Lake Havasu City

On the eastern bank of the Colorado River near Lake Havasu just west of the California border, the unincorporated community of Desert Hills offers residents plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. “You can enjoy boating, hiking and all kinds of desert adventures,” says Scott MacDonald, owner and broker at RE/MAX by the Lake. “There’s really good fishing, too, with several big fishing tournaments in the area.” While much of the hilly desert community remains undeveloped, newly built subdivisions are attracting buyers from the more populated Lake Havasu City to the south. As a result of Desert Hills’ housing development, several major retailers have set up shop on the community’s west side. “It’s close to shopping and it’s not far from Interstate 40, so it’s pretty convenient,” says area resident Allison Paoli, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. Buyers can find manufactured homes dating back to the late 20th century, and single-family-ranch style homes throughout several subdivisions that began construction in the early part of the 21st century. Several of these subdivisions are gated, and many are still being developed with new construction. Modest manufactured homes can be found for less than $100,000, while larger units with upgrades on larger lots can go for up to $400,000. Within the community’s subdivisions, single-family homes start around $350,000, and those with larger floor plans can range up to $2 million. “A lot of those homes have three car garages because a lot of people have desert toys,” Paoli says. Many have an oversized garage stall for RVs and large boats. While many single-family homes have Southwest-style, desert-inspired architecture with stucco exteriors and clay-tile roofs, many of the brand-new builds have more contemporary aesthetics. Homes within the subdivisions sit on streets lined with narrow sidewalks. Residents can tee off at the local 18-hole Iron Wood Golf & Country Club on the southeast side of the community, which offers views of Lake Havasu. To the north, Castle Rock is a unique natural rock formation on the river that is popular for fishing and launching kayaks. When the water is deep enough, kayakers can explore several caves. Roughly 5 miles south of the Desert Hills community, Lake Havasu State Park attracts both campers and day visitors and is home to a popular beach with several small lighthouses, as well as two boat launches for motorized and non-motorized vessels and a nearly 2-mile hiking trail along the shoreline. Roughly 5 miles south, the Lake Havasu Museum of History and Havasu Rocks educates visitors about the geology of the region and the history of the area through the eyes of Native American tribes. Museum goers can learn also learn about the steamboat industry which lent itself to local mining and trading, as well as how the centuries-old London Bridge dating back to 1831 made its way from the River Thames to its current home in Lake Havasu. After falling into disrepair in the 1960’s with the weight of modern vehicles, the city of London auctioned off the historic bridge, which was purchased by Robert McCulloch, the founder of Lake Havasu City. The original stonework and lampposts from the bridge that were made with melted-down cannons from Napoleon’s army after the Battle of Waterloo arrived in Lake Havasu via cargo ship, where the bridge was re-assembled piece by piece. Today, the bridge connects mainland Lake Havasu City with an island with shops, restaurants and housing, and residents can take guided walking tour across it. In October, the annual London Bridge Days Parade, now in its 53rd year, celebrates the anniversary of the arrival of the bridge, as does the two-day London Bridge Days Music Festival, with a lineup of cover bands at Lake Havasu State Park. Iron Wolf Golf & Country Club is home to two popular local restaurants. After a day on the green, residents can stop into the upscale Reflection Steakhouse for cuts of grilled meat and seafood alongside wine and craft cocktails. Bogeys & Stogies Sports Lounge and Grill is a staple to watch sporting events with a cold brew and serves classic pub appetizers, burgers and handhelds. Additional dining options can be found along London Bridge Road, a main north-south road through the community, including Locos Bar and Cocina for authentic Mexican fare with margaritas, Taco Tuesday specials and a tiki-style outdoor patio. For groceries, residents can head to Walmart on State Route 95. Several department stores can also be found along this thoroughfare, including Dillard’s, JCPenney and Bealls Outlet, as well as home improvement stores like The Home Depot and Lowe’s. Locals can also catch a movie here at Star Cinemas. On Saturday Mornings, the Lake Havasu Farmers Market roughly 7 miles south in Lake Havasu City hosts vendors selling fresh produce, local honey, baked goods, and handmade crafts. Desert Hills students can attend schools in the Lake Havasu Unified School District, including Nautilus Elementary, which receives a B-plus rating from Niche, and Thunderbolt Middle, which receives a B. At Lake Havasu High School, students can enroll in career and technical education courses in fields like early childhood education, software and app design, and fashion design. Students enrolled in the fashion track put on an annual fashion show. State Route 95 runs along the neighborhood’s eastern side, leading south to Lake Havasu City and north to Interstate 40 roughly 18 miles away. While the small, general aviation Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport is just east of the community, for major air travel, Harry Reid International Airport is less than 150 miles north in Las Vegas, while Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 200 miles southwest. For emergency and specialized medical attention, Havasu Regional Medical Center is about six miles south in Lake Havasu City.