Towns of San Luis & Mesita? (Alamosa, Crestone: fit in, crime, college)

[mouskie64]

Hello,

Can anyone tell us more about San Luis & Mesita,please?How far are they from mountains,how is the crime & is there any car-pooling to Alamosa for groceries & medical,not an everyday thing?Thanks!

[jazzlover]

There is very little in Mesita--any major shopping, etc. must be done in Alamosa. San Luis is picturesque and close to the Sangre de Cristo mountains. San Luis, and much of the southern San Luis Valley can be VERY difficult to live in if one is not a native, and native Hispanic in San Luis, in particular. Costilla County is one of the poorest counties in Colorado (and the United States). Jobs are scarce and pay is poor.

I have numerous friends in the San Luis Valley, and I'm down there quite a bit. That said, it is very much an acquired taste, and not too many "outsiders" manage to fit in there. The culture, the economy, and climate (very cold high desert) can best be described as "rigorous"--most people don't adapt. It's one reason the area has not grown much and is still relatively unspoiled.

[mouskie64]

Thank You for your reply!We are white,will that be a huge problem?You said it can be VERY difficult there,I hope we would be safe?Then,I think,well further South is New Mexico & there are white folks there that make it.

[Idunn]

At least as I define it the San Luis Valley runs from north of Villa Grove, CO to south of Taos, NM. All high desert terrain, yet the climate varies quite a bit. The weather, and particularly the culture and social aspects of the towns.

Due its size, and also college, Alamosa, CO tends to be more cosmopolitan than surrounding communities. Although that a relative thing, and within Colorado they tend to be somewhat conservative farming and ranching towns. San Luis, CO is not only small but isolated so traditions remain stronger. Crestone, CO, however, is also small and even more isolated but has an entirely different aura. Metaphysical might best describe it, and in that sense it shares far more in common with Taos, NM than any other town in the San Luis Valley.

The towns within New Mexico generally have a different flavor than those of Colorado, even if all sharing the same large valley. Weather charts will probably bare this out, but Taos surely enjoys a more moderate climate than Alamosa. They are even more dissimilar culturally. In short, San Luis may be exactly where you want to be, but it is not just another spot on the map and your experience will be different from one community to the next. In some cases dramatically.

[mouskie64]

Thanks,Idunn you all have been very descriptive & very helpful!We just can't wait to be closer to all of that pure beauty,in which we are very lucky to have!

[Sockeye]

The San Luis Valley actually ends at Questa, N.M. or about 25 miles north of Taos.