Moving to Alamosa CO (Denver, Colorado Springs: real estate, 2009, amusement park)

[dustyloins]

I just rented a place about 20 miles south of Alamosa (Manassa) CO.....an old timer advised me about a year ago to avoid drinking the water in the area due to the leaching of chemicals and poisons into the water table from the various gold/silver mines......Alamosa was supposed to be building a new water treatment plant to take care of that!!!!

[dansue]

Just looking around at info on the San Luis valley, property and Melby Ranches. I was about to purchase property there but wasn't aware that the water situation was as bad as it sounds. We have a vacation home in the southern NM mountains (9000') and water can be an issue there as well. We lucked out because there is a water association plus we own a valley that has an underground stream - 20' and you have water.

I come to the the San Luis area (sort of) every year when we go to Pagosa, Antonito and the surrounding area and spend a few weeks. I have not experienced the level of cold that is mentioned when we were there but I assume it has to be from the cold settling in the valley vs elevation. The cold is one thing, and I think we can deal with that, but if it is combined with 3,4,5 and 6' of snow then that's something else. I determined this was my last winter for shoveling snow every time I went up or down the stairs. We just returned to our TX home after 3 weeks in Nevada, Arizona and Utah and there is nothing better than coming back to blue sky and 75 degree temps!

Drugs and gangs have been mentioned repeatedly. Do the gangs venture outside of the communities? We would intend to be somewhere that would be semi-remote but I don't want to put anyone at risk due to a remote location. I guess in a nutshell, it sounds like I would be better off just coming to visit vs buying property??

[jazzlover]

I would avoid the San Luis Valley land scams like the plague. If you don't like cold weather, then the SLV isn't for you. The frost free period is about 90-100 days. I've seen it drop into the high 30's on the valley floor in the middle of July. Snow isn't a big issue on the valley floor, but what does fall is apt to stay around for quite awhile. 30 below or lower in the winter isn't uncommon.

People who don't live in the SLV or only spend a limited time there don't usually understand the culture, either. The SLV, particularly the southern counties in the Valley, Costilla and Conejos, are heavily Hispanic--Hispanics that can trace their roots their back way over a century or more. Many families can trace their settlement there back to the Spanish Land grants. A lot of that land was more or less swindled away from their ancestors many years ago by Anglos--there is still a lot of bitterness about that. Costilla and Conejos counties are still two of the poorest counties in per capita and family income in the United States.

As to gangs and crime, I don't think the SLV is much different than a lot of places in Colorado. I don't think leaving a home out in a rural area anywhere in Colorado for months at a time is a good idea. That's just asking for trouble--the SLV isn't any different. I will make the same general statement about the SLV that I do about rural northern New Mexico on the whole culture/crime issue: I've been going there for 40+ years now, and have never personally had a problem, but I'm a long-time rural Coloradan and I can relate to those folks quite easily. If you go there will an affluent yuppie chip on your shoulder, though, it is very likely you will get it knocked off.

I love the SLV and could easily live there myself, but you have to accept it for what it is--and most people can't or won't do that. It very much is an acquired taste.

[mtns&rvrs]

New to City-Data.com... Actually, new to any kind of internet dialogue... I wonder if I have entered this discussion on the correct thread.

Regardless, I am moving to Alamosa in July, 2008.

I have a job in Alamosa, love the cold and hate the heat. I was raised in Massachusetts, but have lived in northern NM for the past 20-odd years. I now relate more to the life-style of northern NM than I do to the lifestyle of the East.

That said, I hope to rent a house in the Alamosa area for the next 6-12 months. If anyone knows of a house to rent in or near Alamosa, I would sure appreciate the info.

[esya]

1. Water issue has been or is being monitored by the state continuously since those headlines. That being said in my opinion the water board is not sufficiently active statewide. It results from large amounts of agricultural uses around Alamosa, probably from fertilization practices not sufficiently monitored, tho that is just a guess.

2. Alamosa is a small town with a growing retail economy for the surrounding area, in particular the San Luis retiree and vacationers and full time residents who have a choice between Alamosa and Taos, which is farther. They grow potatos and I don't know what else. There is a huge amount of religious diversity and summer tourism. There are several large migrant assistance centers in the area also.

3. It has two small colleges and several decent (but growing more economically challenged lately) restaurants. Like the entire country, jobs are scarce in the middle class pay category: you are an owner or a worker. In the valley near Mt. Blanca, there is often a cold wind in the winter and a hot wind in the summer. I myself don't like the weather at any time of the year, and it does not make up for the views unless you want to live inside all the time.

The "culture" issues are more pronounced in the Costilla and Conejos counties where the longterm residents are largely descended from hispanic explorer/settlers and predate any anglos. They (rightfully so, in my opinion) would like to keep it that way. In Alamosa County and Rio Grande County the white rancher/farmers have long since taken over. In Saguache County it is more of a mixed bag. However, don't underestimate the political strength and the representation of this culture in the government sector.

