Truth or Consequences (Albuquerque, Socorro, Hatch: RV parks, low crime, appliances)

[highdesertmutz]

Originally Posted by desert sun

Where is the new Wal-Mart being built at? I drove through TorC a few weeks ago and didnt see nothing,I wasnt really looking for it either but I figured it would be just off the interstate.

The new Wamart is across the street from Mc Donald's, it's been built for over a year now. the holdup for the opening was delayed by a group calling itself the ICA, informed citizens alliance, their pleas were that walmart would degredate the town, and put some businesses out of business. they nearly pulled it off, a year or more after the place was built, it hasn't opened yet, 6/8/08. the most recent delay in opening is because the state fire marshall said that there must be 2 ways into and out of the Walmart complex, to accomodate firefighting vehicles and equipment. the story is, walmart tried to acquire the portion of the parking lot of the adjacent ben archer health clinic, but the owners / proprietors of ben archer health clinic wouldn't budge. something must have happened lately, an agreement of sorts, because the walmart recruitment center was operational saturday 6/7/08 taking applications for employment. Is walmart in socorro tanking? I don't know. the last time I was there, in 2007, I was not impressed. hopefully, they'll have a better store here in T or C, that is if they can find people to work there that can pass a drug screen and a criminal background check. why did I write that? find out more at index I have heard that it will take about 300 people / employees to man this new store, and have also heard they're going to bus people into the town to man the store. if this is the case, I don't foresee this store doing any better with serving the customer's needs than the one in socorro has. once a month, we travel to las cruces walmart, sam's club and k-mart to shop. I buy everything we need one time a month in las cruces because the grocery stores in this town cannot serve my needs and their prices are too high. we make every trip to las cruces count economically, since gas has topped 4 bucks a gallon here in T or C.

[highdesertmutz]

I can agree with you on some points you have raised. gas gouging, high priced grocery stores, trash strewn everywhere you look (except for downtown) houses that are run down, high weeds on some properties, rusty roofs, just a general tacky look about the town, but, drifters living in trailer parks here that are on drugs? if you know about that, or have knowledge of it REPORT IT! as informant, you need not give your name! unless you are just assuming that people living in the trailer parks are on drugs. and, if that's the case, you shouldn't have printed it! here are some facts: most people living in trailer parks are either retired, disabled and are poor. rv living is less expensive than owning a home. I am on a fixed income. if you ever get the chance to see my vehicle, or my living quarters, you'd know I'm poor, but I'm not on any unprescribed drugs, I'm just poor. If the city council ever decided to have some kind of code enforcement, you wouldn't see this town looking like a trash heap. most cities I've ever resided in had some kind of code enforcement to make sure property owners keep the areas neat and clean. as for the druggies in this town, they may be transients, but I doubt that, it's probably people who live in "real houses". it's a good thing I'm not mayor or on the city council, because I'd compel people to clean up their acts or be gone. I am a person with a disability, and I moved here in November of 2005 due to health reasons. Usually only people who are looking for something desire the night life. we do our own thing for nightlife, we have a clubhouse at our rv park, where we play bingo, cards, have pot luck dinners and lunches, and generally say howdy to the others in the park. there's a lot to do and see in T or C if you're really looking for something to do. if you can't find something to do, you need to find yourself a hobby because you've too much time on your hands work-camper!

Originally Posted by LiveWorkDream

We have been workamping here at one of the resorts for almost two months. After being on the road for over a year and seeing much of small town America, and here is what we think of this town:

The Pros:
It's walkable, and you'll do little driving when you don't need to stock up on supplies.

The scenery is OK if you like dirt and dust.

The public golf course is a deal.

There's some good art.


The Cons:
Unfortunately, we think there are way more cons...

It's not as inexpensive as people think it is. Real estate is high for where this town is located, and what it has to offer (which isn't much).

The two grocery stores in town carry the essentials, but be prepared to pay for it. If driving 75 miles to go to WalMart won't hurt your wallet, than you should be OK here.

The gas merchants are thieves. Fuel here is higher than in Socorro, a town barely bigger than this, less than an hour north.

There is rampant drug use among the bored younger people and drifters living in the many trailer parks here.

Pit bulls on the loose are everywhere, and a favorite of the locals. The dog catcher is busy.

The litter and garbage strewn across the landscape makes it very depressing to look at.

