction up favorably against Havasu strictly speaking costs.
Having spent time everywhere from Globe/ Miami to my current location there are many many AZ towns that aren’t “magical” but certainly cheaper to live than Havasu.
Would I live in them? Naw, I passed on several Casa Grande opportunities.

And yes, the food in Laughlin is most definitely better.
Hell, even the BHC BWW was a treat after Havasu!
Hey, I like Barley Brothers, and Shagrues, and enjoy my forays to Havasu! But let’s be real. The best lunches to go in Havasu come from a gas station.

 

[DC-88]

I've never been up there. Too far of a drive for me, but good to know.

You guys should go check it out. Cool people that run it and they have some good stuff there

 

[FishSniper]

I can’t speak to the “pervious” angle.
But if you mean “previous” then yes.
All my day to day cost and annual living expenses are cheaper than Havasu was/ is.
That’s real life experience living in both areas.
Further east, we can easily stack Casa Grande or even Queen Creek/ Apache Junction up favorably against Havasu strictly speaking costs.
Having spent time everywhere from Globe/ Miami to my current location there are many many AZ towns that aren’t “magical” but certainly cheaper to live than Havasu.
Would I live in them? Naw, I passed on several Casa Grande opportunities.

And yes, the food in Laughlin is most definitely better.
Hell, even the BHC BWW was a treat after Havasu!
Hey, I like Barley Brothers, and Shagrues, and enjoy my forays to Havasu! But let’s be real. The best lunches to go in Havasu come from a gas station.

The food in Laughlin / bullhead sucks. Saltgrass is good but other then that it’s awful.

 

[whiteworks]

I’m suprised no one has mentioned the new market out there, it’s amazing, couldn’t ask for anything more.

 

[FlyByWire]

Yep, that's why I work out of blythe and live in havasu.

For me to transfer to a department in town it would be a pay cut

Yep!

DPS and Mohave CO always give us (friendly) shit for living in town but making CA money.

 

[rivermobster]

I’m suprised no one has mentioned the new market out there, it’s amazing, couldn’t ask for anything more.

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That looks legit. Where is this??

 

[pkrrvr619]

I think this thread may need some perspective.

My mom and her husband just rolled into town from Iowa to use my pad for a couple months to get out of the snow. They live in a town of like 800 and when they saw all that havasu has to offer when I was giving them the tour last night you’d have thunk they pulled into Los Angeles or similar.

“An In and out and habit? A Dillards too?” Etc etc.

I dig havasu bc it does have that smaller town feel, Main Street and the bridge area lit up with lights, car shows every weekend, and all that.

How much more shit does this town need before it ends up like every other place in SoCal? And for what? A bit more convenience? Be able to grab a Starbucks in a target?

I think havasu kinda is what it is. Service based and a tourist town, is that a bad thing? I think that’s where the charm lies.

Less opportunities for sure outside of service industry for the younger generation living here but Vegas is 2.5 hours and phx is 3.5 away.

Lots of opportunity at least close by. Could be worse….

 

[Bpracing1127]

I think this thread may need some perspective.

My mom and her husband just rolled into town from Iowa to use my pad for a couple months to get out of the snow. They live in a town of like 800 and when they saw all that havasu has to offer when I was giving them the tour last night you’d have thunk they pulled into Los Angeles or similar.

“An In and out and habit? A Dillards too?” Etc etc.

I dig havasu bc it does have that smaller town feel, Main Street and the bridge area lit up with lights, car shows every weekend, and all that.

How much more shit does this town need before it ends up like every other place in SoCal? And for what? A bit more convenience? Be able to grab a Starbucks in a target?

I think havasu kinda is what it is. Service based and a tourist town, is that a bad thing? I think that’s where the charm lies.

Less opportunities for sure outside of service industry for the younger generation living here but Vegas is 2.5 hours and phx is 3.5 away.

Lots of opportunity at least close by. Could be worse….

What we are saying it’s not sustainable because younger folks who work these jobs can’t afford to live there. They are the ones who wants these amenities and services. If no younger folks. Then the older folks who come in winter are hesitant to come because they need the most help.

Medical
Service industry for the older folks family to come visit and plenty more. Younger people who work these jobs want more out of the city.

Summer is irrelevant because the town is dead except holidays and weekends. The city makes all its money in winter.

One big example is the airport. My wife and I are fully remote and did look at moving to havasu. We found 3 big problems

In no order

1. Lack of airport (commercial) we both need to fly out (monthly for me and quarterly for my wife) the 2 hours drive to Vegas wasn’t ideal
2. Schools suck big time there. Schools are a big deal for my family
3. Lack of kids on any given steeet. You never knew if the next 5 house up or down were rentals or full time retirees or another family. And having only 1 kid we needed other kids for our son.
4. Lack of affordable housing.

