Is there any part of NM that isn't blazing hot in summer? (Albuquerque: 2010, new house)

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by EnjoyEP

Whooaa, Devin. I do understand that. And I don't think I have stated anything that elicited a sarcastic response.


On a fairly unrelated note though, I do respectfully disagree that 6000 feet with a more northern latitude in the proximity of more mountains represents portions of ABQ; well, it does (so now I am contradicting myself), however, very, very few portions of ABQ. We so happen to have an amazingly high (disproportionate, almost, not that there is anything wrong with that) amout of ABQ-based (or ABQ-wannabes like me) folks that reside east of Tramway (the foothills), which is really the only area of ABQ that goes to 6000 feet. While this is beautiful territory with a good amount of folks living in it, it is still honestly a really tiny slice of the city.

To me, ABQ's more resemblant altitudes are in the heart of the majority of its altitudes - in that 4950 to 5500 or 5600 foot altitude with central latitude in the state.

If it came across as sarcastic to you, then I apologize, but in fact I was speaking of posters in general -- certainly not you -- who often seem to think that ABQ and SF are radically different. Nonetheless, I am responsible for the sloppiness of my writing and I apologize.

My point is that if we look at ABQ and SF in terms of climate (or for that matter many things) we see a continuum with overlap. SF is certainly not significantly north of ABQ and and there is overlap in altitude. I for instance live at a lower altitude than does Mortimer. And I am -- in fact -- at a high point for this section of the county. For all I know, by the time the Pojoaque flows (well, trickles) into the Rio Grande it may be near 5,600 feet.

Thus I would suggest -- not that the climates are identical -- but that they overlap and they are not radically different. If SF'ans travel to ABQ they will not find insufferable heat and ABQ'ns travel to SF they will not find unbearable cold.

(And if this seems sarcatic -- it is not directed at you.)

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by rbmomof3

Ok I will be more specific with what I'm looking for. I bet that will help some.

I DO want to stay away from 100 degree weather if that's at all possible in NM. At least most of the summer, I realize that there will be a few days that are like that but I'd like somewhere that has 80-90's. I don't mind snow as long as it's not staying a ton and dries up quickly. The problem I'm having with Nebraska (one of many) is that our backyard is mush because the snow stays and/or it rains for a couple days then is dry just long enough to dry up the yard then it rains again..at least this year it's been like that.

I have 3 children 4 and under. So it's important to me to be able to let them play outside all year round.

I want to garden. I realize from talking to some friends that NM the water is harder to come by? They lived in Albeq.. how ever you spell it lol. But if I save bath water or something for the garden it won't be that bad.

I'd also like to have an acre or two for animals. My hubby grew up on a farm and I really like the idea of having some animals, chickens, etc. He says even in extreme heat like 100's the animals are fine with some shade.

I would like to live within driving distance (an hour or two) of a zoo or some cool things to do with the family.

So those are some things I'm looking for. I realize housing is going to be more expensive, but I'll be okay with that since by next year our HUGE credit card debt will be gone and we'll get approved for more.

Rebecca

P.S. I haven't had a chance to read all the posts after page 6, WOW do you guys like talking about your state, which is great for me!

Hi,

I think I answered this, but I will try again -- briefer. I would look at some of the higher areas to the east of ABQ (I gave up on spelling it years ago.) You could drive to the ABQ zoo and it has many other good things for kids. The higher you get, the cooler the summer and the colder the winter. Life is a trade-off. But I suspect that it is a workable trade off -- you will find summers and winters both bearable -- even pleasant.

I doubt you will find water rights up there. Test the well for flow before you buy and you can grow a garden.

I hope that helps. Good luck.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by EnjoyEP

My neighbors were out chatting (one - the instant I got out of my car after coming home from work and was still in my tie, etc. - tossed me an ice cold Pabst Blue Ribbon - yes, 'tis true PBR -

Theres always a 6 pack of PBR in my fridge. Always. No joke, either.

Well, all I can say is enjoy the next 6 months, itll be over before you know it.

[rbmomof3]

I just thought Jazz the comment seemed rude because I felt like you were calling everyone ignorant for not knowing every city and states climate, that's all. Devin I wasn't saying it to you. Nonetheless Jazz and everyone has been SO helpful!! I took a lot of info from your post and others and am discussing it with my husband. I haven't gotten nearly the responses from the other states I wrote this too. Arkansas is definitely out because of the humidity! NM is a lot closer to Laguna Beach, California where my grandmother is so it's a nice location.

Water rights... what exactly does that mean? Meaning we have to dig a well on most properties we buy with houses or does that mean the citys water that goes through your pipes that way? Sorry... I'm not familiar with that term.

