Thoughts on NM?
- Thread starter Poopycat
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blueskyk
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I also found NM to be laid back and I thoroughly enjoyed this vibe.
It was siesta and manana (oops, can't find a tilde) in a gracious way
It was siesta and manana (oops, can't find a tilde) in a gracious way
Jollyquick
Recycles dryer sheets
Yeah, NM is no longer #1. Sadly Ohio just got much worse to claim the top spot :-(
https://www.drugabuse.gov/opioid-summaries-by-state/new-mexico-opioid-involved-deaths-related-harms
I grew up in ABQ and spent lots of my adult life going back to visit my brothers and parents until 2010 when my dad died. There seems to be lots of crime, even in upscale areas like where my parents lived. My brother worked in the DA’s office in juvenile crime for a number of years. He had so many gruesome cases against seniors that we tried to get our parents to move to Texas, to no avail.
Another brother moved to Glendale, CA last year from a Santa Fe, because their home in an exclusive community was burglarized 5 times in a year. And many times in previous years. Anyway, I’m just saying I wouldn’t move there, as much as I like the scenery.
Another brother moved to Glendale, CA last year from a Santa Fe, because their home in an exclusive community was burglarized 5 times in a year. And many times in previous years. Anyway, I’m just saying I wouldn’t move there, as much as I like the scenery.
ugeauxgirl
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
I love Mississippi! Different strokes for different folks I guess. [emoji2]
Avoid ABQ at all costs. I visited NW ABQ many times around the Intel plant (zip codes 87124 & 87144) and once considered retiring there.... but the crime rate is VERY HIGH. Everyone who works there has bad stories. Huge meth and heroin problems, terrible economy. Last visited in 2019 -- never again. Intel plant has laid off most staff and is likely closing which will wreck Rio Ranch economy (87124). Santa Fe is possibility. Los Alamos area has very high cancer rates. Espanola has cheap meth & heroin. Las Cruces = third world. The "Land of Enchantment" is pretty but also pretty hopeless.
I do live in OH for now, and am totally oblivious to the opioid epidemic. I guess I’m too huddled up in my house trying to hide from Mr. Coronavirus to notice any opioid addicts running around. When I do go out, I’m focused on keeping away from the disrespectful cyclists and runners who don’t seem to care about social distancing
copyright1997reloaded
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
On my list of places to visit. It was going to be this summer (a multi-week trip wandering around the Southwest), but ...
Have you thought of living overseas? No idea about NM but if you love the sea and want that to be in your daily life but can't afford or accept the taxes, medical costs, etc. in Calif/West Coast (who can??) why not try an overseas destination? I live in Vietnam by the sea, the cost of living is lower than you can imagine, no taxes to speak of and plenty of other benefits. S. America has a lot of interesting choices too and much closer to home. Expand your horizon, you might just find exactly what you are looking for...
2cheap2eat
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You definitely wouldn’t like the storms in Texas, especially during tornado season. Lightning is the least of your concerns during a tornado warning
Dtail
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
You definitely wouldn’t like the storms in Texas, especially during tornado season. Lightning is the least of your concerns during a tornado warning
Throw some hail into the mix too.
+1. This is the most realistic take on NM in my opinion. I lived in ABQ beginning in 2003 for 5 years. My brother still lives there with his 4 kids and my Mom retired there from MD. It's a low COL area and you get a lot of bang for your buck on houses. Very outdoorsy and beautiful views, especially sunsets. Sandia mountains are pretty big and impressive. I mountain bike and the trails in the foothills were great. Love the laid back vibe of the place. The only thing for me is I'm single and I don't think it's that great for a single person. I hear the crime is high there but I never had any problems nor know anyone who has. SW ABQ is the poorest part. It is a love or hate place but, just like someone posted before, it fills my soul.
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Michael Moore
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My family moved to ABQ in 1963 when I was in 5th grade, and I left after graduating from UNM. My sister is still in ABQ (NE Heights), a friend is in the process of moving from the West Mesa into the northern NE Heights (he's bought the new place but the loan for the buyer of his old house got stalled in the virus commotion) and my mom lives in the Belen/Los Lunas area south of town towards Socorro.
So keep in mind I left in 1976. I liked New Mexico, and it was hard to get used to living in northern Louisiana for a couple of years because it was too green. Compared to here in San Francisco (since 1979) ABQ gets hotter and colder and windier and dustier. I always enjoyed the thunderstorms.
Traffic appears to be horrible. My friend was commuting for a couple of years recently from the West Mesa to Kirtland AFB for a contract job, and the commute traffic going from one side of town to the other was a nightmare. My mom still goes into ABQ for an occasional doctor appt and says that coming from the south of town the traffic is also bad on that side.
