Contract on a House, lots of questions (Albuquerque, Rio Rancho: new house, landscaping)

[chailes]

Hi All,
I know Rio Rancho is contraversial but we just put a contract on a house there. HP is moving me and I wanted to be close to the facility. Driving in traffic is not one of those things I enjoy a lot.
1. Anyone know of a good vet? We have two dogs, a lab and a westie.
2. How about doctors? People that is.
3. Landscapers? The house is great on the inside but needs a lot of help outside and we know very little about xeriscaping.
4. Anythings we should know about that might be gotchas when moving?
5. We have a teenage son, any ideas on how to keep him occupied over the summer?
We should be closing on our house there in June.

See ya there.

[Mike Horrell]

1. Anyone know of a good vet? We have two dogs, a lab and a westie.

No, but there is an excellent boarding facility on 528 North called Zoey's. We've put our cat up several times while traveling and they are great.

2. How about doctors? People that is.

We're still working our way through the local clinic structures and are not overly pleased..

4. Any things we should know about that might be gotchas when moving?

A lot of people seem to misunderstand local property taxes. Do some searching on this forum and you'll find a lot of posts (and opinions) on that.

5. We have a teenage son, any ideas on how to keep him occupied over the summer?

When I was a kid, I always found cheerleaders to be an excellent diversion..

[rybert]

It's a-ok with me. I'm all about people living near their workplace. Commuting isn't necessary!

Do you want to hire a licensed Landscape Architect, or a contractor?

[mortimer]

chailes

> I know Rio Rancho is contraversial ... HP ... wanted to be close ...
> Driving in traffic is not one of those things I enjoy a lot.

It's "controversial" to some because people buy houses "out there"
and commute to Albuquerque ( across the river ) which is kinda nuts.

I don't see how anyone could fault you for wanting to locate close
to where you work - except for rybert. Just ignore his Rio Rancho
rants. Otherwise, he's OK. Nuttier than a fruitcake, but that would
be the pot calling the kettle ....

1. Anyone know of a good vet? We have two dogs, a lab and a westie.

2. How about doctors? People that is.

City-Data has some features for finding that stuff. Just put it in the Search box.

3. Landscapers? The house is great on the inside but needs a
lot of help outside and we know very little about xeriscaping.

Just order a bunch of granite gravel and have them spread it over the
dirt. (I'm assuming you got a new build.) Later, as you get established,
you can go to the nursery and pick up a plant or two every few months
or so. After a few years, no one will know that you didn't spend $10,000
to get it done initially.

If HP is picking up the tab, ask your realtor.
They all know someone reliable who stages their listings.

In any case, don't pay for irrigation. Native-to-the-area plants
don't need any. It's just another headache.

4. Anythings we should know about that might be gotchas when moving?

Google Search - moving advice

Take pictures of your stuff before you move it.
Move really important stuff yourself.

5. We have a teenage son, any ideas on how to keep him occupied over the summer?

It would help if you could describe him. Couch potato? Athelete? Scholar?

[lalahartma]

Some links for you regarding xeriscaping:

Xeriscape Gardens to Visit

XERISCAPE ITEMS

Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority - Xeriscape for Beauty and Conservation

Xeriscape links.

[chailes]

Teenage son is an athlete. We've already gotten him in contact with the local football coach. Just looking for any other ideas. And the person who mentioned cheerleaders, yep he's dated two but they might be hard to find in the summer. So other ideas would be helpful.

Landscaping I think we are looking for someone to come in and help us plan it out. It's not a new house but is a foreclosre and they didn't do much on the landscaping. We can do a lot of the work ourselves but things like building those wall you use as fences I think needs be contracted out. From what I've read it's not a DIY job.

Thanks
Cindi

[rybert]

Hmm... what kind of wall again? Like a CMU wall? Aren't both neighbors equally responsible for the cost of barrier walls? As far as landscaping walls, you can pick-up Adobe brick in the Valley for a buck or so each (I think they're 4"x10"x18"). I think you could handle building a 2-3 foot adobe landscaping wall.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by chailes

I live in Rio Rancho.

We have been using this facility for about 8+ years for our dogs:

Northwest Animal Clinic & Hospital
Michael H. Riegger, DVM, Dipl. ABVP
1000 Alameda Blvd NW
Albuquerque,NM
505-898-1491

Check the Rio Rancho web site: The Official Site of Rio Rancho, NM There are some rec-centers with various activities, three outdoor pools, one indoor pool, a lot of bike paths etc....

Depends on what type of wall/fence you are building. Sometimes it can be cheaper to have it built.

You might go to Purple Sage Garden Centers, 975 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 (505) 891-2600‎. They are just off Southern Blvd East of Unser, behind what was a Sonic... They have been there (Different name) for I guess 30 years. They have always been helpful to us. Here is a map rio rancho nursery - Google Maps




Rich

[AlisonL]

Our vet is:
Corrales Veterinary Clinic
Marcos Gutierrez, DVM
505-899-0999

We like him very well as does our dog.

As for your teenage son, he might like the Aquatic Center. They have several swim teams if that would interest him. There is a skate place also, think it might be ice skating or hockey, not really sure. We have 2 nice libraries.

Welcome to NM. We moved here less than a year ago and love it.

[olaverty]

I too have just closed on a house in Rio Rancho (specifically in Loma Colorado). We will be arriving in July. The backyard is nothing but dirt right now and we will also be looking for landscaping advice. I have seen the website for high desert gardens and was wondering if anyone has any experience with them. We will require design with patio cover and concrete work as well.