The Albuquerque Area and New Mexico Like/Dislike Thread (Santa Fe: purchasing, earthquakes)

[AlisonL]

I find that most people in NM are very friendly and helpful. Some of you must hang out in the wrong spot or give off bad karma.

[catman]

I'm sure that there are places in NM which are distinctly unpleasant to be in, just like there are in any other state. Most of it is delightful, but I wouldn't want to live in the crummy places.

[lemon&lime]

Yes I've said this over & over, that NM is not as friendly as Texas..........people either disagree or say New Mexicans don't want to be nice to others the way Texans are because that's "fake"...... I'm sorry, what a crock.....

Originally Posted by Mikle

I haven't read all responses but as a native New Mexican who has lived in Texas and currently reside in California, I would say New Mexicans, in general are not friendly. At least, not initially or outwardly. However, once you establish some connections you are treated like family. I noticed the difference after living in Dallas and returning to Albuquerque and it was quite a contrast (people in Dallas were very friendly). I think people in NM just take a bit longer to warm up to newcomers or strangers but eventually show their true hospitality. I don't find Californians especially warm either but are quicker to say hello and smile...part of being superficial ;-) I can say that, I've been here for 25 years and have lived in the south and the north.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by lemon&lime

Yes I've said this over & over, that NM is not as friendly as Texas..........people either disagree or say New Mexicans don't want to be nice to others the way Texans are because that's "fake"...... I'm sorry, what a crock.....

Perhaps what you're seeing is a traditional cultural difference between Westerners and Southerners. The archetypical Westerner is the strong, silent type who speaks through his actions. Maybe what you're thinking of unfriendly is just folks being a bit reserved. Nothing wrong with that.

[marmom]

In my experience Texans are extremely congenial and loquacious, which might be part of that Southern culture mentioned by CAVA1990. This certainly equates to a friendly atmosphere. Overall I find New Mexicans to be very friendly too, but a bit more reserved than Texans. Similar to many places in the midwest. In my experience people in the midwest are stoic, but will always help you if you need it, and will talk to you if you are interested in talking. It's just not a conversation filled with big smiles and animation like you see in the South.

[loborick]

My GF is originally from Wisconsin and most recently lived in Denver before moving to Santa Fe. She loves it here and feels right at home. She feels people are so friendly and giving. We went to a tailgate before the Lobo basketball game yesterday. She didn't know but a couple of people but she couldn't stop talking about how friendly everyone was and home much she felt at home.

[Townandcountrygal]

Originally Posted by loborick

My GF is originally from Wisconsin and most recently lived in Denver before moving to Santa Fe. She loves it here and feels right at home. She feels people are so friendly and giving. We went to a tailgate before the Lobo basketball game yesterday. She didn't know but a couple of people but she couldn't stop talking about how friendly everyone was and home much she felt at home.

How long has she lived here? We do not live in Santa Fe but after one year we discovered all the reasons why we do NOT want to be here. Hope it works out for your girlfriend.

[Townandcountrygal]

It says something that this thread is still going. I still agree with Pinkky--it's time to get out of here! Where you live in the Land of Entrapment DOES make a difference. We live in the country. I'd like to think that living in Santa Fe might have been a better fit. But, regardless of location, you would encounter the frustrations of dealing with the overall lack of work ethic, incompetent and corrupt judicial and other gov. agencies, and lack of a sufficient number of well trained physicians to serve the population. I am so ready to move back to the Pacific Northwest.

[Debzherenow]

I think it has a lot to do with what type of person you are, what type of life you've lived, and what you are expecting after you move.

I grew up in Milwaukee, WI and never really felt like I belonged. I moved to a very small town at the age of 38 and loved it. We were still close enough to drive to Milwaukee or Sheboygan if needed. Also lived in a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere for a year which drove my sister nuts when she visited. She asked if I watched the corn grow for excitement!!

I moved to a tiny village of 592 after a breakup. The closest city was about 15mi in either direction. One had a population of 7500, the other 3300. We usually drove an hour if we wanted to shop 'til we dropped. For medical needs, specialists visited the rural clinics once or twice a month.

My almost 18yr old daughter and I now live in a bedroom subdivision near a city of about 60,000. It's getting too expensive here and since we have to move anyway we figured we'd get out of the area we both dislike.

I think we'll be very happy in small town NM with a larger city about an hour away. It sounds just like home without the tornadoes, bugs, humidity, arctic blasts, and 30" snowfalls. We even have Bluffs in Coulee Region WI so the mountains will just be bigger bluffs!!

[loborick]

Originally Posted by Townandcountrygal

How long has she lived here? We do not live in Santa Fe but after one year we discovered all the reasons why we do NOT want to be here. Hope it works out for your girlfriend.

She's lived here for 1 1/2 years. Some people just don't belong in some places. You try and make it an indictment of New Mexico, but it is always a variety of reasons, some your own making. I hope you'll be happier where you go. My GF and I are enormously happy here.