I can't address the crime, but it sounds like the ABQ PD and Bernalillo Co Sheriffs have a known rep for shooting first and asking questions about innocence later. I think they've been under DoJ monitoring for that, and from news articles I've seen small-town cops in other parts of the state can be just as bad.
10 or 15 years ago on a visit there I talked to a ranger at one of the state parks near the Rio Grande. I asked what the water situation was, and I was told that the fossil aquifers were being drained very quickly and replenishment was not happening. My mom lives on Ag land on the outskirts of her town and uses irrigation for hay crops, and that water is in demand and it sounds like the quantities available are diminishing.
From what my friend told me house prices look to be 1/5th of what they are here in my area of San Francisco, but then that is true of a lot of places. He's not had much good to say about the economy.
There is a lot of beautiful country in the state and you don't get the cold/snow of the northern Great Plains or the heat of PHX or LV. You will probably replace a windshield now and then due to sandblasting by the windstorms. I'd much rather live in NM than the South/MidWest where the humidity is so stifling. As mentioned, a swamp cooler can do the job in the summer (unless you like it really cold in the house) and for probably a lot less expense than refrigerated A/C.
ABQ is very sprawled now compared to when I left. My friend's new place is miles from the city limits, and near where I and others used to ride our dirt bikes in the early 1970s, unloading at the north edge of town.
Socorro can get very hot. It and Portales have small colleges which can be a plus. If you are into rockhounding there's lots of chances for that, and the college at Socorro has a state geology office and museum there and if you are passing through that is worth a couple hour visit if you like that kind of thing.
cheers,
Michael
So keep in mind I left in 1976. I liked New Mexico, and it was hard to get used to living in northern Louisiana for a couple of years because it was too green.
Compared to here in San Francisco (since 1979) ABQ gets hotter and colder and windier and dustier. I always enjoyed the thunderstorms.Traffic appears to be horrible. My friend was commuting for a couple of years recently from the West Mesa to Kirtland AFB for a contract job, and the commute traffic going from one side of town to the other was a nightmare. My mom still goes into ABQ for an occasional doctor appt and says that coming from the south of town the traffic is also bad on that side.
I can't address the crime, but it sounds like the ABQ PD and Bernalillo Co Sheriffs have a known rep for shooting first and asking questions about innocence later. I think they've been under DoJ monitoring for that, and from news articles I've seen small-town cops in other parts of the state can be just as bad.
10 or 15 years ago on a visit there I talked to a ranger at one of the state parks near the Rio Grande. I asked what the water situation was, and I was told that the fossil aquifers were being drained very quickly and replenishment was not happening. My mom lives on Ag land on the outskirts of her town and uses irrigation for hay crops, and that water is in demand and it sounds like the quantities available are diminishing.
From what my friend told me house prices look to be 1/5th of what they are here in my area of San Francisco, but then that is true of a lot of places. He's not had much good to say about the economy.
There is a lot of beautiful country in the state and you don't get the cold/snow of the northern Great Plains or the heat of PHX or LV. You will probably replace a windshield now and then due to sandblasting by the windstorms. I'd much rather live in NM than the South/MidWest where the humidity is so stifling. As mentioned, a swamp cooler can do the job in the summer (unless you like it really cold in the house) and for probably a lot less expense than refrigerated A/C.
ABQ is very sprawled now compared to when I left. My friend's new place is miles from the city limits, and near where I and others used to ride our dirt bikes in the early 1970s, unloading at the north edge of town.
Socorro can get very hot. It and Portales have small colleges which can be a plus. If you are into rockhounding there's lots of chances for that, and the college at Socorro has a state geology office and museum there and if you are passing through that is worth a couple hour visit if you like that kind of thing.
cheers,
Michael
Thoughts on NM? .... don't do it... I grew up around there.. as a kid I didn't know any better... its still the wild wild west... if you like the west coast have you looked at the baja.... I don't know about the costs.. but you can't beat the weather...
morriss003
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Anybody here spent significant time living in New Mexico? My preference for retirement location has been the west coast for a variety of reasons (grew up there/family there, miss the ocean, and personal beliefs, for lack of a better term, are a good fit for the west coast). But it is expensive out there, and I need to prepare for a likely downturn in the economy that may last a while.
I have been reading about New Mexico as a possible retirement destination. While it obviously is missing an ocean
For those who live(d) there, how did you like it? Were there good part-time employment opportunities? How bad was the lightning (I’m petrified of lightning: another reason I want to live on the west coast). Was there a good tennis scene? Are residents welcoming to newcomers? Is it relatively easy to meet people and make friends? Thanks!
PS - probably would be considering Albuquerque, but am open-minded about location.
I lived seven years in southeast New Mexico, and many family members hail from New Mexico. Try Roswell, New Mexico. It is only a little more than an hour's drive to Ruidoso where one of the largest quarterhorse races are found in the southernmost range of the Rockie Mountains.
