Moving to S.W. N. M. (Mesilla, Reserve: 2009, buy, permit)

[6 FOOT 3]

Here's some rental/property news for you Fuzzy...... and that is the Copper industry is hurting now because of the bad economy as they are laying off 600 mine workers in Silver City as they may relocate elsewhere for employment and that would make make more housing and apts etc...available which should lower rental prices in the area there.

[fuzzy222222000]

Temperature,
Well, I do like to be warm. I have experience in 100degree weather and, as long as it isn't humid I do great. Houston was worse than San Antonio because of the humidity. Idaho was over 100 a lot in summer, but with only 15% humidity. Mississippi and Louisiana would get to 98, with 99% humidity and it definitely sucked. The Yucatan of Mexico and Belize (near the coast) both had high humidity but I was young and making money so I endured. I agree....humidity sucks.

I am aware that the whole economy of NM is not high....a major attraction for me. Ohio is suffering from high unemployment....about 7.3 if all the truth was told, and growing as there are some more major layoffs coming. The problem that you should all realize is that we have not hit bottom yet. Next year will be far worse than this one. There is little that the new guy in office can do to stop what is going to happen, and nothing will repair the damage already done.

I want my next move to be my last one. Someplace I can live out what is left in relative comfort and security. Since I left the farm I've never lived in one place more than 5 years. I'm hoping that I will finally find that place where I can feel comfortable staying. Much of my moving around was job related in one way or another....except moving here to Ohio, which was because of my daughter. Now I can choose a place based on the things I want in my environment, not job opportunities. SW NM attracts me because of the climate, geography/geology, and culture.

I'm pleased that I found this list, and made the decision to start this thread. Those of you who have lived in other places know that, setting aside family issues, some places fit our total being better than others. I've always maintained that, as we go through life, we find out more of what we are not...and what is left is what we are. I'm pretty well down to the essentials now. I just want to be warm, dry and happy.

Jayson

[voodoo_pork]

It's actually pretty refreshing to see someone who wants to move out to the Southwest to be relatively secluded. I've lived here for two years and all I see is people wanting to create the Midwest in the desert: lawns, trees, and cars.

Just realize that when you move to the desert: It's the desert.

[fuzzy222222000]

Originally Posted by voodoo_pork

It's actually pretty refreshing to see someone who wants to move out to the Southwest to be relatively secluded. I've lived here for two years and all I see is people wanting to create the Midwest in the desert: lawns, trees, and cars.

Just realize that when you move to the desert: It's the desert.

I used to laugh at that when I lived in San Antonio. All the houses built in New England style, green lawns and flowers.....all using precious water to maintain from a dying aquafir.

I had friends who owned old ranch houses out in the country. They had no A/C yet were comfortable all year because they were properly built with double roofs and wide porches...surrounded by shade trees. Many were of native stone and that helped.

I lived in Oregon and you couldn't ask for a greener place to live. I want to live in the SW as it is, not with a green lawn and non-native flowers. I'm planning on using native material and technology to build a home that blends in with the environment and is efficient.

That's why I was asking about the SW Beehive fire enclosures. I've read that they are very efficient (when properly built) and they certainly are pretty to look at.

It is funny...my daughter and I have the same attitudes. She moved into a new apartment (now that she has graduated) and has not put up any of her "stuff", leaving it bare. I mentioned this to her and her reply was on point. I haven't put up anything in my home either. Neither of us wants to "nest" here...we know it is only temporary. Such a lovely smart daughter. Both her and her husband are looking for jobs in England now. They would like to be employed before they actually get there. He is even talking about a Masters in Mechanical Engineering while he is there. This from someone who has never been out of Ohio.

Well, it is rainy and cold here today. A little like Oregon this time of year. Bet it is sunny and nice in SW NM.

Jayson

[fuzzy222222000]

It is 4 damn degrees here this morning....with wind chill to -20.....

I can't do this another winter.

Even my cat is cold.

[6 FOOT 3]

Well it is a bit chilly today as it's only about 40 degrees but the sky is clear blue and we have yet to have any snow below the mountains so far this winter in southern new mexico. Knock on wood .

[shanedog]

No worries fuzzy, if it does get cold here it usually doesn't last more than a couple of days. And our definition of cold is much different than that of Ohio.

You might look into the Mimbres/San Lorenzo area, the Hillsboro/Kingston area, the Winston/Chloride area, there are truly a great number of areas to consider, to do what you're doing.
When you make the loop from Magdalena to Silver, stop in for lunch at the little cafe/gas station/store in Alma and order the red enchiladas. You'll be glad you did.

[VTgrrl9]

Hey guys--

I just wanted to say thanks for all of your thoughtful posts about NM. I'm relocating out there in '09 from VT and some of the information has been really valuable.

I'm torn between moving to Silver City and the Taos area. Those really pull at me--I've spent time in Taos but the snowfall might be too much. I'm leaving Vermont precisely because of the winters--though I ADORE it here. Just can't take the cold and dreary winters anymore. I'm not a cold-weather person at all.

How are the Taos roads out there after the snowfalls? I can handle snow if it's sunny but icy? Nah, no thanks.

I'm a Tarot reader and Reiki healer and want to establish a practice out there. I've been pretty successful in VT but need a wide-reaching community out there to make it.

I haven't visited Silver City yet but the climate is very appealing. I'm half-Mexican and need the sun! No more East Coast pallor for me.

If anyone is considering moving to Vermont or New York City, I'd be happy to answer any questions! I've lived in both for over a decade.

[fuzzy222222000]

The weather is certainly 'freaky' here. It was 68 yesterday here in mid Ohio......go figure. But my lake didn't completely melt.

I'm considering buying a travel trailer to bring to NM. That way I can have a place to live while I'm trying different locations. Plan "A" is to buy some land and live in the trailer while I build a home out of native material using native technology (supplemented by the latest in understanding of 'off the grid' living). There are some interesting new Solar technologies that will work if I plan ahead. From watching the Weather Service reports I can tell that Wind Energy will also be useful. I try never to put all my 'eggs' in one basket.

I'm seriously considering starting my 'adventure' in Magdalena. From there I can explore west to Reserve, south to Silver City then Lordsburg. Continuing south to Rt 9 and east to Columbus. Then head over to Las Cruses and up US 85 and I25 to Socorro and back to Magdalena. I'm figuring on about a year for that journey (including side trips) and then I can make an informed decision on where to buy/build.

I'm also checking out other possibilities that were brought up here.

One of my concerns is the availability of good water outside settled communities. I've noticed that there are a lot of Hot Springs in SW NM. I LOVE to soak in a hot sring...much better than a hot tub for the soul. With that much geothermal activity I'm interested in maybe harnessing that for my own needs somehow. In Idaho, the old Grand Homes are all heated with geothermal. I've lived in other countries (the Azore Islands) where geothermal was used extensively. Something to explore.

Hope y'all had a good holiday season.

Jayson

[6 FOOT 3]

On your loop journey make sure to check out the many 1800's Ghost and Mining towns in the Mogollon Mountains along your route like Mogollon, Georgetown, Kingston, Hillsboro, Winston and Chloride.

Other interesting places to visit in the loop are the ancient Mogollon culture at the Gila Cliff Dwelling's, Lake Roberts, City of the Rocks, Old Mesilla, 1880's U.S. Cavalry Fort Selden and Fort Craig.