curious about NM - 10 questions (Albuquerque, Rio Rancho: transplants, new home, buy)

[k9coach]

I want to move (I live in the Buffalo, NY area, can ya blame me?)

My main gripe about where I live now is that winter is brutally harsh and lasts 6 months.

I have never been to NM, however my husband just inherited several properties in the state (all vacant land, in Taos county and Sandoval county). This gives us an excuse to come scope out NM and consider it as a possible new home state. I have no idea what to expect with the inherited properties, and we may end up selling them. Nonetheless, I am interested in maybe moving to NM...

Here are my questions:

1) Tell me what you can about Taos and Sandoval counties.

2) Are computer programming jobs hard to come by in NM?

3) What do people's yards look like? Do you have grass / lawns? (forgive my ignorance, I have never visited the state or anywhere like it).

4) Are there bugs / insects? If so what types are of concern / cause issues?

5) I would like to learn about any other dangerous wildlife that might pose a threat to my animals (horses and dogs).

6) What kinds of natural disasters are most prevalent in NM and how often do they occur?

7) Is everyone in really good shape in NM? (For some reason I picture you all super attractive and healthy)

8) From what little research I've done so far, I have gathered that weather varies throughout the state. Is elevation the main factor?

9) Is the driving treacherous in NM? Like winding mountain roads? Crazy uninsured drunk drivers? Anything else you can add about driving in NM would be helpful.

10) Do most homes have an inground pool in NM?

I will describe what I am looking for and perhaps you could recommend some areas to scope out for possible relocation:

- I want 4 seasons but can not handle long winters. I love sunshine and can deal with snow and cold for a couple months if the sun is out along with the snow and cold. Hot weather does not bother me, especially if there is low humidity.

- I want small acreage (like around 5 acres) and desire to live in a semi-rural locale, but not isolated out in the boonies. I enjoy living on the border between rural & suburban. I like my space and privacy but don't want to live in the only house for miles around.

I could go on, but I'm lucky if you've made it this far so I'll shut up and let you fine NM folks answer my burning questions now.

[Poncho_NM]

I live in Sandoval county which is 3,714 square miles, about three times larger than Erie county, where you live, which is 1227 square miles.

You might read about Sandoval County, New Mexico - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and Taos county (2,205 square miles) Taos County, New Mexico - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. There is a lot to see and there are different geological features, weather, mountains and deserts, some rivers and forests...


Rich

[caphillsea77]

You really have to go out and visit. I won't answer the questions even though I have some idea of the answers but would rather leave it to the experts that live there already. I'm sure visiting will elicit a clear answer as to whether or not you could live there or not. I went out there for 10 days in the spring and fell in love with it. Taos County is mighty beautiful. It's where the high desert meets the Rockies (Sangre de Cristos to be specific). Taos has a lot of tourists, adobe style architecture, and a lot of artistry. Here are some photos I took while in the area.

[k9coach]

What do the tourists do in Taos?

Those pictures, and the ones in the NM photos thread are remarkable. I have definitely never seen anywhere like that in person.

It is such a big state, there's no way I can get a feel for all of it in one visit. Guess I will see as much as possible in the northern part of the state 1st visit and then maybe do a second visit to see the southern part. It must take forever to drive anywhere (I mean on a see everything type of trip like the one I want to do).

[GregW]

K9 - I suggest you check the New Mexico Tourist web site. Then buy a copy of "Hidden Places in New Mexico" and "Off the Beaten Path in NM". At the same time get a copy of the Benchmark "Road and Recreation Atlas". These, along with statistics from this web site, will provide planning information for a trip(s).

I suggest flying to Albuquerque (rent a car off the airport and save considerable fees) and visiting several of the museums in town as well as taking the Tram for a sunset dinner.

I have visited New Mexico several times and plan on retiring there. Although the winters in southern New Hampshire are not a severe as the Niagara Frontier of Albany where I grew up I have the same fatigue created by cold, wet and snow. Good luck and please keep us posted.

[Zoidberg]

Originally Posted by k9coach

2) Are computer programming jobs hard to come by in NM?

