Possible move to NM... what towns should I consider? (Las Cruces: fit in, sales)

[tnp]

I've been considering a move to either Arizona or New Mexico. I've been to Arizona many times, so I'm famiiar with several areas there, but not so familiar with New Mexico. I did look at some homes near the Las Cruces area when I was passing through in 2005, but everything in my price range at the time was in a very run-down area outside of town, where the smell was horrible and just about everything was a shack. I didn't have time that trip to check out better areas of this beautiful state.

I like warm or even hot climates with low humidity (100+ degrees with low humidity doesn't bother me at all). Snow/cold is ok in very small doses. Small towns or the outskirts of a large town are ok, as I don't need culture, nightlife, etc. I don't like big city life. I like peace and quiet more than anything and one thing that absolutely drives me bonkers where I live now is the noise of my neighbor's ATVs being ridden next to my house for hours every day. I want to get away from the constant sound of engines! But I'm not prepared to live "off the grid" either, so running water and electricity are a must.

I can't afford a fancy home. Basically I'm looking for a nice quiet area, inexpensive but not run-down, that would fit in my price range of up to $85,000 or a rental home for up to $700 (maybe I'm dreaming and there is no such place but it's worth a shot, LOL). No apartments, as I have a large dog who needs a yard. Mobile homes are fine, but I'd prefer not to be in a mobile home "park". I'm not a big shopper. If there is a nice super Walmart within 45 miles (as long as it's an easy 45 miles like on an interstate or major highway), I'm fine with that. I do need need access to a good veterinarian within an hour's drive, and I need good medical specialists within a couple of hours drive.

The job market is not a concern for me, because I'm disabled.

So, knowing my likes and dislikes, what areas would you nice folks who live in New Mexico recommend?

[tnp]

Forgot to add that I don't have kids (except for the furry kind), so the quality of schools are not a concern either.

[Devin Bent]

Southern New Mexico.

[_yb]

I would say somewhere around Alamogordo. Use the search function with keyword "Tularosa" and "Alamogordo" tons of info will pop up.

[domino]

Originally Posted by Devin Bent

Southern New Mexico.

Thanks Devin,
Like we need another manufactured home in southern NM.

[tnp]

Originally Posted by _yb

I would say somewhere around Alamogordo. Use the search function with keyword "Tularosa" and "Alamogordo" tons of info will pop up.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check them out.

[tnp]

Originally Posted by domino

Thanks Devin,
Like we need another manufactured home in southern NM.

Well... the area I looked at outside of Las Cruces had site built homes that were so run down that manufactured homes would have been a big improvement.

I would prefer a site built home, but if I can't afford one, I'd rather have a nice manufactured home than nothing. I realize people don't like manufactured homes because they have the perception of being "trashy" neighbors, but that's not always true. I live in a doublewide right now, set it on a permanent foundation and I take very good care of it and my property. It's not trashy looking at all. I'm the type of person most people who live in quiet neighborhoods would love to have as a neighbor. I don't party, don't do drugs, don't blast my stereo or any other things that are common neighborhood annoyances. Even my dog is quiet, LOL!

[domino]

I was not trying to be a snob. Mobile homes (however well kept) outside of mobile home parks tend to lower property values, and are a sign of unplanned growth, poor infrastructure, etc. There is quite a bit of that already in NM and the West.

[tnp]

Originally Posted by domino

I was not trying to be a snob. Mobile homes (however well kept) outside of mobile home parks tend to lower property values, and are a sign of unplanned growth, poor infrastructure, etc. There is quite a bit of that already in NM and the West.

Ahhh, that is much different from where I live then. Here well kept doublewides are mixed in with half a million dollar homes on the same streets, and property values keep going up, even in this current housing crisis. We are in one of the top 10 areas where home sales are up rather than down. Even mobile homes go up in value here, if they're well maintained, at least doublewide, and mixed in well with site built homes.

I don't know about New Mexico, but I noticed that in Arizona most of the mobile homes were singlewides, and many of the neighborhoods with a lot of singlewides looked downright trashy, which I'm sure would have an affect on property values.

[6 FOOT 3]

TNP....i'll try to answer as to what you asked especially about the hot temps and small town quality of life as i know Southern NM like the back of my hand.

Here's some towns that may fit what your looking for but i still recommend trying to visit them before moving.

On the Southeast i'd say Carlsbad or Artesia might be a good fit. It's main claim to fame there is the Pecos River goes thru them as the others have no river.

On the Southcentral i'd say Alamogordo or Tularosa might be a good fit. It's main claim to fame is they are next to the Sacramento Mountains as the others have no large mountain rainge close up on them.

On the Southwest i'd say Deming or Lordsburg might be a good fit. It's main claim to fame is that they are on Interstae-10 as the others have no Interstate.

So from what you asked in your original posting then those are my thoughts. Anything else in general or more specific about southern NM or any of those places just ask.

6/3