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Hello gang. I will be living in Phoenix shortly due to employment reasons. I stated on the recent "Moving from ABQ to Prescott" thread how much I prefer New Mexico for recreational and cultural purposes. Despite being Caucasian, I have no issues with the multicultural aspects that your state embraces with the Natives and Hispanics.
With that said, I have only spent time along the I 40 corridor. Specifically ABQ and Gallup. Gallup gets a bad rap it seems but love the diverse cultures, weather and scenery there. Think the Zuni's are awesome too.
I have tried researching other areas of the state to potentially have a second home within 2-3 hours of ABQ. I want rural smaller town since my hope is for a "getaway from PHX." I've considered areas around Farmington and Espanola as well. Never been to either but intrigued by what I've researched.
So I guess it comes down to this. If you had the choice, where would you prefer to spend occasional free time ? Gallup, Farmington or Espanola ? Maybe you have others suggestions as well. I have no interest in anywhere east of the mountains either. Thanks a lot !
If you driving, of the 3 you mentioned I'd pick Gallup, in part because of less driving usually means you'd actually go more often. Or Grants.
But personally I'd probably pick Glenwood, Eagar AZ, Reserve or Magdalena NM. If you were ok with smaller places. If you want somewhat larger, maybe look at Silver City.
If you opt for the Farmington area, look into Aztec or a bit north of there.
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I know Farmington is the most expensive of the three places to purchase real estate. Since a lot of big shots in the drilling industry are up there, that jacks up the prices. Plus, being near Durango too.
I've heard a lot of good things about Silver City as well.
Issue I'm seeing with Gallup area is just lack of real estate . All the reservations up that way make it tough to find decent places at reasonable prices it seems since you can't purchase on the res.
Have you considered the areas north of Albuquerque in Sandoval County, like the Jemez Mountains? There is plenty of Indian and Hispanic culture up that way along with plenty of recreational opportunities. Towns like Cuba, Jemez Springs, Cochiti Lake, etc. They get a lot of snow in the winter, though. But it seems perfect for what you want.
Or south of Albuquerque in the little villages and towns along the Rio Grande all the way down to Socorro? Places like Veguita, Lemitar, etc. As was mentioned, there's also Magdalena west of Socorro, or Socorro itself as a little bit bigger town.
There's less Indian culture (more Hispanic) in those areas along the Rio Grande but plenty of opportunities to experience nature and wildlife. Recreation is possibly not as good as north of Albuquerque, but down there you are closer to Elephant Butte and the recreational opportunities in southwestern New Mexico.
Actually, further south you might even consider Truth or Consequences and the surrounding area. There, you'd really be close to Elephant Butte and southwestern New Mexico.
With that said, I have only spent time along the I 40 corridor. Specifically ABQ and Gallup.
I have tried researching other areas of the state to potentially have a second home within 2-3 hours of ABQ.
So I guess it comes down to this. If you had the choice, where would you prefer to spend occasional free time ? Gallup, Farmington or Espanola ?
Neither.
Quote:
Originally Posted by magnum0417
Maybe you have others suggestions as well. I have no interest in anywhere east of the mountains either. Thanks a lot !
My choices, more or less in order of preference:
Jemez Springs, NM - 60 miles, 1 hour 15 mins
Madrid, NM - 47 miles, 1 hour. (Yes, it is east of Sandia Mountain)
Grants, NM - 78 miles, 1 hour 30 min.
Las Vegas, NM - 122 miles, 2 hours
If you consider Silver City, NM - 236 miles, 4 hours, 30 min. then I would consider Las Cruces, NM - 224 miles 3 hours, 30 min. (which is 36 miles, less than an hour to the El Paso Airport), or Raton, NM, - 230 miles, 3 hours, 30 min, which I would prefer.
I have been to all the places several times over the past 12 years while living in the ABQ area, and have casually considered retiring there (but I will most likely stay put in Rio Rancho)...
I'm going to echo the advice about looking into Silver City - it's easily one of my favorite small cities in New Mexico, and is (geographically, at least) right between Albuquerque and Phoenix. Some of my other favorites in the Western half of New Mexico include Jemez Springs (beautiful, but a bit out of the way coming from Phoenix), and Magdalena, which has also been mentioned. The town of Magdalena itself isn't as nice, though it is pleasant. But the countryside around there is some of my favorite in the world.
Jemez Springs, NM - 60 miles, 1 hour 15 mins
Madrid, NM - 47 miles, 1 hour. (Yes, it is east of Sandia Mountain)
Grants, NM - 78 miles, 1 hour 30 min.
Las Vegas, NM - 122 miles, 2 hours
If you consider Silver City, NM - 236 miles, 4 hours, 30 min. then I would consider Las Cruces, NM - 224 miles 3 hours, 30 min. (which is 36 miles, less than an hour to the El Paso Airport), or Raton, NM, - 230 miles, 3 hours, 30 min, which I would prefer.
I have been to all the places several times over the past 12 years while living in the ABQ area, and have casually considered retiring there (but I will most likely stay put in Rio Rancho)...
Rich
Madrid and Las Vegas, NM, while both nice places, are east of the central mountain ranges, which the OP said is a no-go. As for Grants....eh, again, the area around Grants is very pretty...but it's one economically depressed place.
Madrid and Las Vegas, NM, while both nice places, are east of the central mountain ranges, which the OP said is a no-go. As for Grants....eh, again, the area around Grants is very pretty...but it's one economically depressed place.
Yes, the OP said "I have no interest in anywhere east of the mountains either." and I commented on Madrid. OP also said "2-3 hours of ABQ" and then said "I've heard a lot of good things about Silver City as well." which is 236 miles, 4 hours, 30 min away...
So, trying to show some other possible options to consider...
Rich
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