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I hope you don't mind my jumping in on this conversation. I appreciate any honest information about moving to New Mexico as well. I currently live in the Northwest, and I am in need of a sunnier climate.
Questions (particularly for the Albuquerque area):
1) What is the small business/entrepreneurial environment like ?
2) What do typical (i.e., modest) house rentals go for?
3) Are there plenty of people, events, and organizations to keep a creative, educated, and progressive person busy?
4) Would it be necessary to learn Spanish before coming to New Mexico?
5) On average, what is the political climate like?
6) Anything else to consider?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer any of these questions!
Considering a move to New Mexico... Please tell me all about it!
Hello, I am a creative, educated, progressive and non-rich sort of person who is looking into New Mexico for my next move. (I have already lived in Arizona and other points west.) I currently live in the gloomy northwest and my mental sciatica is really acting up. I need sunshine!
Can anyone please tell me what it is really like to live in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Taos or anywhere else you would like to recommend?
What is the sociopolitical climate like? Would it be necessary to learn Spanish? Is there room for small business and the entrepreneurial spirit?
This has been discussed at length in previous threads (searching the forums will work well for these questions), but here's something for someone with a Pacific Northwest perspective:
Sociopolitical climate tends more rightward from most of the left coast; cities tend to be probably middle-of-the-road by PNW standards, and towns and rural areas tend to be very conservative.
Learning Spanish is almost unnecessary anywhere in NM. I heard more Spanish spoken by strangers in Portland than I do on a daily basis in Albuquerque.
Small business and entrepreneurism isn't the mantra the way it is in places like San Francisco or even Phoenix or Tucson.. There is room for new businesses but like most places it depends on the business idea and who is attempting it. There are good resources in this state, particularly for high tech startups, but when it comes to things like business banking, it tends to be a backwater.
You're welcome for the honest answers. As far as the dishonest ones..
Thank you for taking the time to fill me in a little about Albuquerque. I have, in fact, been pouring over the other Albuquerque posts and am finding many dated and sometimes contradictory posts. Also, I haven't found all the answers to my questions yet, so I decided to start a new thread of my own to obtain some up-to-date information. <8O)
1) What is the small business/entrepreneurial environment like ?
Good. Businesses are big on networking here and don't hesitate to give referrals to others they like to do business with. Some decent business resources here - SBDC (Small Business Development Commission), Accion (small biz loans), good basic biz courses via cont. ed. at various locations.
2) What do typical (i.e., modest) house rentals go for?
Check Craigslist for average pricing. I don't suggest renting from Craigslist, though, if you plan to try and pre-rent from afar. You need to meet the landlord/see the property in person.
3) Are there plenty of people, events, and organizations to keep a creative, educated, and progressive person busy?
Depends on what you're looking for. There are several discussions on the board about this, from various posters.
4) Would it be necessary to learn Spanish before coming to New Mexico?
No. And I even work for one firm that specializes in the Spanish-speaking small business market...and they have not asked me to learn Spanish (although I've offered). Much of the Spanish-speaking crowd here seems to consist of families going back generations to the original Spanish land grant days, and they're bi-lingual.
5) On average, what is the political climate like?
I'd have to say moderate overall. Larger cities lean moderate to liberal, rural areas seem more conservative, but not fanatic (well, not like the Deep South or Texas, anyway). For the most part, I've encountered a 'live and let live' attitude from most folks I meet. Nice.
6) Anything else to consider?
We have great weather (4 seasons), lots of sunshine, and a rush half-hour. Except for Balloon Fiesta week and the month of December - ALL the drivers seem to go nuts then and all bets are off. Rest of the year, I think the drivers are OK.
One downside - you cannot get decent Mexican food here, just NEW Mexican, which is very good but not the same thing.
Yes there are quite a few events in Albuquerque to keep a creative, progressive person busy! Please keep in mind UNM is there and so there are a lot of events through that... but also a number of other great events come to ABQ as it is the state's largest city.
I don't know about ABQ's political climate per se but neighboring Santa Fe is quite progressive and liberal (I have a hard time throwing out political labels like that... what might seem liberal to one person may not be to another...) In general I've heard northern NM is a lot more progressive than southern NM.
You do not have to know Spanish to get around fine in NM. To be honest, I speak fluent Spanish and somehow never have to actually use it (unless, on the rare occasion I meet someone actually FROM a Spanish-speaking country who does not speak English).
I hope you don't mind my jumping in on this conversation. I appreciate any honest information about moving to New Mexico as well. I currently live in the Northwest, and I am in need of a sunnier climate.
Questions (particularly for the Albuquerque area):
1) What is the small business/entrepreneurial environment like ?
2) What do typical (i.e., modest) house rentals go for?
3) Are there plenty of people, events, and organizations to keep a creative, educated, and progressive person busy?
4) Would it be necessary to learn Spanish before coming to New Mexico?
5) On average, what is the political climate like?
6) Anything else to consider?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can answer any of these questions!
Hi musicaldogs. If a sunnier climate is what you are seeking, NM is a great option. As for your questions...
1) There are a lot of successful small businesses here and this seems to be a good place to start a business. A friend of mine returned here 1-2 years ago and on a whim started what is now a successful social media marketing consulting firm. Pretty amazing IMO (of course she works nonstop).
2) You'd have to check around especially since we don't know what your housing criteria are (how many bedrooms, garage, etc). Maybe $1000 per month?
3) YES.
4) Absolutely not.
5) You will find everything here. Overall I would say moderate, but I know people who are socialist and others who are in the far religious right (and everything in between). Generally there is a pleasant attitude of tolerance here.
6) It would be wise to visit here before making a decision about moving here.
Good luck to you .
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Considering a move to New Mexico... Please tell me all about it!
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