Why does NM appeal to me so much? (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: homes, live)

[joqua]

Originally Posted by cosmicrowbar

...read CD threads and New Mexico newspapers before you come.

Reminds me of how seldom I see any references to our monthly state magazine on the NM forums.

NEW MEXICO MAGAZINE ONLINE

It's also available through subscription for home delivery, at a very reasonable rate. It's a great way for those wanting to "taste the flavors" of the state to do so from their easy chair.

[NCN]

Maybe it is the speed limit. I like New Mexico too. We have driven through several times. Sometimes I drive slower than the speed limit. New Mexico is also beautiful, interesting, and has a lot of diversity in terrain.

I don't know any other state where I can drive as fast and not get a ticket. I enjoyed that.

[DOUBLE H]

Originally Posted by joqua

Reminds me of how seldom I see any references to our monthly state magazine on the NM forums.

NEW MEXICO MAGAZINE ONLINE

It's also available through subscription for home delivery, at a very reasonable rate. It's a great way for those wanting to "taste the flavors" of the state to do so from their easy chair.

Good magazine-I subscribe to it!

Like the other posters have said, best to stay in both cities a few days and really scope out the area. Regarding Albuquerque, there are motels in abundance as it's a Route 66 town. I've done my fair share of traveling throughout the west and their prices are the most reasonable by far. In fact, I'm staying in Albuquerque for a few days during Labor Day weekend.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by cosmicrowbar

Malamute hit it right on the head...come visit, explore, and do it now. Life will only get more complicated as the years go by, and while you're relatively free of attachments, debts, etc. is the perfect time to look at making a move.

So many young people think things will get easier as they get older...have more money, be smarter and more experienced, but in reality when you are young you're in the very easiest and least complicated time of your life. Do some homework first, read about NM and the Southwest, learn some history and some current affairs, read CD threads and New Mexico newspapers before you come.

Come visit, enjoy...stay and live or go back to the midwest, but at least you'll know there was a choice and you made it.

Yes -- it's a whole lot easier to move when moving is just a matter of throwing some of your things into the trunk of your car and waving bye to mom and dad and the siblings and heading on out.

You can try out some place, if it doesn't grab and hold you, you can just as easily throw your few things back into the trunk of your car and try somewhere else. It's fun -- even if you decide you want to return, you'll never forget the experience.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. It's weird because some times for no real rational reason you can find yourself almost pulled to a particular place or direction. You might as well find out what it was all about.

[GregW]

I have had an obsession with New Mexico for 30+ years since I rode through on a cross country motorcycle trip. I am an environmental scientist and have worked in the Northeast for the last 40+ years. I plan on retiring to the Mid Rio Grande valley in a couple of years. I want to experience a dry climate, slower pace, lower COL and being able to ride a motorcycle all year round. I also plan on haunting New Mexico Tech as an unofficial student just to keep my mind busy.

New Mexico appeals just because it is New Mexico. Go there, stay a bit and look around. The appeal may become an obsession.

[joqua]

Originally Posted by DOUBLE H

Regarding Albuquerque, there are motels in abundance as it's a Route 66 town.

Albuquerque and Las Cruces share something in that regard. Both cities are at the juncture of two major interstates:

IH-40 and IH-25 in Albq
IH-10 and IH-25 in L.C.

Which means there are numerous national chain motels and other accommodations to be found in both places. And both are within commuting distance of adjacent metro areas of El Paso and Santa Fe.

[N8!]

Originally Posted by Richmond_Heights_Fella

Guess the title pretty much says it all. I'm in my mid-twenties and have lived in the midwest all my life. While there are great things about the midwest, I want something different. For whatever reason, New Mexico appeals to me. I've never been to New Mexico. Something about the southwest, the mountains, the food, good people, the mix of cultures, the climate, the sunshine, on and on. I'm tired of overcast, depressing winters, and hot, sticky summers. I'm an outdoorsy kind of guy. I love to hunt, fish, and golf. So, I guess the point of the thread is to ask, are my perceptions of the Land of Enchantment correct? What are the some more positives about your state? Negatives (every place has them)? Particularly, Albuquerque and Santa Fe seem to be calling my name. I like medium to large cities, but dislike endless sprawl (which is why I have no desire to move to Phoenix).

