Farmington (Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho: real estate, apartments, condos) - City-Data Forum

councilor j · 03-03-2006, 11:26 PM

I lived in Farmington for 2 years and i would never go back,I couldnt wait to get out of there,The crime rate is high,lots of drugs,and the people are the rudest I have ever seen in New Mexico and I've lived in Portales,Clovis,and Albuquerque. Honestly I feel safer at night in Albuquerque than I did in Farmington.I had my car broken into,my apartment broken into twice and also someone tried to steal my car.Another bad thing about Farmington is all the drunk drivers, that place is bad about that.In my opinion,if you are searching for a decent sized place to live in N.M. then I would chose Rio Rancho or Las Cruces since every other town its size or smaller has more crime.Las Cruces is very safe and has perfect weather and palm trees and is only 45mins. from El Paso which is also one of the safest cities in the Nation.

Crackerjack · 05-13-2006, 03:23 AM

I know Farmington really well and it is an industrial city with lots of shopping and businesses. There are a lot of oil workers and such so it has a rough edge to it but I know that a lot of higher class people live there too in rich niche neighborhoods like Paso Robles and the like with chic large homes hanging off of mountainsides and cliffsides. You will also see drunks and homeless people walking downtown. It is like two different worlds. So it depends on your income there, if rich you can live in the paradise world of Farmington, if not, I'd look at Las Cruces. Someone mentioned about Taos, Durango, CO, north of Farmington, is a nice city much like Taos not as expensive but headed that way fast. Durango is building like crazy with condos and apartments everywhere so you can get into an apartment pretty easy but houses are high priced. Durango also has stores like a large Walmart, Home Depot and malls and such with lots of shopping. I also noticed that they want a healthy place, Durango is one of the top most healthy cities in America and that is why many pro bike riders live there and there are many health type stores and health food stores there.Taos is more artsy and a skiers type of town. So to some it up, if you have the money, Farmington or Durango,CO or Taos, if not, Las Cruces. Las Cruces is a cheaper place to live and it depends on what climate you like, palms - Las Cruces, pines - Durango, Taos, not anything but sagebrush - Farmington.

Mark S. · 05-15-2006, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertsportsman

Well, I lived in Portales, Hobbs-Lovington, Eunice, Roswell, Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and Los Alamos.
If I were to everrrrrrrrrrrr move back I would live In Los Alamos. Its the safest town, crime wise in the state. However a little more costly than some. Good schools and healthcare.
We left the state three years ago.

I'd concur with that.

If you're wanting to get away from the drugs and crime, definitely stay away from Farmington, Roswell, and Albquerque. Even Clovis and Portales have a growing drug problem. I grew up in Portales, and the crime rate there for such a small community is startling.

Sooner-On-The-Move · 09-19-2006, 08:14 AM

Does anyone have any opinions on the general quality of life in Farmington? What kind of town is it?

finmqa1 · 09-19-2006, 09:58 AM

Actually the whole Four Corners region is quite nice. In Farmington you have 4 cities/villages; Farmington, Aztec, Bloomfield, Shiprock being the biggest. There is plenty of shopping the schools seem to be good, and if you like the outdoors WOW what a place. You have world class trout fishing below Navajo Dam (aka Quality Waters), plenty of areas to hunt nearby in the San Juan Mountains, there is Navajo lake if you into fishing, boating, and water skiing. Durango is only 45 min away and that place is beautiful, plus if you enjoy snow skiing/snowboarding what a great resort. Very nice galleries, and restaurants there as well. And if you like golf you have Pinon Hills in Farmington which in my opinion is a top 5 in NM, but when you toss in how inexpensive the course is I might move it into #2.

kel · 09-24-2006, 02:55 PM

I am considering a move to the Farmington area. I understand the population is about 40,000. What is the crime rate and is there a serious drug problem in the area? What would be the average cost for a 1600-1800 square foot home in a safe neighborhood? What are housing costs in Aztec? Is it a safer community than Farmington? How far is Aztec from the Four Corners power plant? Any information posted about Farmington/Aztec would be appreciated.