There is ZERO in the way of nightlife, movie theatres or entertainment. You have to make your own here.

People here are not nearly as friendly or welcoming as many other small towns we've been to. In fact, many are quite grumpy. Nobody says Hi on the street or makes eye contact.

Property taxes are low, but that means that the local government invests ZERO in infrastructure, streets, or education. The streets are potholed, sidewalks broken, the park is dirty, and there are vacant dilapidated buildings everywhere.

I'm sorry to be so negative about this place, but it's just what we see as newcomers, who are about to leave soon.

Everyone keeps saying that this place is going to take off and become something, but we just aren't seeing it. Give it another 20 years, maybe, and you might see a better element moving here and turning it into something as nice as Silver City, but until then, I'd stay far away from here. It's just depressing. I'm sure the locals who don't want their property taxes to go up will love hearing me say that!

[dracul]

According to two reputable real estate sources I have been in regular contact with over the last several months things are poised to change in a very big way over the next few years around TorC. The planned airport/racing/residential/recreational complex with all its enormous projected infrastructure in concert with the nearby coming spaceport should profoundly transform TorC and Elephant Butte. Even without this huge probable development the area will inevitably change as the climate and water access will eventually attract resort investment that always claims areas with equivalent economic potential. I saw it happen all over rural and metro Hawai'i on three islands over several years that I resided there. I've witnessed it more recently altering Colorado nearly everywhere. It's only a matter of time and imagination on the part of investors. TorC and Elephant Butte will rise. Invest now while you still can!!!

[domino]

I have never understood why T or C has not prospered with its proximity to two large lakes in the midst of an arid state like NM. I would imagine the town fathers have squandered opportunities in the past. In it's favor it has not had much unfortunate development lately either. All it really needs is a little sprucing up and an influx of $$$$. Plant some palm trees and build a gated community . . .

[6 FOOT 3]

Originally Posted by dracul

According to two reputable real estate sources I have been in regular contact with over the last several months things are poised to change in a very big way over the next few years around TorC. The planned airport/racing/residential/recreational complex with all its enormous projected infrastructure in concert with the nearby coming spaceport should profoundly transform TorC and Elephant Butte. Even without this huge probable development the area will inevitably change as the climate and water access will eventually attract resort investment that always claims areas with equivalent economic potential. I saw it happen all over rural and metro Hawai'i on three islands over several years that I resided there. I've witnessed it more recently altering Colorado nearly everywhere. It's only a matter of time and imagination on the part of investors. TorC and Elephant Butte will rise. Invest now while you still can!!!

I thought T or C looked nice when i was there. I especially like the downtown area along with the Lakes there. It reminds me of Globe, Arizona but with the reservoirs makes it a cool place. I agree with that i wish they'd plant Palm Trees all around it.

[GregW]

Personally I would prefer tacky (somewhat run down and not neat)to glitzy (prosperous and clean/neat looking surface) any day. Just my thought.

[dracul]

The palm trees will start at my place and move (hopefully) in all cardinal directions!!! I actually kinda like the way it is now myself...but I know the currently decepit state of TorC will soon be changing. Go with the flow I suppose. The inevitable growth may sacrifice some "charm" but no one or nothing ever successfully stands in the way of Big Money. Perhaps they can do it right this time.

[dracul]

Over the last twenty four hours I've FINALLY worked some improvement into this hampered hand! I can lift my middle and ring fingers about a centimeter more than before! That may not seem like much but when your fingers dangle nearly uselessly you TAKE ANY improvement with great enthusiasm. It's still far from perfect but I'll never give up.

[nmchick]

Hey there; i came to TorC 3 yrs ago and fell in love with it. Moved from small town on central coast of CA. If you don't like small town living you won't like it here, but I DO like small town living. Friendly people; eclectic characters; nice growing arts scene; river runs thru it; plus 2 lakes nearby; 10 hot mineral water bath houses; nice walking town; monthly art walk. This is a place where you can disappear into the woodwork or be as involved an busy as you want to be. Walmart is opening in Aug. and there is supposedly a new hospital to be build soon enough. I miss being able to go out dancing to a rock'n'roll band; mostly country western around here...love the weather, though. Not as hot as Las Cruces but no shoveling snow like in No.NM. Hope this helps...

[dracul]

We like the place. Hope to be there in a few weeks to ferret out business opportunities. Great town about to transform.