Moving to NM from NJ (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: for sale, condo, crime)

[Maureen J. Clancy]

I am planning to move to the southwest around June of 2007 and am grateful to all who wrote information to us probable newcomers. It has been very helpful to me.

I am a DWF in my late 40's and have a Master's Degree in social work. I have been looking at the sites for gov. jobs but haven't found anything to apply to yet. I am in touch with Santa Fe and Albuquerque realtors who I plan to meet when I come out in late January to check it out for myself.

Any information you can offer on job possibilies would be most appreciated. Also, after reading your crime information, I am inclined to maybe buy a condo in a gated community which is what I have now. Thank you in advance.

[Crackerjack]

Maureen, in a gated condo community, you should be pretty safe. I would get a really good burglar alarm too and at least some pepper spray kept close at hand, just in case. I am sure you know how crime is in parts of NJ can be, in cities like Newark, Trenton and Atlantic City, so you will be crime savy, I am sure. I would look over in Paradise Hills or in Rio Rancho. If you stay in Santa Fe for a hotel, try the Sunterra Resorts Villas de Santa Fe, I think on Griffin Street. I thought it seemed safe too. You can Google it. I thought is was pretty nice for the price and close to the heart of the city. You are only like 4 blocks from the Plaza and 4 blocks from the Palace of the Governors. Good Luck on your search and move!

[Maureen J. Clancy]

Crackerjack, Thanks for answering. I will ask my realtor about those towns and check out the hotel you cited. Do you know anything about social work job opportunities by any chance? My realtor tells me there is a lack of workforce out there so it shouldn't be hard to find something for me since I have experience and education. But there is nothing posted on the web. Thanks again.

[Towanda]

Maureen,

I hope you will ask your realtor in Santa Fe to show you the Eldorado community. It is outside of Santa Fe about 12 miles, so away from the downtown area, but it is considered to be a pretty safe area. It is not a gated community, but access in and out is somewhat limited.

There are generally a number of homes available for sale there, all are on approximately one acre lots, and building covenants keep the area looking very nice. There is a fire department and an elementary school, and amenities such as several stores, a bank, several restaurants, and more things in the works, such as a movie theater, video store, exercise facility, etc. There is a hiking trail and horse stables. It's a great area...in my opinion!

[greatdanes]

Most of the social work jobs will be in the public sector with the State of NM having the largest assortment of positions. Here is State URL to plug in:

https://sharehcm.state.nm.us/psp/nmh...RAM.HRS_CE.GBL

Most state positions for social work will be in Human Services Dept. (HSD) and some in Corrections (prison opportunities) and Children/Youth/Families (CYFD).
All state positions pay very poorly in NM and when you look at a salary range which might not look all that bad at the upper levels, well, sad to say you won't get that upper level unless you have good "connections". This guv's policy is the most new employees start at is the mid-point range or lower, take it or leave it! (unless you have connections, but I think if you had connections you would use them and not be asking the forum for ideas).
I hate to be brutal, but if you are comming to NM and expect a living wage - look elsewhere - you won't get that here (unless you have connections). Or the other option, bring plenty (and I mean LOTS) of money for a home downpayment and to live on. If you have money, all things are possible in NM.

[Maureen J. Clancy]

greatdanes, Thanks for answering. You are so right; with the gov., you have to know somebody and if I did, I would already know it. However, I spent five years working for the county here and I didn't know anyone, I just knew someone who told me about the opening and I called and they hired me. So I guess I did know someone. It's true that you can't get promoted without connections and that is a shame. I will try the site you gave me. And I don't think you are brutal; too many people lie and call it political correctness which I think is so stupid and doesn't really help anyone.

[winnie]

Government work is not so hard to get into if you know where the jobs are posted. Every federal job legally has to be posted and filled in strict accordance to points.

http://www.usajobs.com - broad based, includes most agencies.

The Air Force has 3 bases in NM. Clovis, Alamogordo and Alb. I would seriously doubt there being any openings in that field but Kirtland just MIGHT.

http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/

You need to click on Civilian, then employment, the "search for jobs". The best tab to click on the popup search engine is "advanced" then enter the state. Right now there are no jobs in that field, but check back Fri if you want (that is when new jobs are posted)

[Crackerjack]

Originally Posted by Maureen J. Clancy

Crackerjack, Thanks for answering. I will ask my realtor about those towns and check out the hotel you cited. Do you know anything about social work job opportunities by any chance? My realtor tells me there is a lack of workforce out there so it shouldn't be hard to find something for me since I have experience and education. But there is nothing posted on the web. Thanks again.

Maureen, I would look at www.ejobs.org/states/nmgov.html since it will list government jobs for many NM cities. Yes, it is true having connections in politics really help, but I know some who have bucked that and got jobs by themselves, but usually you have to start low and work up. Good Luck!