If the city can’t attract younger families to move there then the town will dry up so to speak because you won’t have a work force to support the town. This won’t happen overnight but could happen in our lifetime.

@RiverDiva

How many houses is your team selling to younger families vs retired folks? What’s the ratio?

 

[SOCALCRICKETT]

What we are saying it’s not sustainable because younger folks who work these jobs can’t afford to live there. They are the ones who wants these amenities and services. If no younger folks. Then the older folks who come in winter are hesitant to come because they need the most help.

Medical
Service industry for the older folks family to come visit and plenty more. Younger people who work these jobs want more out of the city.

Summer is irrelevant because the town is dead except holidays and weekends. The city makes all its money in winter.

One big example is the airport. My wife and I are fully remote and did look at moving to havasu. We found 3 big problems

In no order

1. Lack of airport (commercial) we both need to fly out (monthly for me and quarterly for my wife) the 2 hours drive to Vegas wasn’t ideal
2. Schools suck big time there. Schools are a big deal for my family
3. Lack of kids on any given steeet. You never knew if the next 5 house up or down were rentals or full time retirees or another family. And having only 1 kid we needed other kids for our son.
4. Lack of affordable housing.

If the city can’t attract younger families to move there then the town will dry up so to speak because you won’t have a work force to support the town. This won’t happen overnight but could happen in our lifetime.

@RiverDiva

How many houses is your team selling to younger families vs retired folks? What’s the ratio?

Now that I am here full time and my brother and his wife are too we are seeing some interesting dynamics play out with the kids and schools...


I have a 4 year old son and a 6 month old son, my brother has a 7 year old daughter and 5 year old daughter as well. My parents have had a house in town since 1994 and my mother has been in education her whole working career, she did 30 years as an elementary teacher then finished off as a professor/field coordinator for the teaching program at cal state San Marcos. 10 years ago Havasu school system was a mess, underpaid teachers, test scores were on the lower end and the curriculum lacked structure. As the home prices have increased so has the tax bracket for some, more money brought change. My oldest goes to pre K at the high school for 3 hours each day, the program is run lime an ROP and the high school students that are taking classes to become an educator come into the classroom and interact with the little kids for those 3 hours all while being watched by 3 actual teachers. I get that pre K is more for the socialization of the little kids bit seeing how this benefits the high schoolers is impressive. The high school in town has multiple vocational programs and even has 35 extra circular programs right down even a bass fishing club.

It was said earlier and I 100% agree, havasu is a small town with small town charm, all the kids in my sons class are closely bonded and everybody knows everybody. To me that is the beauty of it all, we parents all have each other's phone number and really has taken the dynamic of being like extended family. The boat parade this year half of my sons class was there and even a few from niece's class (my neices attend havasu prepatory academy on the south side.)

 

[86403]

IIRC, a few years ago a LH kid maxed out the ACT. It's doable almost anywhere, IF the kid has the drive and parental support.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

I’m suprised no one has mentioned the new market out there, it’s amazing, couldn’t ask for anything more.

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That looks like an AJ's (Owned by the same company that owns Basha's).

 

[hallett21]

I’m suprised no one has mentioned the new market out there, it’s amazing, couldn’t ask for anything more.

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Eataly Lake Havasu lol

 

[GOTTBoat]

My end of town looks much better this year, all it took were a few "NO OVERNIGHT PARKING" signs and the trash sleeping in cars across the highway from Sara Park beyond the Lake Havasu City sign are gone! They can remote work from Standard Wash I guess.

 

[HNL2LHC]

You haven't been to Havasu City lately I take it?

Especially this time of year with Snow birds.

 

[whiteworks]

Eataly Lake Havasu lol

It’s right next to where the new Costco is going in

 

[530RL]

That looks like an AJ's (Owned by the same company that owns Basha's).

Basha’s/AJ’s sold out to Raleys In 21.

Gone straight downhill since.

 

[PRIMO]

Food City.......
Filet Mignon's / This Place Rocks and has Blocked ice !

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Basha’s/AJ’s sold out to Raleys In 21.

Gone straight downhill since.

That sucks to hear, loved shopping at both places when we lived in AZ.

 

[77charger]

That sucks to hear, loved shopping at both places when we lived in AZ.

Had a bashas near me when we moved to az. Loved it and never crowded go in and out quickly. But rains damaged roof they closed it. Now it’s further away.

Have a fry’s and Safeway close but Safeway doesn’t have everything I need at times fry’s is a clusterfuck at times. But usually has what I need

 

[EarpRider]

What we are saying it’s not sustainable because younger folks who work these jobs can’t afford to live there. They are the ones who wants these amenities and services. If no younger folks. Then the older folks who come in winter are hesitant to come because they need the most help.

Medical
Service industry for the older folks family to come visit and plenty more. Younger people who work these jobs want more out of the city.

