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I would not want to make the commute between Mountainair and Albuq very often. There are only 2-lane roads once you leave IH-40 or IH-25. Housing options in Mountainair are limited and mostly old, makeshift or mobile homes.
I would not commute from Mountainair to ABQ every day but once or twice a week it would be OK. I think the place is just far enough out of town to be able to enjoy a real country life and all it has to offer but still be within an hour of entertainment and shopping. Anyways, my opinion only
We saw the little-est kids walking around that should have been being watched by their parents! But wait a minute. Could this little New Mexico town be...safe?
Socorro is above the national average for crime, and pretty standard for NM.
It has nothing to do with safety. You don't usually see kids loose anymore because parents are paranoid... yet there is less crime than there was 40 years ago when kids roamed free. So why are parents paranoid? Fear sells I guess.
OP - Your post is a description of Socorro. I suggest looking for newer houses on the farmland along the Rio Grande. These places apparently have city utilities. Please note that acreage in NM is not green grassland. It is brown seared semi desert until the summer monsoon rains. Then it is spectacular for a couple of weeks.
I live in Capitan, about 20 miles north of Ruidoso. The scenery and low humidity are awesome. I moved here from the Gulf Coast 11 years ago for the scenery and cool summers. While I still love my scenery and summer weather, I now have to face the lack of quality medical care in most of this state. I can see the day when I will have to move due to the medical issue. I wish now I had chosen somewhere closer to ABQ. Oh, and in the spring the wind blows quite fiercely, filling the air with dirt from White Sands monument to the southwest. It is pretty much awful and I pick spring to leave the state for any reason I can find.
I wouldn't say that land is cheap in New Mexico, at least not where you are going to be anywhere near civilization. Cost of living is not too bad, but not as low cost as the Southeast U.S. Property taxes are reasonable. It is best to choose property that has access to a town water supply and not depend on drilling a water well. Water wells are very expensive and the water is sometimes not fit to drink, if they even find water.
I like Bernalillo but you are not going to get any acreage there. Placitas is more spread out, but more expensive than average. Edgewood is close to ABQ but still has a mountain feel to it, and less expensive than ABQ. Santa Fe and surrounding towns is beautiful but expensive and restrictive. Pecos is close to Santa Fe via I-25 and a little less expensive. Don't go to Las Vegas. They have an issue with crime, more so than the rest of the state.
Most of all, don't expect New Mexico to be like "other states". In many ways it is still backwards. Nothing happens quickly, including the arrival of the repairman you have tracked down. Prepare to wait for whatever you need, if they show up at all. The only "cities" are Las Cruces and ABQ/Rio Rancho. There are not many people in the state outside of those cities. In Lincoln County, businesses close regularly...quoting a lack of regular customers. Sure, summertime brings lots of part time people, but the rest of the year it is brutal business wise.
But Yes, I do Love it Here!
It's cheap for my wishes anyway. I've been all over the west and NM land is cheap compared to anyplace else I'd consider living... or at least that was the case when I moved here 8 years ago! NM property values have been pretty steady while some others declined.
I like sun, mild climate, low humidity, trees, high altitude... good access, utilities, not too far from a decent town, etc. I think 5 acres for $50-80k or so is reasonable. For instance there are many lots in the pinion and juniper forest east of Albuquerque that fit that description, and are only ~30-45 min from the city.
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