In addition, the Hondo Valley on the way to Ruidoso has some interesting art galleries on the left, including Peter Hurd's. Ruidoso is an artsy town, but it also is close to Inn of the Mountain Gods, a fine hotel and casino on the Mescalaro Indian Reservation. On the way to Ruidoso is the turn off to Lincoln, the town Billy the Kid made famous with his escape, and where the most significant fight of the range war took place. Billy the Kid is buried about an hour and a half north of Roswell in Fort Sumner.
Roswell has a couple of good art galleries, including the Anderson Museum which features modern art and Roswell Museum which features artists of New Mexico and also contains many of the original materials which Robert Goddard used to build rockets in the 1930's. South of Roswell is a huge runway which was part of an Air Force base, until it was closed in the 1960's. Many out of service planes are parked there due to COVID. There is a small airport with flights to Dallas and Phoenix during normal times.
Roswell is hot during the summer, and fall and temps can fall into the 20's in the winter. You can get snowed in, but that is rare. The area has some light industry, but is still primarily an agricultural area with cotton, alfalfa, and soybeans. There are some very expensive subdivisions and some dirt cheap areas. About half the population is Hispanic. The closest large city is Lubbock, Texas about 170 miles away, and then Albuquerque and El Paso about 200 miles away. Roswell's population is about 48K.
morriss003
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You won't find the braggarts of Texas in New Mexico. I have lived in California (LA Basin and SF), Texas, and Hawaii (presently). If we move it will probably be to New Mexico or El Paso (NM without the braggarts.
Safe Harbour
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Consider Los Alamos
If you're considering NM, I recommend you look at Los Alamos. I grew up there and it's a beautiful part of NM. You have the Mountains and the Desert. I loved hiking from the Jemez Mts (11,000ft) down to the Rio Grande (5,000ft). In one day sub-alpine to Sonoran desert. The second best skiing in the state, only Taos is better. A short drive to Taos or Santa Fe. So the location is ideal. The altitude is 7,200 in the city but down in White Rock you'll get 6,000. More snow in the city and less in White Rock. The reason I recommend considering it is because you get a little out of the crime and resentment you'll find some places. If I was moving back to NM, that's the place I would go. Oh as I remember it summer afternoon thunderstorms in NM had powerful lightening.
If you're considering NM, I recommend you look at Los Alamos. I grew up there and it's a beautiful part of NM. You have the Mountains and the Desert. I loved hiking from the Jemez Mts (11,000ft) down to the Rio Grande (5,000ft). In one day sub-alpine to Sonoran desert. The second best skiing in the state, only Taos is better. A short drive to Taos or Santa Fe. So the location is ideal. The altitude is 7,200 in the city but down in White Rock you'll get 6,000. More snow in the city and less in White Rock. The reason I recommend considering it is because you get a little out of the crime and resentment you'll find some places. If I was moving back to NM, that's the place I would go. Oh as I remember it summer afternoon thunderstorms in NM had powerful lightening.
Sorry for the delay in response; it’s actually been a pretty busy couple of days.
My preference is to stay in the US if possible just because it is familiar to me, and I do have some family and friends here. It feels comfortable. The thought of picking up and moving somewhere that has a different culture, perhaps a different language, and where I don’t know a single person scares me a little. If I had a medical issue or got into some sort of trouble, I wouldn’t have anyone to turn to.
I’m not totally against the expat idea. My plan is to try and stick it out in the US if I can find health insurance and a place I would enjoy living. If the health care situation falls apart here, then I do have a list of countries that I would consider moving to. One other consideration for leaving the country though is expat insurance. I know that it would be hard, if not impossible, to get insurance if you have pre-existing conditions, which could keep me from being able to move to some preferred destinations, or restrict my choices to certain countries with public options and/or incredibly low cost care so I could afford to self fund (and cross my fingers I didn’t get anything catastrophic).
You definitely wouldn’t like the storms in Texas, especially during tornado season. Lightning is the least of your concerns during a tornado warning
Yes, I lived in Texas for 8 years, really liked it there. Except for the horrible T-storms. I lived in south central Texas so we didn’t get many tornado warnings, I only remember two of them during my entire time living there. And other states where I have lived actually had more storms (Oklahoma springs to mind). But there was so much cloud-to-ground lightning in Texas, I was terrified every time there was a storm. If I do go back and buy a house there one day, I am investing in a lightning protection system so I can sleep better at night and not worry so much. I knew too many people whose houses were hit by lightning there.
In Texas thats how people replace old home appliances like Central Air Units, microwave ovens, ceiling fans ect...ect...ect... you just wait until a lightning storm hits and you call the insurance company the next morning... and if the winds were strong you also get a new fence and if hail is there you get a new roof and new glass for your cars... so every couple of years your home and cars are like new again... ;-)
