Chama, NM Jobs (middle-class, sales, vehicle registration) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

uggabugga · 10-12-2011, 07:55 AM

i don't think most people realize how hard jobs are to come by in these small mtn. towns, even in good times. and if you can find one, the pay will likely be pretty pathetic.

debbie at bouontiful · 10-12-2011, 05:46 PM

That is why it doesn't bother me if locals have first choice to a job. I've met such nice people there. I always stay at Corkins Lodge and all I see is very hard workers. They heat those cabins with an outdoor furnace including the swimming pool.

BigFish2 · 10-13-2011, 01:38 AM

I just visited NM for the first time..drove through a good portion of it. Outside of Albuquerque the rest of the state seemd broke. Gallup,NM appeared deserted for the most part...I was supposed to go through Chama but didn't have time. I did look up a lot of the Chama area, and found that tourism is it's #1 industry, which is a small industry at that. If you moved there, you'd have to start up your own business.

debbie at bouontiful · 10-13-2011, 06:10 AM

I agree with most but if you had gone to the center of Santa Fe, you would not see much in the way of poverty. That is a rich city, well from staying in a B&B in the historic district. Not too much of a fan of Albuquerque because it is a big city. I am for the smaller areas. Chama is tourism, logging and the railroad. Last year they lost a few businesses but this year they gained a few. I wouldn't think you would make much at a business in that it would be open during the Narrow Gage Railroad season. They do have a winter area and of course it is a huge hunting area with outfitters. I doubt the hunter is interested in what is for sale in a small store. My opinion only.

joqua · 10-13-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFish2

I just visited NM for the first time..drove through a good portion of it. Outside of Albuquerque the rest of the state seemd broke.

You must have driven through on IH-40, which does indeed traverse a swath of the state that would give that impression. But other cities in NM are hardly "broke," and Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and some smaller towns (lead by Las Alamos) are thriving and still growing in this hard economic time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by debbie at bouontiful

Chama is tourism, logging and the railroad. Last year they lost a few businesses but this year they gained a few...

Anyone contemplating opening a business in a small town in NM should read this article in the Ruidoso News. Unlike Chama, Ruidoso's main industries are tourism, real estate, and gambling.

http://www.ruidosonews.com/ruidoso-breaking_news/ci_19092003

debbie at bouontiful · 10-14-2011, 06:01 AM

If I move there I wouldn't plan on making a living off a small shop. I have one in my home now that I sell through the internet so I may play around with a shop for a year and if it didn't do anything but take my time I'll not do that either.

I met a husband/wife that seemed very unhappy there in their business. They own one of the whole buildings across from the railroad that has several business in it and it was for sale. Every year I am there, I see them still working. Being open seasonal thouogh can't bring in big bucks I would think.. They live upstairs of the building. I think because of the finances is why they're not happy there. So, going to Chama I think volunteer work only.

srhfricke · 10-17-2011, 09:13 AM

Thank you guys for all your answers! My husband wants to teach flight school and give scenic flights but we also want to live in a small touristy town that's why Chama seemed perfect.

jazzlover · 10-17-2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srhfricke

Thank you guys for all your answers! My husband wants to teach flight school and give scenic flights but we also want to live in a small touristy town that's why Chama seemed perfect.

Unless your husband is a very experienced mountain pilot, the mountains of Colorado or New Mexico are no place to be plying the trade. The area has some of the most dangerous mountain flying terrain in the world. A good friend of mine was killed a few years ago near Pagosa Springs while riding with a very good pilot. One small error turned into a fatal crash in a heartbeat for them. I've flown with some of the best mountain pilots in this region. There is no place that the old saying about flying is more true than here: "There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots."

The other little issue is that, unless one is plying the flight school trade in one of the tony resort towns, there are really no people who can afford to fly as a private pilot these days. There are lots of former private pilots in this region who have had to give up the trade/hobby because it is simply unaffordable on what most people make here for an income. Chama, in particular, is one of the most impoverished towns in northern New Mexico/southern Colorado.

DOUBLE H · 10-17-2011, 11:00 AM

Jazzlover is right. And Chama knows about hard times, you bet they do. It was just a few years ago (I believe early February of 2008) they got a massive snowstorm that paralyzed the town. The most noted damage was the towns only grocery store where the roof caved in with a couple people inside. For the reminder (or close to the remainder) of the year the folks in Chama had to travel a ways to buy groceries.

Distance wise, Antonito would be closer but going over 10,230 ft. La Manga Pass is no picnic, particularly in the winter. Plus the fact that Antonito's store is a small mom and pop operation. So their alternative is either Farmington or Santa Fe, obviously a longer drive. I do remember the New Mexico National Guard stationed some people down there regarding this.

Jazzlover, it's been a few years since I've been through there. Have I got my facts right here regarding rebuilding the store? Or was there too much damage and the old store was knocked down?

jazzlover · 10-17-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOUBLE H

Jazzlover, it's been a few years since I've been through there. Have I got my facts right here regarding rebuilding the store? Or was there too much damage and the old store was knocked down?

The new store--the old one was demolished and new store built on the same site--is now a Lowe's chain grocery store--the chain is out of Texas, I believe. The new store is nicer, but the prices are higher. Friends of mine in Chama frequently travel to the supermarket in Dulce (on the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation) or to City Market in Pagosa Springs because the selection of food is better and many prices are cheaper, at least according to what my friends in Chama tell me.