From Akron to Portales, NM (Albuquerque, Las Cruces: house, employment, buy)

[newmex]

In about a few weeks, I'll be moving down to Portales, NM from Akron, Ohio. My wife has been down there since August, teaching at Eastern New Mexico U. She loves her job, but there is "not much to do" there or in a lot of parts of NM.

We'll have to plan weekend excursions to alleviate boredom, and avoid the bottle as much as possible, seeing how it's the "hobby" of choice down there.

My background is printing, signmaking, most recently driving for FedEx Ground. I wish I can bring my delivery truck, I'd feel safer in a 5 ton vehicle against a DUI sniper.

I did call up a local electrical contractor, and asked him what are the possibilities of becoming an apprentice. He said very good...if you don't use drugs...show up to work on time sober...and have a valid drivers licence/vehicle, we'll put you to work.

I was blown away by that comment!!!

They are just crying for competent/reliable people out there, they are tired of drunken lazy slobs. When they hear a midwesterners a coming, they treat you like gold for the good work ethic you bring.

[Sarahbc]

I'm interested in hearing replies to your post, since I am hoping to move from Toledo to NM. I found your anecdote interesting! And encouraging! How did you find that guy? Good luck with the move!

[catherine777]

Hey there is plenty to do there. Get involved w/community, volunteer and the churches are all great places to meet great people. I have a second family there, and I miss them all. Check out Oasis park, Blackwater Draw, Library, Daylight Donuts 1st thing in the morning for apple fritters, in the summer, june, they have festivals in the park, Dairy Fest in Clovis, etc. Good luck and take care. Catherine from MA

[newmex]

Thanks Catherine!
One month from today is when I arrive. Today I drove My FedEx route in the Akron area...lake effect snow, with cold blowing wind in a truck with NO HEAT. I can't wait to get the hell outta here!!!

[finmqa1]

Although I don't really know much about most of Eastern NM in general, if you love the outdoors you will find plenty to do when you get here. Besides you can easily drive to Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or El Paso if you need a city fix. Just keep a positive attitude and it will work out great for you both. I know the winters will be very mild by your current standards. If Portales doesn't work out your wife can always seek employment at CNM Community College (ABQ), The University of New Mexico (ABQ), or New Mexico State University (Las Cruces). Good luck, I sure hope things work out well for the both of you.

By the way what can you tell me about Columbus, OH, I might be moving there for a job opportunity?

[newmex]

Can't tell you much, except that if you can find work that pays well, go.

Southern Ohio is pretty, especially Ross County. There is Native American history there, lots of mound building that dates back over a millenia, Check out Serpent Mound.

Dard Hunters Mountain House is in Chillicothe, he was very conducive to the Arts and Crafts era and was very respected author in the world of papermaking and letterpress printing, His Great grandson lives there and conducts tours and seminars with letterpress printing artists.

Athens is home of Ohio University, a nice Arts college in a bucolic setting. Lots of lush parks, Wayne National Forest for one, close to the outdoors, including Western PA, West Va, Kentucky.

A difference of a 120 miles south of Cleveland makes winters a little more bearable.

[jonesy]

I lived in Portales for about a year (2003-2004). I agree with the post about Daylight Donuts!!! For entertainment, we usually went to Lubbock. It was about 100 miles or so. Also, Ruidoso is within a few hours drive. There you will find a nice resort town complete with skiing, etc. If you like history, then you'll be interested to know that Billy the Kid is buried within a day's drive (or so they claim!). Other than this the only advice that I have is to try to have a good time. BTW, a job shouldn't be hard to find. Although you may have to go to Clovis.

[Hedrek]

I'm in ABQ now. Not much to do down there and it is the ugliest part of NM. Lubbock has good music and barbeque. Highlights in Clovis- A soul food restaurant, a biker bar called Riley's Switch, proximity to a great biker bar in Amarillo, lots of big Bull snakes on the road, burrowing owls in the park, golden eagles on the road to Tucumcari. Portales - Peanuts and speed traps.

[dumpstermcnuggets]

Originally Posted by Hedrek

I'm in ABQ now. Not much to do down there and it is the ugliest part of NM. Lubbock has good music and barbeque. Highlights in Clovis- A soul food restaurant, a biker bar called Riley's Switch, proximity to a great biker bar in Amarillo, lots of big Bull snakes on the road, burrowing owls in the park, golden eagles on the road to Tucumcari. Portales - Peanuts and speed traps.

Don't forget the infamous Big Texan Restaurant over in Amarillo, too(haha, the same restaurant The Simpsons once parodied many seasons back).

[Mark S.]

I was born and spent almost 20 years in Portales.

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. Invest in a good water filter, buy bottled water, do whatever you have to do. But do not drink the water.

Things to do locally:

Umm, not much.

Yeah, Daylight has great donuts. Back when Daylight was partnered with Pizza Mill, they also had great salads, but those days are gone alas.

Oasis State Park is about 10 miles from town. Lots of sand dunes. A pond. Drunks on the weekends. Watch out for snakes.

ENMU Special Collections Library. If you read at all, go check this out. They have some real gems. Especially if you like science fiction.

Taco Box. At one time had great burritos. Still does as far as I know. Also the best iced tea in town.



Things to do in the larger NM area:

You have to go see Carlsbad Caverns. It is a long drive, yes, but you won't regret it. Everyone should see it before they die. If you have the time, swing over to Sitting Bull Falls on the way back. Neat place. Watch out for snakes though.

White Sands is cool. Again, quite a drive, but neat to see. Might as well check out the lava fields while you’re in the area.

For shopping, nightlife, etc., your best bet is Lubbock or Amarillo, TX or the 4 hour drive to Albuquerque. There are lots of bars in the Clovis/Portales area, but most of them cater to a contingent --- red neck, bikers, Hispanics, or the college crowd. Most of the base people tend to mingle with the college crowd.

If you are a history buff at all, there’s lots of Billy the Kidd stuff in Ft. Sumner, about an hour away.