The beauty of Lake Havasu
Lake Havasu City AZ is considered by many to be one of the most desirable communities to own vacation real estate or a full time home within. Originally built as a military staging post, the area was identified in 1958 by Robert P. McCulloch as a potential haven for retirees and vacationers seeking water activities but not wanting to travel the distance to the coast. The purchase of several thousand acres and the subsequent development of that area to include business districts, entertainment areas, and residential areas made Lake Havasu an area of interest to retirement-age families. McCulloch heavily marketed to this demographic, eventually selling all the parcels of land he had controlled.
The idea of bringing tourists to an isolated area of Arizona needed some kind of attraction, and McCulloch knew what to do. He bought the actual London Bridge and transported it piece by piece for reconstruction in the city, bridging the narrow channel that separated a small island from the mainland. This project served the purpose of creating an easy transportation route to the other side of the river, which would normally require a 30+ mile trip, as well as bringing a tourist attraction unlike any other in the state. Lake Havasu immediately went from being a residential boating community to a driving tourist destination, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Tourism-based businesses thrive and continue to do so as both the actual resident community continues to grow and the number of tourists.
Property in Lake Havasu is quite desirable, due to the fact that those looking for an annual vacation can own the property and rent it out for downtime to other people who come to town at different times of the year, or for the ” spring break”. activities that have become incredibly popular. The area is now recognized as the most popular spring break destination in Arizona, drawing hundreds of thousands of college students each year to enjoy the river. This is quite lucrative for homeowners, who can rent their homes for many times the typical monthly rent during this period, simply due to lack of housing and high demand. Others in the area seek homeownership because the job market is strong even during times of recession. Lake Havasu has done quite well over the last ten years in both real estate values and job creation due to the fact that the community is continually growing and needs to fill new service positions.
Lake Havasu City remains one of the top destinations in the Southwestern United States for water activities and boating, as well as a small-town feel.
