Looking for a cooler climate! (Santa Fe, Farmington: tornadoes, live, cost of living)

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by rruff

Yes... and it's important to remember that the winter/summer extremes are less at the lower latitudes, even though the yearly averages are about the same.

Yes.

Temperature is one thing. People are sometimes shocked with the winds...

Some trivia the lowest temperature recorded at regular observing stations in New Mexico was –50 °F at Gavilan on February 1, 1951. Gavilan is in Belen and about in the middle of the state, South of Albuquerque...


Rich

[stubby64]

We enjoy downhill, I have never tried cross country. We wouldn't mind an hour drive to the slopes, right now it takes 9 hours. We have had 47 days over 100 and 16 of those were over 110 with 30 mph wind and high humidity. I have been looking at the Ruidoso area but was wondering if it is cool enough. It wouldn't take much to be an improvement over what we are use too.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by stubby64

We enjoy downhill, I have never tried cross country. We wouldn't mind an hour drive to the slopes, right now it takes 9 hours. We have had 47 days over 100 and 16 of those were over 110 with 30 mph wind and high humidity. I have been looking at the Ruidoso area but was wondering if it is cool enough. It wouldn't take much to be an improvement over what we are use too.

If you enjoy downhill (or x-country for that matter), keep in mind that Ruidoso/Ski Apache is so far south that they rarely have a really good season.

They have snowmaking, but it is only on about 30% of the mountain, and with the usually warm temperatures, it melts off fast.

Back in the 1970s-80s, they very often had great seasons, and ample snow. But after the mid-80s or so, we started going to CO because the snow was so unreliable.

We went from West Texas for years until that point.

I lived nearby in Alamogordo for 4 years (2007 until this past June). Out of those 4 years, there was one GREAT ski season. It was so good that even little Cloudcroft (which isn't all that great of a ski area, but it's fun) opened year before last.

So, if skiing is important to you, I'd look elsewhere. If not, Ruidoso is a really neat (if touristy) place. I've always loved it.

[Jim Mac]

What about Taos?

[joqua]

Taos (the town) would be a good living choice for those seeking diverse skiing experiences since it has a selection of ski areas within "reasonable" driving distance. Taos ski area being considered the premier experience.

As Cathy said, Ruidoso is VERY iffy in recent years. The only thing that has saved it from total disaster is the ability to make snow when it gets cold enough. But the area has been very poorly managed in the past few years, another factor driving experienced skiers away.

[rruff]

Originally Posted by stubby64

We enjoy downhill, I have never tried cross country. We wouldn't mind an hour drive to the slopes, right now it takes 9 hours. We have had 47 days over 100 and 16 of those were over 110 with 30 mph wind and high humidity. I have been looking at the Ruidoso area but was wondering if it is cool enough. It wouldn't take much to be an improvement over what we are use too.

Temperature data here: New Mexico

Anyone who complains about heat in Ruidoso is a real wimp. If it ever gets up to 90 (which is rare) the humidity is in single digits. Highs of ~80 are typical in the summer.

But... the snow is good about every other year. And they have had a bad habit of closing the forest *completely* for a couple months every spring/summer when it's dry... so no hiking on public lands. That goes for the entire Lincoln Forest, so Cloudcroft has the same problem.

People who recommend Taos... he said "affordable*... so that is out. But you could draw a circle that is ~ 30 miles around Taos and see what you hit. You will be looking at small towns with pretty rough winters, but that might be ok with you. I think somewhere in that area is your best bet.

[ognend]

Originally Posted by stubby64

My wife and I can retire from teaching in five years and are looking for a place to relocate that is a lot cooler than Oklahoma. We will both be in our early 50's and love the mountains. Looking for low crime and a reasonable cost of living. We really enjoy being outdoors hiking and skiing. Any suggestions on possible locations would be appreciated.

Silver City. You are next to 3 million acres of a forest and mountains.
OD

[catman]

The main difficulty I have with deciding where to move in NM is the seasonal range. The lack of humidity makes for wide seasonal and diurnal differences, but I love the low humidity! If the summer is pleasant, the winter is too cold, and if the winter isn't too cold, the summer is too hot. But the wide diurnal range is a lifesaver IMO; the day may be very hot but it cools off at night, and if the night is very cold, the day warms up considerably. I'd have to say that Ruidoso and Silver City both have nearly ideal climates: a little too cold in winter and a little too hot in summer, but not by much either way.

[Franklin847]

Go to Alaska, its cooler there. ENJOY

[Cathy4017]

It is very pleasant up here in the NW today....now 83 (85), and there is a 60% chance of showers and TS later on this afternoon. It has rained every evening/during the night for the past 3 days.

That beats the tar out of Midland's 99, though Alamogordo isn't too bad right now at 88 (92).

Alpine/Marfa/FD are nice right now, too. Their hottest months are over.