Summer is irrelevant because the town is dead except holidays and weekends. The city makes all its money in winter.

One big example is the airport. My wife and I are fully remote and did look at moving to havasu. We found 3 big problems

In no order

1. Lack of airport (commercial) we both need to fly out (monthly for me and quarterly for my wife) the 2 hours drive to Vegas wasn’t ideal
2. Schools suck big time there. Schools are a big deal for my family
3. Lack of kids on any given steeet. You never knew if the next 5 house up or down were rentals or full time retirees or another family. And having only 1 kid we needed other kids for our son.
4. Lack of affordable housing.

If the city can’t attract younger families to move there then the town will dry up so to speak because you won’t have a work force to support the town. This won’t happen overnight but could happen in our lifetime.

@RiverDiva

How many houses is your team selling to younger families vs retired folks? What’s the ratio?

Dude, why is your tone ALWAYS sooo angry and negative? Dam, chill out once in a while. We get it, you think Havasu is a shit hole and it's gonna get worse.
Ok, Bye!

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

These threads are always entertaining. If you grew up in a small town, and I mean one that wasn’t 20 minutes from a big town, you realize that Havasu is just a small town doing what small towns do.
If you look at havasu it’s not that different from most little towns in AZ or across the country for that matter. It’s not for everyone. Shopping and food isn’t why people want to be in Havasu or any small town. Plenty other places to go if that’s your priority. Havasu isn’t going to dry up and blow away.

 

[1manshow]

be careful in that little farm they get sprayed by the indian crop duster plane god only knows what chemicals (they grow hay in about 3 to 4 days)

 

[RiverDave]

I don't buy clothes online, or shoes. That's a challenge for those living here. There's Dillards, and now, come to think of it, it's ALWAYS empty. I always wonder how they stay in business.



A store that sells more than one kind of potato vodka, for starters. Several sizes of Kahlua. Local whiskeys and beer. Craft bourbons. Craft bitters and syrups. A variety of quality cherries and bloody mary garnishes. It doesn't have to be a BevMo. These images are from Bozeman (pop 50+K). I couldn't find any from ours in Polson, but it looks a lot similar. Notice in the first two images, there aren't any clear liquors. The vodka and gin is on another wall. Another will have all the liqueurs and mixes. Usually the local stuff is on display on several shorter columns in the center of the store. Small wine and beer selection because you can get that at the grocery store.

I bring Vodka and Gin from home to Havasu because I can't get what I like here.

Places like this

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So ironically Stacy was saying there’s no good liquor stores in havasu on the way back from Mexico.. then she poised the idea of opening one.

I told her we don’t have enough shit going on?

RD

 

[RiverDave]

I’m suprised no one has mentioned the new market out there, it’s amazing, couldn’t ask for anything more.

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That isn’t the roadhouse one is it?

 

[riverroyal]

That isn’t the roadhouse one is it?

Ditto. Where is this?

Rdp, have you been to total wine and more? Holyyyyy shit it's like going in toys r us when we're 10.

I can go in for a 12'er and check out at $300 everytime

 

[hallett21]

So ironically Stacy was saying there’s no good liquor stores in havasu on the way back from Mexico.. then she poised the idea of opening one.

I told her we don’t have enough shit going on?

RD

If you went the higher end route I think you’d make a killing.

 

[Sawtooth]

So ironically Stacy was saying there’s no good liquor stores in havasu on the way back from Mexico.. then she poised the idea of opening one.

I told her we don’t have enough shit going on?

RD

Well then there would be an actual destination for when someone asks “where is River Daves Place”. It could be a high class joint……like liquor in the front and poker in the rear , the tee shirt designs would be endless .

 

[angiebaby]

So ironically Stacy was saying there’s no good liquor stores in havasu on the way back from Mexico.. then she poised the idea of opening one.

I told her we don’t have enough shit going on?

RD

I have a name, but I refuse to say it publicly because it's too good of a name.

 

[JayBreww]

I have a name, but I refuse to say it publicly because it's too good of a name.

Hava’liquor.

 

[hallett21]

I have a name, but I refuse to say it publicly because it's too good of a name.

Hava liquor

 

[whiteworks]

That isn’t the roadhouse one is it?

No I’m just messing with you guys, that’s the raddest store you will ever go to called Eataly. Three different places to eat inside, from grab a slice to rooftop fine dining overlooking west LA. You can buy wine by the glass while you shop, place is next level, I have to drive 45 miles to get there from the slums of the IE. I’ve been picking up Wagyu ribeyes there from the butcher shop, amazeballs is an understatement, but fuck me at $80.00 a pound

If you’re in west LA I would advise a stop, especially if you like Italian food and cooking. Having some family over tomorrow and ran in to pick up some Wagyu yesterday, this stuff is like crack, you try it once and you’re hooked.