Who wouldn't be smitten with New Mexico? I love every single moment of my time here. I mean, where else could a ride my mountain bike on a summer evening and get to witness such amazing scenery?

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by Richmond_Heights_Fella

Guess the title pretty much says it all. I'm in my mid-twenties and have lived in the midwest all my life. While there are great things about the midwest, I want something different. For whatever reason, New Mexico appeals to me. I've never been to New Mexico. Something about the southwest, the mountains, the food, good people, the mix of cultures, the climate, the sunshine, on and on. I'm tired of overcast, depressing winters, and hot, sticky summers. I'm an outdoorsy kind of guy. I love to hunt, fish, and golf. So, I guess the point of the thread is to ask, are my perceptions of the Land of Enchantment correct? What are the some more positives about your state? Negatives (every place has them)? Particularly, Albuquerque and Santa Fe seem to be calling my name. I like medium to large cities, but dislike endless sprawl (which is why I have no desire to move to Phoenix).

I live in Richmond Heights now (well, Clayton actually) and lived in Las Cruces for 6 years, so I can tell you that if you are the outdoor type, this is a critical draw when it comes to allure of moving to the desert southwest. If you like the amenities that St. Louis offers you, a myraid of museums, open public space, in the form of Forest Park, for instance, New Mexico is the anti- St. Louis in almost every way. When I lived in Las Cruces, the shining star is most definitely the landscape. The city itself offered comparatively little in the form of cultural or extra-curriculars. A big exception, however, is the LC farmer's market, compared to what passes for one here in Clayton.

Climate and sunshine: you will love it. How I ever do miss that!

Now the bad: poverty. New Mexico, in general, is a very poor state. However, this poverty is not what you are used to in North St. Louis. This beast is rural poverty, and it's more ravaging than anything in the Ozarks. Albuquerque, like most large cities, has a rather large area of suburban prosperity. Las Cruces is smaller. This may or may not be a factor to you. However, it most certainly was to me when I first moved there from New Jersey.

Missouri is a beautiful state in its own way. I believe all states possess natural beauty. However, the Show Me State simply can't match the dramatic vistas of the Organs, the Sandias, and the Land of Enchantment at large, particularly the western 2/3rds of the state.

[Future Santafean]

I also have felt drawn to or "obsessed" with NM (specifically Santa Fe) for a long time before I ever visited, so I certainly understand where you are coming from. Once I did visit, it just confirmed my feelings, and made the pull even stronger. I agree with the other posters that you really need to visit and see whether the appeal you feel is validated - or not.

After you visit, and if you still feel the same way - I suggest you take the leap and move! Again, as others have said, now is the time to do it, before you get tied down with responsibilities. Once that happens it becomes very tough to relocate. I regret not having moved when I was young. Now, my circumstances are such that I have many years in with my job, great benefits, a decent salary, and I know I couldn't find an equivalent job elsewhere at this point in my life. So, my plan is to take early retirement as soon as it is financially feasible, and then Santa Fe here I come! Trust me though - the waiting is excruciating!!!

What gets me through in the mean time is looking at houses for sale on-line, reading this forum and my subscriptions to New Mexico magazine, and Santa Fean magazine. All are great resources, but there is nothing like being there to really know if it is for you or not.

Good luck!

[lizzytish]

I lived for about 9 months in NM, not far from ABQ and just loved New Mexico. For various reasons I had to go back to the northeast which at this point is just a hectic, overdeveloped part of the country which requires megabucks to fund a comfortable living. I found less arrogance and elitist attitudes while I lived and worked in the Land of Enchantment, unlike the NY/NJ region which judges you based on the clothes you wear, the car you drive and the town you live in.....as well as a host of other factors. And yes, the sunshine in the Southwest is awesome.......I was amazed at how clear the sky is (as opposed to the smog we have here in the northeast).

Does every state have its problems? Of course, so check out where you want to live. I did see rural poverty in the smaller towns, and there is gang activity in ABQ, so it's best to research the area where you wish to settle.