Moving to Alamosa CO

[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.