Informer · 09-24-2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kel

I am considering a move to the Farmington area. I understand the population is about 40,000. What is the crime rate and is there a serious drug problem in the area? What would be the average cost for a 1600-1800 square foot home in a safe neighborhood? What are housing costs in Aztec? Is it a safer community than Farmington? How far is Aztec from the Four Corners power plant? Any information posted about Farmington/Aztec would be appreciated.

Greetings,

I just returned form a trip up to Grand Junction, CO and drove back through Moab, UT though Shiprock and Farmington, NM.

From what I observed I wouldn't want to live in the Farmington area - Aztec appeared to be a nicer area but only marginally. I observed the power plant and it appeared to be commuting distance from Aztec maybe 30 miles. Bloomfield was pretty bad, mostly gas and oil field support industries providing jobs and just a general run down looking area - didn't get a warm and fuzzy feeling driving through the area. The region is also dominated by Navajo Nation and a big event was going on at Shiprock.

Interesting place to visit but I would imagine it being a difficult place to have a quality life in my opinion.

Cheers

Crackerjack · 09-24-2006, 09:22 PM

Kel, Farmington is in a very desert area, so is Bloomfield and Aztec. Aztec will be greener but around it is desert. Farmington is near the Navajo Nation and there are a lot of Navajos there. If I lived there, I'd live in the north or east end of Farmington, avoid the west and south ends. It does have a lot of stores for New Mexico. I prefer Durango. A much better city to live. It is green and in the mountains. You might also check into Cortez and Pagosa Springs. Pagosa has pines and in the mountains. Cortez is ranch country with ranches.

kel · 09-25-2006, 09:45 PM

Thank you everyone for posting information. I just found out a friend of a friend recently purchased a house in Farmington for 350k and I guess it's in a newer development. It sounds like I would need to plan on spending at least 300k. I lived in the Yuma AZ area for several years, so I am used to the desert. Quality of life is the most important issue. All of the posts give me a lot to think about. I will check out the local paper website. I appreciate all of the replies.

Cathy4017 · 10-11-2006, 08:24 AM

Los Alamos is a very nice place to go to.

Well, after a lot of research....and having taken the paper for a few months, there are a few things that make me very uncomfortable. This is strictly MY OPINION....and may or may not have any basis in fact. So, having said that, here goes.

For one, the entire area depends on Los Alamos National Laboratory....and their funding has been cut, keeps changing, et al.....they're getting ready to lay off a number of subcontractors, and the number ranges from 350 to 600.

Is this just editorial hype, or does this sort of thing always hang over the town? It's sort of unsettling to think what would happen if the lab REALLY seriously cut back.

I get the feeling that the area is spoiled rotten from the traditionally high government funding for the salaries to which they are accustomed. I wonder how they would cope should much of this dry up? Would LA become more or less a ghost town?

There are always articles on contamination/cleanup/projects that need to be done.

The real estate is very expensive, because they are basically landlocked, and there is not much room for expansion. You will pay at least $200K for a matchbox, crammed in on all sides by other matchboxes. There are some gorgeous, gorgeous homes that are not condos......with prices ($375-600K) to match.

They have two things that I consider just really great--an aquatics center and a ski area right there. It was those two things that initially led me to check the area out seriously.

The other upsides are the low crime rate (easy to see why, but I won't get into that here) and the passion that so many of them seem to have for the area. They all seem to be very involved in their community.

The elevation and the stunning natural beauty of the area are definitely a draw.

Having to drive everywhere else to get major services is not.

They sent me a relo packet for which they charged $10. It was nothing to write home about. I guess they really don't want to encourage any more people moving in.

I got excellent, very much more informative and helpful packets from Las Vegas and Farmington.

I talked to an agent in Farmington the other night, and she is to send me some listings. I hope to go out sometime after Christmas.