If you want to understand the culture read current modern literature by Mexican writers, South American writers, and the like. I am not too up on authors and titles but there is plenty of stuff out there. If you are moving there, do not disregard this or you will find yourself on the unpleasant end of some big misunderstandings. Also, learn some Spanish, as you would if you went to another country and wanted to be polite: hello, goodbye, excuse me, etc.

I imagine that a retired person who can buy land will experience this area differently than a middle class head of household with a family to support.

[mtns&rvrs]

esya,

I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my post. I am quite familiar with the Southwest Hispanic history/culture. Those roots are more embedded in Spain than in the Americas. Hablo Espanol un poco.

I will be teaching at Adams State starting in August. From what I gather, Adams State could benefit from more cultural diversity. Regardless, I am looking forward to my new life. I love to teach...

For a number of years, I have been interested in La Puente. I assume this is the organization you referred to when addresing immigrants. From my understanding, La Puente is also involved with the homeless and victims of domestic violence. I can see myself becoming involved with this organization.

The main question I have is, where to live when I first arrive in Alamosa? Before I buy a home, I want to be sure that Alamosa is where I want to live and Adams State is where I want to work. Seems that finding a house to rent may be a challenge. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[ucr1999]

I am planning on moving to alamosa to attend school in the fall. I am African-American and would like to know if there are any racial tensions in the community? I've also been looking at purchasing land in the deer valley meadows subdivision, can anyone tell me about the area. I was mostly concerned about the train tracks running through and being able to drill a well. Any info. would be appreciated!

[Susann Cusano]

Reading with ZESTO all the input about the cold: Grew up in New York state the Hudson Valley had wind, damp, cold and snow from October right through and including April!!! Left NY asap and moved to Pensacola, Florida with my family totaling 4, was wonderful swimming in the Gulf and Intracostal waterways my son learned to Surf and Dive my daughter and her husband opened 2 businesses in Pensacola and are holding their own and employing others there to this day.

In 1995 my husband had a job opportunity at Bowling Green Ky we took it and bought a home in the area of Mammoth Cave National Park. Winters are temperate and when we see there is a particularly rough winter ahead we go South to Fort Pickens Campground or Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola area. BL is a national winner for State Parks and Fort Pickens is a MUST SEE!

Now to our next passion San Luis Valley Colorado. DON'T be put off by the scare of cold, yes I agree, financially we must consider the impact of energy costs on our pocketbooks, and it is a lifestyle change for people used to southern climes. We have visited the SLV now for 7 years and the beauty of that area is breathtaking. We found friendly folks from the young wise Hispanic male we met at Walmart who directed us to have our water needs met by tank delivery, to a farmer couple from North Dakota who loved the SLV because "the sun comes out and it warms up in daytime".

The SLV is do able folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't scare away good perspective citizens with your 'survival mode mentalities', today all areas are at risk of spiraling energy costs just look at your CAP N TRADE! Now, SLV has already started solar...we need to expand our lifestyles to include solar and the Valley at its elevation is ideal for the production of commercial AND individual solar projects.

We toured all the towns San Luis, Alamosa, Monte Vista, South Fork, Creede, Del Norte and one was as cozy as the next, the Cottonwood Trees and the Rio Grande are wonderful. The Sangro De Christos are magnificent.

Next summer we will spend time going to Gunnison area and do that loop. I am an RN and I may or may not choose work there my husband is a Hall of Fame Drag Racer who at the age of 76 still has an active NHRA tech license and works at a local raceway Beech Bend Park.

We do not need a million people welcoming us to an area to choose it, but of course, that is always a good thing! Remember our ancestors came to America to escape other hostile countries and their persecutions: and it is good to know there are Native Americans at SLV they have stayed and they have prospered, as well as the Hispanics.

Now, has anyone who has blogged or answered these moving inquiries actually relocated from other states, we are thinking of selling out and making the move to SLV....Thanks! Susann

[jazzlover]

Susann,

I see nothing in your post indicating that you have visited the SLV in the winter. If you haven't, you should reserve comment about how tolerable (or not) winter in the SLV may be. Personally, having lived in cold climates before, I could tolerate it--but most people from warmer climes probably wouldn't. It is not only the very cold temperatures--usually well below zero just about every night in the dead of winter, but also the length of the cold weather in the valley. Summer in the valley is glorious--and when most people visit and get enchanted--but it only lasts about 3 months. Then it's back to brown (unless there is snow on the ground) and cold.

It takes a special temperament to live in the SLV--if you have it, fine. But most people don't. And I don't consider seasonal residents of the valley anything other than long-term tourists. They aren't really part of the place, and most locals don't consider them as such, either.

[DOUBLE H]

Jazzlover is right. No matter whether it is summer or winter, on a clear day that temperature can drop 40 degrees overnight. Like Gunnison and Craig, 15 to 20 below for weeks at a time in January sounds about right.

Come to think about it, maybe 20 to 25 below!