Rebecca

[jazzlover]

Sorry if my use of "ignorant" sounded rude. I don't personally consider "ignorant" a negative term, unless it's joined with terms like "idiot," "fool," "jerk," or some other term to make it pejorative. I'm not afraid to say that there are plenty of things that I'm "ignorant" about.

As to water rights and water issues, this lively thread might help: http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-m...ew-mexico.html .

In one of my posts in that thread there is a link to information on water rights and water law in New Mexico. Unless you are planning on living in town in New Mexico, this is one subject that you absolutely can NOT afford to be "ignorant" about. Water law and water rights in the Rocky Mountain states are dead-serious business, and can seriously affect how you may be able to use your property or even be able to live on it.

[rbmomof3]

Thank you for that link, it was really interesting to read. I only got through a couple pages of it, kind of gets redundant. I did post some questions though. Thanks again, it really helps!

[mrgoodwx]

rbmomof3...jazzlover's comments about water are dead on. I think it may have been Mark Twain who said, "whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting."

As far as gardening, it would help to know just what you want to grow. Some of the high-elevation towns in New Mexico that almost never even see 90 degree temperatures have their last freeze of the season at the beginning of July and their first freeze of the next season at the end of August. And even lower-elevation stations, if they are in areas where cold air drains, can have surprisingly short growing seasons.

[rbmomof3]

Well lets see, we love to plant tomatoes which don't get planted until later anyway, bell pepper, zuchini, onion, sweet peas, and green beans. I have some herbs too but they grow inside with enough light which isn't a problem I don't think. I think I can get tomatoes to even grow in big pots .. I believe they are called patio tomatoes or something like that. With food prices going up so darn much it's so much cheaper to grow stuff like that. I need to learn how to can.

I'm a huge fan of some authors that write about the women in the prairie times, around 1880-19 something and they inspire me to go back to roots like that.

[tripleplay54]

Originally Posted by rbmomof3

I've heard of a lot of people that love NM because of it's beauty. But is there any part of the entire state that the summers aren't so hot? Is there humidity at all or is it a dry heat? Snow at all in winters? Don't know how the winters are there...but I'm sure having a hard time finding a state and cities with the ideal weather we want!

I don't think you will find very many areas that have better weather than Albuquerque. The sun shines most of the year, very low humidity, ( a dry heat wth most homes still using the evaporative coolers rather than the refrigerated ones unless you get a new home) with all 4 seasons. The spring is breezy in March or April, the summers will be in the mid to upper 90's and occasionally hit the 100 degree mark, but not that often. It cools very nicely in the evenings. The fall is a great time of year and my favorite. We have a couple of snows that stick in the city, mostly in the mountain areas, although in 2006 we had one storm that dumped alot of snow in the city. Most of the time, it is gone in a day or two. I think school was missed only once this year due to snow.
If you are looking for rain, this is not the place as we average about 9-10 inched per year. If you are looking for an area that is cooler, you could look at Santa Fe as they are 5-10 degrees cooler than Abq. It will cost more to live there though. I hope this helps.

[LRUA]

I agree with Devin Bent there is an "overlap" between Albuquerque and Santa Fe county in regards to climate and some of SF county is at a similiar elevation to ABQ ...however I also agree with EnjoyEP ...the milder zone 7 climate abruptly ends at ABQ ...places at almost identical elevations just 50 or so miles north are significantly cooler at nite ...the only explanation I can come up with is a combination of good cold air drainage, urban heat island effect and the influence of the Sandias with "protecting" ABQ ....here are two examples Espanola at 5589 ft and Los Alamos at 7410 ft

ESPANOLA,NM elevation 5,589 ft
M JA FE MR AP MA JU JL AU SE OC NO DE
HI 47 54 62 70 78 88 90 88 82 72 57 48
LO 16 22 27 33 42 50 56 55 47 35 24 17

LOS ALAMOS,NM elevation 7,410 ft
M JA FE MR AP MA JU JL AU SE OC NO DE
HI 39 43 50 58 67 78 80 77 72 61 48 40
LO 18 22 27 33 42 51 55 53 47 37 26 19

As you might expect Los Alamos has much "cooler" average daytime highs but is actually as "mild" or even "milder" than Espanola at nite !! ....Los Alamos has very good cold air drainage and Espanola is at the "bottom" of the Rio Grande valley ...denser cold air usually sinks to the lowest area

Yes, Espanola's highs are similiar to Albuquerque ...but it's average lows are not (they are actually similiar to Santa Fe's !)