Moving to Laughlin, NV. Mechanic?

Moving to Laughlin, NV in a couple of weeks. The closest Toyota dealer is 45 miles away in Lake Havasu and I'd rather have a good independent mechanic. so, I'm looking for one to take care of our 2008 Prius and our 2007 Yaris. If anyone knows of a good one in the area (Laughlin, NV, Bullhead City or Mohave Valley, AZ, Needles, CA) it would be greatly appreciated. Other than that, maybe a good independent in Lake Havasu, Kingman, AZ, Henderson, NV or South Las Vegas.

 

Thanks. I was really hoping for someone in the Bullhead area but I kind of had an idea the pickings would be scarce. Having spent quite a few days lately out there while we were looking and buying a house I didn't see nearly as many hybrids as I'm used to seeing in metropolitan areas. It's not just a California thing, although that's part of it. It must be a commuter thing because I've seen a lot of hybrids in major cities in other states too.

We're actually thinking of doing one of two things. The heat is so hard on batteries we can either preemptively replace the HV pack so we'll be good for another 6-8 years or trade it towards something like a loaded 2017 or later Corolla, a Camry or Avalon. We plan to keep the Yaris so our youngest can use it for attending college.

 

Still as bad as ever. Half the food court downstairs is vacant storefronts. Upstairs it's only a few clothing stores. Went in there last week. You could roll a bowling ball down the hallway and not come close to hitting anyone. The movie theater is showing newer releases but admission is still $7 all day, every day.

 

Great idea. I didn't notice any near the casinos but I'm sure there's one or two hanging around the Bullhead airport when one of the five commercial flights a day come in.

 

Moving to the Waterford neighborhood just west of Needles Highway and El Mirage Way. First neighborhood on the right as you cross the highway from Aldape's Market and the DMV. Retired and coming from where we are in California it's a financial no-brainer.

I'm primarily looking for someone reliable and fair-priced to do the regular maintenance on the cars who is also comfortable and well-versed on the quirks when it comes to inspections and fluids other than just the oil. Bullhead Auto Repair seems to have a pretty good reputation but I don't see any reviews related to hybrids and I don't see a website for them. I'll give them a call or just drive by when I get out there again. The Prius is getting the 155,000 mile oil change this coming week here in CA. It's due in about 400 miles.

 

That's us! Retired and saving a bundle by moving there. Our daughters and a soon to be son-in-law are going with us. He's an experienced chef trying to get into law enforcement. The casinos are hiring chefs; that will work until he can get into the next police academy class with Las Vegas Metro P.D. or Bullhead P.D. His salary here won't even allow him to live in a studio apartment. In a month or two out there at the pay they're offering he can. Both daughters are going to do their college out there. Either go to Mohave Valley across the river or College of Southern Nevada online and in Henderson.

 

It didn't used to be nearly as bad as it is now. The weather and scenery are excellent depending on where you are. At certain times of the year here you could actually go snow skiing in the San Gabriel Mountains in the morning, drive to the beach and go body surfing in the afternoon. Disneyland was affordable. Long commutes weren't the order of the day when my wife and I were growing up and living as young adults here. Expenses were lower. Taxes were lower. Career opportunities were plentiful. Schools were very good. It was a great place to live and raise a family.

Now, it's overcrowded, ridiculously expensive and opportunities are scarce for the average person.

 

One week to go. At both houses (here and there) inspections done, appraisals came in ok, loans are approved, etc., etc. Only a small wood repair left to be done here tomorrow. Our realtor even negotiated an extra five days for us to move out so we can go directly from house to house and not need a storage unit. I'll be offline the second half of next week while we move and get internet hooked up at the new house.

 

Well, here we go! The house funded and escrow closed on the California house today. The down payment money transfer for the Nevada house is supposed to happen tonight or tomorrow morning. Tomorrow afternoon or Wednesday morning we drive to the title/escrow company in Henderson to sign the final papers on that house. We'll most likely move renting two different trucks, one Wednesday and one Friday. Any delay and we'll move Thursday and Saturday. The middle "off" day will be dedicated to getting all the utilities, internet service, etc. changed over to our name and changing addresses with insurance companies, social security, doctors' offices, etc. We're boarding the cat and the dog from tomorrow until next Sunday so we don't have to worry about them.

 

We've done something similar. We packed over 75% of the house and put it in storage just before we listed it so it would not appear cluttered in the pictures and for the open houses. The U-Hauls will run us a combined $1200 including gas to move this four bedroom house. These last few days we've gone to using paper plates and eating fast food so we could pack everything that was left. We're going from 1300 sq. ft. to 2200 sq. ft. and a 2 car garage to a larger 2 car garage with an additional pull through garage for the boat we don't have. A lot of room to spread things out and unpack slowly. I don't think this is going to be very difficult. Just tiring.

 

Sounds good to me. My wife and I always enjoy meeting new people. I'm not a big gambler but I love to eat! So much so that my doctor keeps telling me to quit loving it so much.