Best Places To Raise Kids In NM? (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: real estate, how much)

[Althea]

We live in CO now, but after our recent trip to Santa Fe, are wondering what it would be like to live in NM.

I have heard the schools aren't rated too highly in NM, but when I got on Great Schools, there were many highly rated public elementary schools in the Santa Fe area. That is not to say we could afford to live in Santa Fe, but that is why I am querying the list here.

What are you thoughts on raising kids in NM?

Which places do you like best?

What can you say about the schools?

My daughter is Latina and I am Caucasian. Neither of us are native Spanish speakers, but I could tell my daughter felt right at home in the Southwest and I am wondering if living in NM might be really wonderful for her. I wouldn't have too many second thoughts about moving to NM, it is a wonderful state, and after driving back to CO in a blizzard yesterday (April 3rd!) I thought I'd look closer at the possibility of relocating.

Thanks in advance.

[Devin Bent]

Answering your question narrowly, I would say that you can find good schools in Santa Fe if you are willing to look carefully -- that is visit the school, talk to students and teachers plus look at the testing scores data of sites like Great Schools.

You could also do that for Albuquerque and you would find even less snow and on average less expensive housing.

In Los Alamos, you would find a little more snow and that all of the schools are high rated by sites like Great Schools. You would find diversity in the schools, but maybe not as many Hispanics as other places in northern NM. Some of the schools in ABQ and SF might also have few Hispanics.

Los Alamos, like SF, will tend toward higher priced real estate. And Los Alamos is dominated by a single employer.

But if you want to live in Santa Fe or Los Alamos, prices are relatively soft at the moment.

Oh, and there will probably be drugs whichever place you pick, but I think that is pretty much true of the US.

[Althea]

I've been looking at real estate in Albuquerque today, and reading the forum, and it seems like a lot of people are happy about living there. I always thought I wanted to live in Colorado forever, but after our recent trip to Santa Fe and Taos, and seeing how much my daughter loved it there (and after that nasty blizzard in CO yesterday!) I am wondering if ABQ might not be a good option to explore. Inexpensive housing, things to do for kids, parks, parks and more parks, and nice weather.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Neighborhoods I should be looking at?

Elementary schools with good rating and reputation?

[PowerT]

I know that Los Alamos and Cloudcroft are 1 and 2 respectively as far as school rankings. The only reason I know that is that we are moving to the Cloudcroft.

[desert sun]

Rio Rancho is a good place for raising kids,affordable and more of a family type town,or Ruidoso is a nice mountain community in the south.

[Althea]

Thanks for the replies. ABQ is so big so I am having a hard time getting a handle on different neighborhoods. And schools? Well, there are so many!

After thinking about it a lot last night, I've decided to take another trip to NM and check things out. Rio Rancho looks like a nice suburb. I've heard good things about Los Alamos. I don't know anything about Ruidoso or Cloudcroft.

Schools are obviously very important as is safety.

I am also looking for an artsy place, a place where there are a lot of opportunities for kids in the arts - music, art, voice and theater. Which is why I am thinking the ABQ area.

Me, I am a mountain girl and love snow, but after living in CO for winter after winter after winter, I am a little tired of it and could forget skiing all together, especially in a place that gets snow in the high country once in a while. And there is always Taos!

Keep the replies coming. I value all of your opinions!

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by Althea

I am also looking for an artsy place, a place where there are a lot of opportunities for kids in the arts - music, art, voice and theater. Which is why I am thinking the ABQ area.

Then you might like Santa Fe which is very supportive of kids in these areas. We visited one school and it turned out that almost every teacher -- no matter what the subject -- was also an artist. The students' art work was up all over the walls.

And there are excellent programs to encourage and teach kids. Our grandchildren went to Los Alamos, but if it were our choice, it would have been Santa Fe.

[Althea]

Not too sure I can afford Santa Fe. Seems like there is more for kids to do in ABQ, but I have my concerns there as well, especially crime, schools, and sprawl.

I guess another road trip is in order!

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by Althea

Not too sure I can afford Santa Fe. Seems like there is more for kids to do in ABQ, but I have my concerns there as well, especially crime, schools, and sprawl.

I guess another road trip is in order!

There is no question that the typical Santa Fe home is more expensive and the differences at the upper end may be astronomical. However, some housing at the lower end may be comparable in price to ABQ.

Like you say, another trip is in order. i don't think any of us can tell you where you will be happiest.