Silver City and area (Las Cruces, Gallup: how much, home, find a job)

[brian_2]

If I can sell my home early next year I'm leaving AZ for NM. I've visited Silver City and the surrounding area twice & like what I saw. My biggest mistake in the past two years was not moving to SC area two years ago when I could have gotten in cheaper (although I had some family in Phoenix I thought would be more accessable, but all they do is work/drive in traffic/sleep). If anyone on this forum has imput from recent SC & the surrounding area, I'd love to hear from you - and I'm more than ready to hear the negative as well as the positive from actual past & present residents. From just two visits I'm somewhat aware of the open mines & the potential health issues they could impose, the lack of employment, the isolated location, etc. I got to get out of AZ - it is killing my spirit.

[Crackerjack]

I can certainly understand Brian_2. Living in Phoenix too, I know what you are talking about. Silver City is a nice, small, quiet town and a good pick to leave the rat race behind. It isn't for everyone, as there aren't a lot of stores to shop or a lot of jobs to offer, but it is a great place to live. I have heard about the mines too, but honestly, the air is much cleaner and fresher there than any day in Phoenix. The stars at night are so wonderful to behold in Silver City and the altitude makes the weather nice and pleasant, not hot or humid. Silver City is on the top of my list for best places to live. Good Luck on your move!

[micrguy]

I posted this once before, I used to live in SC and thought it was a great place to hang my hat for a few years. One downside and I don't know how much it has changed in the last 10 years is the alcoholism in SC. I was at a party and was talking to a doctor who worked at the hospital. He said that SC had the second highest rate of alcohol consumption in the country, only Gallup NM beat us.

The first week I was there I was at the grocery store and noticed that everyone else had at least 1-2 cases of beer and 1-2 bottles of booze. I just chalked it up to the upcoming holiday weekend and didn't think about it. Then I noticed that people were doing this every week, just to confirm I asked a couple of my friends and they had noticed it too.

I'm also assuming due to the excess use of alcohol, there is huge problem with under-age pregnancy. The same doctor also told me that any point in time, something like 1 out of every 4 girls at the local high school are pregnant.

I think the SC would be a great place if you are already married and are not bringing kids with you. I was single when I moved there and going out to bars as one of the few dating options got old pretty fast.

[Crackerjack]

It could be that in Silver City, there isn't a lot for teens to do. It being isolated and small, I can imagine that the pastime would be, well, you know what! I think though, Silver City is becoming more of a retirement city with not many jobs to offer. I don't know who else could make it there except maybe artists, someone with a business that Silver City doesn't have, or retirees. Maybe some people reading this and wanting to know what to put in Silver City just got an answer, something for teens to do!

[catman]

Silver City is advertised as a retirement haven in New Mexico Magazine. I think you're correct about there not being many jobs. It sounds like a great place to hang it up, but I doubt if I could make a living there as a professional musician.

[Crackerjack]

Yes, Silver City just doesn't have many jobs. I wouldn't mind living there too, but the lack of jobs makes it a retirement dream, at least for now. I am going to Durango, which is similar to Silver City, both being high up in the mountains, at the base of the mountains and both arid cities. Durango is growing a lot and has many new jobs and will continue to grow substantially, making it a great place to work and live. I do like Silver City's remote location and it is just a charming town.

[_yb]

If you work in the mining industry you could probably find a job fairly easy.

[azloafer]

Originally Posted by brian_2

If I can sell my home early next year I'm leaving AZ for NM. I've visited Silver City and the surrounding area twice & like what I saw. My biggest mistake in the past two years was not moving to SC area two years ago when I could have gotten in cheaper (although I had some family in Phoenix I thought would be more accessable, but all they do is work/drive in traffic/sleep). If anyone on this forum has imput from recent SC & the surrounding area, I'd love to hear from you - and I'm more than ready to hear the negative as well as the positive from actual past & present residents. From just two visits I'm somewhat aware of the open mines & the potential health issues they could impose, the lack of employment, the isolated location, etc. I got to get out of AZ - it is killing my spirit.

Check out all the posts under "SILVER CITY." There are at least three pages of info.

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

I thought I would like the town more than I did. Seemed slower and less artsy than I was led to believe. Good dinner at Jalisco's, though.

[ucalljoe]

Brian,

I too have lived in Phoenix and it does get to be a rat race. Get out of town a little the Superstitions or North of Phoenix area is beautiful. Silver is up in the mountains a bit with not much in the way of city shopping and conviences. I live in Deming about an hour south. Not much work here but people and weather is nice. Check out Las Cruces if you like more of city atmosphere.