On the eastern banks of a lake with the same name is Lake Havasu City, a quirky young town with an older population known as “Arizona’s playground.” “We’re a major retirement destination,” says Lisa Fuess of Selman and Associates, who has sold more than 100 homes in Lake Havasu City. “In recent years we have had a huge influx of people from Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and really just anywhere that has harsh winters.” The United States Census Bureau estimated the median age in Lake Havasu City to be 54, with nearly half of the population out of the workforce. Around 57,000 residents live here full-time, and the population has increased steadily since its establishment in 1963. Businessman Robert McCulloch purchased over 16,000 acres of what is today Lake Havasu City in the early 1960s in search of oil and space for his manufacturing plants. When the city of London announced it was replacing the original London Bridge in 1968, McCulloch bought the bridge and had it disassembled and shipped to Lake Havasu City, where it was rebuilt and fitted to connect Bridgewater Channel to Thompson Bay. The bridge, which opened here in 1971, has become a major tourist attraction in the city.
Lake Havasu City sits on the eastern banks of the lake with the same name.
Lake Havasu City is a quirky young town known as “Arizona’s playground.”
London Bridge, which opened in 1971, is a major tourist attraction in Lake Havasu City.
Enjoy Lake Havasu's sunset on the beach or on a boat.
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Beaches, boating and more on Lake Havasu
With 60 miles of lake and river waterways, Lake Havasu City is big on outdoor recreation. Anglers drop lines into the lake, hoping to catch bass or carp, while jet skis and wakeboarders whip around the water. Lake Havasu is lined with sand beaches for swimming and relaxing. “The recreation is the reason people are here,” says Feuss. “But it’s not just the water sports, we have the off-roading, the hiking and so much more.” Lake Havasu State Park stretches north-south along the waterway and has campgrounds, beaches and RV resorts, and people cross London Bridge to reach Grand Island, which has boat launching areas and a marina. On the island is London Bridge Beach, offering a fenced-in dog park, buoyed swim areas and playground equipment. Locals take their off-road vehicles to the Arizona Peace Trail, a 750-mile loop stretching across Mohave County. Dozens of hiking and mountain biking trails of varying difficulty are within 20 miles of town.
Lake Havasu City features 60 miles of lake and river waterways.
Lake Havasu City is big on outdoor recreation.
In Lake Havasu City, anglers drop lines into the lake, hoping to catch bass or carp.
In Lake Havasu City, jet skis and wakeboarders whip around the water.
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Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair
Lake Havasu City promotes plenty of events throughout the year that attract locals and tourists. Hundreds of hot air balloons float into the Arizona sky each January at the Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair; the four-day event features a 10K run, golf tournaments and live music. Super Cat Fest West and Desert Storm are annual boating festivals that take over the town for the week. Both festivals host street parties along McCulloch Boulevard and activities like poker runs and boat races on the lake. “One of the most unique events we have is the Rockabilly Reunion each February,” says Fuess, where residents can see 20 live bands over three days or check out the 600 classic vehicles on display. “We’re a community that loves boats, cars, motorcycles and people love checking out the old muscle hot rods that enter the show each year.” Music lovers can jam to free concerts at London Bridge Beach each Friday night during the fall.
Shopping on McCulloch Boulevard
Lake Havasu City is home to more than 100 bars and restaurants. Many restaurants on the water have patios with views of the lake. They’re beachy and casual; flip flops and ballcaps are welcome. The downtown district features everything from upscale Italian spots to brunch restaurants to dive bars. McCulloch Boulevard is packed with gourmet food shops, wine bars and boutique stores featuring locally made art and jewelry. Shoppers can head to chains like Safeway and Smith’s for groceries, while big box stores are also available for everyday needs.
Lake Havasu City is home to hundreds of bars and eateries, including food trucks like Stubby's.
Funky Junk is one of the many quirky shops in Downtown Lake Havasu City.
Lake Havasu Cigars is a popular joint in Downtown Lake Havasu City.
Locals and residents alike love dining at the Red Onion in Downtown Lake Havasu City.
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Homes on golf courses
Homes in the city have a median price of $485,000 and have stayed steady over the past three years. Large houses on Lake Havasu Golf Course or the water cost between $1 million to $2.5 million. There are a good number of condos in the area ranging in price from $150,000 for a one-bedroom to $1 million for larger homes on the beach. Most homes are clustered into subdivisions on quiet desert roads. Xeriscaping is a popular alternative to grass lawns, and many homes have private pools. Locals in Lake Havasu City need to be prepared for the scorching summer months, when temperatures routinely top out around 120 degrees with lows in the 80s. “The heat can be very intense,” says Fuess. “Yesterday was the last day in September and it got up to 115, but we don’t have the wildfires that many cities in the southwest have.” Fuess credits the lack of wildfires to the rock landscaping that Lake Havasu City homes have in favor of grass lawns. Temperatures in the winters are milder, with highs in the 70s.
Homes in Lake Havasu City have a median price of $485,000.
In Lake Havasu City, large houses on the golf course cost between $1 million to $2.5 million.
Condos in Lake Havasu City range in price from $150,000 to $1 million.
Most homes in Lake Havasu City are clustered into subdivisions on quiet desert roads or water.
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Low crime and long commute
CrimeGrade gives Lake Havasu City an A-minus overall grade, meaning it’s safer than the average city in the U.S. The city also has initiatives to ensure safety, like an extensive neighborhood watch program and the Citizen Police Academy. This is an 11-week program designed to give residents insight into how the police department functions and build trust between citizens and the department. People commute by car to get around. “We don’t have buses or any public transportation like that,” says Fuess. Highway 95 links south to Interstate 10, which runs 190 miles east to Phoenix. The same highway takes locals 150 miles north to Las Vegas, home to the area’s closest major airport.
Downtown Catalyst Project
The Downtown Catalyst Project is a citywide initiative to utilize a 1.5-acre parcel of land in the downtown area for community and public use. Plans include transforming the area into a green space with trees and a walking path and adding a stage for concerts and other public events. The city hopes to complete the project by summer of 2025.
The Downtown Catalyst Project is a Lake Havasu City initiative.
It aims to utilize a 1.5-acre parcel of land in the Lake Havasu downtown area for community use.
Plans include transforming the area into a green space for Lake Havasu City residents to enjoy.
Lake Havasu City hopes to complete the project by summer of 2025.
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Lake Havasu Unified School District
The city is served by the Lake Havasu Unified School District, which has a B overall rating on Niche. The district serves more than 5,000 students, and each of the six elementary schools has a B ranking or higher. Lake Havasu High School is the only high school in the district and holds a B-minus Niche grade. Mohave Community College has a campus in Lake Havasu City, offering associates degrees since 1970.
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