Looking for land investment/future retirement (Albuquerque, Ruidoso: sale, buying, taxes)

[GreatSantaFe]

To be honest, there're great land deals all over NM. It's a big state, so you might figure out first the answers to some pertinent questions like:
Do you want to live in or near a large city (if so, Albuquerque is the only one in the state)?
Do you mind traffic?
Do you want to see the stars at night?
How important is proximity to health care services/hositals?
What about proximity to cultural activities (movies, museums, concerts, art galleries, etc.)
Do you want 4 distinct seasons or a more moderate climate?
Do you want to be close to skiing? Close to Mexico?
If you like travelling, what about proximity to an airport?

Anyhow, you get the point. I think NM is one of the best places to live. I've lived all over, and for me northern NM can't be beat - but I agree with other posters that places such as Silver City, Ruidoso and Las Cruces are attractive as well.

Good Luck!!

[santafescribe]

I agree with the Edgewood idea, and (of course!) I'd add some land surrounding Santa Fe, especially to the north, where the pueblos are expanding and the city is coming out to meet them. Of course land is more expensive there, relative to other parts of NM, but the demand around Santa Fe can only grow, as most of the large acreage is Pueblo, BLM or State owned.

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by santafescribe

I agree with the Edgewood idea, and (of course!) I'd add some land surrounding Santa Fe, especially to the north, where the pueblos are expanding and the city is coming out to meet them. Of course land is more expensive there, relative to other parts of NM, but the demand around Santa Fe can only grow, as most of the large acreage is Pueblo, BLM or State owned.

Agreed. You look at a map and you see that four pueblos and BLM constitute a barrier across the northern county with the two mountain ranges and the Forest Service holding the flanks. (The maps are a little misleading since there are areas of traditionally private ownership.)

This barrier is part of the reason why the land on the north side of Santa Fe (City and County) is already more expensive than land on the south side. The problems at Los Alamos NL (leading to lesser demand) have recently held price growth down in the northern Santa Fe county (IMO) especially the adjacent (to Los Alamos) Pojoaque Valley and present a window of opportunity. But the growth of Santa Fe will drive the prices up as soon as the economy turns. You see this some already -- my neighborhood was once largely inhabited by Los Alamos employees. Recent buyers work in Santa Fe.

I'd guess that there are other areas of the state where growth is hemmed in by topography and public/reservation ownership -- but it is not so apparent yet to the casual observer. A clever investor with good maps might do well.

PS I am NOT a realtor. Anything I say is IMO.

[abasicservice]

Strictly investment, I would not want to live there. Truth or Consequences projected growth due to two major leisure and science developments. Hot Springs Motorplex with estimated 4000 new jobs if and when it arrives. Spaceport, with another 6000 jobs is soon a sci fi reality.

[glowworm]

I have land for sale in New Mexico. Email me at GLO11266@aol.com.

[SilverCity]

Originally Posted by mmarch

I am looking to invest in some land (5-10 acres) to build a home for our future retirement. I live in New Jersey and plan to visit New Mexico in the near future. Right now I need some advise on where the best investment would be to purchase land and hold onto it for 5-10 years. Any suggestions or advise would be greatly appreciated. Some of the areas I have looked at online are Magdalana, Soccorro, Grants and Ramah. Thanks

Earning a reputation quickly as a retirement town. Don't snooze on this one.

[mendukime]

HERE is some land in a nice area, check it out.

angelm.sysadmin - New Mexico Land

[GregW]

I am also looking for a place to retire. I am not really concerned with the property appreciating because I expect it to be the place I will live out the rest of my life and I do not have any heirs to worry about. I am more interested in low priced basic shelter because this would be in addition to our place in New Hampshire. As spectacular as the really out of the way places are, we are getting too old to be far away from medical services, so places like Glenwood, Pie Town and even Magdalena are a bit too far away from a substantial town. I consider Albuquerque and even Las Cruces to be too large to want to live in but are nice to have a couple of hours away.

So far, in order, is the central Rio Grande valley (Socorro & vicinity), Alamogordo area and the towns along I-25 east of the mountains. We will look at the latter during our next vacation scheduled for summer 2009.

[High_Plains_Retired]

Originally Posted by sanjon

Check out eastern NM. Big development going in at Ute Lake - Logan, NM at the lake. Land in this county is cheap, taxes are low and great opportunities. Great place to live.

I'm betting you know something about the San Jon area? I've always been partial to eastern New Mexico especially the Clovis area but since my wife and I started looking to retire out of Albuquerque we find Curry County properties almost as high as those in Bernalillo County. I've sort of overlooked the San Jon area but is it growing at all? The caprock is certainly beautiful up that way. We're seeking a rural home with a small amount of acreage.

[GregW]

I saw a quarter section with a broken down barn and house for sale for less than $80k 40 miles east of Las Vegas. It was listed on the Realtor.com site as land or farm. If I were younger it would be really tempting.