Not any harder than anywhere else, but it bears mention that unless you telecommute or have the land in way southern Sandoval county (Rio Rancho), you're looking at an extreme commute. Northern NM is not a hotbed for computer programming.

3) What do people's yards look like? Do you have grass / lawns? (forgive my ignorance, I have never visited the state or anywhere like it).

For those two counties, the yards look like the photograph. Very few people have lawns as they barely can cling to life in that climate, and water is scarce.

4) Are there bugs / insects? If so what types are of concern / cause issues?

Just like everywhere. You would be leaving behind worse ones.

5) I would like to learn about any other dangerous wildlife that might pose a threat to my animals (horses and dogs).

Rattlesnakes, coyotes (if your dogs are bite size in particular).

6) What kinds of natural disasters are most prevalent in NM and how often do they occur?

Very rarely; blizzards and fires (with resulting floods) are probably all you'd run up against.

7) Is everyone in really good shape in NM? (For some reason I picture you all super attractive and healthy)

Up there, kinda. Overall, not much different from NY.

8) From what little research I've done so far, I have gathered that weather varies throughout the state. Is elevation the main factor?

That's a big one, but location relative to the mountains, and latitude all have a role to play. Taos county is getting plenty of rain. Southern NM is in an extreme drought.

9) Is the driving treacherous in NM? Like winding mountain roads? Crazy uninsured drunk drivers? Anything else you can add about driving in NM would be helpful.

Yes, yes, yes. By treacherous it means if you like to eat breakfast while talking on the cell phone, going 20 over, you're in for trouble eventually. Drunk drivers aren't worst in that part of the state but they do exist.

10) Do most homes have an inground pool in NM?

No, particularly not in northern NM; the swimming season is short, it's rarely hot enough to be a relief, and water is expensive.

- I want 4 seasons but can not handle long winters. I love sunshine and can deal with snow and cold for a couple months if the sun is out along with the snow and cold. Hot weather does not bother me, especially if there is low humidity.

Sounds like anywhere is a step up from where you are.

Come visit. Camp on your land.

[aries63]

Hello and welcome to the forum! I wonder if these plots are near any available water or paved roads, or are they in areas that have become Wild-West shantytowns?

If living in semi-rural areas you should be aware of black widows and rattlesnakes. For some people it's not an issue but other transplants I've known freak out when they find a black widow in the laundry basket, for example. Bites are very rare but can lead to serious complications.

Dryness and dust will probably cause some discomfort and annoyance. Here again, everyone's tolerance varies.

New Mexico weather is conducive to being active outdoors and getting in shape. However ideal weather and fresh air won't get you in shape by magic, and won't stop people from eating the wrong stuff. It takes will power wherever you live.

What do people's yards look like? Whatever imagination and available water allow. You can get very creative.

Here's a google image search on Taos xeriscape. It turns out a lot of these pictures are not Taos, but you get the general idea.

Good luck!

[k9coach]

Thanks for all of the info. so far.

There are 2 lots in Rio Rancho and 1 in Tres Piedras that were left to my husband. I have no idea what to expect.

It may sound stupid to some, but rattlesnakes and black widows don't bother me as much as ticks and mosquitoes!

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by k9coach

3) What do people's yards look like?

Take a tour today.
Use google street view.

Originally Posted by caphillsea77

You really have to go out and visit.

x 2

There is no real substitute for this advice.
I drove all the way from Ohio more than once before making a decision eons ago.
An advantage to driving is that you can visit Denver, Phoenix, and any and all small
towns, big towns, small cities, etc. and compare.

If you don't like hot weather in particular, then go in July.
If you are really trying to escape NY winters, then come this January.

[jazzlover]

Rio Rancho and Tres Piedras are about as different as horses and bowling balls. Rio Rancho is a sprawled suburban enclave adjacent to Albuquerque. Tres Piedras is a near ghost town in the high desert of northern New Mexico. The former may have an agreeable climate if one is looking for a mild (though hot in summer) very arid 4-season climate. Tres Piedras, though arid, has long and cold winters. It may not snow much, but below zero temperatures can occur with regularity. As for jobs, TP has essentially none--essentially no shopping or services, either.